Corona Devo 3261

We have so many influences in our lives--which should we worship?  Some of our influences come from our upbringing.  We remember Uncle So-and-So's good nature and sense of humor, and it helps to keep a spring in our step, and a smile on our heart.

Perhaps we had an elder in the family who was wise with money, investing, giving, and living...and we want to be like them.  

Our influences can come from outside of our family-lines too: pastors, teachers, coaches, mentors...and online and on-screen too.  Even people we have never met can shape what we think and who we are. 

We can begin to idolize others with our attention to them and by the power we allow them to hold over us and our decisions.

This sounds bad, but some people do so much good and even good for God...that we want to be like them.  

Is this bad?  

---The Bible reminds us today that no matter who is influencing us, and why---we should worship only God.  

Everyone else...every one--is just like us--men and women.  And even the most righteous of our brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus are just that--they are brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus.

They are not Jesus.  We must not worship people--we should worship only God.  

~~~

John had this (mix-up) happen to him when he encountered an angel.  The angel brought amazing news, but the news was not the angel's: it was God's message, because that is what angel's speak.  

And John, in receiving it, fell down at his feet to worship him.

We do the same.  Sometimes unknowingly--we idolize others for various reasons.  And sometimes on purpose--we blatantly try to emulate, imitate, and worship others.  Think of high school and the "popular" kids that everyone wanted to be like.  

But even though we are not in high school anymore, we can fall into a trap of worshiping those that we deem important or influential.  

God says no.  

The Lord our God and His Son, Jesus Christ should be the only ones that we worship.  

Everyone else...everyone else is just a servant of God, (just like us), and if we like what we see in their life and testimony-- Good!  But the Bible reminds (and reprimands us) that they are not God (and worthy of worship), they are a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus.

Yes, you and I have many influences and influencers over our lives today.  But we have only one God of our life.  

Worship only God.  ~Revelation 19:10

And I love how God drives home His point with us today by saying that if we muddy (and increase) the focus(es) of who/what we worship, then we muddy our clear witness for Jesus.  

How can others see Jesus in us if we are devoting our heart and time and affections to people and things other than Him?

The Bible puts it this way: For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus”  (Revelation 19:10).

Heavenly Father, we desperately want to give a clear witness for You.  More than anything else in this world, we are called to seek You and to show the world our authenticity in doing so.  
Forgive us when we fall short and become distracted and distorted in our worship.  And thank You for realigning our hearts and devotion to You today.  
Help us not to worship others...even Godly others (because they are just like us and our brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus)...but make us spiritually steadfast to worship only God.  Amen.

~~~

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.” 

(10) Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. 

Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”  ~Revelation 19:9-10

Lord, our point and purpose and the essence of prophecy...is to give a clear witness for Jesus.  Help/enable/embolden/ and bless us to do this today!  Amen.

Blessings,

sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com


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