August 18, 2004
Encouragement for Today
The Alternative Lifestyle, Part I
Micca Campbell, Director of Outreach, Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, (The Open Bible)
Devotion:
Have you noticed? Television is bombarded with SEX, SEX, and more SEX! What happen to the "Doris Day" movies where an unwelcome kiss brought a slap across the face? If people who lived a hundred years ago could see what we call entertainment today, they would be shocked. Violence, language and sex were unspeakable in those days. Now, our kids are growing up in a vile world. What was once detestable in the sight of family, neighbors and God is now considered normal. Isn't "everybody doing it?"
According to the television, it would seem that way. More and more teens are living out what they view as the "norm" from T.V and movies. Just last week, I was shopping for a birthday present with my 11 and 7 year olds in a toy store. As I was paying, three teenagers stood in line behind me. One teen was sharing a story with the other two. Every other word out of his mouth was a curse word. In an attempt to protect the ears and hearts of my children, I turned and without a word, made eye contact with the young man. He apologized. Perhaps not all is lost, but I am concerned.
I'm concerned about the teens that are not being taught that just because cultures change, God and His ways remain the same. What does God say about sex?
While living together is satisfactory for television, it's not acceptable with God. He created sex for the married couple so that they could grow closer in their relationship with one another. When premarital sex is practiced outside of the bond of matrimony, people get hurt. Once two people have become one, breaking up or becoming divorced is like trying to pull apart two paper dolls that have been super glued together. It's impossible.
An even deeper sexual sin is promiscuity, which is having more than one partner. If married, God calls this sin adultery. Disease is one of the consequences of this immoral behavior. The yearly rate at which STD grow is staggering. God gave us sexual desires to be shared with one partner, with the exception of death or biblical reasons for divorce. Whoever goes against God's plan, refusing to repent, will reap the consequences not only in this world but the next as well.
Further into sexual immorality is the practice of homosexuality. It is not a popular thing to say that homosexuality is wrong today. I know this stance is not a popular one. I'm aware that our schools and government acknowledge homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle. Sadly, even some priests and pastors acknowledge it as a way of life as well - but not all of them. Gregg Laurie, a well-known evangelist, says, "God is not concerned with what people think. He is concerned about their salvation and obedience to His Word."
God's Word tells us that homosexuality is unnatural. "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire towards one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper (Romans 1:26,27).
Some may argue that these truths are outdated. Yet, the Lord does not change. His Word stands forever (1Peter 1:25). Therefore, these truths apply today as much as they did thousands of years ago. In fact, it's been said, "If God doesn't destroy America He will owe Sodom and Gomorrah an apology." If God is a God of His Word, and He is, then we are in deep trouble. America is too young to die! We need to wake up, stand up, and call our country to turn back to the ways of the Lord! It will begin with you and me.
My Prayer for Today:
Dear Lord, give me a deep conviction to pray for the immorality in my country. Move me daily to pray for those who are living an alterative lifestyle to be set free. Forgive me for my apathy, and strengthen me to take a stand for righteousness.
Application Steps:
Take a stand for righteousness by not watching the shows on television and paying to see movies that promote an immoral way of life. Turn the channel! Don't go! As ratings drop, producers will get the message.
Reflections Points:
Hearing the truth, will you commit to take a stand against movies and media that promote alternative lifestyles?
Hearing the truth, will you daily pray for our country to turn back to God and His truth?
Power Verses:
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? May it never be! 1 Corinthians 6:15, (The Open Bible)
Or do you know that the one who joins himself to a harlot is one body with her? For He says, "The two will become one flesh." 1 Corinthians 6:16, (The Open Bible)
But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17, (The Open Bible)
Flee immorality, every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own flesh.1 Corinthians 6:18, (The Open Bible)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?1 Corinthians 6:19, (The Open Bible)
For you have been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body.1 Corinthians 6:20, (The Open Bible)
Additional Resources:
How to Improve Your Love Life, tapes by Mary Southerland
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/lovelifeset.html
A Man after God's Own Heart, book by Jim George
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/manheart.html
A Woman after God's Own Heart, book by Elizabeth George
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/womanafter.html
Originally published Wednesday, 18 August 2004.
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