Lessons from Mrs. Potiphar

Scriptures to consider: Genesis 39:1-23

Mrs. Potiphar is known as a bad girl of the Bible. She was tempted to sin with a good-looking man. She was not only tempted by that good-looking man, but she lusted after him and attempted to seduce him. Matthew 5:28 - "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

 

Mrs. Potiphar had already sinned at that point and she was trying to get Joseph to sin right along with her! When that didn't work, she lied about it to try and cover her tracks.

 “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

Most of us have learned that when we tell one lie, it most often leads to another and another and another. Mrs. Potiphar should have put the brakes on a lot earlier in the story. Like so many of the women of the Bible, we never hear from her again, but I wonder how her husband looked at her from that point on. We see that his anger was aroused, but at who? Joseph, or his wife? Was Mrs. Potiphar known previously for messing around with the hired help? Did her husband question her integrity? Did he believe her accusations, or was he angry that he had lost the best employee of his career? We don’t know these answers.

 

I think we need to be reminded sometimes that the sin is not in being tempted. The sin is in succumbing to the temptation.

 James 1:12 – 15 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

Life holds many temptations for each of us. Something that tempts me may not tempt you. Something that tempted me when I was a new Christian may not be a problem anymore.

 I Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

 Let’s make a list of some things that might be temptations to any of us.

·        Sometimes for myself, I let my own personal relationship with God suffer while meeting the needs of my family or even the church – this can be a temptation for any of us.

·        Like Mrs. Potiphar, sometimes a good-looking guy can tempt us.

·        Lying

·        Gossip

·        Cheating on income taxes

·        “Stealing” from the office

·        Using foul language or unnecessary “euphemisms”

·        Jealousy

·        Hating our brother

·        Holding grudges

·        Alcohol

·        Smoking

·        Complaining

·        Not complying with copyright laws on music and computer software

·        Speeding

·        Being lazy

·        Forsaking services

·        Desiring riches or a name

 

The list can go on and on. Satan throws many things in our way and just hopes that one of them will ensnare us. Not just trip us, he likes that too, but he wants to ensnare us. Can you visually see the difference in those two words? Trip and ensnare?

What’s a woman to do? How can we avoid these things?

How about trying the 15 minute rule?

1. IDENTIFIVE the problem. Isolate the issue. In the first 5 minutes, assess what it is you want! Why do you want that? What will be the consequences? Is it worth it?

The Bible tells us to be on guard for temptations - So we should identify what tempts us, which we’ve just done, and be watchful. We may each want to spend some time prayerfully considering this at home too.

Ephesians 5:15-16 – “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Christ understands the temptations of this life. He lived on this earth and dealt with everything possible. He is our example. 

So, take 5 minutes. Step aside from the temptation. Once you see what it is and consider why you are even considering it, perhaps you’ll stop.

2. Pay ATTENTION! Concentrate on a solution for yourself. Distract yourself if necessary. What could you do for 10 minutes to stop yourself from indulging? 

List things …journal, drink a glass of water, pray, take a walk, read your Bible, phone a friend, brush your teeth, clean your bathroom, do some housework, exercise, surround ourselves with support.

Mrs. Potiphar sent her servants away – big mistake for her - leave the office door open when meeting with a male coworker, take the kids with us when we chat with the handyman, carry along a photo of husband when we travel without him, keep a photo of our family on our desk or at workspace, be appropriately dressed at all times! Spend time with other Christians; consider your companions and surroundings.  Seek our husbands out before, not after.

If our minds are full of steamy romance novels or sexy movie or soap opera stars - #1, we should consider what we are filling our minds with and #2, channel our desires towards our husband.  Genesis 3:16 – “To the woman He said: … Your desire shall be for your husband.”  Perhaps Mrs. Potiphar wouldn’t have been so forward with tempting Joseph if she and her husband had met each other’s needs. 

3.  REEVALUATE!
In 15 minutes, reassess the behavior. Is it worth the consequences?

When we stumble, confess don’t cover-up.  Don’t fall into playing the “blame game” – his fault, her fault, God’s fault. Take responsibility for our thoughts and actions. Seek forgiveness from God and whoever we’ve hurt in the process of our sins. 

Psalm 120:2 – “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.”

Proverbs 6:16-19 – “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”

Do you think some of these techniques will be able to help stop you from indulging in that sin? Will you be able to distract yourself so you will not partake the next time? Congratulations! You’ve just practiced self-control! Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit and something that we should all strive to have. When we are tempted, we get a chance to exercise that self-control, and like most things, the more they’re exercised the stronger they become. The more self-control we practice, the better at it we become.
 

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

 

2 Peter 1:5-7 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, love.
 

James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

James 4:7 – “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you Cheating Yourself?

A woman tells the story of how she and a group of other women were working out with a fitness instructor.  The instructor gave them things to do - like, run to the fence 3 times or, do 15 push ups.  The lady noticed that one group of women weren't running full force to the fence, but stopping part way and counting it as "1".  Were they hurting the fitness instructor?  Not at all!  They were cheating themselves out of the benefits of the exercise!

When I heard this story, it made me think of my own life and consider the times where I may have been cheating myself out of some good stuff.  When I don't spend time in prayer, I'm cheating myself out of telling my heavenly Father my deepest concerns, thanks and praise.  When I don't read my Bible, I'm cheating myself on hearing what God has written for me.  When I only attend Sunday morning worship, and skip out before Bible study or don't come back for Sunday evening services, I'm cheating myself out of not only the worship time, and learning but also out of the fellowship and relationships I loose by not being with my fellow Christians.  When I fail to respond to the gospel call, I cheat myself out of all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 3:1)

Choosing to "work hard" and be fully engaged in every activity will help us to not cheat ourselves from the great blessings God has for us.  So, don't be a cheater!

Teach Your Children Well

Teach Your Children Well

 

The Crosby, Stills & Nash song begins by saying, “You who are on the road, must have a code that you can live by” and then in the chorus “Teach your children well”.  Here we have a hummable or singable reminder that, as parents on our journey to heaven, we are responsible for shaping our children’s minds.  Of course the Bible has already given us that instruction, “You shall teach them (these words) diligently to your children” Deut. 6:4-9.

As parents we have many things to teach our children, but most importantly we must teach them the Bible.  We begin when they are very young and build on simple truths and Bible stories laying the building blocks for a faith they must grow on their own.  A bonus to this at-home education is the church Bible school program.  It is here that children are exposed to someone other than their parents teaching the same truths, however the Bible school program cannot do it all.

In order to teach our children well, we must be aware of what they are being taught.  While there are many good literatures available, some contain denominational teachings or subtle references to unscriptural things.  If you’re not sure what literature is being used in your Bible classes, find out!  Ask to see a teacher’s manual & student work book and study it to make sure the truth is being taught.  The word of God does not need to be made into a watered-down comic book.  Children need to learn to read from the Bible and know that they can read the Bible. 

Mothers understand the reference to babies in 2 Peter 2:2 “as newborn babes, desire the milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”  Babies thrive and grow on milk.  We can also understand that children cannot go from only milk to a T-bone steak, there are stages in between.  Likewise, children need to be taught the basics and then challenged as they grow.  If all we teach our children is Noah’s ark and the creation, when will they be ready to learn of Paul’s missionary journeys or the gospel or the conversion stories in Acts? 

God has blessed us with amazing children who can learn His truths and can understand.  Remember with each day to teach your children well.

Is This the "New" Normal?

During the Olympics, NBC used their monopoly of television coverage to push and promote their upcoming show for this fall called "New Normal".  It's about 2 homosexual men and a woman who is carrying a baby for them.  That's about as far as I got into the explanation of the show to realize I will not be watching it. 

My children and I like to watch a few competition shows on both HGTV and Food Network.  Most of the time, the participants don't mention their choice of lifestyle and I'm content not knowing.  However, I was quite floored when watching a recent show and seeing a beautiful woman mention her "wife".  I looked at my son and said - "Did she just say what I think she said?" 

My husband and I talked about this and how you can barely watch anything without having at least 1, but more than likely, multiple homosexual characters.  I asked if it were really such a commonplace thing, to have homosexual families?  My wise husband reminded me that the media wants us to believe that it is common, that a family with 2 mommies or 2 daddies IS the new normal. 

Satan has been working hard and for many years at reaching this point.  Satan has worked hard at destroying the home that God wants us to have.  He may be subtle and deceitful, but Satan's work is constant.  Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."  There is a battle going on. 

Interestingly enough, our Wednesday evening Bible class has begun a series on "The Home".  Last night's introductory class was called "The Home Under Attack".  In this class, our teacher mentioned several quick areas in which Satan is attacking our homes and the simple answer in safeguarding our homes is to have one which is Christ-centered. 

Before Joshua and the Israelites settled into the Promised Land, he made a profound statement about what they would be facing.  Joshua 24:14-15 Now, therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt.  Serve the LORD!  And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which  your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

We need more families in today's world standing up to serve the LORD.  We need families who are willing to serve God in sincerity and TRUTH putting away the evil things that have become normal to our lifestyle the past 50 years.  We need more families to draw closer to Christ.  A Christ-centered home is THE normal. 

Question Three!

The final question in my series is "Who are you collecting?"  I want you to consider those who surround you, those who look up to you, those who are watching you and perhaps even admiring you.  If they were to answer these three questions, you might be listed under their question 1, "Who Are You Following?"  http://goldenruleliving.blogspot.com/2012/05/1st-question.html

Of all the three questions, this group (those you are collecting) is one that you don't really have control over.  You're not always sure who they are, where they are, or why you are collecting them.  They may be your own children, your co-workers, women and young ladies at your church or even strangers. 

I just finished teaching the teenage girls class at our Vacation Bible School, I also typically teach the teen girls half of the year.  I started this blog, speak at ladies days and write articles for other publications.  But last week during that class, I kept thinking about the seriousness of this question - who am I collecting?  I want to make sure what I say matches how I behave.  Many of the people who hear me or read my articles and blog are also friends with me on Facebook.  I want my posts and pictures to match up with what I say and write.  "Practice what you preach" comes to mind.

Titus 2:3-5 says "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."  I have always said that I am always older than somebody else, and I don't have to wait until I'm old to be this Titus 2 "older" woman.  To prove my point, I selected a few girls in the class and asked them their age, and then pointed out someone in our group who was younger than them and who might be looking up to them as an example.

With this question, the only one we do have control over is our self.  Are we making good choices in our daily life so that if someone was following us, they would make the same good choices?  Am I imitating God so that those who are looking to us for an example are ultimately looking to God?  I Corinthians 11:1

Question 2

Just a reminder, I'd posted 3 questions for consideration:

1. Who are you following?
2. Who are you connecting with?
3. Who are you collecting?

Today, I'd like us to look at question 2, "Who are you connecting with?"  These are the people who are your peers, your friends, those who you spend the most time with.  You may or may not like these people.  They're your co-workers, the other parents on the travel baseball team, your family.  Our goal is not to emulate, or become likes these individuals but circumstances in our lives determine that we spend time with them.

As we consider the people we are connecting with, I'd like us to think about how they are affecting us.  As with question 1, "Who are you following?", our lives can begin to mirror those we spend the most time with and this group is often the one with whom we spend the majority of our time whether we like it or not.

The Bible speaks many times about the affect others can have on us.  I Corinthians 15:33 - "Do not be deceived, 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'"  Proverbs 22:24-25 "Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul."  People can influence us by their direct efforts or by their secret, silent influence by their words, conversation and example.  Television, media, books, music all have an affect on us in some way.  Do you recall the first homosexual character on television?  He was made to be funny, laughable, and you weren't really sure if that's what he was supposed to be a homosexual or not.  Now, they are mainstream, in almost every television show, commercial and movie.  We've become more soft to the sin of homosexuality and it doesn't seem as dangerous.  Consider fornication, lasciviousness, drinking, bad language, etc.  The more we are in the company of the worldly, the more worldly we can become.

We often look at just the first part of this verse; 2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."  Paul urges Timothy here to pursue those good things with good companions - those who are living a Christian life with a pure heart.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 is a great passage about friends.  "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he flals, for he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."  There is power in associating with like-minded people, and there is power in associating with those who are worldly.

Consider for a minute the top 5 people you spend the most of your time with.  If you have children at home, you can count them as 1 person for this exercise.  These people may be your husband, parents, co-worker, friends, or whoever you spend the most of your time.  What affect do these people have on your life?  Are they basement people?  Pulling you down towards the cesspool where they live?  Or, are those 5 people balcony people?, challenging you to live to your best, helping you along the way with encouragement, smiles and even a hand when you need it.? The balcony people help you rise up to meet the challenges in life.  Are these people helping you be more Christ-like or less like Christ?

There is a great challenge we have living in the world to not become worldly.  I John 2:15-17 reminds us to not love the world or the things in the world.  Romans 12:1-2 however lets us know that we are presenting our lives as a sacrifice to God.  We are to be holy, and acceptable, not conforming to the world, but being transformed.  The difficulty in this lies in the fact that sometimes in our lives, we are placed in situations where we cannot control who we are associating with.  What we can control is the degree of association, remembering to reach up to Christ, who we are following (Question 1) and renewing our mind with His words.  There are times where we must change our circumstances and separate from those who are a negative influence on us.

I hope this second question has made you think.  Please take a minute and do the exercise of your top 5 - you may be shocked at how much affect those 5 individuals have on your life. 

 

1st Question

I recently posed 3 questions for you to think on. 

1. Who are you following?
2. Who are you connecting with?
3. Who are you collecting?

Let's spend a little time looking at the first question.  Who are you following?  I asked you to think of your mentors and people you admire and look up to. Who came to mind?  Did your mind automatically go to women of the Bible such as Ruth and Esther?  Did you think of the leaders on your job, in your school, in your church?  The president, governor, television personalities?  According to Forbes magazine, Jennifer Lopez is the "World's Most Influential Celebrity".  Is she someone you're following, or perhaps others on the list, like Oprah, Ryan Seacrest or Lady Gaga. 

In the world of social media, following someone has various meanings. Of course if you are following my blog, you'll get updates of new posts. If I'm following someone on Twitter, I receive updates from that person or group. Perhaps it means that I'm interested in what they are doing. It can mean that I admire what they do, and I want to learn more about them.  However for this article, consider following as in following someone while they're walking or driving.  By following them, I am walking in their path, and doing what they do.

My life will mirror the life of who I am following.  My pattern of speech may change, my dress and attitude will also go through changes to be more like who I am following.  This can be a positive change or a negative one.  Following popular culture may have me dressing in low-cut tops, tight bottoms and not having a concern for how my actions affect those around me.  Following my neighbors may lead to a "keeping up with the Jones's" attitude.  My goals will revolve around making my home a show place, traveling to the "in" restaurants and vacation destinations.  If I find myself following current political leaders, I will begin to stop believing in the sanctity of marriage and the home, allowing humanistic views to influence my every choice.  However if I look to find a positive mentor and example to follow, my life will take a different course.

According to dictionary.com, a mentor is a wise or trusted adviser or guide.  A mentor can be someone we follow to learn from.  King Rehoboam had a great set of mentors in I Kings 12.  These elders had stood before his father, the wise King Solomon and provided good, sound advice (vs. 6).  However King Rehoboam chose to follow his peers, young men who had grown up with him.  We can look at others in the Bible as well as examples of good mentoring:  Barnabas and Paul, Paul and Timothy, Naomi and Ruth, Elijah and Elisha, Moses and Joshua, Deborah and Barak.  Older women are to be mentors for younger women in the local church (Titus 2).  The worthy woman of Proverbs 31 shows an ideal woman.

Do you have a good Christian to follow in your daily walk?  I have been blessed by godly Christian parents who gave me examples to follow.  There have been people along the way whom I can look up to, admire and follow as well.  Paul in I Corinthians 11:1 said "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ."  Again in Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children."  The one we are to ultimately follow is Christ. 

In my business, I have women who have been extremely successful, and if I follow their examples, I know that success can be mine as well.  In following godly women by modeling their love of their husbands and love of their children (Titus 2:4) I can grow more successful as a better wife and mother.  However, following Christ above all others will give me rewards above anything I could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20).  Because I know that ultimate success is living my life and going to heaven following Christ is my highest priority. 

3 Questions

I just wanted to pose 3 quick questions.  I'll be exploring these in the next few weeks, someone posed them to me back in the month of March, and as a friend of mine says, I put them in my "hummmm box".  Something I've been contemplating for a while and every once in a while just say hum.

1. Who are you following? 
2. Who are you connecting with?
3. Who are you collecting?

For the first question, think of your mentors and people you admire and look up to.  These can be real in the flesh people, friends who have passed from this life, or even Bible characters.  I hope they're not celebrities and politicians.

Question two, think of your associates, your peers, those you spend the most time with.  Finally for the third question, who looks up to you, is watching you, admiring you?

Think on this, and I hope to have some further discussion soon.

Teach Your Children Well

The Crosby, Stills & Nash song begins by saying, “You who are on the road, must have a code that you can live by” and then in the chorus “Teach your children well”.  Here we have a hummable or singable reminder that, as parents on our journey to heaven, we are responsible for shaping our children’s minds.  Of course the Bible has already given us that instruction, “You shall teach them (these words) diligently to your children” Deut. 6:4-9.

As parents we have many things to teach our children, but most importantly we must teach them the Bible.  We begin when they are very young and build on simple truths and Bible stories laying the building blocks for a faith they must grow on their own.  A bonus to this at-home education is the church Bible school program.  It is here that children are exposed to someone other than their parents teaching the same truths, however the Bible school program cannot do it all.

In order to teach our children well, we must be aware of what they are being taught.  While there are many good literatures available, some contain denominational teachings or subtle references to unscriptural things.  If you’re not sure what literature is being used in your Bible classes, find out!  Ask to see a teacher’s manual & student work book and study it to make sure the truth is being taught.  The word of God does not need to be made into a watered-down comic book.  Children need to learn to read from the Bible and know that they can read the Bible. 

Mothers understand the reference to babies in 2 Peter 2:2 “as newborn babes, desire the milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”  Babies thrive and grow on milk.  We can also understand that children cannot go from only milk to a T-bone steak, there are stages in between.  Likewise, children need to be taught the basics and then challenged as they grow.  If all we teach our children is Noah’s ark and the creation, when will they be ready to learn of Paul’s missionary journeys or the gospel or the conversion stories in Acts? 

Let's not sell our children short.  God has blessed us with amazing children who can learn His truths and can understand.  Remember with each day to teach your children well.

Prom Time!

Prom season is beginning. Our home has begun receiving catalogs from various prom dress stores promoting the newest fashions to wear. Many, if not all, of the gowns promoted in the pages of these catalogs are very tight, low cut, high slits, and plunging backs leaving little if anything to the imagination. I’m not sure that anything about these gowns appeals to me as a mother, but especially not as a Christian mother. Do I really want to send my daughter out wearing something as provocative as one of these gowns? Would I want my son escorting a young lady dressed in this way? Do I really want to send my daughter or son out for an evening such as the prom and its festivities?

Daily, it seems, on Facebook and through email I am able to view photos of young Christian boys & girls posing for the camera before going to school dances. Their clothing often reveals more skin than it covers. It saddens me to see very few Christian young people abstaining from these worldly customs. I Timothy 2:9 instructs women to adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation. Our dress is to profess godliness and good works, not advertise goods that shouldn’t be for sale. How would we feel if Christ were standing beside of us? Would we want our bodies to be shown in front of Him?

Not only is the dress worn to the prom inappropriate for a Christian, but let’s consider the actions that take place before, during and after the prom. Oftentimes there are before prom parties where teenagers indulge in alcoholic beverages. There are coed sleepovers, and after prom parties. During the dance itself, behavior is anything but chaste. The word lascivious comes to mind. Now, this isn’t a word that we hear very often. In fact, we don’t hear it enough. Lascivious behavior will prevent us from entering heaven; it is a work of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-21) Lewdness, sensuality, debauchery, indecent bodily movements and unchaste handling between males & females are some ways to describe the word lascivious. All of those words describe the behavior that is seen at school dances. Isn’t this something that a Christian should flee instead of openly embrace? Again, would we want to be seen by Christ if He were in attendance at the dance or prom festivities?

What is the church to do in this season of proms? I know in some areas, local congregations join together to provide a nice dinner and perhaps some entertainment for the Christian teens to attend so that they have an alternative to the prom. That is a good option.  However, aren't we just attempting to clean up the world?  Brad Harrub, in the April 2012 Think magazine has a wonderful article about what he intends to teach his children about the prom.  He brings up a valid point that even at these cleaned-up, church sponsored events, the same temptations are present. "Rather than trying to "clean-up" worldly sinful behavior, I believe we need to focus on avoiding it, and growing stronger in Him."  Amen!

What are parents to do in this season? Parents need to teach their children about being different than the world. They need to impress upon them that missing one night of the prom will not damage them for life, however it will show their dedication to the Lord. We need to teach them that remaining pure and honorable before God is our goal, and god's commands are not mean or evil, but for our own good.  Personally, I went to dinner and a movie with a friend. My life didn’t end because I didn’t attend the prom.

Mothers, we need to start young … author Sheila Butt tells the story of shopping with one of her granddaughters who would not buy a Barbie doll because she wasn’t dressed modestly. We need to teach our children to walk properly, as children of light (Romans 13:12-14). Proper dress and behavior are commands that do not change with our opinions and cannot be compromised. This shouldn’t wait until their junior or senior year of high school, but should start when they are very young.

It’s not too late to take a stand for Christ and begin avoiding the works of the world. Some parents may feel they cannot prevent their child from attending the prom because they attended. Don’t we learn by our mistakes? As we become more knowledgeable of God’s word and what His will is for us, don’t we have to make changes in our lives? In the long run, don’t we want to raise strong, faithful Christian children or just let them live in the moment and be popular? Any Christian who is concerned with their soul and avoiding the works of the flesh will see the danger in participating. Let’s support our young people by providing them good activities and the love and support they need growing up in this world.

This post is an edited version of an article I wrote that was published in the West Virginia Christian newspaper in 2010. 

Stuck Like Glue

In Philippians 4 vs. 2 & 3 we read of two Christian women who had been quite energetic and effective in the work of the gospel.  Unfortunately, there were some differences between these two - they could not agree.  Maybe they couldn't sit beside each other in worship, maybe they couldn't speak kindly to each other, and maybe they were causing some real problems.  We're just not told.

What hinders us from "agreeing with each other in the Lord" and how can we overcome these hindrances?  Sometimes it's opinions.  Sometimes, personalities.  Other times though, there are doctrinal issues that must be dealt with. 

There is a special bond between Christians.  Do you think it would be possible to have a successful marriage and live in 2 separate states?  Of course not!  For any relationship to work, there must be proximity! 

Romans 12:15 & 16 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  be of the same mind toward one another."  Are we able to do that if we aren't involved in one another's lives?  Consider the "one" passages in Ephesians 4.  When I was experiencing a particularly difficult problem with a sister Christian, I found I Corinthians 12:21 - "And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' "  We are to be one with each other. 

If we consider the example of a wagon wheel where God/Christ are at the hub and Christians are the spokes - as we draw closer to God, the closer we must get to each other.  We cannot get closer to God without being close with our fellow Christians - it is impossible!

We must gain the intimacy of Christian fellowship - and oftentimes that means we must step outside of our comfort zones.  If we have a problem, we should contact our Christian family.  We need to be involved in fellowship daily with them.  Are we glued together?  Jesus said in Matthew 10:37 that "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me."  Remember, in order to get closer to God, we must get closer to our Christian family. 

Look again at Philippians 4:2 "I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord."  The word implore is a strong word.  I also like that he said the same thing to both women - didn't show partiality to either.  Paul was begging these women to be of the same mind - to be glued to one another in the Lord. 

Has your glue to your fellow Christians become unstuck?  Make the effort today to be stuck like glue.  When we are, our journey to heaven will become a little easier. 

Opportunities

I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach the young teenage girls class for the past several months.  We've had an amazing study on our worship.  Wednesdays are a day I really look forward to every week!  The girl's insight, maturity and thoughts amaze me!  It's always my hope & prayer that they've gained a little, as I have gained a lot!

This weekend I have another opportunity to speak to a small group of women at a devotional breakfast.  I worked on my lesson today while waiting on a friend.  After Saturday, I'll type it up and put it on here, but I don't want any spoilers! 

Today I had another opportunity.  A young lady was complaining about not getting to go out for dinner on her birthday because she had to work.  She said she was angry with her boyfriend.  She proceeded to go on and on about it.  I finally caught her eye and said - the Bible tells us to not let the sun go down on our anger.  She went on to say that she can't help it.  When she gets angry (mad) she holds a grudge.  I told her that she can help it and needs to work on it every day. 

Not sure if my butting into her public conversation would make her pause to think or not.  Opportunities are all around us, and I hope you grab hold of the next one you have. 

He is Able

One of my favorite devotional-type songs is "He is Able".  I have the words printed out and they are on the wall of my office.  The words and melody are simple.

"He is able, more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today.
He is able, more than able
To handle anything that comes my way.
He is able, more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream.
He is able, more than able
To make me what He wants me to be."

Jesus is able to calm our concerns, help us handle whatever comes our way, accomplish our goals and be more like Him, which is what he wants for us. 

Jude 1:24-25
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

I'm so very thankful.

Commitments

Our family loves the PBS television show Arthur.  It's just a classic!  The show has been around for a long time, has  great story lines and memorable episodes (DW's snowball for instance).  Perhaps it's "The Brady Bunch" for my kid's generation?  Anyway, our youngest was watching the one about having a TV free week.  After the characters had a big school assembly promoting TV free week, and were promised a prize and signed their names, one character had a melt-down because he didn't realize that he was actually committed to not watch television! 

I wonder sometimes how often we forget our commitments and promises.  Big and small.  We forget appointments, we forget our diets or exercise, sometimes we forget our wedding vows and sometimes we forget the day we became a Christian.  We're excited in the beginning, lots of attention, we get caught up in that.  With marriage, there is the wedding planning, the dress, reception, honeymoon, first home, etc.  After the party is over, we have a marriage that needs more work than the wedding ever did.  Even with becoming a parent, there is so much hoopla that it's easy to get caught up in that, but then the sleepless nights come, or the colicy baby.  We get excited about a special deal at the gym, but then comes the fact that we have to go and do the workout. 

Joshua told the Israelites in Joshua 24:15 to "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  The Israelite people in the very next verse said "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods." but it didn't take very long for them to forget that commitment. 

Daniel purposed in his heart (Daniel 1:8) to not defile himself.  Though faced with favor, fine food and drink, power and probably much more, Daniel is shown to have remained strong in that commitment.  In the book of Joel, the Lord said to His people "Turn to Me with all your heart.  Rend your heart, and not your garments"  (Joel 2:12-13).  God wants our commitment.   He wants all of us, not an outward show, but every ounce of us.

Jesus warned that "no one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  (Luke 9:62).  That looking back is showing a desire for the old life.  Perhaps we're looking back towards those single days or the days when there were no children, or even the days when we could eat whatever we wanted and not gain an ounce.  Earlier in Luke 9:23, Jesus says that we are to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily, following Christ.  This is that daily commitment.  Before our feet hit the floor in the morning, we are commited to live Christ-like, we are commited to our husbands and children. 

What pulls you from your commitments? For the character in the Arthur cartoon, it was the fact that he was going to miss a brand new Bionic Bunny show on television. For some it might be the lure of chocolate cake, or perhaps a flattering tongue of a coworker or the advice of someone that the children will be fine without your daily influence. 

Our eyes must remain on the goal.  For the characters in Arthur, it was a gold medal, shaped like a television.  I have a goal poster hanging on my office wall of things I would like to accomplish in the next few months and year.  Goals for our family may be short term such as paying off debt, getting good grades, etc.  As a Christian, our focus is to "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:14.  True success (as said by Glenn & Cindy Colley) is living our lives and going to heaven. 


What pulls you from your goal?  For the character in the Arthur cartoon, it was the fact that he was going to miss a brand new Bionic Bunny show on television.  For some it might be the lure of chocolate cake, or perhaps a flattering tongue of a coworker or the advice of someone that the children will be fine without your daily influence. 

Colossians 3:23 reminds us "whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men."  Whatever actions were are doing in our lives needs to show our love, our fear, our respect and our service to God.  Our daily actions with our husband, children, friends, strangers, show our commitment as a Christian, wife, mother. 

The eternal commitment Christ made for us is found in Romans 8:38-39.  "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things presnet nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."    Hebrews 13:5-6 "For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  So we may boldly say:  "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?"

Jesus is not going to back out of His commitment.  Are we?

Doing the "hard" things ...

Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged! Life's been busy, and I had a nasty bug not once, but twice! But, I'm back :)

I often come upon devotional ideas or an idea for writing an article by hearing or reading something that sticks with me. I’ll often toss around something said or a scripture for quite a while before I can move on to the next thing! I’m sure many of us are like that as well. In reading the book of Titus, I came upon a verse that really made me think! 

I’m not going to tell you what it is just yet. I’ll get there in a minute.

Psalm 37:3

    Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Isaiah 1:17

    Learn to do good;

Hebrews 13:16

  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

1 Peter 3:17

  For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

  But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

Galatians 6:9

   And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 


We can see in these verses that we are to do good, we are to learn to do good and that we’re not to grow weary of doing good. So here’s my first question of the day! 


What have you done this week that could be considered GOOD?

Okay – now some more verses …

Luke 6:33

    And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
 
Galatians 6:9 & 10

   And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Hmmm, so it’s not just enough to do good to those who do good to you … and we’re especially supposed to do good to our fellow Christians.

So, here’s another question for you …

What good thing have you done this week, specifically for another Christian?
Here’s some more food for thought …

John 15:12

  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 13:34-35

    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. [35] By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

1 John 4:7

    Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Okay – now for that verse in Titus that has stuck in my mind!

Titus 2:15

   Speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. 

Okay, let’s talk this through. I’m supposed to be doing good – to all people, but especially to my fellow Christians. I’m also supposed to love – especially my fellow Christians. I’m supposed to speak, exhort & rebuke AND let no one despise me? 

But what if I do all of these things? What if I’m doing good, loving as I should, and someone still despises me? What if I’m doing good, loving as I should, and a fellow Christian despises me? I know that I have fellow Christians who despise me … do you? Isn’t this sad?

Luke 6:35

    But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Matthew 5:44 

    But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

We don't like the idea of someone not liking us, but we can't control them. We can control ourselves, and our responses to them.  If we are focusing on the golden rule and our behaviors we can learn to do all of these things commanded of us. 

I want each of us to consider these scriptures this coming week. Study them and apply them to our lives. Make the changes necessary and be going about doing good to all but especially to our brother’s & sisters in Christ. Let’s show our love to everyone, but especially to our brother’s & sisters in Christ. Let’s be the church Christ wants us to be.

Love & Marriage

I John 4:12 - "No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us."

I get sentimental this time of the year.  It was 23 years ago that Tim & I were in the throes of wedding planning!  Addressing & mailing invitations, having bridal showers, and all the last minute details that go into planning a wedding.  The scripture above was written on our wedding invitation!  There were many fun and stressful things that went into planning the wedding, but once March 25th came and the party was over, Tim & I were left with a marriage that we were responsible for, as were the ones of you who are married.

 Early days of marriage bring many trials.  What makes some marriages strong and able to survive?  I would like to suggest that it takes superglue.  Well, not exactly superglue, but something similar!  Have you ever seen those little tubes of glue that actually house 2 different chemical compounds, that when squeezed out and joined together provide a bond that is impossible to destroy?  Well, something very similar is necessary in marriage. 

Genesis 2:24 – NASV “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife.” KJV also uses cleave.  NKJV uses the word joined – literally cling. 

 I read that the Hebrew word for cleave is the same word for glue!  Isn’t that interesting!  We need to be glued to each other as husband and wife. 

 What makes up this glue?  Well, the two ingredients that need to combine for the superglue of marriage are commitment and love.  Commitment is often a joke in today’s society, and that’s very sad.  Commitment is the desire to succeed, determination to succeed, the willingness to pay the price to succeed, the intestinal fortitude, or “guts” to do whatever it takes.

I could spend hours discussing commitment, but I’m not going to today.  Remember, I said I get sentimental this time of year, so I’d like to spend some time on the other glue ingredient – love. 

I Corinthians 13:4-7  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;   does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 Let’s think a few minutes about these verses and look at a way to apply them to marriage:

SUFFERS LONG – “I’ll be patient with you.  I’m human, too.”

 
IS KIND – “I’ll tread you with kindness, not belittling you or your needs.”

ENVIES NOT – “There is absolutely no jealousy in me.  I’m proud of what you do.”

VAUNTS NOT ITSELF(does not parade its superiority) – “I understand that we are different – you can do some things better than me and I can do some things better than you - but I also understand that we are equals.”

IS NOT PUFFED UP – “I promise not to let my little successes go to my head.”

DOES NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY – “I will always treat you with honor and respect.”

SEEKS NOT HER OWN – “I want to do what is best for you and our marriage – not what I want to do out of selfish desires.”

IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED – “I take into account that we all have bad days.”
 
THINKS NO EVIL – “I trust you completely.”

REJOICES NOT IN INIQUITY – “I’m sorry about the mistakes I’ve made and will not remind you of the ones you have made.”

BEARS ALL THINGS – “The loads of life are heavy but I’ll always bear my fair share.”

HOPES ALL THINGS – “I’ll never let our dreams die.”

ENDURES ALL THINGS – “I love you with a tough love.  It’s not a because love or an if love; it’s unconditional.”

If we bond our marriages with the superglue of love and commitment we can have what some have called a taste of heaven on earth.  Commit to working hard on your marriage and remember the characteristics of love.  God will bless you for it.