Do not steal

Do not steal

Theft

Punished by restitution, the proportions of which are noted in 2 Sam. 12:6. If the thief could not pay the fine, he was to be sold to a Hebrew master till he could pay (Ex. 22:1-4). A night-thief might be smitten till he died, and there would be no blood-guiltiness for him (Ex. 22:2). A man-stealer was to be put to death (Ex. 21:16). All theft is forbidden (Ex. 20:15; 21:16; Lev. 19:11; Deut. 5:19; 24:7; Ps. 50:18; Zech. 5:3; Matt. 19:18; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 4:28; 1 Pet. 4:15).

Stealing is obviously wrong—why do people do it anyway?

Genesis 27:1-40

Jacob stole his father’s blessing out of a combination of greed, envy, and ambition.

Joshua 7:21

Greed led Achan to steal that which was not his.

Matthew 15:19

Stealing is a symptom of the sinful condition of the heart.

What if I have been guilty of stealing in some way?

Leviticus 6:1-7; Luke 19:1-10

Stealing is remedied by restoration and forgiveness.

Romans 13:9-10

We avoid stealing and dishonesty by learning to love others as God loves us.

@Promise from God: Deuteronomy 25:13-15

You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise, ¹⁴and you must use full and honest measures. ¹⁵Yes, use honest weights and measures, so that you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Don’t you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, ¹⁰thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers—none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God.

In a permissive society it is easy for Christians to overlook or tolerate some immoral behavior (greed, drunkenness, etc.) while remaining outraged at others (homosexuality, thievery). We must not participate in sin or condone it in any way; we cannot be selective about what we condemn or excuse. Staying away from more “acceptable” forms of sin is difficult, but it is no harder for us than it was for the Corinthians. God expects his followers in any age to have high standards.

Prayer to keep from stealing

Keep from stealing

O my God, I am sorry if I have ever offended you by stealing something, because I have deserved the loss of your love, but most of all, because I have offended your, infinite love. I firmly resolve with your help, which I pray you to grant me now and always, to confess my failures, to change my life, and to deepen my love of you. Amen.

How bad is it?

Stealing-How bad is it

Many people do not realize that what they think as just taking seemingly little things, can lead to taking bigger things and ultimately one becomes a thief. The “little fox” of stealing the towels from the motel, shop lifting small items, and keeping things that do not belong to them, could lead to a dangerous pattern which could eventually lead to one being imprisoned for theft.

We must also check our own lives to see if we are failing God by yielding to stealing or cheating. We may not realize that some of the things we do constitute just that — stealing.  However, we don’t recognize it as such. Here is a small checklist of some of things that would classify us as a thief:

1. Taking the salt and pepper shakers from restaurants.

2. Taking the towels from hotels and motels.

3. Short-changing people at check out counters on purpose.

4. Shoplifting and taking anything that does not belong to us.

5. Using scales that are not in balance when selling by weight. (Proverbs 11:1, “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.”)

6. Giving a partial days work for a full days pay, you are stealing time from your boss.

7. Padding the expense accounts of your employer.

8. Charging people excessive interest on borrowed money (usury). (Ezekiel 22:12-13, “In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD. Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.”)

9. Cheating on school exams, as this is stealing a qualification you didn’t earn.

10. Over-charging or over-pricing of the sale of goods.

11. Borrowing” items from a friend and never returning them.

12. Borrowing money from anyone (friend or institution) and failing to repay it.

Stealing

Stealing

Why were the Ten Commandments necessary?  The commandments were designed to lead to a life of practical holiness. In them, I can see the nature of God and his plan for how I should live through God’s ultimate law of love.

Today I can allow many things to become gods to me. Money, fame, work, or pleasure can become gods when I concentrate too much on them for personal identity, meaning, and security. No one sets out with the intention of worshiping these things. But by the amount of time I devote to them, they can grow into gods that ultimately control our my thoughts and energies. Letting God hold the central place in my life keeps these things from turning into gods.

God’s name is special because it carries his personal identity.  The way we use God’s name conveys how I really feel about him. I need to respect his name and use it appropriately, speaking it in praise or worship rather than in curse or jest. I should not take lightly the abuse or dishonor of his name.

I should be honest in my private dealings as well as in my public statements. In either situation, I “testify falsely” by leaving something out of a story, telling a half-truth, twisting the facts, or inventing a falsehood. God warns me against deception. Even though deception is a way of life for many people, God’s people must not give in to it!

Sometimes we wish He would make us be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave alone.  Whenever God’s will is in complete control, He removes all pressure.  And when we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His mighty power.

(From My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers)

Evaluate your Actions

1. I have taken things or ideas that were not mine. I considered cheating in my business or on my taxes to be an acceptable option for my personal benefit.

2. What passes for stealing? What forms of stealing are worse than others?

3. What do you hear God saying to you right now?

4. What should be your next action?

Do not steal

Do not steal

Theft

Punished by restitution, the proportions of which are noted in 2 Sam. 12:6. If the thief could not pay the fine, he was to be sold to a Hebrew master till he could pay (Ex. 22:1-4). A night-thief might be smitten till he died, and there would be no blood-guiltiness for him (Ex. 22:2). A man-stealer was to be put to death (Ex. 21:16). All theft is forbidden (Ex. 20:15; 21:16; Lev. 19:11; Deut. 5:19; 24:7; Ps. 50:18; Zech. 5:3; Matt. 19:18; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 4:28; 1 Pet. 4:15).

Stealing is obviously wrong—why do people do it anyway?

Genesis 27:1-40

Jacob stole his father’s blessing out of a combination of greed, envy, and ambition.

Joshua 7:21

Greed led Achan to steal that which was not his.

Matthew 15:19

Stealing is a symptom of the sinful condition of the heart.

What if I have been guilty of stealing in some way?

Leviticus 6:1-7; Luke 19:1-10

Stealing is remedied by restoration and forgiveness.

Romans 13:9-10

We avoid stealing and dishonesty by learning to love others as God loves us.

@Promise from God: Deuteronomy 25:13-15

You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise, ¹⁴and you must use full and honest measures. ¹⁵Yes, use honest weights and measures, so that you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Don’t you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, ¹⁰thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers—none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God.

In a permissive society it is easy for Christians to overlook or tolerate some immoral behavior (greed, drunkenness, etc.) while remaining outraged at others (homosexuality, thievery). We must not participate in sin or condone it in any way; we cannot be selective about what we condemn or excuse. Staying away from more “acceptable” forms of sin is difficult, but it is no harder for us than it was for the Corinthians. God expects his followers in any age to have high standards.

Prayer for Husbands and Wives

Prayer for Husbands and Wives

God of all order and concord, when You created man and woman. You also established the covenant of marriage. It is Your will that a husband and wife be faithful to each other and build each other up with the kindness and gentleness that comes from Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Inspire husbands and wives to joyfully make sacrifices for the benefit of their spouses. Remove selfishness, pettiness, impatience, hostility, and irresponsibility from all marriages, and grant all couples unity, peace, commitment, harmony, delight, and encouragement. Bring healing to hurting marriages, and give continued stability to marriages You have already made strong by Your sharing love. In Jesus name. Amen.

Prayer for Marriage

Prayer for Marriage

Dearest Lord Jesus, Your presence at the wedding at Cana proclaimed that marriage is good and honorable. Men and women joining together in holy matrimony know that Your blessings will be upon them. But since problems do arise, help those who strive to do Your will to find appropriate counseling and help. Lead them to work out their difficulties in a God-pleasing way by leading both partners closer to You. Teach them that in Your love spouses forgive each other the same way You forgave. Above all, lead us all to speak the truth in love as You give us special measure of blessing in Your forgiveness. Amen.

Marriage Practical Application

Practical Application

Evaluate your life according to this commandment:

I have been unfaithful to my spouse. Lust and a wandering eye are affecting my relationship with my mate?

What happens to a couple when one commits adultery? What does Jesus add to this?

What do you hear God saying to you right now?

Bathsheba

Bathsheba

Bathsheba was the unlikely link between Israel’s two most famous kings—David and Solomon. She was lover and wife to one, mother to the other. Her adultery with David almost brought an end to the family through which God planned to physically enter his world. Out of the ashes of that sin, however, God brought good. Eventually Jesus Christ, the salvation of mankind, was born to a descendant of David and Bathsheba.

David and Bathsheba’s story shows that little wrong decisions often lead to big mistakes. It is likely that neither was where he or she should have been. Bathsheba may have been rash in bathing where she might be seen; David should have been at war with his army. Each decision contributed to the beginning of a very sad series of events.

Bathsheba must have been devastated by the chain of events—unfaithfulness to her husband, discovery of pregnancy, death of her husband, death of her child. We are told that David comforted her (2 Samuel 12:24), and she lived to see another son, Solomon, sit on the throne.

From her life we see that the little, day-to-day choices we make are very important. They prepare us to make the right choices when the big decisions come. The wisdom to make right choices in small and large matters is a gift from God. Understanding this should make us more conscious of the decisions we make and more willing to include God in our decision making. Have you asked for his help with today’s decisions?

@Strengths and accomplishments

w Became influential in the palace alongside her son Solomon

w Was the mother of Israel’s wisest king and an ancestor of Jesus Christ

@Weakness and mistake

w Committed adultery

@Lessons from her life

w Although we may feel caught up in a chain of events, we are still responsible for the way we participate in those events

w A sin may seem like one small seed, but the harvest of consequences is beyond measure

w In the worst possible situations, God is still able to bring about good when people truly turn to him

w While we must live with the natural consequences of our sins, God’s forgiveness of sin is total

@Vital statistics

w Where: Jerusalem

w Occupations: Queen and queen mother

w Relatives: Father: Elim. Husbands: Uriah and David. Son: Solomon

w Contemporaries: Nathan, Joab, Adonijah

@Key verses

“When Bathsheba heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was very displeased with what David had done” (2 Samuel 11:26, 27).

Her story is told in 2 Samuel 11—12 and 1 Kings 1—2. A related passage is Psalm 51.

Adultery

Adultery

Do not commit adultery.

You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not commit adultery.’^{£ 28}But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The Old Testament law said that it is wrong for a person to have sex with someone other than his or her spouse (Exodus 20:14). But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spouse is mental adultery and thus sin. Jesus emphasized that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. To be faithful to your spouse with your body but not your mind is to break the trust so vital to a strong marriage. Jesus is condemning not natural interest in the opposite sex or even healthy sexual desire but the deliberate and repeated filling of one’s mind with fantasies that would be evil if acted out.

Some think that if lustful thoughts are sin, why shouldn’t a person go ahead and do the lustful actions, too? Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways: (1) It causes people to excuse sin rather than to stop sinning; (2) it destroys marriages; (3) it is deliberate rebellion against God’s Word; (4) it always hurts someone else in addition to the sinner. Sinful actions are more dangerous than sinful desires, and that is why desires should not be acted out. Nevertheless, sinful desires are just as damaging to obedience. Left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God.

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, ² _ but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. ³ _ As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and Pharisees brought a woman they had caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

⁴“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. ⁵The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

⁶They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. ⁷ _ They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” ⁸ _ Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

⁹ _ When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. ¹⁰Then Jesus stood up again and said to her, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

_ “No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

This is a significant statement about judging others. Because Jesus upheld the legal penalty for adultery, stoning, he could not be accused of being against the law. But by saying that only a sinless person could throw the first stone, he highlighted the importance of compassion and forgiveness. When others are caught in sin, are you quick to pass judgment? To do so is to act as though you have never sinned. It is God’s role to judge, not ours. Our role is to show forgiveness and compassion.

Prayer for Protection

For Protection against Temptation

O Jesus, whom to follow is to live a life of spiritual adventure, whom to love is to remove all desires of anger and murder, and how to love the unlovable, be with us today as we wish to share your love with others. May we be aware of your expectations of us as well as your grace and power, which empower us to live according to Your will. Forgive us as we forgive others. Loosen the grip of anger the world has us in, shield us against the attracts of the evil one, and release us from the enslavement of anger. We pray that in our speaking, thinking, and doing we bring praise and honor to You. Amen.

Cain

Cain

In spite of parents’ efforts and worries, conflicts between children in a family seem inevitable. Sibling relationships allow both competition and cooperation. In most cases, the mixture of loving and fighting eventually creates a strong bond between brothers and sisters. It isn’t unusual, though, to hear parents say, “They fight so much I hope they don’t kill each other before they grow up.” In Cain’s case, the troubling potential became a reality. And while we don’t know many details of this first child’s life, his story can still teach us.

Cain got angry. Furious. Both he and his brother Abel had given offerings to God, and his had been rejected. Cain’s reaction gives us a clue that his attitude was probably wrong from the start. Cain had a choice to make. He could correct his attitude about his offering to God, or he could take out his anger on his brother. His decision is a clear reminder of how often we are aware of opposite choices, yet choose the wrong just as Cain did. We may not be choosing to murder, but we are still intentionally choosing what we shouldn’t.

The feelings motivating our behavior can’t always be changed by simple thought-power. But here we can begin to experience God’s willingness to help. Asking for his help to do what is right can prevent us from setting into motion actions that we will later regret.

@Strengths and accomplishments

w First human child

w First to follow in father’s profession, farming

@Weaknesses and mistakes

w When disappointed, reacted in anger

w Took the negative option even when a positive possibility was offered

w Was the first murderer

@Lessons from his life

w Anger is not necessarily a sin, but actions motivated by anger can be sinful. Anger should be the energy behind good action, not evil action

w What we offer to God must be from the heart—the best we are and have

w The consequences of sin may last a lifetime

@Vital statistics

w Where: Near Eden, which was probably located in present-day Iraq or Iran

w Occupation: Farmer, then wanderer

w Relatives: Parents: Adam and Eve. Brothers: Abel, Seth, and others not mentioned by name

@Key verse

“You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it” (Genesis 4:7).

Cain’s story is told in Genesis 4:1–17. He is also mentioned in Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12; Jude 1:11.

You shall not Murder

You shall not Murder

You shall not murder.

(Matthew 5:22) Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

What are the effects of anger?

Genesis 27:41-43

Anger isolates us from others.

Psalm 37:8; James 1:19-20

Anger produces ungodliness and evil motives in us.

1 Samuel 20:30-31

Anger blinds us to what is really good and right. Saul’s jealous anger blinded him to the fact that God had already chosen David to be the next king because of his godly character.

Genesis 4:1-12

Anger in its strongest form can lead to murder.

Proverbs 15:1

Anger leads to conflict and arguments.

When we are angry, what should we avoid?

2 Corinthians 2:5-7; Ephesians 6:4

Avoid discipline in the heat of anger.

James 3:5

Avoid speaking your mind when you are angry. You are bound to say something you will regret.

1 Samuel 19:9-10

Avoid acting on impulse in the heat of anger. You are bound to do something you will regret.

We all get angry at times, so what should we do about it?

Ephesians 4:26

Anger is like a skunk in the house. Don’t feed it to encourage it to stay. And try to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Matthew 5:21-26

Confront those with whom you are angry in order to restore your relationship.

1 Corinthians 13:5

Love is the mightiest weapon in overcoming anger.

@Promise from God: Psalm 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious;

he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.

Substituting Anger with Love

Substituting Anger with Love

Father in Heaven, provide me enough joy to keep me friendly, enough needs to keep me dependent on You; enough accomplishment to keep me eager, enough failure to keep me humble and forgiving; enough faith to drive away rebellion, enough doubt to keep me learning what you desire me to learn; enough hope so that I keep on looking for better ways to love you, enough sense to know when I have found them. And when I’ve done all that I can do to share your love with You and others, the best I can, help me to realize I am to share your forgiveness of others.

For Protection against Temptation

For Protection against Temptation

O Jesus, whom to follow is to live a life of spiritual adventure, whom to love is to remove all desires of anger and murder, and how to love the unlovable, be with us today as we wish to share your love with others. May we be aware of your expectations of us as well as your grace and power, which empower us to live according to Your will. Forgive us as we forgive others. Loosen the grip of anger the world has us in, shield us against the attracts of the evil one, and release us from the enslavement of anger. We pray that in our speaking, thinking, and doing we bring praise and honor to You. Amen.

Cain and anger

Cain

In spite of parents’ efforts and worries, conflicts between children in a family seem inevitable. Sibling relationships allow both competition and cooperation. In most cases, the mixture of loving and fighting eventually creates a strong bond between brothers and sisters. It isn’t unusual, though, to hear parents say, “They fight so much I hope they don’t kill each other before they grow up.” In Cain’s case, the troubling potential became a reality. And while we don’t know many details of this first child’s life, his story can still teach us.

Cain got angry. Furious. Both he and his brother Abel had given offerings to God, and his had been rejected. Cain’s reaction gives us a clue that his attitude was probably wrong from the start. Cain had a choice to make. He could correct his attitude about his offering to God, or he could take out his anger on his brother. His decision is a clear reminder of how often we are aware of opposite choices, yet choose the wrong just as Cain did. We may not be choosing to murder, but we are still intentionally choosing what we shouldn’t.

The feelings motivating our behavior can’t always be changed by simple thought-power. But here we can begin to experience God’s willingness to help. Asking for his help to do what is right can prevent us from setting into motion actions that we will later regret.

@Strengths and accomplishments

w First human child

w First to follow in father’s profession, farming

@Weaknesses and mistakes

w When disappointed, reacted in anger

w Took the negative option even when a positive possibility was offered

w Was the first murderer

@Lessons from his life

w Anger is not necessarily a sin, but actions motivated by anger can be sinful. Anger should be the energy behind good action, not evil action

w What we offer to God must be from the heart—the best we are and have

w The consequences of sin may last a lifetime

@Vital statistics

w Where: Near Eden, which was probably located in present-day Iraq or Iran

w Occupation: Farmer, then wanderer

w Relatives: Parents: Adam and Eve. Brothers: Abel, Seth, and others not mentioned by name

@Key verse

“You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it” (Genesis 4:7).

Cain’s story is told in Genesis 4:1–17. He is also mentioned in Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12; Jude 1:11.

You shall not Murder

You shall not Murder

You shall not murder.

(Matthew 5:22) Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

What are the effects of anger?

Genesis 27:41-43

Anger isolates us from others.

Psalm 37:8; James 1:19-20

Anger produces ungodliness and evil motives in us.

1 Samuel 20:30-31

Anger blinds us to what is really good and right. Saul’s jealous anger blinded him to the fact that God had already chosen David to be the next king because of his godly character.

Genesis 4:1-12

Anger in its strongest form can lead to murder.

Proverbs 15:1

Anger leads to conflict and arguments.

When we are angry, what should we avoid?

2 Corinthians 2:5-7; Ephesians 6:4

Avoid discipline in the heat of anger.

James 3:5

Avoid speaking your mind when you are angry. You are bound to say something you will regret.

1 Samuel 19:9-10

Avoid acting on impulse in the heat of anger. You are bound to do something you will regret.

We all get angry at times, so what should we do about it?

Ephesians 4:26

Anger is like a skunk in the house. Don’t feed it to encourage it to stay. And try to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Matthew 5:21-26

Confront those with whom you are angry in order to restore your relationship.

1 Corinthians 13:5

Love is the mightiest weapon in overcoming anger.

@Promise from God: Psalm 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious;

he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.

Mary visits Elizabeth

6-Birth and Preparation of Jesus Christ

Mary visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-56

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town ⁴⁰where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ _ At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

⁴² _ Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. ⁴³What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! ⁴⁴When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! ⁴⁵You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

⁴⁶ _ Mary responded,

“Oh, how I praise the Lord.

⁴⁷ How I rejoice in God my Savior!

⁴⁸ _ For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,

and now generation after generation

will call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For he, the Mighty One, is holy,

and he has done great things for me.

⁵⁰ His mercy goes on from generation to generation,

to all who fear him.

⁵¹ His mighty arm does tremendous things!

How he scatters the proud and haughty ones!

⁵² He has taken princes from their thrones

and exalted the lowly.

⁵³ He has satisfied the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away with empty hands.

⁵⁴ _ And how he has helped his servant Israel!

He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful.

⁵⁵ For he promised our ancestors—Abraham and his children—

to be merciful to them forever.”

⁵⁶ _ Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

Apparently the Holy Spirit told Elizabeth that Mary’s child was the Messiah because Elizabeth called her young relative “the mother of my Lord” as she greeted her. As Mary rushed off to visit her relative, she must have been wondering if the events of the last few days were real. Elizabeth’s greeting must have strengthened her faith. Mary’s pregnancy may have seemed impossible, but her wise relative believed in the Lord’s faithfulness and rejoiced in Mary’s blessed condition.

Even though she herself was pregnant with a long-awaited son, Elizabeth could have envied Mary, whose son would be even greater than her own. Instead, she was filled with joy that the mother of her Lord would visit her. Have you ever envied people whom God has apparently singled out for special blessing? A cure for jealousy is to rejoice with those people, realizing that God uses his people in ways best suited to his purpose.

This song is often called the Magnificat, the first word in the Latin translation of this passage. Mary’s song has often been used as the basis for choral music and hymns. Like Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Mary glorified God in song for what he was going to do for the world through her. Notice that in both songs, God is pictured as a champion of the poor, the oppressed, and the despised.

When Mary said, “And now generation after generation will call me blessed,” was she being proud? No, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. If Mary had denied her incredible position, she would have been throwing God’s blessing back at him. Pride is refusing to accept God’s gifts or taking credit for what God has done; humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God. Don’t deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts. Thank God for them and use them to his glory.

God kept his promise to Abraham to be merciful to God’s people forever (Genesis 22:16-18). Christ’s birth fulfilled the promise, and Mary understood this. She was not surprised when her special son eventually announced that he was the Messiah. She had known Jesus’ mission from before his birth. Some of God’s promises to Israel are found in 2 Samuel 22:50, 51; Psalms 89:2-4; 103:17, 18; Micah 7:18-20.

Because travel was not easy, long visits were customary. Mary must have been a great help to Elizabeth, who was experiencing the discomforts of a first pregnancy in old age.

How might Mary have felt when Elizabeth greeted her like this? How is she “blessed” and encouraged?

For what does Mary praise God in this song? What contrasts does she make in verses 51-53? How do these reflect her feelings about God? About herself?

Who are the “proud,” the “rulers,” and the rich,” whose overthrow she celebrates? How will Jesus fulfill the themes of this song?

What would a diary from this 3-month visit reveal(v.56)?

What does Mary’s faith(vv.38-45) model for you?

Of the attributes of God celebrated in Mary’s song, which do you appreciate the most? Which challenges you the most? Why?

How does your life reflect God’s concern for justice, mercy, and deliverance? Would Mary consider you “”God’s humble servant” or a “proud, rich ruler”? Why?

Prayer for those who are parents

Prayer for Those who are parents

Father, You have always called faithful people to proclaim your use of families in your plan for us. We thank You that Your Spirit works through those who are parents. Open our hearts and minds so that we may hear their message with joy. Help us overlook their human shortcomings and support their ministry. Strengthen them so they may always be models of the new life in God’s shared love. Continue to call faithful Christians into being parents, so that every soul may experience this shared love. which you have provided us through the family. Amen.

Prayer for the Family

Prayer for the Family

Lord Jesus, we live in an anxious world. We move so fast and are torn by so many needs. Our lives are out of balance. I pray on behalf of all families – breathe into us Your breath of life, the abundant life that comes only through You. A life that is filled with joy, oneness, and hope. Let Your presence fill each heart so that the home is a grace place, where Your blood brings reconciliation. May the home be a place where the light of the Holy Spirit offers hope for those in despair. To this end, I ask that each home be a hill on which Your light can shine to the world. Amen.

Obedience to Parents

Obedience to Parents

“What does it mean to honor your parents?  We can see that if we will look at the word “honor” is kabed.  This word literally means, “to be heavy, weighty, to honor.”  Even today, we still link, the idea of being heavy with honoring a person.

When the President of the United States or some other important person speaks, people often say that his words “carry a lot of weight.”  Someone whose words are weighty is someone worthy of honor and respect.  However, we can learn even more about what it means to honor someone by looking at its opposite in Scriptures.

… [The literal meaning of the word curse (qalal) was “to make light, of little weight, to dishonor.”  If we go back to our example above, if we dishonor a person we would say, “Their words carry little weight.”  The contrast is striking!

When Paul tells us to honor our parents, he is telling us that they are worthy of high value and respect.  In modern-day terms, we could call them a heavyweight in our lives!  Just the opposite is true if we choose to dishonor our parents.

Some people treat their parents as if they are a layer of dust on a table.  Dust weighs almost nothing and can be swept away with a brush of the hand.  Dust is a nuisance and an eyesore that clouds any real beauty the table might have.  Paul tells us that such an attitude should not be a part of how any child views his or her parents, and for good reason.  If we fail to honor our parents, we not only do what is wrong and dishonor God, but we also literally drain ourselves of life!

  (From The Gift of the Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent)

Proverbs 1:8

Listen, my child,£ to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching.

Proverbs 6:20

My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s teaching.

It is natural and good for children, as they grow toward adulthood, to become increasingly independent of their parents. Young adults, however, should take care not to turn a deaf ear to their parents—to reject their advice just when it is needed most. If you are struggling with a decision or looking for insight, check with your parents or other older adults who know you well. Their years of experience may have given them the wisdom you seek.

Colossians 3:20

You children must always obey your parents, for this is what pleases the Lord.

Children must be handled with care. They need firm discipline administered in love. Don’t aggravate them by nagging, deriding, or destroying their self-respect so that they quit trying.

Parental Duties

Deuteronomy 6:7

Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.

The Hebrews were extremely successful at making religion an integral part of life. The reason for their success was that religious education was life-oriented, not information-oriented. They used the context of daily life to teach about God. The key to teaching your children to love God is stated simply and clearly in these verses. If you want your children to follow God, you must make God a part of your everyday experiences. You must teach your children diligently to see God in all aspects of life, not just those that are church related.

Proverbs 22:6

Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.

In the process of helping our children “choose the right path,” we must discern differing paths for each child. It is natural to want to bring up all our children alike or train them the same way. This verse implies that parents should discern the individuality and special strengths that God has given each one. While we should not condone or excuse self-will, each child has natural inclinations that parents can develop. By talking to teachers, other parents, and grandparents, we can better discern and develop the individual capabilities of each child.

Many parents want to make all the choices for their child, but this hurts him or her in the long run. When parents teach a child how to make decisions, they don’t have to watch every step he or she takes. They know their children will remain on the right path because they have made the choice themselves. Train your children to choose the right way.

2 Corinthians 12:14

Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have; I want you. And anyway, little children don’t pay for their parents’ food. It’s the other way around; parents supply food for their children.

Paul had founded the church in Corinth on his first visit there (Acts 18:1). He subsequently made a second visit (2:1). He was planning what would be his third visit (see also 13:1). Paul explained that, as before, he didn’t want to be paid, fed, or housed; he only wanted the believers to be nourished with the spiritual food he would feed them.

1 Timothy 3:4

He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him.

Christian workers and volunteers sometimes make the mistake of thinking their work is so important that they are justified in ignoring their families. Spiritual leadership, however, must begin at home. If a man is not willing to care for, discipline, and teach his children, he is not qualified to lead the church. Don’t allow your volunteer activities to detract from your family responsibilities.

The Fifth Commandment

The Fifth Commandment

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you.

This is the first commandment with a promise attached. To live in peace for generations in the Promised Land, the Israelites would need to respect authority and build strong families. But what does it mean to “honor” parents? Partly, it means speaking well of them and politely to them. It also means acting in a way that shows them courtesy and respect (but not to obey them if this means disobedience to God). It means following their teaching and example of putting God first. Parents have a special place in God’s sight. Even those who find it difficult to get along with their parents are still commanded to honor them.

If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. Love of family is a law of God, but even this love can be self-serving and used as an excuse not to serve God or do his work.

Evaluate your life according to this Commandment:

I have shown disrespect for my parents and withheld my care from them. I have been unable to appreciate them as gifts from God and refuse to take their views into consideration.

Life Question: Behavior that honors parents – what does it look like? Who then is blessed?

Which new insight does this give you into God’s desire for your life?

Titus 2:4

These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,

Wanderings

In what ways do you honor your boss, parents, children, or employees?  How have you dishonored them?  Pinpoint areas in which you need to improve.  Honor others not only with your actions but with your thoughts, too.