Number 20									  

"Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers."   James 1:22

                              SPREAD  THE  WORD

     We hope you will receive God's Word and realize that He is Almighty and He
has great promises for you. "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ
as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake" (2 Cor 4:5). The wisdom
of this world can not compare with God's. You need to know His Good News. Men,
especially, learn of the victory that comes with being a spiritual provider.
     Feel free to share copies of this newsletter with others. Let us know if
you want someone added or deleted from the mailing list. Also let us know your
thoughts. We just want to share God's treasures with you!

                         IDOLS AND GOD'S IDEAL FOR MEN

1)  The first four of the 10 Commandments concern our relationship with God.
   1  "You shall have no other God's before me."
   2  "You shall not make for yourself an idol ..."
   3  "You shall not take the Lord your God's name in vain ..."
   4  "the seventh day is a Sabbath ... keep it holy."              Ex 20:1-11

All of these commandments are for our good. If you are having trouble keeping
any of the Ten commandments, your problem probably can be traced to the first
two commandments!  If we are out of relationship with our Heavenly Father, our
nature tends towards idolatry, adultery, selfishness, greed, etc.

2)  Idols are a recurring sin of the people throughout the Bible and today.
 "As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in
  sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
  and that there is none other God but one."  1 Cor 8:4
 "The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to
  God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils.  You cannot
  drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of
  the Lord's table, and of the table of devils."                    1 Cor 10:21
Idols are nothing, yet demons and/or selfish lifestyle lie behind them.
 "And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple
  of the living God; ... and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
  Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate ..."    2 Cor 6:16-18

3)  America's Idol - The Great American Dream has digressed into Materialism.
Having things is not a sin. Sin is when things take precedence over Jesus
Christ. Our society has pushed God out of the their lives, and fleshly passions
are the result. Everyone has been tainted. People inevitably worship something.
 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into
  this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. But they that will be
  rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful
  lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."            1 Tim 6:7-9

                                     - 2 -

Do you have the same trouble we have in finding enough places to put all the
kid's toys? With all the marvels of modern conveniences and appliances, do you
have less time instead of more time for people and for God?  Could it be that
the things that are supposed to be so great for us are enslaving us?

4)  Adultery in the Church - Idolatry is spiritual adultery.
Acts 15:20,29  21:25  1 Cor 8:4,10  10:19,28  Rev 2:14,20  all specifically
command the hearers to abstain from eating food offered to idols. There are
so many other warnings about idols in the Bible. Don't you think this must
relate to us today?  Would Jesus turn over the tables at some parish festivals?
Is the money exchanged in the Vegas room like food offered to the idols of
gambling?  Is partying praise to idols? Are we eating up (taking in) worldly
ways?  Has the church conformed to this world?  In James 4:7, "We are to resist
the devil and he will flee from you." However, in 1 Cor 10:14 we are to "flee
from idolatry" and 1 Cor 6:18 "flee from sexual immorality".  We can resist
Satan if belong to Jesus Christ, but He says flee idols and immorality!
Idols have new forms today. Have we allowed them in even amongst God's people?

5) The TV has become an idol that is devouring too much of our time,
Many people say they want to read the Bible but they never can find time.  If
they would watch 10 minutes less TV per day, would they use this time to read
the Bible? An idol is anything that is put ahead of God!
  "Anyone who knows the good to do and doesn't do it, sins."        James 4:17
Note: The anti-christ will likely use satellite TV. See Rev 11:9 and Chap. 13.
Someone said "If the TV is not an idol, then why do all the chairs in the room
face it?" There's some good TV, yet how many generations survived without it?

6)  The idols of intellectualism, sophistication, and psychology have taken
precedence over God's Word, even in church. Most everyone encourages our youth
to go to four years of college, yet we offend God by ignoring His Teachings.
Do you doubt the benefits of Bible study? Do you think you are free of idols?

7) Men and fathers, it is time to take your stand. Are you for Christ or
against Him. God appointed men as head of the home (Gen 2:20 & 3:16) and the
spiritual leader of the family. Many women have taken the role by default.
 "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head
  of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."           1 Cor 11:3
The stereotyped, Italian, Catholic man is one who insists on his family going
to church but he does not go. This is directly opposed to God, yet so typical.
One verse most men know is "Wives submit to your husbands.", but the previous
verse says "submit to one another". Men, if you fear God, read and reread
Ephesians 5:21-6:4. Even if the wife is not doing her part, men are commanded
to "love their wives as Christ loved the church." The ideal man is like Christ.
 "Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor
  unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the
  grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."                 1 Pet 3:7
God commanded BOTH parents to teach their children.  See Deut 6:7, Prov 22:6,
and Topic #8. If one parent neglects this duty, a confusing message is sent to
the children. Children will try to follow the path of least resistance (the
lazy way). If you are not teaching faith in Jesus Christ, then you are harming
them. If you don't have a victorious, joyful faith yet, seek it out today!
 "He who is not with Me is against Me." said Jesus in   Matt 12:30 & Luke 11:23

  Think about the idols that have crept into our lives. Clean house today and
   discover the freedom that comes in making Jesus Christ  # 1  in your life.