Monday, August 27
Theme for the week:
Disciples Practice Healthy Relationships by Taking the Commandment about Adultery Seriously

Matthew 5:27-28

You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
~ Jesus

With such a complex subject, it may help to set down a few biblical truths. Sexual desire itself is not wrong; it is a gift of God. Sex is not wrong – except outside the bounds of marriage. For a man to be drawn to a woman, to find her attractive – and vice-versa – is not ungodly. It is one way we are drawn to mates. How we handle such sexual desires and temptations that come along with them are key.

Compare this to last week’s theme on anger, which Jesus addresses immediately prior to sex. Anger in itself is not bad, though it often goes bad in the hands of people uncontrolled by the Spirit of God:
• In your anger do not sin (Ephesians 4:26) could translate to:
• In your sexual desire do not sin.

Now reconsider James 1:20’s caveat on anger in light of sexuality:
• Human anger does not produce the righteousness
that God desires;
• Humanity’s unfettered form of sexual desire does
not produce the righteousness that God desires.

A heart set right with God will go a long way toward handling the temptations to sin, whether in the area of anger or sexuality.

Placeholder Picture

Prayer for the Week

Lord Jesus Christ, you have enabled the forgiveness of all my sins by your sacrifice. Thank you. By your Holy Spirit, help me set my heart right that I may not sin against God in any way – including my sexuality. Amen.

Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God

Placeholder Picture

This is our continuing opportunity to encounter God through His Word in Psalm 119. Unique in the bible, Psalm 119 is fashioned around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (seen above). Each section contains eight verses, making it easily the longest psalm at 176 verses. 

Psalm of Meditation for the Week:

Psalm 119:153-160 (Resh)

ר

  1. Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.
  2. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
  3. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
  4. Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.
  5. Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.
  6. I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.
  7. See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
  8. All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

  • Read: the verses twice.

  • Mark: the words or phrases that catch your attention.

  • Meditate: talk (better yet write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect a response from the Lord.

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

The Resh section of Psalm 119 is the origin for Jeremy Camp’s song Revive Me. He uses language of the King James Version. 

Tuesday, August 28
God’s Mission

John 8:10-11

“Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.
“Go now and leave your life of sin.”

As you think about the adulterous woman from John 8, look at the difference in approach between Jesus and the Pharisees. She has been caught in the act of adultery. Because of this, the Pharisees see a prime opportunity, not to HELP her, but to USE her as a pawn in a grander scheme. Their mission? Entrap Jesus. Thus she is thrust into Jesus’ world during a teaching session with the temple crowd.

Jesus continues to impart wisdom to the people before him, in this case the newly-arrived Pharisees and this woman caught in the act. His mission? Same as before: Bring the Kingdom of God to bear in the lives of any and all who would receive it (John 1:10-13). While the Pharisees were blind to his teaching due to their self-driven agenda, this adulterous woman find a compassionate man, really a compassionate God, reaching out in mercy. “Neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” In light of this, pause and consider how you handle people in your world. Are you like Jesus or more comparable in attitude to the Pharisees?

Placeholder Picture

Prayer

Father God, help me to be about your mission – with an attitude fit to serve. Let my agenda be determined by your will rather than trying to bend you toward my will. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:153-154

Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.

Placeholder Picture

Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Philippians 2:14-15

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. 

The Promise:

Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and portion forever.

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

As righteous and devoted as this writer is toward God, his life is not without suffering. Affliction drives some folks from God, others to God. How about you?

Wednesday, August 29
Your Identity in Christ

Ephesians 5:1-3

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
~ Apostle Paul

• In Christ, I am a dearly loved child of God. As such I will walk in the way of love, including a sexual lifestyle that honors God.

Big choices here: When it comes to your sexuality, are you going to be of the world or of God? In the USA, we live in a highly sexualized and sensualized society.

While the Apostle Paul warns Christians in Ephesus to avoid even a hint of sexual immorality, we find ourselves immersed in a culture that idolizes its sexuality. God’s version of sexuality in the bible seems to be the only one not accepted nowadays.

But you are not to be of this world any more than Jesus was of this world. Yes, you are a sexual being. But don’t let your sexuality master you. You can’t have two masters.

And, as Proverbs 5-7 cautions over and over, forbidden sex will definitely seek to be your master. Set your heart on being a godly sexual being -- and then guard that heart!

Placeholder Picture

Prayer Prompt

Father God, much of the “sexual being” aspect of who I am and the battles that come with that occur in my heart. Help me set my heart on being godly with my sexuality. Show me how to place your word on this matter in my heart and guard it. As you’ve said, from my heart flows the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23 ESV). Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:155-156

Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.

Placeholder Picture

Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Colossians 2:6-7

Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

The Promise:

1 John 4:4

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome [evil spirits], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

The wicked do not seek out your decrees; they don’t bother with God’s Word. The godly seek out His Word (Ps. 119:2-3). Continue to be rooted and built up in him.

Thursday, August 30
Re-Center Around God

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
~ Apostle Paul

Review the week

The initial question from this is obvious: Have I engaged in the sin of adultery, either in physical or fantasy form? In my mind, do I cultivate godly love or ungodly lust? Do I welcome fantasies or put them off? Have I lived in right relation sexually with those I interact with? Do I honor them, God, myself?

Repent (if necessary)

Repent for actions and thoughts; Sexual sins are often strongholds. If there’s a habit involved, seriously consider confessing to a trusted friend to break the hold and pray with you.

Return (as necessary)

As you return to God, come with humility AND confidence that you are (1) fully forgiven and (2) able to overcome your sinful habits. Rather than just try to not sin, commit to spend time with God, replacing a bad habit with a good one.

Placeholder Picture

Prayer Prompt

Pray about what God has put upon your heart.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:157-158

Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.

Placeholder Picture

Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Romans 6:13

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 

The Promise:

Psalm 32:10

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

We shouldn’t expect faithless people to be godly or obey God’s Word. But ungodly acts should leave a bad taste in us and keep us from joining ungodly behavior.

Friday, August 31
Discipleship Point

Matthew 5:28

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The Point

You shall not commit adultery.

What does this mean? Per Luther’s Catechism, we should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.

Luther helps people see that this teaching is not merely about forbidding the act of adultery, even if only in the mind. The goal is leading a sexually decent life before God, and – if you are married – loving your spouse well. Can you imagine a wife saying “well, he hated me, treated me with contempt, was never home, but at least he never committed adultery”? That's hardly what the command is shooting for. Of course, nor can a person say “I treat my wife with kindness and provide for her; I’ll just have an affair on the side.” The goal is to love well – married or single.

Placeholder Picture

Discipleship Prayer

Father God, married or single, my goal is to love well. Married or single, my goal is to honor you with my sexuality. Lead the way, and as Jesus’ disciple, as your child, I commit to follow. Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:159-160

See how I love your precepts;  Preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love. All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Placeholder Picture

Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Colossians 3:13-14

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

The Promise:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Placeholder Picture

Pondering Point

Look at this: The writer, though drawing attention to his love for God’s Word, still relies on blessings coming through God’s love for him – an act of grace.

Saturday, September 1

John 8:1-11

Jesus and the Adulterous Woman

1 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Jesus’ enemies took him on in public on more than one occasion. Nearly every time they went away licking their wounds. But in this story no one takes on Jesus publicly other than pelting him with questions that go unanswered. In a potentially explosive affair, Jesus diffuses the situation so that all but one walk away quietly. The account captures a woman caught in the act of adultery who gets dragged before Jesus with questions about punishment.

Curiously this story contains the only known instance with Jesus writing, which he does in the dirt – at least twice. People have often speculated what Jesus wrote: Perhaps the names of other adulterers gathered around at the time; surely he could see into their hearts. Perhaps he wrote other sins of people standing before him; maybe he drew a picture of Snoopy, later passed on to Charles Schulz. We don’t know.

What we do know is that he was left alone with an adulterous woman. And he gave her what no other man would give her: Forgiveness. Additionally, he told her to go and sin no more; he acknowledged her sin (just like he acknowledges ours!). But he powerfully forgave in a hostile environment of condemnation. Wow! Read the story and find out how he does it

Placeholder Picture

Prayer Prompt

Father God, you show in Jesus that you have such a kind heart for people regardless of situation and choices. Thanks for having such a heart for me. I desire to develop such a heart as well, praying that you would bring it about for Jesus’ sake in whose name I pray. Amen.

Sunday, September 2
Call to Worship God, to Gather Together

God Bless You

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.  

The secret to freedom from enslaving patterns of sin is worship. You need worship. You need great worship. You need weeping worship. You need glorious worship. You need to sense God's greatness and to be moved — moved by who God is and what he has done for you.”
~ Tim Keller
Placeholder Picture

Prayer for Worship

Father God, give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know You better – and out of that knowing, serve you and honor you more effectively with my life. In Jesus I pray. Amen.
Adapted from Ephesians 1:17

Feedback

Any insights you share are helpful as we carry out our mission of building discipleship resources that God can use to strengthen us to “make disciples who make disciples”, the vision of our church.

Please note any mistakes like omissions, typos, incorrect Bible references, or incomplete sentences. We want those addressed, so please identify the date of whatever concerns you notice.

Even more importantly, let us know if the material is good for connecting with God, inspires an insight, or prompts you to deeper thoughts. Let us know if it comes across as too complicated or is confusing; You’re welcome to offer suggestions you think may enhance the devotion. Anonymity is welcome, but leaving your name is fine too. Thanks!

Your feedback message can be as long or short as you want. The comment box will automatically scroll when you enter text on the last line of the box.

Prayer Prompt

Dear Lord,

I am providing these comments about the website and devotion to increase your greater glory.

Amen.

Sponsored by Hope Lutheran Church 

Copyright (c) 2017-2018 Paul vonWerder

Photo Credits
HomeAll DevotionsTop