July 19, 2011 Harmful or Helpful?

Harmful or Helpful Habits?
Jeremiah 43-44

Jer 44:25 “We will certainly carry out the vows we made to burn incense and pour out drink offerings to the Queen of Heaven.”

WHAT ARE your habits? Have you ever really thought about what you do each day?
I know, many people would like to eat a more healthy diet. So why don’t they? Many would like to have a budget, so why don’t they? Many would like their children to obey them, so why don’t they train them to obey? The list goes on.
Most of us in some way could live better if we would listen to people who can help us get past an issue that diminishes us. But we stop short of making the change. We trust the problem and not the solution. Weird, but true.
The Hebrews seem to have similar roadblocks. They had left Jerusalem and gone to Egypt. Through Jeremiah God told them not to go, and God has told them not to worship the “Queen of Heaven”.
God gives his people an alternative, but they trust the lifeless god and not the living God. They think the false god has blessed them when the truth is that God has loved them by holding back his punishment. They have a false picture of truth. They do not listen to and know their God. They have seen God cause destruction in their land, but they still prefer to trust the lies of evil, refusing the truth of justice.
What false gods are you worshiping--laziness, alcohol, busyness, sex, money, food, TV, idleness? As the “Queen of Heaven” worship would destroy these Hebrews, these false gods will destroy you. God has given you an alternative. Will you trust him and take it?


Pause and Consider: the false gods in your life and what you must do to remove them.