Posts Tagged ‘church’


Under Gods Command
Samson

Judges 14:19 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power.  He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of their belongings and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle.  Burning with anger, he went up to his father’s house. 

Samson impulsively used the special gift God gave him for selfish purposes.  Today, God distributes abilities and skills throughout the church (1 Corinthians 12:1).  The apostle Paul states that these gifts are to be used “that the body of Christ may be built up,” that is, to build up the church (Ephesians 4:12).

Lets bring it home: To use these abilities for selfish purpose is to robe the church and fellow believers of strength.  As you use the gifts God has given you, be sure you are helping others, not just yourself.


Under Gods Command
Proverbs 16:5 – The LORD detest all the proud of heart.  Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. 

Pride is the inner voice that whispers, “My way is best” It is resisting God’s leadership and believing that your are able to live without his help.  Whenever you find yourself wanting to do it your way and looking down on other people, you are being pulled by pride.  Only when you eliminate pride can God help you become all he meant you to be.


Under Gods Command
Proverbs 18.21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against one another. Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. We dare not be carless with what we say thinking we can apologize later, because even if we do, the scars remain. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire-you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do.

 


Under Gods Command

Warning against the Adulteress

Proverbs 7:4-23 (4) Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman; (5) they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. (6) At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. (7) I saw among the simple, I noticed among young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) (13) She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! (16) I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. (17) I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. (18) Come let’s drink deep of love morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! (19) My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. (20) He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon. (21)With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox gong to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose (23) till and arrow pierces his liver like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

Proverbs 7:24-27 Now then my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Although this advice is directed toward young men, young women should heed it as well. The person who has no purpose in life is simple-minded (7:7). Without aim or direction an empty life is unstable, vulnerable to many temptations. Even though the young man in this passage doesn’t know where he is going, the adulteress knows where she wants him. Notice her strategies: she is dressed to allure men (7:10); her approach is bold (7:13); she invites him over to her place 7:16-18); she cunningly answers his every objection (7:19, 20); she persuades him with smooth talk (7:21); she traps him (7:23). To combat temptation, make sure your life is full of God’s Word and wisdom. (7:4). Recognize the strategies of temptation, and run away from them-fast.

You can take definite steps to avoid sexual sins. First, guard your mind. Don’t read books, look at pictures, or encourage fantasies that stimulate the wrong desires. Second, keep away from settings and friends that tempt you to sin. Third, don’t think only of the moment-focus on the future. Today’s thrill may lead to tomorrow’s ruin.


Under Gods Command
Disobedience and defeat

One generation died, and the next did not follow God. Each generation failed to teach the next generation to love and follow God. Yet this was at the very center of God’s law (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). It is tempting to leave the job of teaching the Christian faith to the church or Christian school. Yet God says that the responsibility for this task belongs primarily to the family. Because children learn so much by our example, the home offers the most effective place to pass on the faith to the next generation.

Judges 2:10 After the whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.


Under Gods Command
Theme for Judges

• Decline / Compromise

Explanation: Whenever a judge died, the people faced decline and failure because they compromised their high spiritual purpose in many ways. They abandoned their mission to drive all the people out of the land, and they adopted the customs of the people living around them.

Importance: Society has many rewards to offer those who compromise their faith; wealth, acceptance, recognition, power, it must not be polluted by a desire for approval from society. We must keep our eyes on Christ, who is our Judge and Deliver.

Decay / Apostasy (Noun: The abandonment or reunification of a religious or political believe.)

Explanation: Israel’s moral downfall had its roots in the fierce independence that each tribe cherished, it led to everyone doing whatever seemed right in his own eyes. There was no unity in government or in worship. Law and order broke down. Finally, idol worship and man-made religion led to the complete abandoning of faith in God.

Importance: We can expect decay when we value anything more highly than God. If we value our own independence more than dedication to God, we have placed an idol in our hearts. Soon our lives become temples to that god. We must constantly regard God’s first claim on our lives and all our desires.

• Defeat / Oppression

Explanation: God used evil oppressors to punish the Israelites for their sin, to bring them to the point of repentance, and to test their allegiance to him.

Importance: Rebellion against God leads to disaster. God may use defeat to bring wandering hearts back to him. When all else is stripped away, we recognize the importance of serving only him.

• Repentance

Explanation: Decline, decay, and defeat caused the people to cry out to God for help. They vowed to turn from idolatry and to turn to God for mercy and deliverance. When they repented, God delivered them.

Importance: Idolatry gains a foothold in our hearts when we make anything more important than God. We must identify modern idols in our hearts, renounce them, and turn to God for his love and mercy.

• Deliverance / Heroes

Explanation: Because Israel repented; God raised up heroes to deliver his people from their path of sin and the oppression it brought. He used many kind of people to accomplish this purpose by filling them with his Holy Spirit.

Importance: God’s Holy Spirit is available to all people. Any one who is dedicated to God can be used for his service. Real heroes recognize the futility of human effort without God’s guidance and power.


Under Gods Command
The duty to fight for God’s truth

Jude 2:22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt, snatch others from the fire and save them, to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Bring people to Jesus saves them from God’s judgment. We can do this through compassion and kindness. To hate “even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” means that we are to hate the sin, but we must witness to and love the sinner. Unbelievers, no matter how successful they seem by worldly standards, are lost and in need of salvation. We should not take witnessing lightly-it is a matter of life and death.

In trying to find common ground with those to whom we witness, we must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. When reaching out to others, we must be sure that our own footing is safe and secure. Be careful not to become so much like non-Christians that no one can tell who you are or what you believe. Influence them for Christ-don’t allow them to influence you to sin!


Under Gods Command
Luke 12:47-48 The servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Jesus has told us how to live until he comes: we must watch for him, work diligently, and obey his commands. Such attitudes are especially necessary for leaders. Watchful and faithful leaders will be given increased opportunities and responsibilities. The more resources, talents, and understanding we have, the more we are responsible to use them effectively. God will not hold us responsibly for gifts he has not given us, but all of us have enough gifts and duties to keep us busy until Jesus returns.


Under Gods Command

Proverbs 11:09 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

The mouth can be used either as a weapon or a tool, hurting relationships or building them up. Sadly, it is often easier to destroy than to build, and most people have received more destructive comments than those that build up. Every person you meet today is either a demolition site or a construction opportunity. Your words will make a difference. Will they be weapons for destruction or tool for construction?


Under Gods Command
Sexual Temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and nature desires that God has given us. Marriage provides God’s way to satisfy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation. Married couples have the responsibility to care for each other; therefore husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another, but should fulfill each other’s needs and desires.

1 Corinthians 7:3-6 – The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

A preacher once said “People say that the grass is not greener on the other side, well it depends what side is being water the most”. Do not lead each other into temptation, because that is exactly what you are doing if you are denying each other of sexual attention.