Destruction of Divided Hearts 8-17-07

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In You all things have become new. I start this new day with a clean slate and a fresh start. I start it with You. ... "So these nations worshipped the Lord, but also served their carved images; to this day their children and their children's children continue to do as their ancestors did" (2 Kings 17:41). The people who came to live in the land of Samaria learned about You and Your nature and Your law. They learned to worship You as "the God of the land," but at the same time, they continued to worship gods of their own -- the false gods carved by their own hands and made in their own image (v. 17:27-34). But You do not share Your glory with any god; You will have no other gods before You. You are not one God among many, content to be included as an option of worship. And their sin of idolatry defiled the land and defiled their souls in their generation and the generations to come. Their idolatry and blasphemy, compromise and spiritual adultery brought their lives out from under Your hand of protection and opened themselves and their children to destruction (v. 17:25-26). You love us and Your created us for a relationship with You alone. You are jealous for our love and devotion, never willing to tolerate compromise or complacency in our dedication to You. All roads do not lead to heaven. All worship is not acceptable worship. What husband would tolerate a divided heart from his wife who loved him but also loved others? What covenant is honored by compromise? Love demands loyalty. And loyalty is an undivided heart. We may not bow down to carved images of wood and stone or burn our children in the fire to false gods as in the land of Samaria (v. 17:29-32). But we often allow our hearts to be divided; we allow other things to take Your place as the priority in our lives; we compromise with the cultures around us and subtly make room for both the material and spiritual gods that gain control and power to influence, if not dominate, our lives. And it breaks Your heart as we open up our lives and our land to destruction -- not only for our generation, but also for those to come. Forgive us, Lord. Deliver us from divided hearts and the destruction it brings. Cleanse our hearts from idolatry and adultery, from compromise and complacency. Draw our hearts to worship You and You alone. You are the road to heaven; You are the road of heaven to us. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God " 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 www.messiah-ministries.org Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com