Friday, August 09, 2013

Global 40 Days of Prayer: Devotional: Day 4




DEVOTIONAL DAY 4
AUGUST 9, 2013

Intention:
Idolatry takes what is God's and gives it to Satan!

Scripture:
Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21 NKJV).

Reflection:
We are idolaters when we let any person or thing take the place of God in our heart.
That may be ourselves, friends, parents, spouse, work, ministry, possessions, fame, money, sex, pleasure, the media, culture, fashion, dead relatives, political power, an ideology, technology, religion without Christ, or things such as rivers, mountains, animals, sun, moon, stars, animals, etc. Idolatry includes sorcery, witchcraft, divination, astrology, fortune-telling, initiation to cults, secret societies, and covenants with demons, and many other such practices.
Individuals, families, tribes, whole countries and cultures practice idolatry. It is clear that it is not only the uncivilized tribal peoples that may be guilty of idolatry. 21st century technology driven cultures are no less culpable.
Idolaters declare that they hate God and so provoke His jealousy and anger. It results in curse. It opens the door for Satan to rule. It brings only progressive destruction to those engaged in it as Romans 1:18-32 proves.
Can believers in Christ be guilty of idolatry? Yes! Otherwise why would the New Testament give so many warnings on the subject? I believe that idolatry among professing Christians may be more insulting to God than that practiced by children of disobedience. Idolatry among professing Christians may be the one thing that hinders revival in the world today!
Yet there is hope if we will take this counsel to repent given by James to "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:7-10 NIV).

Prayer:
O God, we kneel before you today in confessing idolatry in our lives. We own up to the many ways we have allowed things, even ministry or church to take Your place in our hearts. Father we do not want to continue to insult You in this. Forgive us. Break down and smash every idol that robs you of your glory. We welcome you to rule in our hearts without any rivals. We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen
  
Continue in prayer using the 4 prayer points as the Lord leads you. 
Four Prayer points:
  
*Pray for a worldwide outpouring of the Holy Spirit for revival and transformation of the nations of the world.
 
*Pray for a billion people to find Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.

*Pray for an end to abortion and for God to turn back the tide of death and immorality that is sweeping the nations of the world.

*Pray for a multiplication of prayer, praise and worship to God across the world as never before, to bring great glory to God.

Jesus
Today's devotional courtesy of:
Madukauwa David, Mozambique

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