Resist Lust & Help Others 03.08.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday March 8, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Deuteronomy. Please read Deuteronomy 21-23 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read and learn about the laws concerning murder; female war captives, their marriage and divorce; another's property; sanitation; and human relations. Today's message focuses on the importance of resisting the lusts of the world and helping others.

The underlying principle of the laws of these chapters was given by a loving Creator to protect His people from the immoral conduct of surrounding nations which would destroy the Israelites' ability to fulfill His purposes. There are many unusual laws and although we are under no obligtion today to literally observe these command, the principle of purity is still the main focus. "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (I Corinthians 10:6-12).

Our Lord also set forth the principle of single-hearted devotion by saying, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). Single-heartedness is the key to victorious Christian living. Jesus declared that there can be only one lord in our lives. We choose either Christ, who speaks to us through His Word, or some other person or thing. The test comes when both are demanding our time and it is those who chose Christ over riches that not only live victoriously, but are also blessed with much of what they desire. "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (riches). Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" (Matthew 6:23-26). God will never forsake us and will always take care of our needs without resorting to the lusts of the world.

The Israelites had been taught that everything belonged to God and they were only caretakers of His possessions. Because of their Covenant relationship with the Lord, they even were responsible for the welfare of their neighbor's property. "Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again." (Deuteronomy 22:1-2).

We may not be held legally responsible for failing to prevent someone else's financial loss. But our stewardship responsibility to God requires that we respond to another's needs in a spirit of Christlike love. The person we help may or may not appreciate or deserve the kindness shown, but our responsibility is not to the person who needs our help but to the Lord, who is the true Owner of all creation, and who provides the opportunities for us to express His love. In our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, He taught His followers to go beyond merely helping preserve the property of enemies or friends. Jesus commanded His followers to love their emenies and to bless those who curse you. "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:44-45). God rewards us for helping out those who have hurt us and will always take care of us no matter what situation we face. Now, God does not want you to be a pushover, but He does want you to be kind and pray for those who like to take advantange of others kindness.

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through the one who died on a tree, "His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance" (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Jesus died on a cross in our place, releasing us from the penalties of death imposed by the Laws for our sins. In the evening He was taken down from the cross, signifying that the Scripture had been fulfilled. "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away." (John 19:28-31)

Today's Psalm: 96:9-11
"O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof."

Dear Lord,
Thank you for blessing me with another day here on earth and thank you for the many blessings that you give us each and every day. Lord Jesus, I thank You that salvation comes from You alone. I thank you that You are enough. We would come up far short if we relied on our good works, our charming personality, our status in life or our worldly accumulation to purchase our salvation. You are the sinless Lamb of God, the only acceptable sacrifice to God, who provides salvation to every man, woman, boy and girl from every region on the face of this earth who call upon Your name. Keep reminding us that we cannot earn our salvation because You give it freely. Bles those who do not know you and thoae who have fallen away from and refuse to know you. Lord, forgive them for they are unaware of the truth, work in their hearts and show them the truth. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend. Forgive me for being late with the lesson for those of you who are use to reading it in the morning, had computer issues this morning.

God Bless,
Christina

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