I Cry Out to You, LORD!

Scripture: The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.  Joshua 7: 10-11 NIV

Scripture: It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.  1 Corinthians 5:1-5 NIV

Observation: In Joshua the Lord specifically tells the Israelites to not take any plunder from pagan peoples.  The Lord knows that this will become a distraction for them, it will take the focus from following the Lord.  The Corinthians found themselves in a similar situation by losing sight of the Lord’s  law and moral values.  Their blindness was due to the secular world around them.  In both cases their disobedience led to Satan gaining a foot hold in their life.

Application:  We must be careful to not be caught in the snare of the secular world today.  It is all around us and in everything.  Satan is smart, if he can destroy us in our homes, “our marriages and families,” he can get to our foundation, “our Heavenly Father and His Living Word.”   This destruction comes in the form of self-satisfaction.  We see it lived out in stage mothers, divorce, and little league coaches.  We need to get back to the basics:

1. Marriage is a commitment between the Lord and a man and woman.  It’s a covenant stronger than a paper license. Genesis 2:22,  1 Corinthians 11:9, Ephesians 5:22 and 5:25 We must know that men and women are made for each other and that we are to give, selflessly of ourselves for our mates.

2. Family is the Lord’s gift to us and with it comes great responsibility.  Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4b We are to raise our children to know and love the Lord.

This hits home for me today!  I have become so sensitive when young couples are deceived by the world.  Well meaning friends and even family become  Satan’s tools in destroying their fragile relationships.  Their knowledge comes from worldly sources, primarily TV shows and self-help books which use the five senses to deceive us.  “The five senses; taste, touch, smell, hearing, and seeing, all report to the carnal mind – which is the enemy of God. These senses are what Satan uses to tempt us! The lust of the flesh includes tasting, touching, smelling, and hearing. The lust of the eyes is seeing. The pride of life is thinking you are special because of who you are, what you have, what you know, or what you look like.”  Taken from  The Word Of God Unplugged at http://wordunplugged.com/the-five-senses/ Even Christians play a part by not “Standing the Gap” for marriages and families in crisis.  We judge, take sides or worst of all, turn and run.  It’s our responsibility to STAND for them in prayer, love and encouragement.  We are to bridge the GAP by acting as an intercessor and giving Godly counsel.  For each marriage lost,  Satan wins! For each family torn apart by worldly pressure Satan is the victor!

Mayse this is for you, Sweetie!  I’m praying for you!

Prayer: LORD! I cry out!!!  Why???  Use me…let me be as BOLD as you wish!  Give me courage and wisdom to fight Satan on this battleground!  I feel physically ill when I think of my past and see others falling for Satan’s lies.  We were not created to be Satan’s toy used to hurt you.  Don’t let me fail, don’t let the innocents be destroyed in their young love for one another.  Don’t let families be torn apart by debt, want for worldly rewards and ignorance of Satan’s game!  We have the advantage in you.  Show us.  Send Christians, strong and mature in their faith, to ” Stand the Gap” for those in need!  Amen

Laurie