Are we holding an idol in our hand?

Our hope is in the LORD!

Isaiah 44:11 Idols are nothing! Man can't allow anything to take precedence over GOD. But the man who makes an idol, grows weary and hungry as he fashions the image. The creator should be greater than what is created!

There is only two choices for worship: GOD or yourself. So if we don't put our hope, trust, direction and provision in GOD, we will make an idol to be our god, to provide for ourself, to protect ourself, to instruct ourself. That means we are worshiping ourself, no one else, only to serve exclusively ME!

This message is not only for the lost world— the LORD says He has come to seek and to save the lost. This message is to the LORD's people who are not looking to GOD. People who are busy looking to other things for their protection and provision, will not be able to understand that the concept of self worship is, making them a creator of idols.

Are we holding an idol in our hand? Anything that we don't give to GOD is an idol; anger,guilt, worry, fear, pride, self worth or the lack of,
job, family, finances, even (Heaven help us!), Obama and the government!!

44:21 If we don't remember the Master, how can we know how to serve
Him! Remember who we serve, so that we can serve Him! GOD will never forget us no matter how many times we have disobeyed.
GOD loves and has redeemed us. The enemy will try to deceive us in that we will finally do something that will be too bad for GOD.
Guilt is the greatest lie to keep us away from GOD! Part of idolatry
is accepting the lie of a deluded mind. When you accept the lie of
guilt— worry and fear will cause you to forget about GOD's redemption. GOD has redeemed you, so there is nothing to stop GOD from taking you home with Him.

44:22-23 I have swept away your offenses. Return to Me! I have redeemed you! Sing for joy! The earth and the heavens sing for joy because GOD is faithful! No matter what we do GOD is faithful!

44:24-28 Remember, I have redeemed you— don't go back to the idols. Don't worry. Don't be afraid. Don't question GOD. Don't challenge GOD's sovereignty.
This is what the LORD says, "I am your Redeemer who formed you in the womb. I stretched out the heaven and spread out the earth by Myself. I foil the false prophets and make fools of the diviners; I overthrow the worldly wise with nonsense. I carry out My words through My servants and fulfill the prophesy given by messengers. They shall be done. They shall be restored." Our redemption in CHRIST is just as solid as the creation of the heavens and the earth! I am the LORD who drys up the deep water. The world rulers are looked at as all powerful—but GOD says He raised up kings and they obey Him. The rulers aren't necessarily people of the LORD, but they will do what GOD will have them to do. GOD can and will use them to do His bidding. The enemy will try to make us forget that GOD is our Redeemer. Remember, GOD will use even people who aren't His own to accomplish His plans.

45 :1 There have been rulers before that haven't been GOD's man, they haven't acknowledged GOD— but GOD used them for His purposes. These rulers had problems and projects that couldn't be done on a human level, but GOD empowered them to do the impossible. GOD didn't use Cyrus because this world ruler had any merits, but because GOD says, " I can use anyone and I will do it with My power!" When GOD gives us an assignment, it will be an impossibility (like cleaning up our government!) But if we will just agree by faith, He will use us through His power to accomplish the impossible. Then we will be given a title of honor.

45:5-6 Even though Cyrus didn't acknowledge GOD— GOD still used Cyrus to show that there is none beside GOD! Everyone must make a decision about who is GOD.
GOD is the LORD and there is NO other. GOD is not just a god— He is the ONLY GOD!

Stand Tall in the LORD and the power of His might!