The Solid Rock

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found

On Sunday, we sung “Solid Rock” at the nursing home. When we sang that line, I sang it out as a prayer to God. It reminded me of a dream I had awhile back—in my dream, I was at church, and suddenly the world collapsed as the rapture took place, and I was taken up to heaven as I wiped my forehead and thought, “whew, now I’m sure I’m saved.”

God has given His children assurance of salvation. We as believers can know that we are saved, as God has sealed us with His Spirit. But that doesn’t mean that we will never doubt, or that we should never examine our hearts to be sure of salvation. After I dreamt that dream I thought, “I should examine myself so that I don’t have to wait until the rapture to find out whether I’m saved.” I’ve examined my life before, but it’s not a one-time event. Christians should constantly be examining their souls.

Anyways, while I was singing this line and remembering this dream, I made the song a prayer to God. First, that I would be examining my life so that I would not fall into sin. I don’t even want to begin backsliding. Second, I prayed that I would never fall into sin to the extent that I lose the assurance of my salvation. Finally, I prayed that whatever circumstance I’m in when Christ returns—I pray that my spiritual state at that time would be godly, not sinful or apostate (fallen away).

On top of that, I decided that I should always be listening for the blowing of the trumpet. I want to be listening for God at all times (if I’m always listening, I will not lose track of my purpose in Christ), both physically and spiritually (the Holy Spirit and the Bible).

So examine your heart, pray that “when He shall come with trumpet sound,” you may “in Him be found,” and finally be listening for God—listen for the trumpet, and listen for the Holy Spirit within you.
Luke

Idolatry Today?

Hey, this is Luke!

On Sunday, my dad talked about Christians and contentment. He spoke about how pride goes hand-in-hand with covetousness, which is also idolatry. Wednesday, Chris spoke about I Samuel 8, and how the nation of Israel demanded a king. They wanted to be like the other nations. They were wrong not only in the desire to be like the surrounding nations, but they also committed the sin of covetousness and idolatry. They wanted to replace God, their true King, with a man-king.

The main thing that comes to mind when I think of idolatry is “bowing before a statue.” As you already know, idolatry can take many forms—any time you put something before God, replacing God, as He should be first in your life, is also idolatry. Idolatry is nearly the same thing as covetousness, also—desiring something other than God, in an inappropriate way (desiring something more than you desire God).

With this definition, I am sure all of us, especially myself, can be found guilty of the sin of idolatry, just like the nation of Israel. We all can find ourselves desiring something more than we desire God.

But God has given us a very simple solution.

Count your blessings.

When you recognize the gifts God has given you, especially His salvation if you are a believer, you will be completely satisfied in Him. By definition, when you are satisfied, you will desire nothing else—God will be first in your life, and you will cease to covet and cease to commit idolatry. So, that’s my challenge to you this week—count your blessings, and have self-control over your sinful, covetous flesh.

In Christ,

Luke Godfrey