The "I" in Idolatry

Idolatry is defined as extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone. Also, I read in a devotional several days ago that the “I” in Idolatry could be just that, I. 

     In other words, am I just looking out for “me” and what only pleases “me” or daily thinking, “What’s in it for me?” 

     In studying about Solomon, he stated that with all his riches, he denied himself nothing. He had everything. So, you might say he lived in “I”dolatry. In the end, even with all Solomon had acquired, Solomon in his wisdom expressed that life was meaningless without God in it.  

     Comparing Solomon’s life to Paul’s life, they were completely different, yet Paul had learned to be content without luxury. After Paul's conversion experience, he lived only for God and sharing the ministry. In 2 Corinthians Paul tell us: 

1.     5 times I received 39 lashes from the Jews

2.    3 times I was beaten with rods

3.    Once I was stoned

4.    3 times I was shipwrecked 

5.    A night and a day I have spent in the deep

6.    I have been on frequent journeys in dangers from rivers, robbers, countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on sea, and dangers among false brethren.

7.    I have been in labor and hardship

8.    I have had many sleepless nights

9.    I have had hunger and thirst, often without food

10. I have been in cold and exposure

11.  I have had daily pressure over concern for all the churches

I have to take note of Paul’s last comment in item #11. His concern was not over the hardships he listed in numbers 1-10, his concern with for the churches and His work for God. He certainly was not into the “I” factor. 

     Both Solomon and Paul, in different ways, gave me the final analysis. I, like everyone else, will have an earthy death -earthly riches cannot be taken with me - my earthly deeds will be forgotten by man. The only thing I have is my hope in Jesus Christ who has gone before me to make an eternal home for me if I only believe in the Son of God. It is really very simple. Believe and gain joy in my earthy walk with God. 

     

 

Chasing the Wind

Solomon was given great wisdom, yet even he pursued pleasures. Later he set a course to test or examine all he had gained and determined it was all vanity without God in it. Studying about Solomon’s experiments led to the following: 

 

Chasing the Wind

 

I was chasing after the wind,

Deep in sin,

Living in the fast-lane,

But there was no pleasure to gain. 

I filled my closets full

With silks and worsted wool,

Diamonds and jewels,

And attended the best of schools.

Yet, there was a void

Which left me empty and annoyed.

I bought the best of trucks and cars

In my wishful, lustful pause.

Their shiny luster did not last-

My joy soon was past.

Meaningless! Meaningless!

All was chasing after the wind

With a hopeless sting.

I was employed by the best;

With work, I was obsessed

And achieved financial riches untold,

But my heart was left chilled and cold.

My mind did not rest upon my bed

For who would gain when I was dead?

There was no satisfaction in it all

Until God came to call.

My laughter, my riches, my gain

Held no joy without the One who was slain-

Without the One who removed my sin-filled stain.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson – 1/30/2026 

 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV 

Meaningless or Meaningful

In Solomon’s search, within his wisdom, he said that nothing on earth will last. In death, nothing earned or done will be taken with a person. In time, deeds will not be remembered. In Ecclesiastes we are told, “Nothing is new under the sun.” Yet, God makes all things new. That is where my treasure lies and where I need to place my focus. Below is my take according to what I am studying in Ecclesiastes. 

 

Meaningless or Meaningful 

 

When all is said and done

Everything is meaningless under the sun.

What goes around, comes around.

In death’s time, my life will not be found;

My accomplishments not brought to mind-

Deeds not remembered through age-old time.

What has been will be again,

Either now or then.

Yet, I press on before my life is gone.

For with God there is something new to gain-

Something meaningful to attain.

It’s what God put there within my soul;

A love that fills my empty hole.

There is a grace to gain within earth’s place.

With God’s hand there is newness in this land-

A new song which keeps me strong-

A new earth within my Christian birth-

A new Heaven to win from where I’ve been.

A meaningful life is 

A work for God’s glory-telling His story!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson – 1/24/2026 

 

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 NIV 

 

 

Between Two Bookends

When Solomon sought to find the meaning of life, he found that those without God were just chasing the wind. “All was meaningless.” No matter how rich, how powerful, or how much was achieved in life, there was no meaning to life if God was not a part of it. 

     God gives each person a choice of what they want to place between the book-ends of their life. Will it be meaningless or meaningful?

    

 

Between Two Book-Ends

 

Pressed between two book-ends

Is a chasing after the wind,

With deeds of which people have sinned.

Solomon found life under the sun meaningless

And, without Christ, pointless!

All was folly and unwise

Without God within the vision of the eyes.

Between two book-ends

Is a need for sharing Christ with friends,

Something more than seen under the sun;

A working for treasure that can’t be undone,

A giving rather than a taking,

And a Godly work within the making.

Between two book-ends

Can be found despair or prayer,

Certain death or living breath.

Between two book-ends

Can be found a life of delight 

If lived right.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/21/2026 

 

“There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.” Ecclesiastes 1:11 

 

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 NIV 

Day 3 on Prayer

I have been thinking a lot about my prayer life and found a good prayer by David in Psalm 19:131-14. David made his prayer very personal and gave the Lord honor. “Keep your servant also from willful sins. May they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” 

     Solomon also issued up a good prayer in Chronicles 6. I like how he begins by giving God His rightful honor, and the end acknowledges God’s power. “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You, in heaven or on earth…You spoke with Your mouth, and with Your hand have fullfilled it this day.” 

     I also need to consider the prayer Jesus prayed just before He was nailed to the cross. Jesus was burdened when He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Jesus was under a heavy fearful, painful weight, but He remained willing to do God’s will. Jesus completely put His request in God’s hands and was willing to accept God’s answer. 

     I need to do the same.  

Proverbs on Wisdom

Solomon said in Proverbs, chapter 1 that the first step to becoming wise is to trust and reverence the Lord.  In chapter 2 he says, “For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding.” In chapter 3 he says, “Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord…” In chapter 4, he says, “Learn to be wise and develop good judgement and common sense! Cling to wisdom-she will protect you. Love her- she will guard you…The good man walks along in the every-brightening light of God’s favor…”

 

     My desire is to love God, be wise, and gain wisdom. Some ways I can do that are:  

W alk with God

I dentify as God’s child

S eek God first

D o as God guides

O bey God

M ake time for God, all the time 

Wisdom

Solomon was given great wisdom, and he had much to say regarding it. Solomon was the one who said, "Vanity, Vanity, all is vanity." However, he went on to tell us about looking to the Lord for happiness. As I was considering all this, I wrote the following. 

Wisdom

 

I asked for wisdom

But God gave me more.

He promised to walk before.

He gave me understanding

That wisdom is to fear God

And, in Him, be awed. 

With wisdom, 

I did not find riches, silver, or gold

But a Holy Spirit living within my soul;

A God too great to behold.

I could not look upon His face

But I found grace.

With wisdom

I did not find an exciting career

But a God standing near,

Listening, ready to hear.

I did not find contentment with increase or what was built,

But found forgiveness in my guilt.

I did not find delight in desires,

But rather pleasure doing what God requires.

With wisdom, 

I found the world full of vanity

But was led to Christianity.

I prayed for wisdom,

But God promised more;

An eternal home when I enter Heaven’s door.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 10/4/2023 

 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Proverbs 1:7

 

 

What Are The Odds?

Solomon wrote, “Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles…History merely repeats itself.”

     Thinking back to Biblical times, they battled, and we still battle. There was Sodom and Gomorrah, and we have it today. They sacrificed their babies. We are doing the same today through abortions. They sinned. We sin. The grass turns brown, then green again. The wind blows south and then turns north. History repeats itself. 

     There is only one truth that stays the same. It is God and His Word!     

     What are the odds that over 40 human authors, living over different generations, could write a Book (inspired by God) which would map out the beginning and the end and be read over and over throughout all generations?

     God never changes. The truth is that God created all things. Scripture is His Word! He is in control. Jesus came. He died. He arose the 3rd day, and believers are saved.    

Building the Temple

     1 Chronicles begins with a series of genealogies that trace the roots of God's chosen people.  I have to admit I have a tendency to skip over this list of names which identifies and sums up the history of the people, and I fail to identity with their characters and spiritual choices which is an important aspect in understanding their failures and their successes. 
     For instance, in Chapter 28,  I closed in on David's advice to Solomon, "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately.  Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought.  If you seek him, you will find him.  But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.  So take this seriously.  The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary.  Be strong, and do the work."   Solomon did, indeed, seek God and he was given great wisdom, riches, and success. 
     I believe, I too, should build my temple by studying His Word and by preparing my heart and mind to seek God.  This is an on-going process.  Just as David gave Solomon plans for building the temple, God has given me His plans for building my temple.  I must "be strong and do the work."

Wisdom

     In the troubling world we presently live in, Reba wrote and sings a song, Pray For Peace.   We do need to pray for peace, but we also need to pray for wisdom.  That is what Solomon prayed for when the Lord appeared to him in a dream.  God said, "Ask, What should I give you?"  In answer Solomon asked for wisdom and God was pleased and gave it to him.  
     Through Solomon we are introduced to wisdom and given an example of wisdom, but in James 1:5-6 we are told even more about wisdom and how to acquire it.  "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
     Why do I believe we need wisdom?  We need wisdom when we face trials of any kind.  It is the wisdom from God which best aids us in our times of need.  When we face temptations, we need wisdom.  When it comes to money, parenting, giving advice, or handling suffering, we need wisdom.  Whether facing problems at work, developing friendships, or even going through addictions and trials, we need wisdom.  There is never a time when I do not need wisdom in order to know what to do, what to say, or how to act in any given circumstance.   I was also reminded in this morning's Sunday School lesson on Solomon that I need wisdom in order to serve, bless, and love those around me. 
     Not only do I have to rely daily on the wisdom which God gives me, but I must, above all, believe in Jesus Christ and His great love for me, knowing that His hands are big enough to take care of all my needs and help me through my trials. 
     My prayer:  "Lord, give me wisdom so that I may better serve and love you and others better.  Give me wisdom to discern the truth.  Give me wisdom to overcome my trials and follow in your ways. I ask, believing without a doubt, that your wisdom is being provided to help me with all my decisions here on this earth."

A Fool's Gold

     When Paul was in prison he reminded the people about contentment and where that contentment can be found when he wrote in Philippians 4:12-13 (TLB)   “ I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”  Paul is telling us that God is with us and we should praise Him in all situations.  It is with God we can find contentment. 
     In Ecclesiastes, Solomon talks about vanity and questions what he gets for hard work, education, wisdom, having beautiful women, drink, merriment, and obtaining satisfaction.  He says it is like “chasing the wind” but then, in the end,  he realizes that “pleasure is from the hand of God; For who can eat or enjoy apart from him?”

         A Fool’s Gold

I’ve sought riches untold,
But it’s left me feeling cold.
No matter my lot,
No matter whatevr’ I’ve bought,
Constantly on the go,
I’ve found my desires continue to grow.

I’ve sought a fool’s gold

From youth to growing old. 
All my possessions; all the clothes-
Nothing given or that I’ve chose
Fills my hunger,
The desires, or makes me feel younger.
“This house that I own-
It’s not a mansion,” I moun.
There is never enough
Of all this earthy stuff.

The more that I gain, the more I lack;

It’s knocked me off-track.
There’s a lesson here:
For in a blink, it can all disappear.
Wherein then, can I be content?
What has it all meant?

I sought wealth and a high-paying job;

No care for the joy I’d rob.
First on my list was fortune and fame;
No one but myself to blame.
Next came status and all I could claim,
But not a thought from whom it all came!
I’m left spiritually poor
In all my grandeur!

What cannot  be stolen or lost?

What comes with no extra cost?
It’s something I’ve overlooked and missed;
A treasure not on my list!

No matter my lot,

Contentment was what I’d forgot.   
Whether big or small,
God gave me it all.
He is the One who should have been first;
The center of my hunger and thirst.
That’s where my mansion will be-
The pearls, silver, and gold; I can hardly wait to see!
My biggest treasure-
My greatest joy and pleasure
Should have been my God I sought,
Not all the things that I bought.
                        Mary Crisp Jameson – 8/10/2014