Under Gods Command
Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are directed by the LORD, How then can anyone understand his own way?
We are often confused by the events around us. Many things we will never understand; others will fall into place in years to come as we look back and see how God was working. This proverb counsels us not to worry if we don’t understand everything as it happens. Instead, we should trust that God knows what he’s doing, even if his timing or design is not clear to us.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 17:01 – Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
It is nice to get off at times and be by yourself. How many of us married folk don’t take time out for each other because of the distractions of this world, friends, work, kids, pets, in-laws and cell phone. Sometime we need to send the kids off, get rid of the pets, turn the cell phone off, cut the in-laws out for a while, and go take a ride somewhere just to get some quietness and rest. If it’s just going out on the patio, or going for a walk, tell your spouse to “Come on out here, and let’s sit down together and get acquainted with each other. Some of us been married for a long time, and it’s time we get re-acquainted. It’s a good thing for us to do. God wants us to have times like that. They are very important for our spiritual refreshment.
Under Gods Command
Samson and Delilah
Judges 16:16-17 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.”
Delilah kept asking Samson for the secret of his strength until he finally grew tired of hearing her nagging and gave in. This was the second time that Samson allowed himself to be worn down by constant nagging (14:17). What a pitiful excuse for disobedience.
Lets Bring it Home: Don’t allow anyone, no matter how attractive, persuasive, or persistent-to talk you into doing wrong.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
We want other people to like us, and sometimes we will do almost anything to win their approval. But God tells us to put our energy into pleasing him instead. Our effort to be peacemakers will usually make us more attractive to those around us, even our enemies. But even if it doesn’t, we haven’t lost anything. We are still pleasing God, the only one who truly matters.
Under Gods Command
Samson and Delilah
Judges 16:04-05 Sometime later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sroek whose name was Delilah. The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.
Judges 16:15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, I love you, when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.”
Samson was deceived because he wanted to believe Delilah’s lies. Although he could strangle a lion, he could not smother his burning lust and see Delilah for who she really was.
Lets Bring it Home: How can you keep your desire for love and sexual pleasure from deceiving you?
1) You must decide what kind of a person you will love before passion takes over. Determine whether a person’s character and faith in God are as desirable as his or her physical appearance.
2) Because most of the time you spend with your spouse will not involve sex, your companion’s personality, temperament, and commitment to solve problems must be as gratifying as his or her kisses.
3) Be patient. Time and observation often reveal what is beneath the pleasant appearance and attentive touch.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
People with tunnel vision, those who are locked into one way of thinking, are likely to miss the right road because they have closed their minds to any new options. We need the help of those who can enlarge our vision and broaden our perspective. Seek out the advice of those who know you and have a wealth of experience. Build a network of advisers. Then be open to new ideas and be willing to weigh their suggestions carefully. Your plans will be stronger and more likely to succeed.
Under Gods Command
Samson and Deliah
Judges 16:01 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went to spend the night with her.
It appears that Samson totally forgot the mission that God called him to do. Samson was supposed to be plotting the demise of the Philistines. First we find him planning a wedding. Imagine getting measured for a tux when you’re supposed to be planning an attack against your bride’s family! AFter that did not work out, he is distracted again with a prostitute. Samson was so distracted by his constant pursuit of sexual gratification that he never became the Moses like deliverer that God intended for him to be.
Lets Bring it Home: What about us? Are we also distracted by your interest in sex? Would you be forced to admit that you spend a good bit of time trying to satisfy your desires in ways that you’d never want anyone to know about?
Do you read trashy novels?
Do you spend time in Internet chat rooms flirting with total strangers?
Do you download pornographic pictures onto a top-secret dis?
Do you watch adult movies when you’re home alone?
Do you visit strip clubs and adult bookstores when you’re out of town?
Do you masturbate regularly?
Do you call 900 (phone sex) numbers?
Do you concoct lies and excuses to cover up these activities?
Do you have a secret intimate relationship with someone?
Do you find ways to excuse behavior that you know in your heart is inexcusable?
If your answer is “Yes” to any of these questions, then my friend, you have strayed far from where God wants you to be. It doesn’t matter if you still give some of your time and energy to God service. Any amount of time invested in the pursuits listed above is an indication that you have lost sight of God’s plan for your life. Lust is controlling you, and if you don’t take action to correct he problem, it will ruin your life.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 14:04 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
When a farmer has no oxen for plowing, his food trench for the animals will be empty. The only way to keep your life free of people problems is to keep it free of other people. But if your life loses its meaning. Instead of avoiding people, we should serve others, share the faith. And work for justice. Is your life clean, but empty? Or does it give evidence of your serving God wholeheartedly.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 13:09 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
Living right is like posting a guard for your life. Every choice for good sets into motion other opportunities for good. Evil choices follow the same pattern, but in the opposite direction. Each decision you make to obey God’s Word will bring a greater sense of order to your life, while each decision to disobey will bring confusion and destruction. The right choices you make reflect your integrity. Obedience brings the greatest safety and security.
Under Gods Command
Samson
Judges 15:18 Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the LORD, “YOU have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?”
Samson was physically and emotionally exhausted. After a great personal victory, his attitude declined quickly into self-pity. “Must I now die of thirst?” Emotionally, we are most vulnerable after a great effort or when faced with real physical needs. Severe depression often follows great achievements; so don’t be surprised if you feel drained after a personal victory.
Lets Bring it Home: During these times of vulnerability, avoid the temptation to think that God owes you for your efforts. It was his strength that gave you victory. Concentrate on Keeping your attitudes, actions, and words focused on God instead of your self.
Under Gods command 