Are you like me and find it easy to allow things to over-take your schedule and keep so busy that God begins to slip out of first place in your life? Do you also find it hard to turn off the TV; put down the newspaper or a good book, or turn off the videos of YouTube that easily become a high priority over time with God? We need to realize that this not only affects us and our family but our Nation as well. I was reading Jeremiah 2:11-13 this week and I’m convinced that how we spend our time as individuals affects how efficient we are in the Body of Christ to help one another and that also affects our Nation.

Here are three Bible versions of Jeremiah 2:11-13, and though they say the same thing the little difference in the wording is interesting.

New King James Version: “Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods? But my people have changed their glory for what does not profit.”

The New Life Version:  “Has a nation changed its gods, even when they are not gods? But My people have changed their greatness for that which does not help them.

New International Version:  “Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols.”

In each version it is understood that we Christians are to assemble together to stay focused on God and His plan for us as a nation and as individuals.

Notice the words glory and greatness in reference to a nation who has God over the nation. A nation, any nation, will lose its glory or greatness if they deny God in their government legislations.  Have we been changing gods in our lives as individuals and as a nation? The TV seems to get better “ratings” than that of spending time with the Lord in prayer, Bible reading and study; even to the point of not attending Church consistently. Our times of fellowship with other Christians is cut short because of our busy lives with work, sports and other activities. Nothing wrong with many things we do as long as they are all kept in the property balance of priorities. So then the question is where are we putting our priorities; in the things of the world or in the things of God? That’s what we need to be asking ourselves on a regular basis in order to keep balanced.

It is so easy these days to “make excuses” for not doing what we know we should. It’s easy to get into the habit of not assembling together with our Church family. Anyone other than me think about these things? I know a lot of people watch Christian TV programs and church services (I do too). It’s nice to have them available to glean from, however if we find ourselves “wanting” to stay at home rather than go to church and gather with the people of God, we have a problem; God is not a top priority to us.  God calls this forsaking Him and the fountain of living waters for hewed cisterns we make for ourselves (Jeremiah 2:13).  One of the definitions of hewed is “to conform strictly to, or give shape to”.  A cistern is an underground tank for storing water.  This tells me that whatever we spend the majority of our time doing; that is what is stored up in the tank or reservoir of our heart, and that will be what controls our lives.

To consistently make excuses for not spending time with God and His people – our church family, we set ourselves up as easy prey for the devil to snare us in his schemes and deceptions. First Peter 5:8 tells us to be sober and vigilant (watchful) because our adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Verse nine tells us that we are to resist him steadfast in the faith. We will not be able to resist the devil effectively in faith if we are forsaking our fellowship with our church family and God. We must be faithful in this area. We need to realize and remember that the devil is not just the enemy of God; he (the devil) is our enemy too. We need to know and understand that the devil wants to draw us away from God, away from the family of God, separating us, so he can more easily steel, kill and destroy us. (John 10:10)   How can we effectively encourage one another, exhort one another, pray and help one another if we are not together (Hebrews 10:25).  God intends for us to help each other.

My prayer for you and myself this week is for us to exam ourselves, seek God’s face and see if we have placed anything first place in our heart and lives over Him. If so, let us be convicted of making these activities idols, asking God to forgive us (1 John 1:9) and make the necessary adjustment(s) to place and keep God Almighty at the top of our priority list.