Wednesday April 25, 2012

Read Deuteronomy 13:17-18; 1 Tim 2

 

Is it possible, I ask myself, that a sinful object can bring sin and consequence into someone’s house? Is it possible that even if I don’t sin but hang onto something used in sin that I can bring discipline and punishment onto myself and my household? The Bible seems to answer a hearty ‘Yes’ to such a question. Quickly glance over Deuteronomy 7 and read the last verse of that chapter. It’s saying the same thing as chapter 13 is saying - namely that we are not to bring detestable things (things that God has marked out for destruction) into our households. Achan (in Joshua 7) stole some such detestable things, hid them in his household, and suffered greatly for his sin. Even his wider family suffered for his sinfulness.

 

As New Testament believing men we are called to be men of prayer who lift up holy hands together. Far too often we lift up hands stained with the blood of anger and revenge. We lift up hands covered in gossip and slander. We lift up

hands that opened sinful books and computer sites the night before. Brothers, this should not be. God exhorts us to lift up holy hands in prayer.

 

We are called to have pure homes free from the things that Lord detests yet our TVs are filled with violence, hatred, jealousy and perversion. Our reading material follows suit. Our DVDs are no different.

 

If we were to take a radical stance on such detestable things and remove them as far as possible from our houses what would happen? If we were to lift up our hands in prayer, having worked hard at making our hands holy, what would happen? Would we see God work in powerful and affirmative ways? Would we see God answering our prayers en masse? Would see God healing and revealing His will to us like never before? Would we see hundreds, if not thousands, being challenged and coming to Christ in repentance and faith? Would we see God in all His glory and majesty as we stand in His presence? Would our churches overflow and reap such generosity that our giving and sharing could be used to support many poor and needy families? Would we experience such blessing from the Lord that the non believers would come to check out our God? Would our joy be uncontainable that we just have to let it out?

 

I suspect that the answer would be a resounding ‘YES’ from the Lord. Be a radical disciple. Be serious.  As 1 Cor 16:113 says, ‘...Be men of courage’. Lead by example. Be at the head of the pack, the alpha dog that shows others what serious Christianity is like.

 

Prayer:

¥ Pray that your congregation would be filled with men of courage, men who are lifting up holy hands in prayer and leading by example. Pray that single guys would be protected from the temptations of the world and that they would be holy and pure. Pray that married men would be able to stand against the temptation to commit adultery (in head/heart and with hands), to be like the worldly men and to be hiding away behind the scenes.

¥ Pray that the Lord would be protecting our families and children. Ask God to give each parent wisdom and strength to raise their children in the love and fear of the Lord. Pray for each parent to be given the courage to live by example and to model a love of Jesus that children will want to emulate. Pray that our children grow strong in their faith and shine the light of Jesus among their peers.