Idol Eyes

IDOL EYES

“And I said to them, “Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” Ezekiel 20:7 NIV

Dear Father God, what are the idols that I set my eyes on today? Search my heart and show me.

Dear child, money is your biggest idol. You act as if it is yours. Yesterday, you were working with your financial planner, looking at your net worth which is more than enough for you to feel financially secure. And yet, you are going after more. Your financial goals are an idol.

Lord, I am posting this chat for the world to see, and I feel naked. I don’t want to post this, and I don’t want the world to know that I have an idol.

My child, everyone has idols. Those that think they do not are deceiving themselves. The entire history of my people is one is which I have expressly told my people not to have idols, they disobeyed, and suffered the consequences of their idol worship. I sent Jesus to solve this problem. The idol worship is a continual struggle for all Christ-followers. Some examples for those in ministry are:
1. Their church
2. Their sermons
3. Their ministry
4. Their impact
Anything that is put before me is an idol. Some examples for others are:
1. Their children
2. Their spouse
3. Their walk with Christ
4. Their good deeds done in the name of Christ
Anything that you put ahead of God can be an idol. Well meaning Christ-followers have to fully surrender everything to me. And, it is a continual struggle. It is easy to worship the gift. What I want is my people to worship the giver of the gift, alone. You have nothing in your flesh. I have given you everything. Look to me alone. Worship ONLY me.

Lord Jesus, I repent for having money be an idol. All the money there’re is in my world is yours. It is not mine. I repent for thinking it is mine. When I ask you what to do with this money, and how to invest it, I am asking: “How should I invest my money.” The right question to ask is: “How should I invest your money?” From now on, that will be my question.

Yes, child. It is a subtle but profound shift. And, not to ask how much should you give of your money to ministry, either. It is not yours to decide. Ask: How much should I keep?

Yes, Lord. It is not mine nor Patty’s to decide. It is yours. Help me not give lip service to this truth. In the words of James: 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 NIV

Well done my child. I am with you. You are forgiven. Help Patty to learn this same lesson I am teaching you: “Anything you put in front of me is sinful, and needs to be repented of and you need to seek forgiveness for it from me.”

Yes, Lord. I will call her to repentance with me. We will have this conversation today about “your” money, and pray about what you want us to do with it. My goals are wrong. More money is not better. The idol of “more” is real and alive inside of many well meaning Christ-followers. We can worship the “more” and lose track of the “who.” You. All we need is you. All we truly have is you. You are the only one that stands the test of time. All else will fade away. Ministries will cease. Churches will cease. You and you alone stand the test of time.

I am the Alpha and Omega; the Beginning and the End; have no gods before me. Worship me alone.

Our security is ONLY in you. Not in anything we think we have, lest we trust in our own strength.
Our significance is ONLY in you. Not in anything we think we have done, let me make them into an idol.
Our salvation is ONLY in you. Not by any works we have performed, lest we get prideful.

My child, spiritual pride is the most pervasive idol amongst my most committed Christ-followers. Present that in your Bible study to Austin Christian Executives on Friday.

OK Lord, I will. Thank you for the topic. Amen.

Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
17 May 2023