Genesis 3:6:
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
How many times have I fell for the same kind if snare?
Satan has done the same thing to me time and time again... "Here is what you want. Maybe the timing is off, and you shouldn't have it yet, but who is looking? Who would know? You are going to get it later anyway, so why wait?"
How many young people have fallen for this same thing? Baby after baby has been born because Satan convinced two young people that it would be okay. "You love each other anyway, so why wait?"
Satan is the great deceiver. (I didn't capitalize the letters because he doesn't deserve it!)
"Go ahead and take that tax deduction -- you deserve it."
"Park there in the handicap stall -- why shouldn't you get special treatment too?"
All of these, and most every sin, results from being caught in a similar snare to what Eve fell for -- "I want it now!" Or, maybe, "I'll get it later anyway, so why should I wait?"
The phrase, "Good things come to those who wait," is maybe just a little off. It should be, "Good things are worth the wait."
God might bless a couple with a child, but the blessing truly comes when the parents wait until they are married. God will bless you if you let Him choose the manner and the time.
By trying to speed things up, Eve caused Adam to deal with weeds all his life, and she gave herself pain in bearing children!
Showing posts with label deception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deception. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Jude 1:3 - Beware of Change
JUDE 1:3
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.
Isn't it strange how things often never change? Jude's warning is as vital today as it was 2000 years ago. There is always a need to defend against change. Some areas of life need change . . . Worshiping God needs no change. God wants us to worship Him as He directs.
Sometimes we step beyond our authority and try to make changes that make sense to us . . . However, if the changes are not in line with what God wants, no matter what we might think, they will not be acceptable, or do us any good.
Jude's use of the word, "defend," also gives an insight into change . . . It is something we must actively watch for and guard against. We sometimes make changes that we don't even realize we are making -- even those changes will not be acceptable.
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.
Isn't it strange how things often never change? Jude's warning is as vital today as it was 2000 years ago. There is always a need to defend against change. Some areas of life need change . . . Worshiping God needs no change. God wants us to worship Him as He directs.
Sometimes we step beyond our authority and try to make changes that make sense to us . . . However, if the changes are not in line with what God wants, no matter what we might think, they will not be acceptable, or do us any good.
Jude's use of the word, "defend," also gives an insight into change . . . It is something we must actively watch for and guard against. We sometimes make changes that we don't even realize we are making -- even those changes will not be acceptable.
Luke 2:5 - Joseph: A Good Father
LUKE 2:5
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
How little credit we give to Joseph. He had to be a man of great faith, discipline and love. In a time when such things were not acceptable, he was seen as a man who had had sex with a woman before they were married.
Now, at the time and location of this verse, most would have no idea, but back home in Bethlehem, I am sure many knew the dates of events, and doing the math, had a very suspicious thought about the morality of Joseph and Mary.
Joseph could have washed his hands of the whole "mess," and in fact had contemplated how he could leave Mary, and do it in a way that her reputation might not be trashed.
Had it not been for a visit from the angel, Jesus might have been from a broken home. Mary might have had to lead a much different life. Jesus might have been an only child.
However, Joseph was a man of faith and character. When he was presented with the whole situation, he was determined to do the right thing.
What would it be like for him -- knowing his first child was not his? Was it any consolation to him to know who the real father was?
Joseph apparently deserves more credit than we give him, for sure. Jesus followed in Joseph's steps as a carpenter, so He learned a skill from him. Joseph was also the one who modeled what a father was to Jesus. How many times did Jesus refer to God as a father, and yet maybe we were shown a part of that role being played by Joseph?
The role of the father is an important one. I wish the world's men understood that role better.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
How little credit we give to Joseph. He had to be a man of great faith, discipline and love. In a time when such things were not acceptable, he was seen as a man who had had sex with a woman before they were married.
Now, at the time and location of this verse, most would have no idea, but back home in Bethlehem, I am sure many knew the dates of events, and doing the math, had a very suspicious thought about the morality of Joseph and Mary.
Joseph could have washed his hands of the whole "mess," and in fact had contemplated how he could leave Mary, and do it in a way that her reputation might not be trashed.
Had it not been for a visit from the angel, Jesus might have been from a broken home. Mary might have had to lead a much different life. Jesus might have been an only child.
However, Joseph was a man of faith and character. When he was presented with the whole situation, he was determined to do the right thing.
What would it be like for him -- knowing his first child was not his? Was it any consolation to him to know who the real father was?
Joseph apparently deserves more credit than we give him, for sure. Jesus followed in Joseph's steps as a carpenter, so He learned a skill from him. Joseph was also the one who modeled what a father was to Jesus. How many times did Jesus refer to God as a father, and yet maybe we were shown a part of that role being played by Joseph?
The role of the father is an important one. I wish the world's men understood that role better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)