"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." Exodus 20:4 NIV

Thoughts for Today

This is the second of the Ten Commandments and shows that we are to worship only God. God forbids us to worship or use created things or even creation itself as an approach to him. The only correct image of God to worship is his son, Jesus Christ. Not trees or flowers or animals or land. Not statues or monuments or traditions. Only Jesus.

We should have no God-substitutes. When we look to anyone or anything other than Christ as our primary source of meaning, self-worth, comfort or fulfillment, we are in danger of having an idol in our lives. An idol is anything that we depend on for solutions that only God can provide. Three common types of idols are substances, behaviors and relationships that control our lives.

Consider this...

God doesn't want us to serve idols because he loves us and knows what is best for us. Let us come before him daily, seeking his will and his plan for our lives. Let us worship Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for trying to find comfort ... solutions ... happiness in things or activities or relationships. Although you may use some of these things or people to enrich my life and to help me, I know that you are the source of all good things. Help me to never again depend on a substitute. In Jesus' name ...

"You must not have any other god but me." Exodus 20:3 NLT

The Ten Commandments deal with our relationship with God and with others. The bottom line is love. Each of these commandments holds a great deal of meaning for our lives today.

Today's scripture is the first of the Ten Commandments. It calls for an undivided faithfulness to God. Because we have been created in God's image, this relationship is at the very core of human need and affects everyone.

"Other gods" usually brings to mind a wooden or stone image--or the proclaimed god of another religion. But there are more subtle "other gods." Anything that takes our focus off Christ...anything that we devote more time and attention and allegiance to than Jesus...can become our other god. It might be money or sports or sex. It could be our job, a relationship or even working in a ministry.

Consider this...

It is so easy to be sidetracked, sometimes even doing good things, that we let our personal relationship with the Lord suffer. A periodic reality check can be enlightening. Am I asking God for guidance...or doing my own thing. Am I trusting in my job, or another person, or my own abilities more than I am trusting in the Lord?

If you find that you have wandered off the path, begin to refocus on Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for sometimes getting sidetracked and making other things or people a more important part of my life than you are. Help me to refocus on Jesus. In His name...