The Bottom Line by Jimmy Tucker
Growing up in Arkansas, my brothers and sisters and I always enjoyed going to see my grandparents in Missouri. During our visit, we liked to watch television shows like “Lassie“ and “Bonanza“ because we didn‘t have a TV at home. Back then, there was no such thing as cable or dish and there were only a few stations to choose from. My grandparents had a big antenna on the outside of the house and it had to be pointed just so-so in order to have a clear picture. Sometimes the television screen would get fuzzy and adjustments had to be made on the set, or by turning the antenna slightly toward the station. Storms, clouds, and wind could affect the reception even though the TV station was still transmitting the signal.
There’s no doubt about it, the storms and winds of this world are blowing strong. God is always transmitting (through His written Word or the voice of the Holy Spirit), but we may not be receiving if our priorities are not in proper alignment with God. If we have allowed the storms of life or other distractions to move our antenna around, we can’t receive what God is wanting us to learn.
You can get yourself sidetracked and in a real jam by just “doing your own thing.” God is a good God all the time, but He’s not pleased when we only give Him our attention on Sunday morning. “So be careful not to break the covenant the Lord your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the Lord your God has forbidden this. The Lord your God is a devouring fire; He is a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:23,24 NLT). This Old Testament scripture still applies to us today. An idol can be anything we put above God. It’s anything we give our attention to more than the Lord. It could be a person, a possession, or an activity. God deserves first place every day.
Like Daniel in the Old Testament, you have to purpose in your heart that you’ll not let the devil get a foothold in your life. Daniel was determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine, so he asked to be exempt from the royal diet. He refused to allow anything to compromise his fellowship with God. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” (Daniel 1:8 KJV).
We need to review our priorities daily to ensure that God has first place in our life. God never changes — He’s is the same, yesterday, today and forever. So if something has come between you and your relationship with Him, the problem is with you. If you haven’t heard from God in awhile, you need a spiritual checkup. He’s waiting for you to adjust your attitude and your way of living. Jesus said, “…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). He longs to have a genuine relationship and close fellowship with you. His awesome holiness and perfect justice requires our whole-hearted attention and prompt obedience.
The Bottom Line: If you love God supremely, keep your spiritual antenna turned to receive His smallest whisper.
Pastor Jimmy Tucker
620-223-1483
Diamond Community Church
10:45 a.m. Worship