True Worship

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.  Mark 12:30

Where are your affections on today?  Chances are, if they are misplaced and not in the right place you may be experiencing difficulties and challenges in your life.  Throughout the Old Testament, whenever the Children of Israel got into trouble it was because they were in idolatry.  When they were in idolatry (or worshipping other gods), we often see them in peril, conquered by other nations, or even going into captivity.  God knew the importance of human beings setting their affections on Him which is the reason the first of the ten commandments was, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).  That term “other gods” in modern vernacular may consist of a career, relationship, goal, spouse, child, or even finances!  While these things are not inherently bad in and of themselves, relentless pursuit of them is dangerous and futile.  If Satan tempted Jesus with pursuing other things besides God (Luke 4:1-14), then we all will be tempted with that as well!  Consequently, it is important for us to set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).  Setting our affection on things above means that we cannot look at everything on TV, listen to every song, or even befriend just anyone.  Whatever we give our attention to grows.  The more we concentrate on futile things, the more we will begin to idolize them.  The more that we concentrate on God, the more we will begin to reverence and desire fellowship with Him.  Reverencing and desiring God leads to true fulfillment.  Set your affections on God today!