Daily Devotional for Saturday February 19, 2000

Loving The Things Of This World

(Colossians 3:2)

Loving the things of this world. The enemy is so subtle how he works. One of my main goals is to expose some of his tricks so that you won't be fooled or have to live through the consequences of falling into one of his many, many traps. My whole purpose in calling AOL into accountability is to educate you as to some of the subtle, seemingly harmless ways we can get off base and entrapped in conduct we never thought possible. How easily we get distracted from our heavenly mission and goals and get focused on the meaningless things of this world that will one day be gone. I think about the other night, the millions who were glued to their TV sets watching that horrible perversion of God's plan for a man and woman, "Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire". Most laughed at the show, but what powerful messages it sent to so many without any kind of Biblical foundation, about how we have minimized the sacred institution of marriage. It is now little more than a way for TV networks to get ratings. Or professional wrestling, one of the most popular programs on TV. Entertainment, fun? Is it really entertaining to watch a huge man body slam a woman through a table? Is that what our "fun" has deteriorated to?

The reason I address these issues today is to show you how we, yes Christians, have gotten so out of focus in our daily lives. It would be nice to assume that everyone watching these programs, everyone going into adult bookstores, everyone that is engaging in so many ungodly activities each and every day, were simply "the lost". But unfortunately that is not the case. Many good, saved, churchgoing people get caught up in the things of this world because they have allowed the temporary, short-term allure to capture their minds. They have focused on the things of this world instead of on things above. For most, it happened slowly, over a period of time. But by continually focusing on the things this world has to offer instead of the things of God, they have slowly been led down roads they never thought they would be on.

For the record, I am not blaming the problems in people's lives on wrestling, TV shows, or other things that many get enjoyment from. I am not telling you that you should stop doing things you enjoy or stop having fun. I am, however, issuing a warning to you today, that when you start focusing too much on the things of this world and not enough time on the things of God, you are inviting problems into your life. Just like the way that TV programs have perverted the institution of marriage, often the world perverts things and you start to think that is the way it should be. Remember, in the world, there is no right or wrong. There is no absolute truth. Again, that is why I encourage you daily to stay in the Bible, because God's Word IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH. The world's goal is to be politically correct and not offend. The truth in God's Word is highly offensive to many because it lays out clearly what is right and what is wrong, and those living in rebellion to God are then reminded that the free will choices they have made are wrong and not in God's will. I guess my question for you today is, are you more concerned with pleasing the world, or pleasing God??? I love you and care about you. A special thanks to so many of you who took time out of your busy lives to wish me a happy birthday yesterday. That was special and deeply appreciated. I am also thankful for those of you who have been able to stand with us in prayer. One day in Heaven you will get a tap on your shoulder and someone will tell you how they gave their life to Christ or got through a difficult time because of Liveprayer. Your help makes that possible each and every day with your prayers and support of this work. Thank you. Let me close today again with a simple question, is your mind focused more on the things of this world or the things of God? Think about that today.