Psalm 135:15-18
"The
idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have
mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot
hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like
them, and so will all who trust in them."
NIV
I spend my physical time in two different worlds, home
and work and my friends and neighbours know at a whiff which world I have just
come from. Why? Because when I am working at home out in the barn rubbing
shoulders with the horses and goats and pitching hay, and straw, that's exactly
what I smell like; horses, goats, hay and straw.
Likewise as God's people it is a fact that we also
interact in two separate worlds. As Christians we belong to God, we are born
again into the spiritual world as our souls have been transferred out of the
kingdom of darkness into his wonderful light. At the same time however we still
live and work in this physical world, a world that often trusts not in God but
in material things, hopes and dreams. We are bombarded by the media by means of
radio, television, movies, magazines, newspapers, books, music, and ads of all
kinds that promote the misguided fact that the idol of materialism and
worldliness is the one to seek after and worship.
"When
Jesus prayed for his disciples he said: My prayer is not that you take them out
of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the
world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
John 17:15-17 NIV
Spending time with God, through the power of his word
helps to make us like him. It scents our very being with his spirit as it fills
our mouth with words of encouragement and wisdom; opens our eyes to truth and
justice; tunes our ears to his will and way and breathes the power of life
eternal through Jesus Christ into our souls. It purifies us making us more like
Him and His world even amidst a world of idolatry.
As a Christian it is my hope and prayer today that
just as my friends and neighbours know at a whiff which world I have physically
come from they might also know by means of a fragrant godly word, action, or
look which world I belong to spiritually and in whom I trust.
Prayer: Father God thank you for the power of your
word and its availability to all peoples throughout the majority of our world
today. Thank you for all those who have devoted their lives to the distribution
of your word worldwide. Bless them for their commitment and sacrifice. And bless
us with hearts that hunger and thirst after your word which is truth. In
Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, B.C.
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