Ain’t Misbehavin’
The one I love,
I through with flirtin’,
It’s just you I’m thinkin’ of.
Ain’t misbehavin’,
I’m savin’ my love for you.
Girlfriends, how about you, do you love God with all your heart or are you flirtin’ with other “gods”? In the book of Exodus the Israelites were warned against flirting with other gods because the one true God is jealous. Other gods can be anything that we devote our love to more than the one true God. Inanimate objects, friends, lovers, or even spiritual leaders are just some of the “gods” we can find ourselves idolizing.
One of my best girlfriends and I attended a conference where a well-known Bible teacher was speaking. I have to tell you, we were both taken aback at the behavior of some of the ladies attending. It truly was bordering on idol worship. Ladies were jockeying for position even to the point of moving other people’s belongings from the seats. We both looked at each other in disbelief. While the speaker was incredible and there is no doubt she does not encourage worship of herself, we were just a little frightened when the doors opened and the “ladies” stampeded in! My friend and I were there to hear the Word of God as spoken through a gifted lady of God—not a “god”.
Dearest girlfriends, let us examine our hearts and make certain there is only room for one true God so that we can honestly say, “Ain’t misbehavin’!”
Immediately!
There was a man named Cornelius who was given specific instructions and immediately took action. This quick response ultimately led to a place in heaven for not only this faithful man, but also his relatives and close friends. This story actually encompasses two men who took quick action. The first being Cornelius and the second being the apostle Peter. Peter did not hesitate to go with the men Cornelius had sent to accompany him on this glorious journey. Oh the joys that come from immediately obeying the Lord’s commands. As this story unfolds, Peter would see even more redemption in his life. You see, it was Peter who while Jesus was being brutally beaten spoke these now famous words, “Woman, I don’t know him.” He had so wrongfully denied Jesus three times in that same night. How glorious to go from denying his Lord and Savior to seeing all these wonderful people receive the gift of eternal life because of his bold proclamation! Two men who did not know each other and yet both benefited from immediately obeying the Lord.
Oh girlfriends, the dangers of not immediately obeying the Word of the Lord can be so devastating. The Israelites who hardened their hearts against the voice of the Lord would never enter the promised land. In fact the book of Hebrews so graphically states, “Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert?” Now contrast that disobedience with the immediate action of the Israelite’s enemies in the book of Exodus. Can’t you just picture Pharaoh’s outrage and unbelief when some of his officials immediately brought in their livestock and servants to prevent them from being destroyed in the fierce storm the Lord promised to send, while at the same time Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened?
Dearest girlfriends, I pray we would act immediately when the Lord speaks and reap the rewards He has planned for us.
From Sinner to Saint Instantly
There are two ways one can go from sinner to saint instantly. The first way can be demonstrated at funerals everywhere. It is amazing how when a person of ill repute dies, they are instantly spoken of as if they lived the most saintly life possible. I suppose this comes from the fear of speaking evil of the dead. An interesting example of this is found in the eulogy David gave King Saul. He said, “Saul and Jonathan— in life they were loved and gracious …” It is easy to understand why he spoke these beautiful words concerning his dear loyal friend Jonathan who was like a brother to him. However, including Saul in this sentiment baffles the mind. Remember, it was Saul who became David’s enemy and tried to kill him more than once. David’s motive does not appear to be fear, but rather he had always shown respect for Saul out of reverence to the Lord. He was obeying a command given in the book of Exodus which states, “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.”
The second way to obtain instant sainthood is much easier and a lot less painful. That is to allow the shed blood of Jesus to wash away your sins. Our Lord actually chooses to have selective memory concerning our sins. He has told us, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” A common misconception is what a saint really is. A saint is one who has a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. There is death involved in becoming a saint, not mortal death, but spiritual death.
Dearest girlfriends, I pray if you are not a saint, you will invite Jesus Christ to wash away your sins today. Click here to learn more. Heaven
Drawing the Line on Compromise
Compromise is an interesting concept. When I hear the word used, I sometimes cringe at the thought of losing one’s biblical morality. So can compromise ever be godly? Where does one draw the line between compromise and sin?
The apostle Paul knew that when it came to evangelism, there would need to be a sort of compromise in order to relate to the lost. He said, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” I like how the Believer’s Study Bible describes how Paul drew the line on compromise. It states, “Remarkable elasticity is necessary in the major task of evangelism. Paul concludes a long sentence emphasizing his own mode of life by stressing that he had “become all things to all,” so that he might be effective in reaching some. The statement implies absolutely no compromise of theological or moral truths, but flexibility in methodology.”
Our Lord and Savior walked so comfortably in the matter of not crossing the line of compromise. There is the story of Jesus eating with “sinners” and facing criticism for His behavior, yet He spoke so clearly about His role in this situation. He considered His loyalty with His Father and knew His mission was to call the sinners unto Him. Though He was sometimes accused of crossing the line of sin, He never once committed any wrongdoing.
In the book of Exodus we are told our heavenly Father claims absolute loyalty and exclusive devotion. Girlfriends, this is a wonderfully secure thought concerning our relationship with our Father. Isn’t loyalty and devotion exactly what you want in a relationship? Dearest girlfriends, I pray we would consider how to show our loyalty and devotion to our heavenly Father by never compromising our actions and behavior.
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 NIV
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” ~ Mark 2:15-17 NIV