Whoever came up with that instinctively knows what scientists spent a fortune to prove. Electronic devices are as addictive as heroin. 

Some of us spent hours daily in front of a screen, looking for fulfillment that once came from personal relationships with Jesus Christ, friends, and family. The hope of finding anything more uplifting than momentary pleasure in the internet or in an app is a false hope. At most, one might find a pale substitute for face-to-face relationships. 

Real significance is derived only from personal interaction with God and with others. Texting a loved one, whether it be a spouse, or a parent, or child, is fine in a pinch, but how long would a marriage remain stable if we ignored time with our spouses? How would a child grow up who never knew a personal touch of a parent?

How would we grow our relationship with Christ if we never bow in prayer?

Do not swap time with your earthly family for time with your electronic devices. Do not swap time with God for time with your handheld false gods. 

Lock yourself away from all electronic devices, grab a Bible – in book form – and bow down in prayer. 

Fear Not, for God hears you. He will answer your prayer. 

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Regardless of Gideon’s lack of experience, and in spite of his doubts, he agrees. The first task that the Lord assigns him, though, is not to go out and face his enemies. Rather, it is to tear down the altar of Baal. 

Baal was a false god originally worshipped by Israel’s enemies. Many in Israel found it easier to worship Baal than the real God, because Baal-worship appealed to human lust and emotions. One of those who worshipped Baal was Gideon’s father, and it was his altar that the Lord commanded be removed. 

Gideon did exactly what the Lord asked. He tore down the altar, chopped off the idol, and built an altar to God on its foundation. 

Before we can serve God in the way that He asks, we must be rid of the false gods in our lives. We must tear down the altars of pride and self-indulgence and chop off the idols of materialism and vanity. 

If we wish to be holy as God is holy, we must solely focus on Him. Our lives are to be built on His foundation, even if it means we anger those around us for tearing down the altars of false gods. 

Fear Not. Tear down the altars to the false gods and construct an altar to the holy God who created us. 

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As Christians, our citizenship is in heaven.  We are merely visiting this world. Our lives here are but a blink of an eye. This time, though it be short, is very important. Our time in this world is a proving ground for eternity. This is our time to pick a side, to pick a god. 

Our purpose in life is actually much more than that, but that one decision – the choice of whom we will serve – is paramount, and foundational to our purpose. 

Our choices: the real God, creator of the universe, who made Himself a man to offer Himself as the sacrifice for our sin, or the gods of this world-class false gods all – lust, strife, envy, power, greed, and so many more. 

What do they offer: the Creator offers freedom and life. The gods of this world offer bondage, addiction, and death. 

Who do you choose? Really choose? Are you sure? 

With whom do you spend your time and money? That is the whom you have chosen. 

Fear Not – worship not the gods of this strange land in which you dwell. 

This world is not my home I’m just passing through

my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue

the angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door

and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore

This World Is Not My Home

Words and music by Albert Edward Brumley October 29, 1905 – November, 15, 1977

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