"From Heaven To Earth We Fall"

Scripture Text: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;" Exo 20:3-5 (KJV)

Have you ever stopped and wondered why God would make such a commandment: to not bow to any graven image or likeness of anything in heaven above or the Earth beneath?

Well, He does say that He is a Jealous God, and He follows that with the words.

"...visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;"

Why do you suppose He is so quick and clear to tell us that He is a Jealous God and He will punish those who do not obey Him?

Let me answer that by asking a question. When was the last time that you were seeking answers for your relationship with someone or just seeking a "true" relationship with someone and you prayed about it first? I'm not talking about just a couple words, "God help me", or God send someone nice my way... and then joining a dating club; I'm talking about forgetting the dating club and keeping your nose in the Word and your feet grounded in the Church seeking God to bring a lasting and Godly relationship your way?

When was the last time you were needing something to turn around in your finances and you decided to cease all of your impulse shopping and remember "the Tithe" first, and to seek "God" for His favor on your life? 

When was the last time you needed just a ray of hope or just a little encouragement, and you sought one of your friends or some psychologist or even worse - read a ton of self-help books from some guy you know nothing about - paying hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars to  merely find out something that God has told you all along. YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE? (ref., Ps. 139:14)

The reason God is so intent on "His Creation" bowing to no other Gods is justified in the very fact that He is YOUR CREATOR. But if that isn't enough, let me appeal to your sense of recollection. What does the Scriptures say about how we are supposed to see God or respond to Him.

"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Deu 6:5 (KJV)

Ah, that's Old Testament Brother... we're not under Law, we're under Grace!

Okay, how about this one from the mouth of Jesus?

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matthew 22:37 (KJV)

So what happens when we don't follow that commandment which Jesus said was the Greatest of all commandments?

We bow to Earthly creations such as Dating Establishments that are nothing more than flesh- peddlers themselves. We bow to drugs of all kinds to make us wake-up, perk-up and even shut-up! We bow to people who lie to us and manipulate us - telling us how we too can become millionaires - when all they want is our $39.95 and you never hear from them again. We bow to  people who have no hope themselves trying to tell us where to find hope although they have long since lost connection with "real" people because this world is a sick place and they really don't want to be a part of it. We bow to lottery machines, fast-food; movie houses; taverns; the list is endless.

When you decide to bow to any of these Earthly IDOLS, God is Jealous because He knows they are not your ANSWER. When you decide to down to any of these Earthly methods of worship, God is Jealous because He  knows that it diminishes your faith. Why? Because the "need" for  the physical is "of the flesh", but The WORD tells us that we are not of the flesh we we are to live and know God "in the Spirit".

Romans 8:13 teaches, “By the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body.”

God’s primary commandment is that we love Him!

Don’t get stuck on earthly things just because you can see them, touch them, or taste them. Spend some time with The Father today in quiet, putting aside all other outward forms of worship and just lift your heart to Him. Allow Him to do a mighty work and a wonder in Your Life today.

Let's pray:

I love you Lord and I give you Glory this day for giving me Life and promising me "Life in Abundance". I realize that what I have and what I am today depends on how much of you I allow to control my life. It is my desire to seek you first in all things today Father. Come Holy Spirit, remind me in everything that I do today that "God Alone" is my Source. In Jesus' Name, I Pray, Amen.

 

 

출처 : http://inthegarden.us/devo2010/itg071210.htm