Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
1 John 5:21(NLT)
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”
What stops us short of experiencing the fullness of God’s glory in our daily lives? Doubt, fear, busyness, complacency, to name a few, are just some of the areas that can keep us stalled out like an abandoned car for days or even years. Have you been there? Me too. We make all kinds of excuses and tell ourselves we can’t do what God tells us to do. Somehow we reason that God is asking us to do the impossible. However, God doesn’t need something from us; God wants something FOR us!
More than an excuse, these defeating words are taking God’s rightful place of victory in our life today. What is holding you back today?
God,
I want to take that step, but…
I want to believe you can, but…
I want to keep praying, but…
I want to forgive that person, but…
I want to serve there, but…
I want to give that, but…
I want to let go of my past, but…
I want to lead, but…
I want to join a small group, but…
I want to study the Bible, but…
I want to love that person, but…
I want to trust your provision, but…
It’s time to clean out the roadways, driveways, and alleyways of our heart and give God back the entirety of His rightful space.
We’ve all experienced what it’s like to hurt, fear, and cling; yet these things can easily take God’s place in our heart if we let them. Essentially, they become idols that we set up in those places we’ve stalled out. They begin to call the shots instead of Jesus and they push us to bow to the world. Instead of praying through and letting God breathe His fresh new life and power into our situation, we just choose to live empty and defeated. That makes about as much sense as running out of gas and choosing to ignore the gas station in front of you.
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” At the time John wrote these words, the church struggled with doing things only God’s way. They liked Christianity, but also liked the world’s way that fed their desires. Much like hearts today, they wanted both. John pleads for us to remember God’s rightful place. Our God is the One True God. God is light. God is love. God is life.
We get comfy in our world and often find ourselves trying to live with one foot at God’s throne and one foot at the world’s altar. John reminds us that this doesn’t work and leaves us missing God’s goodness. John had experienced the glory of God first-hand through Jesus as one of His 12 disciples. He had seen, heard, and touched this great love and power and didn’t want a single person to settle for less!
What is God leading you to do this week? Don’t stop short. Start by asking the Lord to show you anything sitting in His place, and ask the Holy Spirit for help to repent and obey.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, you are the One True God, deserving of all my worship. Reveal to me anything that has taken Your rightful place in my heart. I ask for the strength and wisdom to follow and obey you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 149:1
Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!