Worthless to Worthy

[Christ4Ever]

They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. 2 Kings 17:15 NIV

When people today look for meaning in anything but God, they follow the same pattern as the kings and people of ancient Israel—a pattern that leads inevitably to a meaningless and degrading existence.

Second Kings 17 shows how people who had seen God’s great miracles soon traded relationship with Him for idolatry.

The book of Acts describes how Saul (alter Paul) became a follower of Jesus. The scales fell off and he began to see his particular brand of religion for what it was—worship of a system instead of a Savior. As Saul left it behind, he “grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah” (9:22 NIV).

If a religious system, or money or success, or anything else is promising the meaning you long to experience, then heed the lessons of God’s Old Testament people and His New Testament apostle.

The psalmist sums up the “worth more” life well when he writes: “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts” (Psalm 103:17-18 NIV).

Prayer: Lord, show me the worthlessness of the idols in my life and tear them down.

 

[Br. Bear]

I have set the LORD always before me: because [He is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 16:8

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13

 

[Brother-Paul]

They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. 2 Kings 17:15 NIV

Jeremiah 2:5 (NKJV)
Thus says the LORD: "What injustice have your fathers found in Me, That they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, And have become idolaters?

1 Corinthians 10:6-13 (NKJV)
6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."
8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;
9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

 

[PloughBoy]

is not that ironic about God and His Children, i am referring to "Brother-Paul" quote:
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

especially, when God's Word says this:
"but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

that same temptation God uses it to make a "way of escape". I have experience that "avenue" before. You see when you are cornered or about to be cornered, by the test or temptation what ever you want to call it. The Word of God will come to you, and point something out to you, nice and plain and easy, quiet like "truth"! acknowledge it! Flee, remove your self out of the area, "ESCAPE"! Flee! and do not let anything or anyone convince you to go back or hang around into that area!
when you look at that "Temptation' Alarm bells and whistle and buzzer, flashers go off. RUN! drop everything and run! and GOD will take care of the rest! But you must obey the word! Most Christians it seems to me. want to take a bath in the "Temptation" and then toss a few "Hail Mary's " in the air! As if it Was "Harry Potter's wand"! That doesn't work as easy as some might believe. Ask me how I know? Temptations comes in all forms now. "You are tempted to do wrong"

 

[Tanya]

They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. 2 Kings 17:15 NIV

When people today look for meaning in anything but God, they follow the same pattern as the kings and people of ancient Israel—a pattern that leads inevitably to a meaningless and degrading existence.

Second Kings 17 shows how people who had seen God’s great miracles soon traded relationship with Him for idolatry.

The book of Acts describes how Saul (alter Paul) became a follower of Jesus. The scales fell off and he began to see his particular brand of religion for what it was—worship of a system instead of a Savior. As Saul left it behind, he “grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah” (9:22 NIV).

If a religious system, or money or success, or anything else is promising the meaning you long to experience, then heed the lessons of God’s Old Testament people and His New Testament apostle.

The psalmist sums up the “worth more” life well when he writes: “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts” (Psalm 103:17-18 NIV).

Prayer: Lord, show me the worthlessness of the idols in my life and tear them down.

AMEN!!

 

[Nicola Jane]

Amen