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November 16, 2008 Dear Friends -
Women should dress modestly because God commands it, and because men are “visual” and have a major issue regarding lust in their hearts (and those who say they don’t are either lying, or in a coma). There … I said it. Feel better now? I don’t. If someone had told me weeks ago I’d be teaching a lesson on these two subjects (at the SAME time), I’d have found a clever way to skip today. That said, these two subjects are not only relevant in today’s church (and society in general), but are intertwined in ways only God could conceive. The good news is, we can (and should) help each other out. The bad new is, we’re either too ignorant to know or too busy to care. I’m going to be candid with you here…I’m now officially a middle-aged man, and I don’t care if you’re 14 or 45, the battle for a pure thought life for men never stops … and man it gets old. I’m so sick of avoiding billboards, skipping channels and trying to find a checkout aisle at Publix that doesn’t have Pam Anderson on the cover of Cosmo I could heave. Ladies, some of you aren’t making it any easier for us, either. So as we study the all-too familiar story of David and Bathsheba, let’s look at it with fresh eyes, an open heart, and a willingness to help each other! (By the way, my wife Lynn will be teaching part of today’s lesson…so one of us will at least make sense...) Your Brother in the Journey - Mark Women should dress modestly because God commands it, and because men are “visual” and have a major issue regarding lust in their hearts (and those who say they don’t are either lying, or in a coma). There … I said it. Feel better now? I don’t. If someone had told me weeks ago I’d be teaching a lesson on these two subjects (in the SAME lesson!), I’d have found a clever way to skip today. That said, these two subjects are not only relevant in today’s church (and society in general), but are intertwined in ways only God could conceive. The good news is, we can (and should) help each other out. The bad new is, we’re either too ignorant to know or too busy to care. I’m going to be candid with you here…I’m now officially a middle-aged man, and I don’t care if you’re 14 or 45, the battle for a pure thought life for men never stops … and man it gets old. I’m so sick of avoiding billboards, skipping channels and trying to find a checkout aisle at Publix that doesn’t have Pam Anderson on the cover of Cosmo I could heave. Ladies, some of you aren’t making it any easier for us, either. So as we study the all-too familiar story of David and Bathsheba, let’s look at it with fresh eyes, an open heart, and a willingness to help each other! (By the way, my wife Lynn will be teaching part of today’s lesson…so one of us will at least make sense) * 2 Samuel 11:1-27 Commentary (I could go on and on here, but if you’re not in attendance I’d recommend you consider listening to the audio lesson that will hit our website early this week. I’m going to be suggesting a theory that I’ll support biblically and that, quite frankly, makes David’s sin much more insidious and wicked than most believe it to be …. Here’s a sneak peek, though – A close inspection of the Hebrew customs of the day and the literal language that is used absolves Bathsheba of being immodest, or worse yet, acting as a “temptress.” God’s condemnation of David via Nathan in chapter 12 acts to cement the fact that Bathsheba is absolved in the sin that takes place. It takes two to tango? Not here… For The Ladies …. 3 Reasons to Dress Modestly (via Lynn Garnett)
For the Guys … Note to self: Here’s how to avoid David’s calamitous fall –how to avoid lust / temptation
For All of Us … PRACTICAL WAYS TO STAND FIRM IN THE FACE OF TEMPTATION:
Bottom Line: The mighty Niagara River plummets some 180 feet at the American and Horseshoe Falls. Before the falls, there are violent, turbulent rapids. Farther upstream, however, where the river’s current flows more gently, boats are able to navigate. Just above this area is a pedestrian walkway that spans the rivers. Posted on the bridge’s huge pylons is a warning for all boaters: “Do you have an anchor?” followed by, “Do you know how to use it?” A great preacher once said that all trials and temptations serve two purposes: to acquaint us with our own sinful hearts, and to acquaint us with our Lord and Savior. Glorify Jesus by handling trials with joy and temptations with self-control. |
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