Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Choose Wisely-and Live” – Wednesday, 30 April 2014 - Scripture: Proverbs 6: 20-35

Link to Reflecting God - Embrace Holy LivingKansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Choose Wisely-and Live” – Wednesday, 30 April 2014 - Scripture: Proverbs 6: 20 My son, keep your father’s commandment,
    and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them continually on your heart.
    Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, it will lead you.
    When you sleep, it will watch over you.
    When you awake, it will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp,
    and the law is light.
    Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24 to keep you from the immoral woman,
    from the flattery of the wayward wife’s tongue.
25 Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart,
    neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.
26 For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread.
    The adulteress hunts for your precious life.
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap,
    and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals,
    and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife.
    Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.
30 Men don’t despise a thief,
    if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry:
31 but if he is found, he shall restore seven times.
    He shall give all the wealth of his house.
32 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding.
    He who does it destroys his own soul.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor.
    His reproach will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband.
    He won’t spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He won’t regard any ransom,
    neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.
“Choose Wisely-and Live” by Carol Rittenhouse
Every culture has anecdotes, words of wisdom, which help teach and train: such as “If you play with fire, you will get burned.” The Book of Proverbs is a potpourri of sayings, providing general timeless truths that transcend culture.
Our passage today gives specific instructions, bits of wisdom, as to the consequences of adultery. The truth is that adultery leads to death and destruction. Of course, it is not common that adultery leads to physical death. However, there are other kinds of death: spiritual, emotional, and relational. Unfortunately adultery is a sin that is far too common in this world. Attempts are often made to rationalize or excuse adulterous behavior. But the truth is that adultery is always destructive and leads to death. Every time!
This is not God’s desire for His people. One cannot be spiritually, emotionally, and relationally dead while being alive in Christ. The two cannot coexist. The good news is that God enables us through God’s Spirit to resist choices that will lead to death. Even further, God’s grace and forgiveness covers those who turn to the Lord in repentance. Look to God and live!
Hymn for Today:
“I Must Tell Jesus” by Elisha A. Hoffman
1. I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone.
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.
Chorus:
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
2. I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend.
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
Chorus:
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
3. Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
Chorus:
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
4. O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.
Chorus:
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
Thought for Today:
Whom do I have in heaven?
    There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart fails,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26).
Prayer Needs:
For faculty and students as they prepare for full-time Christian ministry in Brazil!
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