Do you have an idol in your life that has taken a hold of you?  You have the power to overcome it.  Let me tell you about mine.

Until about a year and a half ago, I was absolutely addicted to BINGO.  I’ve played for 15 years.  Is there anything wrong with playing BINGO?  Some say “yes”, it’s gambling so it’s wrong.  Others say, “no”.  That’s not to be debated because that’s not the point I’m trying to make.  Anyway, I would spend so much money and it got to where I was not being honest with my husband because I was lying about the amount I was spending.  Naughty sin number one.  I was also going 3 and 4 times each week.  My typical day was to get up, go to work, come home, fix dinner, say hi and bye to the family, go to bingo, come home and go to bed.  Where was Jesus?  He was there for me, as he always is, but I wasn’t there for him.  During that time, I hardly went to church, but I sure had time to go to Sunday afternoon BINGO, and sometimes would stay for Sunday night BINGO as well.   I was spending absolutely “0” time with the Lord. None at all. Naughty sin number two.  I had a major obstacle to overcome but didn’t really have the motivation to do it.
 
One day, my parents bought me the book Heaven is So Real by Choo Nam Thomas, and said, “You have to read this book.”  I decided to crack it open one night because there was no BINGO over the holidays (darn it), and the book completely turned my life around.  I decided that I had some serious changes to make in my life.  I quit playing BINGO, cold turkey and never looked back.  However, I took my mother- in- law last year when she came to visit from Maine because she is more of an addict than I am, and I actually felt sick to my stomach.  There was no enjoyment left for me.  That’s because it was an idol in my life and the Lord took it away.  It was a worldly pleasure that kept me from spending any time with Jesus.  Now, a year and half later I’m more in the Word and on fire for Jesus than I have ever been.  Praise God!
 
If there are idols in this world that are taking hold of you and overriding your time with Jesus, you might want to make some changes.  Get in the Word of God.  Study.  Pray.  Meditate on Him.
 
Let me tell ya, I am not perfect.  I am still part of this world because we are of this world.  I like to watch Survivor. ( I really want Ozzy to win.)   I watch American Idol sometimes too.  (David Cook has a great voice).  But this world is not going to make me lose sight of what is most important, and that is my personal time with the Lord.  When I get to heaven,  I’m not going to get a 100 bucks for a diagonal, 4 corners, or a blackout.  I’m going to get a crown.  Now that’s a jackpot!