Determined

March 28, 2011
1 Samuel 7:3 "Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, 'If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the Lord; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.'"

Do you desire a deeper relationship with the Lord? I know I do. At times I feel distant from God, though. Sometimes we won't feel God, and that doesn't mean He's not there or that He's left us. It could mean that He's growing us and weening us off of Spiritual milk and onto solid Spiritual food. Maybe it is due to sin that needs to be resolved in our lives. Lately I've been feeling a little distant from the Lord, but I know He's right here with me. The point is, our "gods" might not be a statue. They could be a car, family, television; anything that you think about or trust in more than God. My "gods" lately have been texting and relationships. Neither of these are bad, but them being my "gods" is bad! What can I do to stop then? Get rid of them is what 1 Samuel says. Am I saying to stop texting my friends and quit my relationships? Absolutely not, but I am saying that I need to get my priorities straight. If that requires taking a break for even just five minutes to get my heart right and spend time talking to my Heavenly Father then so be it. Whatever it takes, I need to "Determine to only obey the Lord." (7:3)

Dear Lord,
Please forgive me for having other "gods" before You. Please, help me obey only You. Close up the gap I've felt between us, and be the Lord, Savior, and Leader of my life. I love You! In Jesus' Name. Amen.