you are not a god: You are God Alone!

Romans is a deep letter. In our TWOG4TPOG readings Jan 17-21, we read the first 12 chapters. But, there were days I would get stuck contemplating just one or two verses. Thursday, (Romans 10-11) was such a day.

Here are the verses I'm referencing:
"For I can testify about them (the Jews) that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." -- Romans 10:2-3 (NIV1984)

The Jews practiced their religion with so much zeal, the Scripture says, but they placed that zeal in something they created rather than something that God created. What a human thing to do!

This next week, we will kick off an 8 week series on LEARN where we will begin to learn and communicate the meta-narrative -- the BIG Story. Our first Sunday focuses on "Who is God?" As I read this verse in scripture, it reminded me that first and foremost God is God and we are NOT. Next Sunday, January 30th, we will sing a song that says exactly that. Here are the lyrics, penned by Billy J & Cindy Foote. I hope they will bless you as you spend some time focusing on God and who He is.

You are not a god created by human hands;
You are not a god dependent on any mortal man.
You are not a god in need of anything we can give.
By Your plan, that's just the way it is.

You're the only God whose power none can contend.
You're the only God whose name and praise will never end.
You're the only God Who's worthy of everything we can give.
You are God, that's just the way it is.

Chorus: You are God alone;
From before time began
You were on the throne;
You were God alone.
And right now in the good times and bad,
You are on Your throne;
You are God alone!

This week, my prayer is that we have zeal--that we pray and sing and live life with ZEAL. But, that we have ZEAL based on knowledge of the one and only True God! He is God alone!