The Bible writes about idols in many places; writing about how people turned from God and worshiped idols. Isaiah 2:8 says about Israel, “Their land is full of idols; the people worship things they have made with their own hands.”

I think we often get the picture in our minds of idols being a statue with people standing around it singing praises. However, idols can be anything that we put above God in our hearts and minds. Worship doesn’t necessarily mean bowing down in front of it. The big bank account, the boat, the sports car, the sport, the TV or social media celebrity can all be idols. We need to look at ourselves to make sure we have our priorities in the right order; making sure we put no other gods before God, as the first commandment says.

What are we doing Sunday morning?

Dear Lord, we know we should not have other gods before you. Help us think about what this really means, and make sure we devote our time, thoughts, energy, and resources toward your will first. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One risk we face as we become more diligent in our Christian walk is evaluating other people’s behavior and judging their Christian credentials. it is a bit of a paradox that we are first saved through our faith, then we do good works because of our faith, but then we can start thinking doing good is the requirement. It is easy to look at someone else and think “well they don’t go to church every Sunday,” or “they don’t volunteer at the soup kitchen, and think that they aren’t “doing” enough.

Paul writes about this in Galatians 3:11, “So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Doing good works does not save us or get us closer to salvation. God saved us through the gift of Jesus; We cannot save oursleves.

Dear Lord Thank you for saving us as a gift. Help us remember you provided this gift for all who accept it, there may be people who have accepted the gift, but are still working out the changes they need to live out their faith. Help us look at them with love and demonstrate our faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In every believer’s journey, seasons of waiting test us. Testing our trust in God, our patience, and our character. Psalm 27:14 writes “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Waiting is not wasted time. It shapes character and builds endurance that quick victories never provide. Abraham waited for the promise of a son; Joseph endured years in prison before restoration. Their waiting wasn’t empty—it became the space where God’s faithfulness was proven. The Lord uses these pauses to renew our strength, just as Isaiah promised: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

During the silence, faith matures. Waiting forces us to surrender personal timelines and trust God’s higher wisdom.

You may feel your prayers are unheard, your dreams postponed, or your path unclear. Remember, God works in the waiting. Trust Him to shape your present—He never forgets His promises and never forsakes His children. What looks like a delay is often a divine preparation.

Lord, help me embrace the waiting where my faith is refined. Quiet my restless heart, remind me that Your timing is perfect, and teach me to trust Your promises above my plans. Fill this pause with Your presence, and renew my strength as only You can. Amen.

There is an expression used by people who modify cars for racing when describing a car someone has put more work into making look good, than making the car faster, they say, “all show and no go.”

This sounds a bit like what Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 4:19-20 where he writes, “But I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” He was concerned about some of the people in the church at Corinth putting more into sounding good than actually doing.

We need to reflect on our own lives in this light, making sure that we are actually living the lives God desires, not just talking.

Dear Lord, living by God’s power as Paul describes it, means surrendering to God’s will, and letting his power work in us. Help us think about how this applies in our lives, and put it to work. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 40:4 says, “Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who trust in idols.”

I think a modern day description of the “proud or those who trust in idols” may be, “the brilliant people and their awesome technologies.”

I am as fascinated as anyone by the incredible discoveries being made by brilliant people, and the amazing technologies they are developing. For some people following these smart people and their technologies can become like worship. It is important for us to remember to put our trust in the God who created these people and the wonderful inventions. As the verse says, our joy comes from putting our trust in the Lord.

Dear Lord, thank you for the brilliant people you put in the world, and for the amazing technologies they have developed for us. Help us remember to put our trust in you as you work through them to bring us joy and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.