In this week’s newsletter:
- Social media and the internet, love them or hate them, they are here to stay. The real question is, how will we use them? We can all think of ways they can be used for good but is it possible that they can, also, impact our worship? If so, we need to find out how so we can avoid it.
- The top 10 most read posts for 2021. They cover a wide range of subjects from dinosaurs to divorce and from trials to why we can trust God and everything in between.
- And last … this week’s happenings on Soul Survival.
Social Media, Idols of the Heart & the Top 10 Readers’ Favorites
There’s a lot of talk these days in Christian circles about idols of the heart (Ezek. 14.1-11). Heart idols are those things that can become God replacements in our lives. Some are more obvious that others. Things like drugs and alcohol, relationships and sexual immorality, money, fame, and control, to name a few. But there are many others.
One idol might be summed up as ease. See if this sounds familiar. I just want things to work right and when they don’t, I get frustrated. I want people to do what they’re supposed to do. Or maybe, I’ve worked hard all week, I just want to relax this weekend (or have a little fun or entertainment).
It’s not wrong to want to relax, in fact, Sabbath rest is a biblical principle. But when we’re willing to get sinfully angry because a child or our spouse is interfering with our attempt to relax, then we have elevated relaxation above pleasing God. And that’s idolatry.
Social Media & Idolatry
During a discussion about idols of the heart, I recently asked a young woman what she believed were the idols that try to rule her heart. She didn’t hesitate when she answered social media. There are various ways that can happen.
Those with a social media platform can make idols of views and followers. We can idolize what we perceive others have that we don’t when we read their posts. But I think for many of us it falls under that category of ease. We’re tired and we just want some mindless activity. The problem is there is never any end to the news, Instagram or Twitter feeds. Five minutes can be come ten and ten can become sixty. And we’ve wasted precious time. Time we could have used to read our bibles or connect with our spouse and children.
The danger is that we think we deserve it. Hence our anger when our idol is frustrated by anything or anyone who demands our attention. When we’re willing to sin to get something or willing to sin because we’re not getting something, we can be sure that idolatry is involved.
Social media can be a tool to share gospel truths or connect with people we don’t see often. But each of us must make an honest assessment of how we use it. The same could be said of TV viewing and other things. Has it become a God replacement, a heart idol. If so, we need to repent, go to God and seek His forgiveness and help to be better stewards of our time. Ephesians 5:
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Now for last year’s most popular posts.
Top 10 Readers’ Favorites
I’m so thankful for each of you, my readers. Many of you have been reading God’s Word along with me for years. And here are your top 10 most read posts from the last year. If you missed them, I hope you’ll pick one to check out. Here they are in descending order:
8. “The Bible on Women’s Intuition”
7. “21 Premarital Red Flags & a Deal Breaker”
6. “I’ll Sin Now & Ask Forgiveness Later”
5. “When You Try Trusting God & Things Get Worst”
4. “Are You Under God’s Umbrella of Protection”
2. “Are There Dinosaurs in the Bible?
1. “10 Secrets to Finishing Well”
And finally, what’s been going on this past week.
Other Things:
What I’ve Been Blogging About:
Here are last weeks posts:
“When God Says, ‘I Never Knew You!’”
“Praying for the Spiritual State of Our Country”
“Frustrated with Your Prayer Life?”
“Radical Surgery, Divorce & Biblical Counseling”
“Shame, Consequences & Divine Grace”
Things for Which I’m Thankful:
Medical intervention. I’ve so thankful for the treatment my 5-month old great grand-baby received over the last few days. She has been very sick with bronchitis. But after one doctor’s visit and an ER trip is beginning to recover. I’m, also, thankful for modern pain relief and dentistry for my husband over the last couple of days. And I’ve been recovering from surgery myself. While it hasn’t all been fun, I’m thankful to live in a day when medicine can make our lives more comfortable and enable us to serve the Lord more fully. All glory to Him!
I’m especially thankful for our church family and friends who have prayed for me and my family faithfully over the last couple of months, brought us meals, and loved us well!
Things I’m Praying for:
Like many of you, we still have many friends and family members who are dealing with sickness and disease.
I’m, also, praying for unsaved family, those we know who are struggling with relationships and other difficulties, as well as sickness. Also, for our nation, our pastors, and you. I’m praying for those on my list to grow in the grace and knowledge of God and become more like Christ in the coming year.
In fact, I’m making a fresh commitment to pray for you, for our church family, and for others in our lives. I hope you will pray for us and our family, as well. Please let me know how I can pray more specifically.
Blessings in 2022 & beyond,
Donna
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