Thoughts...

These are lessons I've gathered from a bible study on the subtlety of idolatry by Jon Courson. 

Reading the book of Judges chapter 17 and 18. It talks about a time in Israel where there was no king and everyone did as they pleased. This kind of reflects the age we live in where there's the liberty to do a lot of the things you please. There was a man called Micah who decided to have his kind of "backyard religion" 

So Micah had his house of gods in his home. A Levite from Benjaminjudah who was a sojouner passed by his house and Micah had an ahaah moment. Levites , the tribe that Yahweh had designated to be priests. Micah proposed to pay the Levite 10 silver shekels per year in exchange for him performing priestly duties for him. The Levite agreed.  

Judges 17:13

 Then said Micah, Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.

Micah just thinks he's actually doing the right thing because in his worship, you can see the biblical elements to it and it is also very convenient yk, just worshipping in your house, no stress of going to Shiloh and doesn't rob you of quality family time. 

I John 5: 21

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

But Micah was just in idol worship mixed with what looked like the right way of worship.

Later, there are sons of Dan who come and find out of Micah's religion and they later  steal the ephod, the teraphim, his graven images and even the Priest. Micah goes after them but he is helpless, he can't fight against 600 men.

You might be wondering where I am trying to get at. This is where I am getting at. Most of us have created our own "backyard religions" in one way or another. Maybe because of hurt or whatever the church did to you or your own reasons you have forsaken the body of Christ. I won't even deny it. I have always looked for reasons to justify why I need not go to church. However, one thing about " doing what we see is right in our eyes' is that most of the time it is very wrong 

Just like Micah the problem with " our convenient modern way of doing things is that more of often than not in the time of tragedy, you will be alone. The community to help you, you might not have. Look at how helpless he was  when his "gods" were taken away. 

Funny thing is that in Judges 18:31, the house of God, which he desperately needed  was always just there. He didn't need struggle so much. 

Judges 18:31

And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

All said and done, I have just realized that in your journey with Christ, it is so important to fellowship with people in the body of Christ. 

No need to be scrolling through youtube and podcasts looking for who you'll learn from this Sunday because you've said no to church. I know you hold very strong arguments against not going but maybe just reconsider. 

Fellowship gives you also the opportunity to be accountable to a certain group of people and experience tu the love of Christ. 

Wewe enda kanisa, wacha maneno mingi.

Hebrews 10;23-25

 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.