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“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.
– Jonah 2:8 NIV
This week has been challenging for me. No small wonder. Any time I decide to teach something, God wants to be sure I learn it. Often, I seem to insist on learning it the hard way.
So join me in my introspection. Is there any way that you cling to greed?
We are told in Colossians 3:5 that greed is idolatry. So, if I am clinging to the excessive quantities of food that I want to be able to enjoy, I am in essence clinging to a worthless idol.
So, here comes the kicker…
If I cling to an idol, I am at some level turning away from God’s love for me, according to Jonah 2:8.
So I am spending time right now evaluating this. “Lord, how is this true? In what way am I turning away from your love for me?”
– When I turn to my idol – food in excess – to comfort me, I miss out on the comfort that God might give me out of his love for me.
– When I turn to my idol – food in excess – I fail to experience the joy and celebration that God intends as I praise Him for good news!
– When I cling to my idol, he can’t put in my arms the gifts he intends…so, again, I turn away from his love.
The examples go on and on.
What are the things I turn to food outside of hunger and satisfaction to do for me? To comfort me. To celebrate with me. To keep me from being bored. To center me. That is the short list.
How About You?
1.) What are you looking to the “worthless idol” of food outside of hunger and satisfaction to do for you?
2.) In what ways are you likely to be missing out on experiencing God’s love by turning to food instead of to him?
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Don’t forget our online class today, Thursday, July 18 at 4pm Pacific, 5pm Mountain, 6pm Central, 7pm Eastern. You have to register in order to attend and come a bit early if you haven’t come before as there is software to download for your computer (or you can use your phone if you prefer). Here is the information:
Please register for Idolatry and Our Eating – OUCH!!!! on Jul 18, 2013 4:00 PM PDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6073684991219825664
You knew we would have to deal with this sooner or later, right? We will be glad we have. Is idolatry something that only people in 3rd world countries struggle with? What IS an idol and what on EARTH does it have to do with our Thin Within eating program and healthy non-dieting boundaries? What does it have to do with our renewing of the mind goals for this summer? BUNCHES! Come on along and see!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
I hope to see you today at 4pm Pacific!
Thank you for this reminder about using food as an idol. My schedule does not allow the class but I look forward to the e mails and read all of therm . Thanks again, Heidi, for all you do.
God is Doing a New Thing wrote: > Heidi Bylsma posted: ” “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away > from God’s love for them. – Jonah 2:8 NIV This week has been > challenging for me. No small wonder. Any time I decide to teach > something, God wants to be sure I learn it. Often, I seem to insist on > learning” >
Thank YOU, Norma. Over the years you have always been a steady source of encouragement to me and to others. THANK YOU!
Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My thought for the day is ..if I am filling my mouth with praise..i am not filling it with food! When we praise God–He does battle for us according to 2Chron 20. This goes along with the praisefest that we are to be doing..
I LOVE this, Marie! If I am filling my mouth with praise, I am not filling it with food!