 Romans 1:21-23 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” NIV
Beloved, man was created to worship, in fact we were created to worship God but when we fail to worship the Lord we worship a substitute and this is idolatry. In Romans 1 Paul covers idolatry saying, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” In other words, man did not worship the Lord but replaced Him with their creation. Therefore, “although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” Hence, idolatry is foolish. How foolish? Paul goes on to say, “and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” So, instead of worshipping the Creator, man stooped to worship the creation. It just does not make sense but sin never makes sense. It is often senseless. Consequently, mankind is without excuse. Instead of glorifying God we transformed our idea of Him into forms and images more comfortable to our corrupt and darkened hearts. We can’t seem to resist the temptation to create God into an image beneath us and tragically, we inescapably become like the God we serve. The fact is once a man rejects the truth of God in Jesus, he will fall for anything foolish, and trust far more feeble and fanciful systems than what he rejects from God. Beloved, don’t replace God with something or someone else. Remember, we were created to worship the Lord. Worship Him and Him alone! I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Him, Pastor Joe
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The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of July 6, 2020
Inconvenient Acts 24:25, "As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” NIV Beloved, The Apostle Paul was in Jerusalem delivering gifts and completing a vow when he was arrested on spurious charges. This was all God ordained as the Lord used this to bring Paul to Rome. God was working through a dangerous situation, which could have cost Paul his life. But as always, God was in control. Felix, the politician was a man with considerable knowledge concerning Christianity, or “The Way.” Felix could have quickly pronounced judgment, finding for Paul, and setting him free. But this was not the case for at least two reasons: (1) God, in His sovereignty, had ordained that Paul go to Rome and that he preach the gospel to kings (see Acts 1:8; 9:15; 23:11). (2) Felix was a politician, who hoped to use this situation for his own advantage. If he were fortunate, he might not only obtain a bribe from Paul but also curry the favor of the Jews. Paul had another idea. He always had the Gospel in mind. Brought before Felix, the preacher came to the politician. When Paul got around to the judgment to come, “Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” Unfortunately there is no indication that he nor his wife Drusilla came to faith. Many other times Paul was called before Felix but the Gospel always inconvenienced Felix. Beloved, may we never consider Jesus an inconvenience. May we always be ready to do what the Lord asks us to do. May we be quick to hear his words and place feet to His requests. I pray that Jesus is never an inconvenience to us! I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Him, Pastor Joe |
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