December 20, 2012 God or Not?

God or Not? 2 Kings 17:35-41 When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. 36 But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. 37 You must always be careful to keep the decrees and ordinances, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. 38 Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. 39 Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.” 40 They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. 41 Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. HOW MANY times do you need to instruct a child before he will obey you? How often do you speak helpful things to your friends before they will believe you? You get frustrated when people deny your helpful, even loving instructions, don’t you? Do you think God might be frustrated with you? After all, he has clearly spoken through the Bible of his commands to teach you how to worship, honor and love him. Those commands, too, guide you to loving relationships with family, friends and your “neighbors”. Jesus’ examples and parables of right living with the Lord are his instructions and helpful words to lead you to live in faith every day. What do you do with God’s commands, instructions and help? Ignore them or live in them? It’s True! Listening to the Lord is life.