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Today is Wednesday April 15, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of II Samuel. Please read chapters 10-12 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. You can also copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%2010-12&version=9

Today's Message: Wages of Sin
The price of sin is never a bargain, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."- Romans 6:23

Sin is like a disease, it may start out small and harmless, but one sin usually leads to another and another and to unforeseen consequences and complications in the future. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:13-15).

David, king of Israel, had never lost a war and had grown accustomed to getting what he wanted. David rose in power with one God guided victory after another. He is undoubtedly one of the most godly men of the pre-Christian era. However, everything was about to change due to one thing, his flesh. Instead of going to battle like we was suppose to he stayed behind, leaving himself open to fleshy desires. "And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon." (II Samuel 11:1-2). No Christian is exempt from Satan, especially men of God. He knows that if he can get a Pastor, Priest, or any other representative of God to commit sin, especially of the flesh, that it would question the morals of Christianity. Not only would that get fellow Christian's doubting God it will certainly give more fuel to the world's already disbelief.

David's, spiritual defeat began by watching Bathsheba, the temptation itself was not the issue, but him acting on it was. "And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child." (11:4-5). We have all looked at something and had a desire for it, knowing that it really was not something that we should be desiring. What gets us in trouble is that we begin lusting over it and that is what causes us to eventually act on the temptation, committing the sin. Satan always has something or someone to attract us when we are in a position to gratify our fleshly desires. He always presents sin as both attractive and satisfying.

From the moment David first lusted after Bathsheba until their marriage, no one interfered with their pleasure. However, about a year later, Nathan the prophet boldly confronted David. "And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife." (II Samuel 12:7-10). David did repent and was forgiven. However, for the next twenty years, the entire last half of his reign, his sorrows and sufferings never ceased because of that one night of yielding to his lust. Although we may be forgiven and all our sins are forgotten that still does not save us from facing the repercussions of it. We can however, overcome all sin by yielding daily to the Holy Spirit and surrendering our lives over to Jesus. He truly is the only one who can keep us from falling into the desires of our flesh.

Today's Psalm: 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Help each of us to understand the wiles of the devil and to be steadfast in our determination to resist temptation at each step. We want to be self-controlled and alert, standing firm in the faith as we resist the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking for someone to devour. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit to resist and to overcome. In Jesus' Name.........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed night/day.
God bless,
Christina

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