God is made small in idolatry.
It contains, restricts and cramps Him.
We can all be guilty of being stubborn, obstinate and unyielding.
It is also very easy to get distracted by the trivia and not do anything about the priority.
It is so easy to love and worship something or someone we like and have become familiar with and discover it is our focus.
That which we concentrate on becomes our idol.
We can accidentally become underminers of God and His will
Worshippers of what we created, our traditions and preferences, not worshippers of the Creator alone.
Josiah the youngest King and prophet in scripture had to be radically brave to confront such a generation and eradicate generations of religious practices that were limiting God moving.
Enough is enough and God will not be limited.
Josiah’s obedience is our hope of becoming idol eliminators and temple cleansers.
We are in an era of being called to be Light.
Be the flood lights which illuminate where the enemy has subtly infiltrated.
Holiness should repel him .
If we see his influence creeping in action must be taken because he spreads like an unwanted infection, ambitious to poison and kill.
What and who are we worshipping we all have to ask.
I have to say I have been challenged personally by some of the realities I’ve exposed in my own heart with such a question.
How do I steward His presence or present myself spotless?
Not without need to repent I have to be honest!
I should not be disgruntled if the worship song is not one of my favourites, it is not the song but God I should be worshipping!
I can praise Him in all things and ways.
The same with the way we may choose to pray, the preference of who is ministering the service, the numbers of people attending, the style or format of the service, the people I am allowed or not to fellowship with, traditions I want to remain comfortable with etc etc.
Multiple, variable subtle distractions.
This is the enemy influence.
This is me, selfish, not dying to self.
Are these my idols?
I have to step back and ask?
Am I going to church to be entertained or gratified?
Or am I going to seek the presence of God and worship Him?
He alone should be amplified on my pedestal.
He alone should be my focus.
He alone I should want to replicate.
It’s not about my small minded preferences.
It is all about Him.
God forgive me when I’ve been idolising myself instead.
He deserves a better bride than one undermining Him.
When all is stripped away we come back to the heart of worship.
What God brings should be blessed what He doesn’t should fall away.
He alone should be worshipped and honoured.
We are the church in lockdown.
There will be a day when we will be regathering.
It is my prayer that it will not be the rearranging of the chairs that preoccupies me but God alone
The illustration shows the all seeing Eye of God the focus of our own eye. The spectrum light of God, the light we reflect the Light to dispel all darkness.
Two Scriptures that come to mind:
“all because they traded the truth of God for a lie. They worshiped and served the things God made rather than the God who made all things—glory and praises to him forever and ever! Amen!”Romans 1:25 TPT
“I have come to set the earth on fire. And how I long for every heart to be already ablaze with this fiery passion for God! But first I must be immersed into the baptism of God’s judgment, and I am consumed with passion as I await its fulfillment. Don’t think for a moment that I came to grant peace and harmony to everyone. No, for my coming will change everything and create hostility among you. From now on, even family members will be divided over me and will choose sides against one another.”Luke 12:49-52 TPT
The song Adore. Chris Tomlin
https://youtu.be/lAIvOGth0m4
Lessisgreater 