Overcoming Lust – Part Two

“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word, O LORD, and following its rules.” – Psalm 119:9

How can a young person resist the temptation of lust, sex, and violence? First, by growing up strong in God’s Word. Encourage your child to read God’s Word daily and hide it in your heart and the Holy Spirit will use it when you need it most. As an adult, set a personal example of this.

Overcoming Lust – Part One

Jesus taught the people: “You have heard that it was said, `Do not commit adultery,’ but I say to you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:27-28

One of the things I just love about Jesus is that he was fearless when it came to tackling tough issues. Jesus never dodged the bullet or softened the truth. He just said it straight. And that’s exactly what he does in his Sermon on the Mount as he tackles issues of sexuality and fidelity. These are hard words, but words we need to hear in a sexually charged culture bent on doing what feels good and what is convenient, neither of which is a good measure of God’s best for us.

God’s Good Gift of Sex

“Each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable…” 1 Thessalonians 4:4

Sex is an incredible gift from God, a gift given for procreation and our enjoyment. But this wonderful gift is also incredibly powerful, so powerful that God in his infinite love for us has provided some instructions, some boundaries around the gift because he knew that being selfish people we would be tempted to use this gift for our own selfish purposes. He knew that on our own we would use the gift of sex for destructive and harmful purposes – purposes that the gift-giver never intended.

Grace Filled Prayer

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:44-45

Is there someone in your life that has done you wrong? Are you still stewing about it? Do yourself a favor. Take a walk and honestly pray for that person. Trust in God’s grace, not your own bitter feelings. You’ll be blessed by this spiritual journey of grace-filled prayer.

Love-Driven Behavior

“If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give what you have to anyone who asks for it; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do for others as you would like them to do for you. Do you think you deserve credit merely for loving those who love you? Even sinners do that! And if you do good to those who do good to you, is that so wonderful? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, what good is that? Even sinners will lend to their own kind for a full return. – Luke 6:29-34 (NLT)

Our behavior should never be determined by the behavior of others (real, expected, or imagined). Our behavior should be based solely on the amazing love of God in Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus lived, accepted people, forgave people, died on the cross for us all, – not because he would receive anything from us for it, – we, too, should act only from and in the power of the love of Jesus.

Applying God’s Grace

“Rob” had gone to church all his life. He worshipped each week and even attended some Bible studies over the 80 plus years of his life on earth. I imagine he had heard close to 3000 sermons in his life and had been in numerous studies of both the Old and New Testaments.

He knew the Bible and the doctrine of the faith and could quote it at people, too, – which he liked to do. This all sounds great, – but most people avoided “Rob,” because he was cranky and negative and very self-centered. “Rob” had never really made the “effort to apply” the love and grace of Jesus into his life and into his relationships with others.

What Would You Ask For?

“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, `Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, `What do you want?’ They said, `Rabbi’ (which means Teacher), `where are you staying?’ `Come,’ he replied, `and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him.” – John 1:35-39

If Jesus suddenly appeared before you and asked, “What do you want?” how would you respond? Maybe you’d ask for physical healing for yourself or someone you know and love. Perhaps you’d ask for the restoration of a broken relationship. Or maybe you’d think much bigger and ask for peace in our world or the end of poverty.

Made for Community, Part Four

“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47

We live in a culture that increasingly fragmented. People who live next door to you, people who work with you, people who go to school with you are feeling increasingly isolated. And yet God created us for community. Our hearts yearn to know and be known, love and be loved, serve and be served.

Made for Community, Part Three

“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:44-46

Focusing on Jesus, devoting ourselves to a growing intimacy with the Lord produces in us a focus on the needs of others. That is the critical balance of healthy spiritual community.

Made for Community, Part Two

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” – Acts 2:1-4a

True spiritual community is not something we create. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. By grace we are one in Christ. By grace we are family, sisters and brothers beloved by our common Father. This is a gift. It is an objective reality. The challenge is living out this reality and making it a part of our experience.