So

So, you're high tech.

8/15/2002

You're not doing long division or even adding columns of numbers. You've graduated from a 4 function calculator to a scientific calculator with a graphic display, 3 levels of multi-functions and the capability to download new functions from the internet.

You've really made it.

You used to have a PC with a floppy disk and ran in DOS for years. In fact, perhaps you got the PC when your Commodore 64 ( or was it a Vic 20 ) died. Now, you've upgraded. If you're reading this, your system is running at least at 66Mz... fine, 300Mz.... fine... you've cornered the market and your system is now running at 2.6 GHz on a Pentium 4 processor with 512 Meg graphics. Satisfied?

Probably not.

Consider what's been happening to you? Consider the highs you've experienced each time you made a major purchase. Does your VCR have a built in DVD? Does your Walkman (tm) play MP3's? In fact, for every high there's been a low... the day you took the previous system out of service.

What became of your money? What became of your happiness? Were you perhaps lied to? Did you get the promise of the best only to find that if you had waited there would be something better? This is deception, a lie, deceit, slander, false evidence appearing real. It's not the best, in fact it's a idol, false gain, an image of greatness that is not.

Makes you want to get a refund when you consider that your first PC with a 10 Meg hard-drive running an 8 MHz operating system cost $4000.00 new from the factory. Couldn't give that away now in a garage sale.

Isn't that how Sin makes you feel? Like you want to go back and get a refund, start again, do it over... only this time better? But just like your $4000.00, it's done... committed... over. Sin is giving into a lie and a deception. It's giving into idol worship. It's turning away from Godly principles.

Ecclesiastes 2: 9. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor.
11. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

Does this, perhaps sound like you? Do you want, need, desire to have the best? Was your last purchase half-need, half-vanity?

But why do you feel this way? Don't you know that if you are Born Again, then the Spirit of God is within you. If the Spirit is within you you can resist the temptation of the spirit of the devil. The spirit of wanting, of lustful desire for highest-tech, the need for an idol, the desire to be the envy of your friends, neighbors, peers. All of these are idols of your choosing that you put before God. These things make you boast, but later you might be laughed at.

John 8:43. Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.

When God does something, he does it for the good and for the greater good. I was stuck in a sandpit on the back-side of Aruba in my 2 (of 4) wheel drive jeep. If all 4-wheels were operating, the jeep would have not have dug into the sand. I prayed. God had already prepared for those who would help me jack-up, lift, and push the car out of the sand. I know that because (1) they showed up (2) after they showed up, no one else passed by. Today I asked for something deep and personal of God. I also asked for a number of other smaller things, mostly comforts for my troubled family. 3 of the small comfort prayers were answered visibly today. I know that my other prayers, therefore, have also been answered - even if I haven't yet seen the results.

God doesn't lie. Jesus said: "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.." John 14:18. The devil lies, and he uses technology to take your money and your comforts from you. He builds up images of greatness in your mind, but you reap little greatness. As soon as you get home, you read of something better... the trend changes... the lie is exposed... the truth comes out.

So, when you next consider a purchase, ask yourself - do I need it?
KJV 1 Thessalonians 5:22

22. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Remember, it's not the purchase - it's the false desire. Consider it when you buy technology, or clothing... fashion has the same idol-istic characteristics. Why don't women and men continue to wear some clothing longer then 6 months? In good humor, it was said that clothing "doesn't last as long as it did for the Israelites, as they travelled through the desert... 40 years and their clothes didn't wear out." I contend, that once the clothing is out of style, it will hang in the closet and can last forever.

God's way is to save us from Sin, and instead, bring us to Joy. He gives us the choice to accept Him and His ways, or to do it our way... the path to spiritual death. God's salvation begins at the Cross and ends when you come to terms with your desires of the flesh... reducing your need, want, & pride to selfless humbleness. God provides what you need... will you be happy with that?