MY IDOLS
SCRIPTURE: ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols, 5 that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols.” ’ 6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.” Ezekiel 14:4-6
The challenge today is that some of us will seek the blessings of God but reject the authority of God. In Ezekiel 14 they are inquiring of the Lord, because they need His help, yet they have other gods. Here is what happens; gods of the heart can be hidden from men, but God is saying to Ezekiel, "They speak to you as if they really want Me.” But these men have gods in their hearts that they have set up themselves. You and I have a capacity to erect our secret sanctuaries of idols yet go through the outward function as if we are seeking the true God.
The challenge today is not only idols of the heart, but to what extent will God respond when they are there. The question is, “Are they in charge?” Oh, you know you have some. You don’t call it that, but when you look at it from God’s perspective the question is, “What controls you?” “What has the final authority over you?” “What do you truly worship?” This is a message that does not allow you any room when you are aware that there is a God who sees what no one else sees about you. It makes you take your eyes off what you think and see about other people and take a moment to try and focus on what God must see about me.
Prayer: Our gracious God and King, You desire to sit upon the throne of our hearts, but we as Your people have elevated lesser things. We have this tendency to take the spiritual path of least resistance, yet we want the full blessings of all You have for us. Help us to see what You see in me. Please help us with a spiritual refocus that causes us to examine our hearts (Am I truly saved?), inspect our walk our relationship (Are You pleased?), observe our work (Is my motivation right?), scrutinize our fruit (Is it Godly?) and cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
By Pastor Wayne Cockrell
Taken from "The Battle with Idols in the Heart"
The challenge today is not only idols of the heart, but to what extent will God respond when they are there. The question is, “Are they in charge?” Oh, you know you have some. You don’t call it that, but when you look at it from God’s perspective the question is, “What controls you?” “What has the final authority over you?” “What do you truly worship?” This is a message that does not allow you any room when you are aware that there is a God who sees what no one else sees about you. It makes you take your eyes off what you think and see about other people and take a moment to try and focus on what God must see about me.
Prayer: Our gracious God and King, You desire to sit upon the throne of our hearts, but we as Your people have elevated lesser things. We have this tendency to take the spiritual path of least resistance, yet we want the full blessings of all You have for us. Help us to see what You see in me. Please help us with a spiritual refocus that causes us to examine our hearts (Am I truly saved?), inspect our walk our relationship (Are You pleased?), observe our work (Is my motivation right?), scrutinize our fruit (Is it Godly?) and cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
By Pastor Wayne Cockrell
Taken from "The Battle with Idols in the Heart"
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
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SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
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3 Comments
Wow. What a blow, Pastor. Thank you for the challenge and the questions that keeps us asking, “Is that me, Lord?”
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these other things will be added to you.
This is a mic drop! Amen Pastor Cockrell. We went to a funeral yesterday. The deceased was a huge Ravens fan, so much so that there was a Ravens emblem on the program. A comment was made to me "...now that's dedication. " I said, "No, that's idolatry!" Thankfully, the eulogy was on point, and 5 souls accepted Jesus when the invitation was given.