SEXUAL MORALITY
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Corinth was an important city in ancient Greece and it played a major role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. Seen behind the Temple of Apollo is the steep mountain of the Acrocorinth. On top is the fortified citadel of ancient and medieval Corinth (see David Reynold’s picture below). It is the most important fortification work in the area from antiquity until the Greek War of Independence in 1821. The mountain is 575 metres high and its walls are almost 2,000 metres in length. At the highest summit was the Temple of Aphrodite, where prostitution was a prominent part of the worship of the goddess.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
The Amish call the practice of separating a person from the congregation “shunning.” Paul, in 5:11-13, gives a list of those who are to be set aside from participating in the congregation. There is another list in 6:8-10. The leaders of the church in Corinth had written to Paul, who had founded their church, to ask him for his guidance in handling these most difficult matters (7:1). Why would Paul be so strict? The answer is found in 5:6-8. If we can find the time, we might do well to reread the words in the references listed here. Leaven, or yeast, will cause the bread to rise well above the pan, unless checked by the heat of baking. Unchecked, it can make quite a mess. Sin, unless checked, will eventually infect the whole loaf, the church, the family, the individual life, and even the life of our country. The role of government is to stop evil from spreading out of control. More about that tomorrow. We might want to pray for a turn around in the health of huge numbers of people infected by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sexual promiscuity is the root cause of this modern epidemic. May God help us to be faithful to one man, one woman marriage, or else remain chaste as a single person.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I’m well aware that sin is not just those actions mentioned in Paul’s lists. I often think of Your Word that says, “To know to do good and to not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Anything less than Your perfect plan for the human family is sin. Therefore, I have no problem agreeing with the Apostle John in 1 John 1:8-9. Thus, I ask for Your constant forgiveness and Your cleansing action in my life. In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When I was a very young minister, my hero in the ministry, Tom Johnstone, shocked me with this story. He was a Pastor in Montreal when he discovered one of the prominent men in his church was unfaithful to his wife. Here’s what happened! Pastor Johnstone, a one-time boxer, took this man by the lapels of his suit coat and said, “With the spiritual authority God has given me as your Pastor, I now deliver you unto Satan for the destruction of your flesh, so that your spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (5:5). The man fell to his knees, repented before God and his Pastor, and later to his wife, and the woman with whom he had committed this sin. God forgave him and so did his wife. That family was restored. His flesh was destroyed in that he, by his godly sorrow, identified with Christ in death. In Galatians 2:20 Paul writes, “I am crucified with Christ.” In Romans 6:11, Paul writes, “Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I’ve never been brave enough to do what Tom Johnstone did, but I’ve seen the same results in a number of wayward men. I’ve knelt beside them and prayed fervently for the gift of repentance, and for the power of God to deliver them from evil. I know God answers prayer. AMEN!!!!!
Yours for living right before God and people,
David
A view from the entrance to the top of the Acropolis Hill (Acrocorinth).
I need prayers please. The play I went to was a disaster for me! The actors were swearing using the Lord’s Name in Vain! I plan on talking to the sponsors and finding out if they are aware of what they are sponsoring? do they not care at all? There are gazillions of words in the English language; I realize this play was written by someone, but I just feel that there are many other words to be used, and not to swear using the Lord’s Name. please pray the Lord gives me guidance and wisdom thank you
I am equally offended when people take the Lord’s precious name in vain in my presence, Sah. Having your pastor and members of the congregation at church pray over you would be most helpful, this morning. God bless you!
Friday 20 Feb 2015
Hi David,
Thanks for your commitment of “100 Words” in the Bible journey. I am really enjoying it. I read the King James Version; cover to cover in 1978. We need update our memory more regularly than once every 35 years.
The set-up for reading the bible in two years is fine with me; I like to read the Bible at least once a day.
Your daily commentary is also very helpful. Reynold’s pictures finish it off nicely.
My wife Doreen watches 100 Huntley Street every day.
When you were on your Canada tour to thank people, we met you in Calgary, Alberta.
We are right now travelling to Kamloops from Calgary (about 8 to 9 hours driving). I did not have time to read my “100 words” this morning, so I let Doreen drive and I started to read today’s issue.
When I came to the end of your “100 words”, you said “Yes Doreen, we will get to Samuel . . . “
When I read this to my wife Doreen she looked up at me and thought I played a trick on her. But then I explained to her, that it was David who wrote it.
I had made contact with your son when you told us son line in your blog about “World Embrace” Reynold and received an e-mail yesterday that they finally arrived in Uganda with all of their 26 pieces and ready to settle in Gulu.
Reynold asked us to join them as support partners on a monthly base.
We have not replied to Kathy & Reynold yet but we are considering to become partners and will let them know shortly.
Keep up your good work and your setting an example for all of us!
Kindest regards,
Doreen & Ferdinand Randshuizen
Amen! Safe travels Doreen and Ferdinand!
Unable to get out to a church so watched this great sermon on sexual immorality.
Paul Washer | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3 | Abstain from Sexual Immorality | 2…: http://youtu.be/YQPRp2K8LjA
Beautiful pics! Thanks
We get some beautiful shows of the northern lights here in west central Alberta too.
Watch God’s majestic beauty!
http://player.vimeo.com/video/79632578
Watched Bro. Corville Peters program in the middle of the night on pornography and was amazed that only about three of all the callers expressed a desire to be free and to be prayed for. Most others said it was a good thing. He said that this is a stronger addiction than being hooked on cocaine. Taking the Precious Lord’s Name in vain in my presense also grieves me and I try to let it show on my face at least. May the Lord be with you, Sah. Blessings everyone!
Lord God, I pray for families, for protection of our children…for safe homes for them, and those in the womb of their mother!!!
I pray Father God for this Nation of Canada to return to its roots, to be a Nation under God.
Thank you for men like Rev. David, for his consistency in leading us into a better understanding of You Lord God Almighty!
And the history of the Land of Israel and its people; Thank you Reynold Mainse for your spectacular pictures we have the pleasure of viewing through this blog.
Our nation certainly does need prayer for our children. In today’s Star and, I believe Sun newspapers, the new “health education” program is being emphasized (for Ontario). It is to be voted on tomorrow, I believe. It is really very vile. Children as young as 6 in grade one and on up into grades 7 and 8 will be taught things that are against Biblical teaching. This is very distructive to our society. Just reading today’s blog shows how sexual immorality is addictive and often results is family pain and physical disease as well as rejection by God. Lord, have Mercy. I ask for Your Perfect Will in this Lord as people are saying it will happen – it’s too late for gov to backtrack. You are able Lord. Please take over. Please rescue our children by causing a STOP in the way that You choose. Amen.
How right you are, Sah; especially when the Lord’s Name is used in vain!!!
There are certainly many words a person can use rather than swear words.
My prayer is for healing of your mind from the offensive language you were exposed to in that play.
thanks Irene I don’t go to church anymore I have a sleep disorder and I go to bed at 6 a.m. and arise about 3 p.m….I am not complaining I am thankful I can live with this aspect I believe what I am going to do is talk to the sponsors and ask their opinion on this matter and remind them that I for one do not condone using God’s Name in Vain and I would not be to eager too do business with these sponsors…and just leave it at that..I think that by not speaking up, I would not be happy about that decision.. so…with a prayer for the right tone of voice and the rights words, I will at least try and talk to all the sponsors…keep me in your prayers! God bless you…..