file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941129.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                     Tuesday, November 29, 1994
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READ:  Ezekiel 14:1-8

                 "IDOLS IN THE HEART"

      "Son of man, these men have set up their
                idols in their hearts."

                    - Ezekiel 14:3

When my husband and I first went out as missionaries, I
recall being concerned about the growth of materialism
in our society.  It never crossed my mind that I myself
could be materialistic.  After all, hadn't we gone
overseas with almost nothing?  Weren't we having to
live in a shabbily furnished, run-down apartment?  I
thought materialism couldn't touch us.

Nonetheless, feelings of discontent gradually began to
take root in my heart.  Before long I was craving
hungrily after nice things and secretly feeling resentful
over not having them.  Then one day God's Spirit opened
my eyes with a disturbing insight:  Materialism isn't
necessarily "having" things; it can also be "craving" them.
There I stood -- guilty of materialism!  God had exposed my
discontentment for what it was -- an idol in my heart!
That day as I repented of this subtle sin, God recaptured
my heart as His rightful throne.  Needless to say, a deep
contentment followed, based not on things but on Him.

In Ezekiel's day, God dealt thoroughly with this kind of
secret idolatry.  His throne on earth has always been in
the hearts of His people.  That's why we must rid our
heart of anything that destroys our contentment with Him.

    -- Joanie E. Yoder

  The dearest idol I have known,
      Whate'er that idol be,
 Help me to tear it from Thy throne
      And worship only Thee.

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        THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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  An idol is anything that takes the
    place of God.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  2 Corinthians 10-13

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of
Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA.
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