Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
Psalm 101 was written during David's younger years. In it he spells out his position on holy living. He wrote that he'd be careful to lead a blameless life by staying away from evil. He also declared he'd keep a protective eye on the godly and not allow liars to enter his presence. David went so far as to proclaim that even those who served him would have to live a life above reproach.
When David reached middle adulthood, his high standards started to erode. One look at a beautiful woman and David quickly became an adulterer, a deceiver, and eventually a murderer. Sadly, he fell into a pattern of sin without feeling much guilt. Finally, when the prophet Nathan confronted him about his evil ways, David confessed his sin and repented. That's the end of the story, right? Wrong.
Today the entertainment industry floods television, movies, and music with stories of people sinning and suffering no consequences. That's not reality. David was forgiven, but he had to deal with family problems that resulted from his sin, including the death of some of his children and a rebellious son who almost cost him his throne. Look at David's later years if you believe sin comes without a high cost.
Sin is a big deal to God. God forgives freely, but negative consequences for sinful actions still affect not only you and those around you now, but also future generations. As it's been said, you're free to choose your actions, but your not free to choose the consequences of your actions. How you deal with sin is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a Christian.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Student Devotion Week 30: King David: Seeking God's Heart
Key Verse: Acts 13:22 "After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'"
When David was young, he was a shepherd who looked after his father's sheep. He spent his days looking for grazing land, protecting the sheep from wild animals, and thinking. A shepherd's life is lonely, and David had a lot of time to think about God. As a musician, he took many of those thoughts and created some of the great passages in the book of Psalms. David had a heart for God.
During those years the Israelites were locked in a fierce battle with the Philistines. Their chief warrior was a giant known as Goliath. He stood nine feet tall and carried a spear with a tip that weighed 15 pounds. While David was delivering some food to his three brothers serving in the Israelite army, he heard the challenger from Goliath. David couldn't believe no one would fight this man who dared to defy the army of the living God.
With five smooth stones and a sling, David took on the giant. The years David spent in solitude as a shepherd prepared him for this battle. While he was experienced with a sling, a weapon he'd used to protect his sheep form wild animals, his greatest assets were a heart for God and a belief that with God anything was possible. Armed with courage and the Spirit of the Lord, David took down the giant with one stone.
The Bible states that David was a man after God's own heart. And his love for God had intensified during his lonely days as a shepherd boy. So when it came time to stand up to a pagan giant, David took the challenge because of his deep love for God.
David would soon become the king of Israel. God was preparing to use David in a powerful way.
When David was young, he was a shepherd who looked after his father's sheep. He spent his days looking for grazing land, protecting the sheep from wild animals, and thinking. A shepherd's life is lonely, and David had a lot of time to think about God. As a musician, he took many of those thoughts and created some of the great passages in the book of Psalms. David had a heart for God.
During those years the Israelites were locked in a fierce battle with the Philistines. Their chief warrior was a giant known as Goliath. He stood nine feet tall and carried a spear with a tip that weighed 15 pounds. While David was delivering some food to his three brothers serving in the Israelite army, he heard the challenger from Goliath. David couldn't believe no one would fight this man who dared to defy the army of the living God.
With five smooth stones and a sling, David took on the giant. The years David spent in solitude as a shepherd prepared him for this battle. While he was experienced with a sling, a weapon he'd used to protect his sheep form wild animals, his greatest assets were a heart for God and a belief that with God anything was possible. Armed with courage and the Spirit of the Lord, David took down the giant with one stone.
The Bible states that David was a man after God's own heart. And his love for God had intensified during his lonely days as a shepherd boy. So when it came time to stand up to a pagan giant, David took the challenge because of his deep love for God.
David would soon become the king of Israel. God was preparing to use David in a powerful way.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Student Devotion Week 29: David and Jonathan: A Deep Friendship
Key Verse: John 13:35, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
The story of David and Jonathan is a story of true friendship. David was commissioned to calm King Saul's spirit with the harp. When David met Jonathan, Saul's son, they became instant friends. That friendship would be tested many times as Saul's jealousy of David grew.
God was with David. His victories in battle made him a celebrity. King Saul became jealous and tried many times to kill David. Once Jonathan talked his father out of a murderous plan. Another time Jonathan helped David escape from his father. Jonathan put his own life on the line for his friend David.
Because he was the oldest son, Jonathan was the heir to the throne of Israel. Yet Jonathan recognized the anointing God had placed on David, and he told him that one day David would be the next king. Jonathan was perfectly content with the idea of serving alongside David as second in command. But his wish would never come true. Both Jonathan and Saul died during a battle with the Amalekites, David mourned and fasted over the death of his good friend.
If you want to have good friends, then you have to be a good friend. David and Jonathan were willing to die for each other. David summed up his love for his friend in a funeral song he wrote about Saul and Jonathan (see 2 Samuel 1:17-27).
Wouldn't you love to have a friend like that? Are you willing to be a friend like that?
Monday, March 29, 2010
Student Devotional Week 28: King Saul: Israel's First King
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 13:14, "But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord's command."
In one Episode of the television classic The Andy Griffith Show, Aunt Bea ran for city council. Her motto was that if the people of Mayberry wanted something, she'd do her best to accomplish it. Her opponent Howard Sprague pointed out that what people wanted wasn't necessarily what was best for them.
The period of the judges was coming to an end. Samuel, the last of the judges, was growing old. His sons were greedy and corrupt, not suitable successors. The people cried out for a king to lead them so they could be like other nations. Samuel told them a king would draft their sons for battle and make slaves of their daughters. He pointed out that a king would tax them and take their crops and cattle. Still the people cried for a king.
Saul became the first king of Israel at the age of 30, and he ruled for 42 years. A few victories in the early years of his reign convinced the Hebrews they'd made the right choice. Then things started going downhill. Saul showed impatience and a lack of respect fro the priesthood by offering his own sacrifice. Then, during a battle with the Amalekites, Saul disobeyed Samuel's instructions by not killing King Agag. The book of 1 Samuel records that God was sorry he'd made Saul king of Israel.
The overall failure of Saul's rule as king can be summed up in one word-disobedience. The Hebrew people were disobedient to God when they demanded a king, and Saul was disobedient in many of his actions while he was king. But God's purposes always prevail, and the best days in the history of Israel were about to begin.
In one Episode of the television classic The Andy Griffith Show, Aunt Bea ran for city council. Her motto was that if the people of Mayberry wanted something, she'd do her best to accomplish it. Her opponent Howard Sprague pointed out that what people wanted wasn't necessarily what was best for them.
The period of the judges was coming to an end. Samuel, the last of the judges, was growing old. His sons were greedy and corrupt, not suitable successors. The people cried out for a king to lead them so they could be like other nations. Samuel told them a king would draft their sons for battle and make slaves of their daughters. He pointed out that a king would tax them and take their crops and cattle. Still the people cried for a king.
Saul became the first king of Israel at the age of 30, and he ruled for 42 years. A few victories in the early years of his reign convinced the Hebrews they'd made the right choice. Then things started going downhill. Saul showed impatience and a lack of respect fro the priesthood by offering his own sacrifice. Then, during a battle with the Amalekites, Saul disobeyed Samuel's instructions by not killing King Agag. The book of 1 Samuel records that God was sorry he'd made Saul king of Israel.
The overall failure of Saul's rule as king can be summed up in one word-disobedience. The Hebrew people were disobedient to God when they demanded a king, and Saul was disobedient in many of his actions while he was king. But God's purposes always prevail, and the best days in the history of Israel were about to begin.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Student Devotion Week 27: Samuel: Hearing God's Voice
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 3:21, "The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word."
It's always been tough to be a godly young person, even in Old Testament days. Consider the life of young Samuel. He was raised in the temple by the high priest Eli and had to live around Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were also priests. To say these two sons were bad news is an understatement. They'd keep the best part of meat sacrifices for themselves, they seduced young women at the temple, and they had no respect for God. But even though Samuel was surrounded by band influences, he continued to do things that were pleasing to God.
When Samuel was very young, he heard the voice of God one night. The Bible states that visions and messages from God were rare in those days. And as Samuel grew, so did his reputation as a godly man and a man of wisdom. God continued to speak to Samuel and used him to prepare Israel for the transition from the period of the judges to the period of the kings.
One of the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:1, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them." John Wesley said Solomon's negative reference to old age was due to his looking back with regret over his teenage years.
Can God do great things in the life of a teenager? He certainly did with Samuel.
Is it possible for a teenager to resist negative peer pressure and live a life that pleases God? Samuel did that very thing his entire life.
Are you living y0ur life in a way that honors God? Will you be able to one day look back over your teenage years with no regrets?
It's always been tough to be a godly young person, even in Old Testament days. Consider the life of young Samuel. He was raised in the temple by the high priest Eli and had to live around Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were also priests. To say these two sons were bad news is an understatement. They'd keep the best part of meat sacrifices for themselves, they seduced young women at the temple, and they had no respect for God. But even though Samuel was surrounded by band influences, he continued to do things that were pleasing to God.
When Samuel was very young, he heard the voice of God one night. The Bible states that visions and messages from God were rare in those days. And as Samuel grew, so did his reputation as a godly man and a man of wisdom. God continued to speak to Samuel and used him to prepare Israel for the transition from the period of the judges to the period of the kings.
One of the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:1, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them." John Wesley said Solomon's negative reference to old age was due to his looking back with regret over his teenage years.
Can God do great things in the life of a teenager? He certainly did with Samuel.
Is it possible for a teenager to resist negative peer pressure and live a life that pleases God? Samuel did that very thing his entire life.
Are you living y0ur life in a way that honors God? Will you be able to one day look back over your teenage years with no regrets?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Student Devotional Week 26: Hannah: Plea & Praise
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 1:27-28, "'I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.' And he worshiped the Lord there."
Many churches hold baby dedication services once or twice a year. Parents stand with their babies at the front of the church and make a promise to both God and the congregation that their child will learn Christian beliefs and values. How would you react if, at the end of the service, a mother gave her son to the pastor and said that since she'd prayed for a child and her prayer was answered, she wanted to give him up to serve God? That's similar to what a woman in the Old Testament did with her son.
Elkanah had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. Childless Hebrew women were viewed as dishonored by God. And to add to Hannah's anguish, Peninnah made fun of her constantly for not having any children. During her yearly visit to the temple. Hannah poured out her soul to God in prayer. She made a vow that if God would give her a son, she'd dedicate him totally to God.
God answered Hannah's prayer for a son quickly and completely. She became pregnant and had Samuel, which means "heard of the Lord." Hannah also kept her promise. After Samuel was weaned, she brought him to the priest, Eli, for service to God. She literally gave her son to God.
Sometimes you may believe God isn't answering your prayers. But regardless of how you feel, the God of the universe will always hear your prayer. And God answers every prayer in his time and in his way.
Many churches hold baby dedication services once or twice a year. Parents stand with their babies at the front of the church and make a promise to both God and the congregation that their child will learn Christian beliefs and values. How would you react if, at the end of the service, a mother gave her son to the pastor and said that since she'd prayed for a child and her prayer was answered, she wanted to give him up to serve God? That's similar to what a woman in the Old Testament did with her son.
Elkanah had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. Childless Hebrew women were viewed as dishonored by God. And to add to Hannah's anguish, Peninnah made fun of her constantly for not having any children. During her yearly visit to the temple. Hannah poured out her soul to God in prayer. She made a vow that if God would give her a son, she'd dedicate him totally to God.
God answered Hannah's prayer for a son quickly and completely. She became pregnant and had Samuel, which means "heard of the Lord." Hannah also kept her promise. After Samuel was weaned, she brought him to the priest, Eli, for service to God. She literally gave her son to God.
Sometimes you may believe God isn't answering your prayers. But regardless of how you feel, the God of the universe will always hear your prayer. And God answers every prayer in his time and in his way.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Student Devotion Week 25: Ruth: Redemption and Blessings
Key Verse: Philippians 2:3-4, "3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
It seems as though all the Bible characters we've studied over the past few months have been defined by either their obedience to God or their disobedience to him.
The story of Ruth helps us look at the role of obedience in the lives of God's people. In it we see how obedience leads to her redemption as well as the redemption of all humanity-including you.
Things were different for women in Ruth's day. When her husband died unexpectedly, Ruth was left with no security and no way to earn a living. Her Mother-in-law, Naomi, encouraged Ruth to stay in Moab with her own people. But Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi-whose husband had also died-led both women to journey to Israel. Ruth provided food for herself and for her mother-in-law by picking up bits of grain during harvest time in the barley fields. Then a man named Boaz-the man who owned the field-spotted her.
What was it about Ruth that caught the eye of Boaz? Could it have been her outward beauty? Her godly character? When Boaz asked about Ruth, people told him she'd returned to the land with her mother-in-law, Naomi. The foreman over the field workers told Boaz about Ruth's hard work in the field. Her character must have appealed to Boaz because he immediately went to talk with her, and he tried to help her as much as possible.
When Boaz married Ruth, he saved her from a life of hardship. God's plan of redemption was also at work in the lives of Ruth and Boaz. Their son Obed was King David's grandfather-an ancestor to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world.
It seems as though all the Bible characters we've studied over the past few months have been defined by either their obedience to God or their disobedience to him.
The story of Ruth helps us look at the role of obedience in the lives of God's people. In it we see how obedience leads to her redemption as well as the redemption of all humanity-including you.
Things were different for women in Ruth's day. When her husband died unexpectedly, Ruth was left with no security and no way to earn a living. Her Mother-in-law, Naomi, encouraged Ruth to stay in Moab with her own people. But Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi-whose husband had also died-led both women to journey to Israel. Ruth provided food for herself and for her mother-in-law by picking up bits of grain during harvest time in the barley fields. Then a man named Boaz-the man who owned the field-spotted her.
What was it about Ruth that caught the eye of Boaz? Could it have been her outward beauty? Her godly character? When Boaz asked about Ruth, people told him she'd returned to the land with her mother-in-law, Naomi. The foreman over the field workers told Boaz about Ruth's hard work in the field. Her character must have appealed to Boaz because he immediately went to talk with her, and he tried to help her as much as possible.
When Boaz married Ruth, he saved her from a life of hardship. God's plan of redemption was also at work in the lives of Ruth and Boaz. Their son Obed was King David's grandfather-an ancestor to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world.
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