3 Games

Like many of you we met with family, indulged in much food and little activity today. The extent of our exercise included finding a chair to watch a funny show or finding a chair at the table to play a game. We engaged in three games today of which you may be familiar.

In the game called Loaded Questions the questioner posed a question to all, which led to 11 hidden responses around the room. The anonymous responses were quoted for the questioner who was to guess what response went with what person. Your score depended on one thing: How well do you know others in the room?

In the game called Like Minds two were paired up. A phrase was posed and the answers between the pairs were to match and points were awarded for each one that did. Again, your objective was to come up with quick responses, yet try to determine what your teammate might be thinking. Your score depended on one thing: How well do you know another in the room?

The final game we played called Moods was somewhat theatrical. 9 different moods were displayed on cards in front of all. One person per turn would quote a given phrase in one of the 9 moods unbeknown to the entire group. Points were awarded to you for your performance by those around you who could identify the exact mood you had acted. Points were also awarded to those who properly identified your mini-drama. Your score depended partially on this thing: How well do you know others in the room?

I must admit that I failed miserably. I did not fail because I lost some of the games, but in one sense I did. I failed because my overall outlook toward others is lacking at best. We are not concerned with much more than the obvious when it comes to family and friends! To our credit Christmas is the only time we see particular family members who we have not seen or heard from during the year. But honestly, this fact did not satisfy my disgust in my personal selfishness. It is easy to be consumed with one person in the our lives – the one in the mirror – the one we look for every time we look at a picture – the one we pray about – the one we feed – the one whose name we look for in our peripheral under the tree – the one we go to the mailbox for – the one we love the most!

Here’s what Scripture says:

James 3:14-15

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

Gal 5:19-20

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,

Prov 18:1

An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.

Lord, help us to obey these next verses:

Phil 2:2-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Ps 119:36

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

I have not given you practical helps because I am considering what they might be for myself. Help me by responding with you practical ideas and I will post a follow up blog.

David

What Idolatry Truly Is

I have just started reading Isaiah in my daily reading and am loving it! Yesterday I read chapter 2 and learned a great deal about what idolatry truly is. God said this concerning His people: "Their land is filled with idols." (v.8) He then goes on to name all their idols. What I noticed is that the sin of idolatry is associated, in God's eyes, with the sin of pride. Actually what I saw in this chapter is that they are basically one in the same. I would define idolatry as "exalting something or someone in place of God." I would define pride as "exalting self above all else." It is clear that God is condemning the pride of Israel as you read of at least 15 phrases that speak of man exalting himself above God such as these:

• "haughty looks of man"
• "lofty pride of men"
• "haughtiness of man"
• "lifted up"
• "uplifted hills"
• "high tower"

God is speaking of the future "day of the Lord" and says 2 awesome things. Two times He says, "the Lord alone will be exalted in that day", as opposed to man being exalted. Then He says, "In that day mankind will cast away their idols", linking pride with idolatry.

The end of this chapter is phenomenal! He says, "Stop regarding man." I believe He is saying to stop exalting self. "For of what account(value) is he(man)?" God is not saying that man has no value, but that, compared to Him, we are not that valuable to be "lifted high". This thinking will help us in deciding each day who we will exalt. Will we exalt self, "in whose nostrils is breath"? Or will we exalt God, who has "splendor of majesty"?

What I have learned about idolatry is that my idol is actually me. We tend to say that our idols are things outside ourselves such as money, sex, stuff, our jobs, family, etc. These, I believe are simply outward manifestations of who our idol truly is, who we are exalting above God. Our idol is self which would also be pride. I once read a great book by Jim Berg in which he said that our daily choice is "pleasing God or pleasing self". I understand what he meant but I don't like that expression because it can mislead some to think that there is no pleasure in serving and pleasing God. I think the daily choice is actually this: Exalt God or exalt self.

Please pray for me bro., that I may "stop regarding man(self)" daily and exalt our GREAT GOD!

James