In Mark 10:21, Jesus revealed an idol in the rich young rulers life. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him and”… asked him to give everything. It wasn’t so much about giving up his money and possessions as it was giving his all- his total devotion- to Christ. There’s a note in my Bible that gets to the heart of it and even speaks truth into the muddled ness of what I’m hearing in some of the “mixture” of teaching out there these days. It says, “Jesus looks beyond specific requirements to single-hearted devotion to God…” Take up the cross… die to self… and follow me that you might truly live.
Earlier this year He was talking to me about idols in our lives. What are the things that try to steal my attention, affection and devotion to Him? Like 1 John 5:21 says in the Amplified: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)- from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life. Amen.”
More than ever before, I see this year as being one where we need to have a single-hearted devotion to Him- a year when we need to be more in tune to what He is saying and to allow Him to pin-point and narrow our focus on to what is most important to Him.
It’s interesting, too. Even though there are details that still need to come together, I have a good idea of what the first part of this year will hold... a trip home in the spring; Women of Glory and Out of the Ashes conferences; a return trip to Asia; and helping my friend make preparations for her June wedding. The last six months of this year are a lot more vague, but I still have a sense of some potential regarding more traveling Stateside. But once I begin to think about or look into 2012… it’s like a blank page. That’s not typical for me. Usually the Lord is at least stirring something in my heart concerning things for the year ahead.
I asked Him about that in prayer recently. His response surprised me, but made sense none the less. “What happens in 2012 will depend on what happens in 2011.” It’s kind of a matter-of-fact statement, but to me it makes me have a greater anticipation for this year as well as a greater sense of urgency to pray, to hear, to be sensitive and to yield to His direction. The expectancy is forefront, though, and as always, I’m excited about walking out the journey with Him!
Earlier this year He was talking to me about idols in our lives. What are the things that try to steal my attention, affection and devotion to Him? Like 1 John 5:21 says in the Amplified: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)- from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life. Amen.”
More than ever before, I see this year as being one where we need to have a single-hearted devotion to Him- a year when we need to be more in tune to what He is saying and to allow Him to pin-point and narrow our focus on to what is most important to Him.
It’s interesting, too. Even though there are details that still need to come together, I have a good idea of what the first part of this year will hold... a trip home in the spring; Women of Glory and Out of the Ashes conferences; a return trip to Asia; and helping my friend make preparations for her June wedding. The last six months of this year are a lot more vague, but I still have a sense of some potential regarding more traveling Stateside. But once I begin to think about or look into 2012… it’s like a blank page. That’s not typical for me. Usually the Lord is at least stirring something in my heart concerning things for the year ahead.
I asked Him about that in prayer recently. His response surprised me, but made sense none the less. “What happens in 2012 will depend on what happens in 2011.” It’s kind of a matter-of-fact statement, but to me it makes me have a greater anticipation for this year as well as a greater sense of urgency to pray, to hear, to be sensitive and to yield to His direction. The expectancy is forefront, though, and as always, I’m excited about walking out the journey with Him!
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