The World vs. God
1John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
This is one of the Christian's most chronic problems. We want friendship with the world and friendship with God. We want to love both. But our desires are like those of a husband who wants to love two wives or a wife who wants to love two husbands. A one-to-one relationship is corrupted by multiple loves. And God always insists on a one-to-one relationship with us. Though He has the capacity to love billions - He is God, after all - we do not. If He is not our highest affection, we are idolaters, and He is jealous. He will not be one of our many treasures. He wants all or nothing.
Our pursuit of wisdom will compel us to choose between God and our other loves. As much as we'd like to, our hearts cannot balance both God and anything else. And our pursuit of wisdom will dictate which one is the rational choice. It should be obvious that the One who designed us for Himself would leave us unfulfilled with our other suitors. Only He can satisfy because we were created only for Him.
Do you struggle with dissatisfaction? Perhaps you have invested your affections in something that is ultimately unsatisfying. Forsake it and turn your heart toward God. He alone can fill our hearts.
[An excerpt from "The One Year Walk with God Devotional" by Chris Tiegreen]
Application of God's Word: Ecclesiastes 3:14
Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
Application:
What is the purpose of life? It is that we should fear the all-powerful God. To fear God means to respect and stand in awe of him because of who he is. Purpose in life starts with whom we know, not what we know or how good we are. It is impossible to fulfill your God-given purpose unless you revere God and give him first place in your life.
This verse applies to all of God's works, but today, consider its application to your life. Do you wonder if God will change His mind about you? That perhaps you have overstepped His mercy? That mabye He will not complete what He's started in your life? Trust Him. The work that He does - including you - will endure forever. He promised it so you would revere Him.
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Sermon: Let Me Show You The Door
If the enemy has been attacking you, then you’re probably headed
into a season of greater impact. Shut the devil down God’s way!
