JUICY JULY 2021

THEME: CARVED OUT

DAY 20: PUT AWAY YOUR IDOLS!

TEXT: Ezekiel 8:1-10, Romans 12:1-2

BIBLE READING: Ezekiel 8:1-10 Ezekiel 14:1-11

Hello, beautiful sisters.

We bless God for how far He has brought us through this prayer and fasting encounter this year.

I believe you’ve been squeezing some really juicy juice out of this season.

If you’ve not joined before now, there’s still so much juice on ground. All you need to do is key in right away.

Today’s focus is on putting away idols and it is very crucial as it affects how much we can be carved into what God wants to make out of us.

*Please, study the texts before you proceed.*

Before God formed each of us, He had a plan for us. There was an image He desired that we would be shaped and carved into in order to fulfill His purpose here on earth.

He told Jeremiah,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer. 1:5)

There was something Jeremiah was ordained to become, and that’s the same with us.

Having this understanding, the ideal thing is to seek Him, the Author of our lives, so that He can show us the design for our lives and subsequently carve us into that specific design He had in mind from the beginning of time.

He desires that we will come to Him alone for the manual of this design so that we can work with it, walk in it and ultimately become all that He wants us to be.

This requires giving Him our full dose of attention.

Romans 12:2 says,

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

There’s an image the world will shape us into if we continue give ourselves to its ways and that image would be everything short of what God desires.

In fact, sisters, the truth is that what we’re shaped into by the principles and patterns of the world may look appealing, but in God’s sight it’s all waste!

If we would be transformed into the image He intends us to be carved into, we must consistently spend time in His presence. We must constantly fix our gaze on Him so that we don’t miss any step of our transformation and carving process.

Unfortunately, instead of gazing upon the one who has the perfect and flawless design for our lives, we are distracted by various side attractions which seek our attention from day to day.

They tug at our dresses here and there, disturbing us from looking at the DIVINE BLUEPRINT for our lives. They give us false ideologies and rules to walk by. They struggle to take the position of *’the divine compass’* which in the real sense, they are not.

THEY ARE IDOLS!

And you know what? Idolatry is a form of spiritual adultery.

In the moral sense, we know that adultery is bad and abominable. Now, when you begin to flirt with and embrace the values and dictates of the world and forsake God’s love and will, that’s spiritual adultery.
*(See Ezekiel 16 and Jeremiah 3)*

We would easily condemn people who commit adultery in the physical marriage sense, but aren’t we guilty of adultery as brides of Christ?

Dear sister, an idol is not just a carved image of wood or stone which people bow to worship. Anything that takes the place of God in your life is an idol. Anything that exerts a greater driving force over your life and destiny above God is an idol.

And what’s the place that God should take in your life? FIRST PLACE of course.

*Please, listen to this song before You proceed and pay attention to what God is saying through the lyrics*

IDOLS by KIRK FRANKLIN

Give Me your idols
Every god that you made
You know the things you love more than Me
You’d die if I took them away
Give Me your options
Let Me be the first one you call
Now you must choose what I am to you
God of all or not God at all
And God of all or not God at all

Give Me the mountain
You’re not strong enough to climb
I’ll restore the days that you threw away
I love to return wasted time
Give Me the questions
There’s not one too great or too small
Still, you can’t be free ’til you let Me be
God of all or not God at all
And God of all or not God at all

Tell me who’s the King of glory
And writes every one of our stories
Who knows the end before life begins
And took all our debts to the grave

So, give Me your weapons
Be still while your enemies fall
You’ll never see ’til you let Me be
God of all or not God at all

Oh, tell me who’s the King of glory
And writes every one of our stories
Who knows the end before life begins
And took all our debts to the grave

So, give Me your weapons
Be still while your enemies fall
But you’ll never see ’til you let Me be
God of all or not God at all
God of all or not God at all
And God of all or not God at all

And writes every one of our stories (we serve a God)
Who knows the end (still) before life begins
And took all our debts to the grave (listen)

So, give Me forever
We’ll meet when the last trumpet calls
I gave you My life, so, now, you decide (who will I be?)
A God of all or not God at all

WELCOME BACK!!!

*Sister, whatever takes first place in your life is responsible for the bulk of your carving. Let me explain that.*

If you’re someone who is given to fellowship with God, prayers and the study of the word, you will observe that you become more and more like God. Your life gradually aligns with His divine design and everyday; you become more and more like what He wants to make out of you.

On the other hand, if you give priority to social media, people’s opinions, the world’s view of things etc., those things will definitely be responsible for the image you will ultimately look like.

You see dear sisters, it’s easy to say “God, please carve me or mould me into what you want me to be” when in the real sense there are other things you’re looking to to carve you. You’re not doing so intentionally but your actions say so.

•When I spend hours scrolling through Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and can’t even spend 20 minutes in God’s presence, who or what am I asking to carve me? Into what image am I asking to be carved?

•When the first point of call in making decisions of life is my friends and whatever they say is final, who or what am I asking to carve me? Into what image am I asking to be carved?

•When I am so crazy about a celebrity’s lifestyle such that it drives my lifestyle and actions and I use it as a yardstick for my life, am I not backing God’s design for me?

Taking a look at Ezekiel 8, we would see that in the revelation Ezekiel had, the elders who were supposed to be representing God had images and paintings of idols on the walls.

Those were the images of the things they were focused on instead of the picture of who God wanted them to be.

The people of Israel were so locked up in the pursuit of other gods that they practically turned their backs against God’s intentions for their lives. Their thoughts and actions were shaped by these idols.

They took these idols as their guide and guard. How wouldn’t their lives turn out marred as it did when they gave attention to gods that had nothing to offer?

Instead of being carved, they were being deformed.

*Dear sister, whatever you keep beholding, you become.*

See what Zech.10:2 says

“*For the teraphim (household idols) have spoken vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)* and the diviners have seen a lie and the dreamers have told false dreams; they comfort in vain. Therefore the people go their way like sheep; they are afflicted and hurt because there is no shepherd.

Idols are usually misleading because in the first place, they do not know the direction your life should go. They do not know what you are supposed to be carved into not to talk of how. The Lord is the only true Shepherd who can lead us on the path to destiny.

So, what are some of the idols?

Idols can be in form of people, things, ideologies, mindsets, etc.

I’ll mention some we may be able to relate with.

✓ACADEMICS
Quite a number of us are in school. As much as it is important for us to give attention to our studies, we have to be careful that our academic pursuits are not competing with God for first place in our hearts.

If your fellowship with God during examination period tends to dwindle, please check it.

If you find yourself always using your acdemic pursuit as a reason you don’t have time for God, please check it.

✓FAMILY/MARRIAGE
Yes! This may sound funny but your blood relationships can become idols. It could be your parents, spouse or children.

Now don’t get this mixed up with love. Of course we must love these people, but there’s a point where you can be so *obsessed* with them that you place them above God.

Singles, marriage is s good thing but if you’re so obsessed about it such that even when you’re seeking God’s face, that’s all you’re seeking Him for, it’s an idol.

✓MONEY
For you, it may be that all your conversations and thoughts revolve round money basically. Before you make one or two sentences, you’ve mentioned money. And you go about looking for ways to make that money at the expense of your relationship with God.

✓FAME
For example, some of us here are social media influencers. God has called us to use that platform for Him but if instead of facing the assignment, we begin to push out contents for the sake of likes and followers, we’re embracing idolatry.

✓FOOD
“I cannot fast o. It’s only the living that can serve God.” Hmm… And your mouth never rests. You’re always in and out of the kitchen. Your provisions get consumed before they ought to. You cannot starve yourself a bit to fellowship with God. Maybe food is your own idol.

✓IDEOLOGIES, THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS
Some people have ideologies about life, marriage, success etc. that are not from God. Once you have such and you’re so headstrong that God cannot touch those things and conform them to His will, those things have become idols.

✓SELF
Many people seek to do only those things that please them. As long as it feels good, it’s fine. We’re not called to feel good or make ourselves happy. Once we shift our attention from pleasing God to pleasing ourselves, we’ve become our own idols.

✓CAREER
“I love my career. I must get to the peak of my career.” Great desire! But I hope it’s not at the expense of God’s will. I hope you’re not dipping your hands in anything that will not glorify God.

Sisters, the list is not exhaustive. I’m sure you even know some which I did not mention. Your idol may not even be on this list.

Today, God is asking us to clear the stages of our lives so He can operate uninterrupted.

Listen to what He’s saying to us through this song.

CLEAR THE STAGE by JIMMY NEEDHAM

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols
Jerk the pews & all the decorations, too
Until the congregations few, then have revival
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you’re broken for your sins, you can’t be social
Then seek the Lord & wait for what He has in store
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

‘Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

Take a break from all the plans that you have made
And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper
Beg Him please to open up His mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister
Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open
Then read the Word and put to test the things you’ve heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

We must not worship something that’s not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it

Chorus
‘Cause I can sing all I want to
Yes, I can sing all I want to
I can sing all I want to
And still get it wrong
And you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols

*PART 1*

Worship God for the privilege to speak to Him and hear from Him.

Appreciate Him for all He has done for you.

Ask Him to take charge of this prayer session.

Ask Him to open your heart and eyes

Ask the Holy Spirit to move unhindered in this prayer session.

*PART 2: SOUL SEARCH*

This moment requires some stillness and patience before God. You may not get all the answers right away but you will get some now and others as you keep opening yourself up to the surgery of the Spirit.

Say this to the Holy Spirit:

“Father, please convict me of every form of idolatry I’ve been embracing in the name of Jesus.
(Be still and open to the Holy Spirit as He opens your eyes. Once you feel a release, move on)”

*PART 3*

I’d like you to dethrone every idol in your life using the scriptures below.

1. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-5

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,.casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

•In the name of Jesus, I cast down everything that I’ve given myself to that is in opposition to the knowledge of God.

•In the name of Jesus, all my affections and obsessions are made captive to the obedience of Christ. He rules over my heart and is my greatest obsession and addiction.

2. PSALM 24:7-10

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.

•Father, let every gate hindering You from taking Your rightful place in my life be uprooted in Jesus’ name!

•I pull down everything contending for space with You in my life in Jesus’ name!

3. EZEKIEL 36:25

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

•Father, cleanse me from every form of idolatry in Jesus’ name.

*PART 4*

•Father, I come before the throne of grace today. I admit that (mention them) have taken first place in my life. Please, have mercy on me and forgive me.

•Today, I rub off their (the things you mentioned) images from the topmost chamber of my heart and I erect your throne there in the name of Jesus!

•Father, I receive grace to focus on You and Your design for my life in the name of Jesus.

•Father, I break every bond between me and everything that is hindering me from staying in the place where I would be carved by You.

•Lord, please, cleanse me from every form of idolatry by Your blood in Jesus’ name. Purify me from everything that draws my attention away from You.

•Lord, please deliver me from every manifestation of Spiritual adultery in my life in Jesus’ name.

•Lord, You are my potter; mould me into what You will in the name of Jesus.

•I break away from every strange affection or obsession that has become a stronghold in my heart in the name of Jesus’.

•Father, I refuse to be controlled by the flesh from this day onward. Holy Spirit, the one who knows the shape my destiny should take, I yield myself to you today. Take over!

•Father, I refuse to fashion myself according to the lusts of my heart. Please, fashion me after Your desires.

•Lord I offer my entire life to you as a living sacrifice. Let my entire being glorify you.

•Father, I plead that by your mercy you’ll repair every damage that has been done to my life and destiny due to the idols I’ve entertained in my life. Please, correct every deformity in the name of Jesus.

•Father, please bind my heart to you in love and let my heart not wander away from You anymore.

•Lord, let a fierce hunger and thirst for You well up within me so that I would lose interest in all the the things that draw me away from You.

•Lord, come and take the centre stage in my life and destiny in Jesus’ name.

Keep praying as led and then wrap it up as you make the confession in the song below.

JESUS AT THE CENTER by DARLENE ZSCHECH

Jesus at the center of it all
Jesus at the center of it all
From beginning to the end
It will always be, it’s always been You
Jesus, Jesus

Nothing else matters
Nothing in this world will do
‘Cause Jesus You’re the center
Everything revolves around You
Jesus You
At the center of it all
At the center of it all

Jesus be the center of my life
Jesus be the center of my life
From beginning to the end
It will always be, it’s always been You
Jesus, Jesus

Nothing else matters
Nothing in this world will do
‘Cause Jesus You’re the center
Everything revolves around You
Jesus You

From my heart to the Heavens
Jesus be the center
It’s all about You
Yes it’s all about You

Jesus be the center of Your church
Jesus be the center of Your church
And every knee will bow
And every tongue shall confess You
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus
From my heart to the Heavens
Jesus be the center
It’s all about You
Yes it’s all about You
It’s all about You, all about You, Jesus

WHEN YOU ARE THROUGH, PLEASE STUDY *Ezekiel 8:1-10 Ezekiel 14:1-11* AND WE WILL MEET BY 5 P. M. TO DISCUSS.

GOD BLESS YOU!