SingleFocus

by DJ Martin (SingleFocus Ministry®)

I believe that this is God’s resolve for us. I’ll let Him speak in His own Words…

“…The ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths.” Proverbs 5:21

“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face”  Ezekiel 14:3

There they burnt incense in all the high places, as [did] the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger.   For they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”  2 Kings 17:11-12

“The LORD shall send upon you cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that you set your hand to do, until you be destroyed, and until you perish quickly; because of the wickedness of your doings, whereby you have forsaken Me.” Deuteronomy 28:20

 “Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.” 2 Kings 17:14

“For after they had slain their children for their idols, on the same day they came into My sanctuary to profane it; and indeed thus they have done in the midst of My house.”  Ezekiel 23:39

“For all the gods of the people [are] idols: but the LORD made the heavens.”  1 Chronicles 16:26

“For all the gods of the nations [are] idols: but the LORD made the heavens.” Psalm 96:5

“They served their idols: which were a snare unto them.” Psalm 106:36

“And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols …: and the land was polluted with blood.” Psalm 106:38

“Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.” Psalm 106:39

“Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.” Psalm 115:2-4

[It is] better to

1. “Trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8

[It is] better to

1. “Trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” Psalm 118:9
2.  “Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves.

I am the LORD your God.”  Leviticus 19:4

1. “Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] His name.

For great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also [is] to be feared above all gods. ”                  1 Chronicles 16:25

1. “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name;
2. Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2

Every man shall

1.  “Cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you [for] a sin.” Isaiah 31:7
2. “Turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God” 1 Thessalonians 1:9
3. “Flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:14
4. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”                         1 Corinthians 10:31

“If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.”  Colossians 3:1

1. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”  Colossians 3:2
2. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”  Colossians 3:5

“Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience”                         Colossians 3:6

“And whatever you do in word or deed,

1. Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
2. Giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Colossians 3:17
3. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  Colossians 3:23

“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”  Colossians 3:24

“They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places where they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.”    Ezekiel 37:23

“For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God? ” Psalm 18:31

“For the LORD [is] a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:3

“You shall

1. worship the LORD your God, and
2. Him only you shall serve. ” Luke 4:8
3.  “Keep yourselves from idols. Amen. “ 1 John 5:21

“For your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. “                Matthew 6:32-33

” I [am] your shield, [and] your exceeding great reward.” Genesis 15:1

This New Year it is imperative that we  examine ourselves. We can easily slip into idolatry when we take our eyes off of Christ, our source, and focus on His resources made available to us at the command and favor of God. 

I remember working so much overtime, because of the money, that I lost focus on doing the kingdom work God had called me to do. I was so focussed on the money, that I was too tired to do the work of the Lord. One morning I looked at my W2 and discovered that all my overtime work was paying homage to the government; the harder I worked, the more the government took. My job and the money had become my idol. I didn’t go into it thinking; “I’m no longer trusting in God, I’m going to trust in silver and gold,” I just slipped into idolatry.

Idolatry comes in all forms: people (living or dead), government, leaders, rulers, job, silver, gold, nature, food, rituals, philosophies, animals, race, gender, religion, traditions,  sports, carvings, charms, body, habits, immorality, etc. Is there something or someone you are more passionate about or more focussed on than Jesus Christ; who was so passionate about His love for all of us that He died a violent and humiliating death for our redemption? Seriously think about it! Are you depending on the government to feed you, cloth you, heal you? Are you depending on: actors, movies, entertainment,  immorality, drugs or alcohol to give you joy? Are you depending on: your job,  politicians, your spouse or your children to give you security? Are you depending on: your Pastor, your denomination, your horoscope, your psychic, your tradition or your rituals  to give you  hope and a future? Are you depending on the work of your hands; are you giving or doing good deeds  to receive forgiveness? Are you more passionate about buying a car or a house then about developing your relationship with God?  Does someone saying something about your friend, lover or mother offend you more than you take offence if someone says something derogatory about Christ and/or His word?

Someone said (it might have been my pastor) that “ we make time for what we care most about.”  I also  say, “when you see what someone is most passionate about, you see who or what he worships.” Unfortunately, many have idols in their lives. They think that because they go to Church every Sabbath, they aren’t idolaters, but God sees that we give more time and glory to other things and people than we do Him.

This is serious and demands our serious consideration. God is not pleased about idolatry. We must resolve that, in this New Year, we will consistently analyze ourselves and be careful to flee idolatry, where and when we find ourselves to be idolaters. We should resolve to become more passionate about glorifying God and acknowledge that there is none greater than He. He alone is our saviour. He is God and no one in heaven or earth is greater than He.

May we resolve to be thankful to God and focus on Him as our source for health, joy, security, hope and prosperity.  Let us put no other gods before Him. Worship God and Him only,  for He is LORD and He provides all that we need!  HE IS GOD ALONE!

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” 1 Corinthians 10:14

That’s Todays’ Single Focus…