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36 They worshiped their idols,
which became a snare to them.
37 They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to false gods…
39 They defiled themselves by what they did;
by their deeds they prostituted themselves.
Psalm 106:36-37, 39
Have you ever seen a hamster on a wheel? The endless spinning, but going nowhere. That’s how the chase of worldly things leaves us. When we allow our pursuit of earthly things to distract us, we wind up in the same place we started with a lot less energy. Have you ever thought of the implications of our chase on those around us?
In Psalm 106:36-37, 39, we see the people of Israel becoming ensnared by the practices of their neighbors in Canaan (the promised land). The Israelites, God’s chosen people, had been given specific instructions as how to conduct themselves and who to conquer. They did not follow God’s command and as a result strayed from God’s will.
The passage goes on to say that they sacrificed their children to those false gods. The use of sacrificed could be literal or perhaps even figurative, meaning the parents lead their children to commit destructive sins. It is clear that the people had tainted themselves by devoting their talents to an unworthy idol.
What are you devoting your talents to? Are you the hamster on the wheel working in vain? If you paused and reflected on your life, do you have things that distract you from God? Are you willing to decrease their grasp on your life in order for God to increase?
Heavenly Father, Today, I will no longer allow the world to use all of my talents in exchange for nothing. I refuse to continue endlessly spinning in circles. I will no longer allow things of this world to distract me from pursuing you as my Lord and Savior. God, I release the feelings of void to you; Only you can fill them. Help me to be an example for those around me… Amen.
-S.L.E.
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The passage illustrates the importance of being a beacon of light in dim, dark places, as guided by Luke 11:33-36. One must not let comfort lead to dulled awareness, but instead consciously illuminate one’s environment. It urges self-reflection on how one’s personal light can lead others towards embracing Jesus.
The Lord’s Prayer 11 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone
The Beatitudes 20 And He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your
I have been lost a time or two. Usually, because I got distracted and wandered off the intended path. Whatever sparked my interest was enough to cause me to lose sight of my intended destination. In this passage, we find Jesus as a child, so focused on His Father’s business that he wanders off from his parents. In my own life, I’ve found that I’m not prone to wander towards my father’s business….but away from it.
If you or someone close to you is in need, we would be honored to lift you up in prayer. We believe in the power of prayer to bring peace, comfort, and reassurance during times of hardship. Our community is ready to join together and pray as we trust in God’s love and unending grace.
