Children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John
5:21)

"Let
your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you
have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever
forsake you,' so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be
afraid" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

"You
shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall
not make for yourselves" (Exodus 20:23)

As I am writing this blog entry I cannot help but think about what
is missing from the Christian Church today. 
Where has the training of our young ones gone to?  Where are those leaders who are mature Christians
at?  The ones who teach their young ones
the ability to discern good from evil? 
Too many times I look around and see a culture, a Christian Culture that
has a lot of physically grown men, but who are babes in their walks and still
on the proverbial nipple (or still on the milk). “For the word of God is living
and active.  Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews
4:12).  If you are a professional athlete
you have to train hard and continue to practice.  If you are a mountain climber, you have to
practice and train hard to be able to climb the tallest mountain in the
world.  If you are going to be a Navy
SEAL you have to train really hard to be that good.  Likewise, if you are going to grow into a
mature Christian in order to be able to discern good from evil, then you have
to train and prepare yourself.  How do we
do that? We can attain this by reading the Word of God daily and meditating and
memorizing it, and by daily prayers (throughout the day as necessary).  We also need to find an accountability
partner (besides are wives- if you are married) to give it to us like we need
to hear it – through the truth – the word of God.

I think I am getting ahead of myself.  First, we have to get to the core of the
problem instead of systematically trying to treat what ails us.  Simply put, what is your idol?  What is your American Idol that gets in the
way between a much stronger relationship with God?  Scripture clearly states that as we move
closer to God, He will move closer to us. 
Therefore, do not be fooled, God is not mocked.  He is a holy and righteous God and He calls
us to become living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12) and to live Holy (Colossians
3).  So ask yourself what do I need to
cut out of my life in order to move closer to God?  What “idol” is standing between God and I
that prevents me from true fellowship.

This is the point that Lance and I would like to challenge you
to step out and drop that which causes you to stumble:  Do you work too much (is work your
idol)?  Do you worship TV (do you put TV
before your wife and kids and before your fellowship time with God)?  Do you spend too much time on the computer
visiting websites that you and I both know does not honor God (is porn or the
computer your idol)?  Do you find
yourself to busy (is business your idol)? 
Confess that to which separates you from God.  Give it up and move closer to Him.  Next move closer to serving at your church.  Get involved in a mini-church (small group)
and open up with other Christians (you will be pleasantly surprised).  You can start attending your men’s bible
studies and/or serving in different ministries at your church. 

Then, when you find yourself eating “meat” (that is, reading the
Word more and moving closer to God) then you can take the next step of our
challenge:  Find someone to mentor and
then also find someone to mentor you. 

Lance and I look forward to finding out what happens to you and
your church over the next year (Now would be the time to read Mathew 28 and the
entire Book of John).

May God Bless you and keep you all and make His face shine upon
you.