04-19-2019, 04:59 PM
*CAC LIVING WATER*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*
*Friday, April 19, 2019.*
*TOPIC* *BRAKE EARLY!*
*Read Numbers 25:1-3*
*MEMORISE*
*Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell (1 Corinthians 10:8).*
*EXPOSITION*
When Apostle Paul wrote the words of today’s memory scripture to the Corinthians, he was speaking to a church that was surrounded by sexually immoral practices in the culture of the land, then. The city of Corinth was a haven of hedonism where many temples hosted hundreds of prostitutes which were visited by vast multitudes of foreigners. In the ancient world, the term “Corinthianise” indicated a life of sexual promiscuity.
Paul connected the situation in Corinth with that which is found in Numbers 25. With YAHWEH’S blessing on the young Israelites nation, prophet Balaam was unable to obey the king of Moab’s (Balak) command to curse Israel. But because Balaam was a self-serving prophet, practising both divination (Num. 24:1) and giving voice to the words of Yahweh, he was willing to advise Balak to seduce the men of Israel with the Moabite women, causing Israel to fall into adultery and idolatry, which brought God’s judgment upon them (Num. 31:16). Balaam understood that living in holiness and sexual purity is a great protection, and that fornication and adultery would bring a curse on them.
Sexual sin is serious, but is rampant in our time. There seems to be almost no escape to the temptation of immorality at every corner. C. S. Lewis advised: “We must learn by experience to avoid either trains of thought or social situations which for us (not necessarily for everyone) lead to temptations. Like motoring (driving), don’t wait till the last moment before you put on the brakes, but put them on, gently and quietly, while the danger is still a good way off.”
The spirit of Corinth is everywhere, as we all can see. The greatest protection is abiding with the Lord in our determination to reject a “Corinthian” life of hedonism (living for pleasure), and to cultivate a godly and beautiful vision of marriage and sexuality, for ourselves and our loved ones. That vision will inspire us to navigate these shameless times, avoid trouble spots, and put on the brakes gently and firmly.
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord Jesus, destroy every manifestation of immorality and ungodliness in me before it terminates my life.
2. God, visit the hearts of our youths and help them to overcome evil thoughts before it gives birth to sin in them.
3. Lord, help church leaders to always preach the raw message of the gospel that will bring sinners to Jesus.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Judges 14:3 – 16:26; Luke 13:3 – 13:24.*
*HAVE A WONDERFUL GOOD FRIDAY.........
.SHALOM*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*
*Friday, April 19, 2019.*
*TOPIC* *BRAKE EARLY!*
*Read Numbers 25:1-3*
*MEMORISE*
*Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell (1 Corinthians 10:8).*
*EXPOSITION*
When Apostle Paul wrote the words of today’s memory scripture to the Corinthians, he was speaking to a church that was surrounded by sexually immoral practices in the culture of the land, then. The city of Corinth was a haven of hedonism where many temples hosted hundreds of prostitutes which were visited by vast multitudes of foreigners. In the ancient world, the term “Corinthianise” indicated a life of sexual promiscuity.
Paul connected the situation in Corinth with that which is found in Numbers 25. With YAHWEH’S blessing on the young Israelites nation, prophet Balaam was unable to obey the king of Moab’s (Balak) command to curse Israel. But because Balaam was a self-serving prophet, practising both divination (Num. 24:1) and giving voice to the words of Yahweh, he was willing to advise Balak to seduce the men of Israel with the Moabite women, causing Israel to fall into adultery and idolatry, which brought God’s judgment upon them (Num. 31:16). Balaam understood that living in holiness and sexual purity is a great protection, and that fornication and adultery would bring a curse on them.
Sexual sin is serious, but is rampant in our time. There seems to be almost no escape to the temptation of immorality at every corner. C. S. Lewis advised: “We must learn by experience to avoid either trains of thought or social situations which for us (not necessarily for everyone) lead to temptations. Like motoring (driving), don’t wait till the last moment before you put on the brakes, but put them on, gently and quietly, while the danger is still a good way off.”
The spirit of Corinth is everywhere, as we all can see. The greatest protection is abiding with the Lord in our determination to reject a “Corinthian” life of hedonism (living for pleasure), and to cultivate a godly and beautiful vision of marriage and sexuality, for ourselves and our loved ones. That vision will inspire us to navigate these shameless times, avoid trouble spots, and put on the brakes gently and firmly.
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord Jesus, destroy every manifestation of immorality and ungodliness in me before it terminates my life.
2. God, visit the hearts of our youths and help them to overcome evil thoughts before it gives birth to sin in them.
3. Lord, help church leaders to always preach the raw message of the gospel that will bring sinners to Jesus.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Judges 14:3 – 16:26; Luke 13:3 – 13:24.*
*HAVE A WONDERFUL GOOD FRIDAY.........
.SHALOM*