"You who bring good tidings... lift your voice with a shout... do not be afraid... 'Here is your God!'" (Isa. 40:9)

IDOL-MAKING: WHO ME?

Posted on July 22nd, 2007 in Devotional by Jonnie Wright

 by Jonnie Wright

I am an idol maker. No, I don’t make woodcarvings, sculptures, paintings or golden calves; but my over-powering need for something else besides Jesus Christ makes me an idol worshipper.

Take food for example. God created my need to eat. When I eat, however, I don’t do it because of hunger. I eat when I’m sad, lonely, bored or procrastinating. I over-eat at restaurants, potlucks, baby and bridal showers, and any other celebration. I almost never eat because I’m hungry. I hoard my food and buy in bulk quantity so I don’t run out of anything. I won’t fast because I don’t want to feel uncomfortable. I don’t diet because I don’t want to deprive myself. I will overeat by myself, with friends, or with family. I make poor food choices when shopping which means that food at home is unhealthy. My schedule for each day revolves around breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Are you getting a picture here? Food has become my idol—not because I shouldn’t eat, but because of its importance in my life. Food gives meaning to my life, it is my comfort, and the control of food gives me satisfaction and power. The desire of my heart is my treasure. How sad that my desire for food is greater than my desire for Christ.

What idols have you created for yourself? Perhaps you might find many in this list: life itself, air, health, water, food, clothing, shelter, sexual pleasure, rest, exercise, happiness, being loved, life-purpose, money, possessions, TV, respect, status, accomplishment, self-esteem, success, control, power, self-righteousness, aesthetic pleasure, legally addictive stimulants, medications, knowledge, marriage, church functions, Bible study, family. If any these pursuits are the criteria for your happiness and meaning in life, then you have turned them into idols and become an idol worshipper.

To overcome this human weakness of choosing what we want instead of whom God provides in Jesus Christ, we can join Paul as he declares, “Wretched (wo)man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24-25 NASB) Christ sets us free from these idols when we hunger after His righteousness, promises, abundance, forgiveness, and love.

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5) The answer to our human failings requires that we turn away from the importance of everything but Jesus Christ. When we seek Him with all our heart, the necessities of our life assume their rightful importance. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt 6:33)

So what idols will you tear down today? Me? I’m putting a lock on my refrigerator :Oo

Nothing Changes but the Changes

Posted on July 13th, 2007 in Devotional by Jonnie Wright

by Jonnie Wright

Change is something I do poorly. When my lipstick color is going to be discontinued, my favorite Chinese food is no longer available, or the price of gas threatens to increase, I get very uncomfortable. I want to hoard what I have and buy up as much as I can of these things, so that the change will not impact my comfort zone. I don’t want to be inconvenienced by change.

I want simpler days where TV programs were not rated R, body art & piercings only happened in prison, and marriage was the only way to have sex with someone you loved. My list of "don’t change this" is very long, especially if it concerns my finances, my health, or my family. I plead with God so that these areas of my life will be protected and will not change.

Well hello! How can I be transformed into Christ’s likeness if change does not occur? To be like Christ is the goal of all change. "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." (1 John 2:6 NIV) God uses the very grist of living to change me.

Jesus’ life is a road map of obedience. He altered His course over and over again, always doing His Father’s will. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:5) To fear change paralyzes me and keeps me from God’s best plan. Fear has no place in my life as a Christian. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)

So how do I change my fear of change? Paul puts the question well: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (Rom. 7:24) And then his answer resounds with triumph: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:1-2) I am free of fear when I claim Holy Spirit power to walk through the changes in my life that are perfecting me in Christ Jesus.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2) Change will no longer cause me fear if I embrace the work of God in my life.

Seek God’s Face by Jonnie Wright

Posted on July 11th, 2007 in Devotional by Jonnie Wright

“Two types of thoughts continually vie for your attention. One proclaims God’s strengths; the other lists your failures.” Max Lucado

So often when I go to pray, I seem to start out with my failures: Lord, forgive me for this; Lord, help me get through that. With effort I must force myself to search for God’s face, and not demand that He “fix me” with His hand.And as I make this daily shift in my thinking, from my failures to His holiness, a strange alteration takes place in my spirit. I am lifted above those failures; they become insignificant as I am transported into the very presence of Holy God. I am holy–no failures at all.

This transformation does not come from my own efforts. The blood of Jesus Christ purifies me at the very moment of my awareness of God’s strengths, His faithfulness, His unchanging love, His plan for me.

We can wallow or we can praise. The choice is always left up to us. If we seek Him, then failure is not an option. God’s will prevails in our lives when we behold His sovereignty over our lives.

Consider the Potters

Posted on July 1st, 2007 in Devotional by Jonnie Wright
by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

 Morning and Evening, 1834-1892

  “These were potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.” (1 Chronicles 4:23 KJV)

Potters were the very highest grade of workers, but “the king” needed potters, and therefore they were in royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay.  We, too, may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord’s work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for “the king”; and therefore we will abide in our calling, hoping that, “although we have lien among the pots, yet shall we be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” (Ps. 68:13 KJV)

The text tells us of those who dwelt among plants and hedges, having rough, rustic, hedging and ditching work to do. They may have desired to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their appointed places, for they also were doing the king’s work. The place of our habitation is fixed, and we are not to remove from it out of whim and caprice, but seek to serve the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside.

These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they dwelt “with the king” and although among hedges and plants, they dwelt with the king there. No lawful place, or gracious occupation, however mean, can debar us from communion with our divine Lord. In visiting hovels, swarming lodging-houses, workhouses, or jails, we may go with the king.

In all works of faith we may count upon Jesu’s fellowship. It is when we are in His work that we may reckon upon His smile. Ye unknown workers who are occupied for your Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have been found upon dunghills ere now, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ill weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell ye with the King for His work, and when He writes His chronicles your name shall be recorded.

1. What kind of pot has the King designed you to be ?

2. What kind of work are you designed to do?
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