I just read that the season premier of Duck Dynasty had A&E’s reality show ratings soar to 11.8 million people.  A cable network record for reality TV.

Wow, Congrats!

In all honesty I am really “happy, happy. happy” (borrowing the matriarch Phil’s line) sincerely happy for them.

They seem to be genuine people, only God knows the heart.

They are reaching a demographic that most people could not do. God has indeed opened doors for them that no man can shut it seems.

Solely based on observation alone, all the cast of this clan genuinely seem to love the Lord and walk it out in their daily lives.

So what’s your point you ask?

Why am I writing all this?

Honestly what I worry about the most is “us” as the audience really.

These guys seem to know who is priority in their lives. Who is the most important person of all to them.

I worry do we?

Man was never intended to be worshipped and I think that Phil Robertson would be the first to tell you “Don’t worship me”
 
So with that in mind; how many”si-cology” lines can you quote?

More importantly, can you equal the number of scriptures or more?

It is funny when Uncle “SI” goes hey that’s a fact Jack or “float like a butterfly, punch like a flea” no doubt. But, can Si save you?

It’s funny when Willie or Jase try to outdo each other in the manhood category. But, Can Willie or Jase redeem you?

Let’s face it, we all love to laugh and the show hits home the points of God, life, love and family.

But, do we go to far and not even know it?

We know this on so many levels. We think of the Israelites as out and out right sinners because they worshipped a golden calf, or offered money/sacrifices to man made gods.

But are we really any different?

Wal-Mart has stated that the “Duck Dynasty” merchandise is their number one seller in all clothing categories.

Do we still want to pass that judgment upon the Israelites?

We know that we are not to make graven images of anything He created and worship it~

I’m just wondering about how far is to far?

You’re probably thinking that I’m rigid and straight laced and really I’m not.

I love to see people succeed and prosper.

What I don’t like to see is people caught up in hero worship or idolization of people I guarantee would not want that.

You say, but I’m just supporting the family… Are you?

When is the last time you supported your Savior Redeemer?

How many t-shirts or coffee cups, or whatever it might be that others can see you wear or use have Jesus Christ and His message on them?

I can’t do that you say, they will think I’m fanatical, they will throw me out of the school, they will call me bigoted or racist. Whatever, you get the point. Our excuses have no boundary or end.

Hmmmmm.

Let me ask you this;

How many bibles do you own, many of whom have been delegated to the shelves because they are falling apart?

I’m meddling I know, but I need for you to see that God made it extremely clear that He would not tolerate any form of idolatry.

Anything you have more of, or know more, or care more for than God is idolatry.

Maybe it’s not Duck Dynasty, maybe it’s a ministry or preacher, maybe it’s a family member, a child, a spouse. Maybe it’s a possession or piece of land, whatever it is that you can’t give up is an idol.

Anything or anybody we know more about than God, is idolatry.

You say well, that’s not scriptural… really?

One of the ten commandments clearly says;

Thou shalt have no other gods before me Exodus 20:3

The next one is even harder;

4) Thou shalt not make unto thee any (underline that) graven image, (if they had, had them I’m sure He would have included bobble heads as well) or any likeness (ouch) of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

I think God is serious…

You might say well that was the law and we are not under the law.

Matthew 5:17 Jesus said;

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

I don’t think He cares if you have t-shirts or books about others on them.

The part He cares about is when they become more important than Him.

The Robertson clan have a purpose that God has given them to do and I’m glad to have some good clean entertainment on TV that my whole family can sit and watch.

If I were to question the motivation of God I would venture to say that it was more about the lost they are able to reach, than it is about entertaining the people of God.

After all we have a job of our own to do, right?

The antics of uncle Si are beyond hysterical.

However, it’s at the end of the day when I lay my head down to rest that I want to have peace in my heart.

I want to lay down in peace knowing that even if I watched a TV show that day (psst not a huge fan of TV) but if I did, I gave God equal and/or greater time than that.

See at the end of my life when I stand before God, I will stand alone and give account for me.

Not for you nor you for me.

The Robertson’s won’t be my judge, they aren’t my Savior.

God alone will judge me according to every idle word or deed I’ve done while I carried His name.

He is not judging me according to sin “Jesus already paid that debt” however I will give an accounting of the way I lived my life.

You find this in the book of Matthew: 25-31-32 Jesus is speaking…

31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory;
32) And before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Jesus is speaking about Himself in these verses, continue reading and He starts talking in the first person.

I will say to them or profess to them depart from (me) I  never knew you.

The saddest part is that these people thought they had genuinely done well for God.

This makes me shudder, I never want to hear Him say that to me…

So, I’ll close with this; make sure that whatever you do today, tomorrow or next week, make sure it is for God’s glory.

Don’t make idols of man, they didn’t die for you.

Don’t put them before God, they can’t keep you.

In Acts 14

Long story short; Paul and Barnabas are in Lystra and there was a man sitting there crippled in his feet. He had been this way since he was in the womb scripture says. Well this man hears Paul speak and catches the attention of Paul. Paul perceives that the man has faith enough to be healed. So Paul shouts with a loud voice “Stand Upon Thy Feet” The man is healed, end of the story….

Not quite:

When the men heard and saw these things they proclaimed Paul and Barnabas to be gods and proceeded to worship them.They were going all out to; sacrifices, offerings the whole nine yards.

When Paul understood what was happening he tore his clothes and screamed with a loud voice, No, no, no don’t do this, we are men just as you are. Turn from this and worship God who made it all.

My point dear brother or sister is this; You were made to serve God and Him alone.

It cannot save you, what did not die for you!

It will not love you, what can’t redeem you!

It will not keep you, what can’t control you!

All your time, effort or money will not buy you a ticket to heaven, it will not gain you a crown to lay at His feet.

Serve God and Him alone for it is good and it is right!

Matthew 6:33 But, seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; then what? all these things will be added unto you.


I’m hid with Christ!

Shawn