Two Out of Six

507 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war, 19 and charged the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling the matters of the war to the king, 20 if it happens that the king's wrath rises, and he says to you: 'Why did you approach so near to the city when you fought? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? 21 'Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you go near the wall?' -then you shall say, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'" 22 So the messenger went, and came and told David all that Joab had sent by him. (2 Sam 11:18-22) This ruse of David and Joab is too much. Joab purposely used proven faulty military strategy to assure the death of Uriah. He put Uriah and others in a position so vulnerable that a woman would be able to kill them. Joab, being the good general that he was, knew warfare history and tactics. In the battle of Thebez, Gideons' son (Abimelech) met his demise by standing too close to the wall of the city where a woman simply using gravity dropped a millstone on his head. Jg 9:53 But a certain woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. Joab's strategy would make it easy for David to feign anger over the loss of men, and “Oh, by the way David, your loyal servant Uriah died in the battle.” Mission accomplished. Well played David and Joab. David and Joab knew military strategy, but apparently had forgotten the heart of God as it concerns actions toward the innocent. Listen to what the Holy Spirit speaking through Solomon says in Pr 6:16-18, “These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,” David devised a wicked plan to shed the innocent blood of Uriah. In one incident he managed to violate two of the seven things that God especially hates. He paid for it later on, but the amazing thing about it all, is that God forgave him, and He is willing to forgive us of our own wickedness as well through faith in Jesus.

Making A Bad Situation Worse

506 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:14 In the morning it happened that David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die." 16 So it was, while Joab besieged the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew there were valiant men. 17 Then the men of the city came out and fought with Joab. And some of the people of the servants of David fell; and Uriah the Hittite died also. Wow! Just look at the ripple effect of David's sin with Bathsheba. Not only is Uriah murdered, but Joab is now an accomplice. It's true that Joab was only following orders as a good soldier is supposed to do. But this order was not about strategic battle maneuvers, it was about the murder of one Uriah the Hittite. Yes we are to obey and respect those that God has placed in authority over us, but when they command us to do something contrary to the Word of God, well, we must obey God rather than man. And in this case God's command “Thou shalt not kill” should've been Joab's overriding concern. When the ruling authorities forbade Peter and John from preaching the Gospel, Peter's response was, Ac 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.” Joab's refusal to put God's Word first, not only resulted in the death of Uriah, but in order to carry out the ruse, Joab had to send other men into the battle alongside Uriah. If he followed David's orders, he then retreated from them, left them alone to die, their blood effectively shed in the kings bedroom on that spring night with Bathsheba. How many wives were widowed? How many children were made orphans all because of a couple of minutes of illicit pleasure? Think it through, the sooner David stops trying to cover up his sin, and deals with it in accordance with God's Word, the fewer lives are negatively affected. Father, we are all sinners, and we thank You for the gift of forgiveness, help us to stop making bad situations worse as we try to cover our sins on our own.

Uriah Serving As A Type of Christ

505 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:14,15,”In the morning it happened that David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die." (2 Sam 11:14,15) Oh the depravity of man! David sends a letter to his commander that basically says, “see that the man carrying this letter is put to death.” But as depraved as David's actions are, let's not lose hope! There are also good men, honorable men like Uriah. His honor was brought to our attention when he refused to bed down at his house while his fellow comrades in arms were engaged in battle for Israel and the Lord! This display of honor was not lost on David who had no qualms about sending this damning letter at the hands of the honorable and trustworthy Uriah. Uriah serves as a type of Christ here. Like Jesus he refused to bed down in the comforts of his home. “The Son of Man had no place to rest His head.” (Luke 9:58) Like Uriah, His number one concern was to fight for His brothers, and when Jesus came to this earth, He also bore a letter that dictated His mission. That letter was the subject of all the Old Testament prophets! He was placed in Jerusalem, the scene of the hottest battle between Law and Grace. When the time was right, the Father withdrew His protection from His Son, that He would be struck down and die. (My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?) God did it out of love for the world, David did it out of love for self. Uriah, the sacrificial lamb who covered David's sin. Jesus, the sacrificial lamb who covered the sins of the world! Thank You Jesus, for we are all sinners deserving death, but You died in our place!

Some Final Thoughts On Drinking

504 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:13, “ Now when David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. (2 Sam 11:13) Today I'm wrapping up my series on drinking, but before I begin I want to speak to those who are recovering alcoholics. May God bless your sobriety, may He continue to give you the strength to say no to even one drink, because you know that in your situation, one drink is too many. The Bible does not forbid drinking but more important for the alcoholic....it doesn't command drinking either. You'll do just fine if you never put another drink to your lips. It's fairly evident that God meant wine to be a gift to mankind for celebration and for medicinal purposes. Ps 104:15 speaks of God's gifts in creation, and wine is one of them. “and wine cheers the heart of man, and oil makes his face shine, and bread sustains the heart of man.” Eccl 10:19a says, “Bread is made for laughter, and wine makes merry;” Paul writing to his young protege Timothy, instructed him to use wine for his physical infirmities. “Drink water no longer, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake, and for your many infirmities. (1 Tim 5:23) Let us remember that, “every creation of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving. (1 Tim 4:4) while at the same time remembering 1 Cor 6:12, “All things are lawful to me, but not all things profit. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” And for the sake of those struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction please don't use your liberty to cause others to stumble. 1 Cor 8:9 says, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak.” Enjoy God's gift of wine. Let it gladden your heart and help you unwind, but don't abuse it to the point that it is , as Paul wrote, “exercising power over you,” I speak from the experience of one who allowed alcohol to have power over me. I found myself always looking forward to my next high. (This is one of many telltale signs) Here's the thing about seeking a high, it always leads to an eventual low. A low that is sure to bring pain to you and others. Prov 23:20 says, “Don't be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat' 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor;” I am forever thankful that by turning to Jesus Christ I was delivered from this sin. If you are struggling with alcohol abuse, turn to jesus and henceforth don't be filled with wine, which is dissipation, but be filled with the Holy Spirit! (Eph 5:18) Father, thank You for Your promise that the truth will set us free.

Drinking Part 5 - Feasting

503 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:13 Now when David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. Let's continue to talk about drinking. But before we begin I want to speak to those who are recovering alcoholics. May God bless your sobriety, may He continue to give you the strength to say no to even one drink, because you know that in your situation, one drink is too many. The Bible does not forbid drinking but more important for the alcoholic....it doesn't command drinking either. You'll do just fine if you never put another drink to your lips. The Bible has much to say about the sin of drunkenness and the ill effects of strong drink, but it also has some things to say about the proper use of wine. In the Old Testament system of tithing, God made provision for an annual festive occasion for the collection of what is called the “second tithe.” We read about it in De 14:26 And you shall pay that silver for whatever your soul desires, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul desires. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.” This annual communal feast was to be shared with the Levites, but not to be used as an excuse to get drunk. Isa 5:11,12, “Woe to those who rise up early in the morning to go after strong drink; tarrying in the twilight while wine inflames them! 12 And the lyre, and the harp, the timbrel, and pipe, and wine, are at their feasts; but they do not regard the work of the LORD. Yea, they do not see the work of His hands.” What's missing at this feast mentioned in Isaiah? The Lord is missing. Instead of merriment that celebrates the goodness of God, we have people getting inflamed by wine for the sake of getting inflamed. All feasting from thanksgiving to weddings should have God as the main attraction. Probably the closest thing we have to this annual feast of the Israelites in our country today is the holiday of Thanksgiving. These are annual communal gatherings for feasting and giving of thanks to the Lord, and it's okay to have some wine. Celebrate! Make merry! Feast! But let God be the centerpiece of your day rather than the food, the wine, or the football. And be responsible. Don't be a stumbling block to a brother who struggles with alcohol abuse and please, do not put yourself or others in harms way by getting behind the wheel of a car if you are in any way impaired. Where's the honoring of God in that? Father, it's so easy to make other gods the center of our feasting. Help us to remember that You are the source of any joy we may have!

Drinking Part 4 - You Can Unwind, But Don't Unravel

502 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:13 Now when David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. Let's talk about drinking. But before we begin I want to speak to those who are recovering alcoholics. May God bless your sobriety, may He continue to give you the strength to say no to even one drink, because you know that in your situation, one drink is too many. The Bible does not forbid drinking but more important for the alcoholic....it doesn't command drinking either. You'll do just fine if you never put another drink to your lips. The Bible has much to say about the matter of drinking and the sin of drunkenness. We hear an awful lot about the evils of alcohol and rightly so. Alcohol abuse is responsible for much pain and carnage in our lives and we would do well to respect it's negative impact. However, the Bible also has some positive things to say about wine and it's relationship to celebration, relaxation, and it's use for medicinal purposes. I have always hesitated to speak about these things because I'm afraid it will be misinterpreted by those who are looking for an excuse to get drunk. So before I dive into these other purposes let me pass along one more reminder from Pr 20:1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Don't allow the biblical use of wine to lead you astray. Do not cross that line into drunkenness and alcohol abuse! Let's start with the biblical usage of wine for medicinal purposes. Pr 31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. Note the two types of wine used here. Strong drink (undiluted) for the perishing, and wine (diluted) for the bitter of heart. In biblical times strong drink was pretty much all they had for pain, and it was okay to use it as a painkiller for the dying. But what about the bitter of heart, the destitute, and those who are just beaten down by their current circumstances. Is it okay to have a drink for the sole purpose of helping you unwind? Apparently, but be very cautious here, you can unwind but don't unravel. And if you don't know the difference, then stay away from alcohol. Always remember that the Bible never condones the abuse of alcohol or drunkenness, but it was valued in biblical times for use as medication and relaxation, and celebration. Father, everything you have created is good, for this we give you thanks. Help us to not abuse the goodness of Your created things.

Drinking Part 3 - When Drinking Becomes Drunking

501 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:13 Now when David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. Let's talk about drinking. But before we begin I want to speak to those who are recovering alcoholics. May God bless your sobriety, may He continue to give you the strength to say no to even one drink, because you know that in your situation, one drink is too many. The Bible does not forbid drinking but more important for the alcoholic....it doesn't command drinking either. You'll do just fine if you never put a drink to your lips. Drinking is not forbidden in the Bible, but excessive drinking, (to the point of drunkenness is) But when does drinking become drunking? First of all, understand this, the wine of the Bible is a lot different than the wine we drink today. It was typically mixed with three parts water. This watering down of the wine meant that your bladder would give out before alcohol would have it's forbidden effect of inebriation. Anything that was stronger than a three to one ratio was considered strong drink, and the Bible warns us about the effects of excessive strong drink. Pr 23:29 Who has woe? (Trouble) Who has sorrow? (Regrets) Who has contentions? (Fights) Who has complaints? (Babblings) Who has wounds without cause? (Injuries) Who has redness of eyes? (Hangovers) 30 Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, (undiluted) When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. 34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: 35 "They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?" These various effects occur when drinking becomes drunking. Having once been in the camp of the drunkard, I can tell you that all these things are true and more. Perhaps the saddest thing about drunkenness is the effect that it has on all the innocent people in your life. I thank God every day that through faith in Jesus Christ He delivered me from the sin of drunkenness and all it's effects. Come to Jesus today it is His desire to (set the prisoner free) deliver you as well!

What the Bible Says About Drinking part 2

500 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:13 Now when David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. And at evening he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house.” Let's talk about drinking. But before we begin I want to speak to those who are recovering alcoholics. May God bless your sobriety, may He continue to give you the strength to say no to even one drink, because you know that in your situation, one drink is too many. The Bible does not forbid drinking but more important for the alcoholic....it doesn't command drinking either. You'll do just fine if you never put a drink to your lips. The problem with drinking is excess. Excess leads to drunkenness and drunkenness is lumped in with other obvious sins: Ga 5:19 says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The word “practice” here means to “perform repeatedly.” And the Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle Paul has warned the Galatians in the past and is warning them now that they must seek to break free from these habitual sins or they will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is a scary verse, for which one of us does not struggle with at least one of these repeating sins? There can only be one answer here in accordance with Scripture. There can only be one solution to our battle with habitual sinning. The Apostle Paul admitted to his own struggles with habitual sin, in Ro 7:19 he said, “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” And he found his solution in Christ: Ro 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. The key to all this is don't stop struggling. The struggle is a sign that the Spirit is at work in you. Convicting you of all your wrong behavior and helping you to bring those behaviors to the cross to receive the forgiveness of Christ. Ro 8:13 says, “For if you live according to the flesh (with no regard of Christ) you will die; but if by the Spirit (with regard to Christ) you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Father, forgive us all of our besetting sins, and help us to turn from them in the power of the Holy Spirit.

What Does the Bible Say About Drinking Part 1

499 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:13 Now when David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. And at evening he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house.” In the next couple of days I am going to be looking at some of what the Bible says about drinking alcohol. Before I begin I want to speak to those who are recovering alcoholics. May God bless your sobriety, may He continue to give you the strength to say no to even one drink, because you know that in your situation, one drink is too many. In this portion of 2 Samuel, we see that David has tried twice to entice Uriah to go home and sleep in his bed. It was his hope that if Uriah would do this, David's sin with the now pregnant Bathsheba would be covered, but it didn't happen as David planned, so now David decides to play the alcohol card. Get the man drunk, that will turn his “no” button into a “go” button and surely Uriah would make his way home and spend the night with Bathsheba. That's one of the problems with alcohol. All it takes is two or three drinks and our ability to say “no” is greatly hindered! The Bible states this fact clearly in Eph 5:18, “ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;” (What is excess if not the inability to say no?) Having been a part of the “bar scene” for many years before my conversion to Christ, I can tell you that there is an interesting phenomena among drinkers. We all have a tendency to urge others to join in the festivities. Dangerous drinking games and challenges are issued to get others to join in the “so-called” fun. But the Bible has strong words for those who encourage others to get drunk. Think about this before you dangle that drink in front of someone or mock that person who refuses to participate in your debauchery. Hab 2:15,16 says, “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, Even to make him drunk, That you may look on his nakedness! 16 You are filled with shame instead of glory. You also-drink! And be exposed as uncircumcised! The cup of the LORD'S right hand will be turned against you, And utter shame will be on your glory.” Plying others with alcohol for the purpose of turning off their “no” button invites the wrath of God into your life and exposes you as uncircumcised. It puts you in the camp of the unbeliever. This is how far David had fallen and he would pay the price of broken fellowship with God until he came to repentance through the preaching of Nathan. Father, thank You for holding out hope for repentance and forgiveness for our sins. Grant this gift to those who earnestly seek it today.

No One Gets Away With Sin

498 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:9-11, “ But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. 10 So when they told David, saying, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David said to Uriah, "Did you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?" 11 And Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing." (2 Sam 11:9-11) Wow! What a man of honor! Uriah refuses to engage in intimacy with his wife because his fellow soldiers are being denied that privilege while they fight for Israel. Sounds good doesn't it? But is it more about Uriah's honor or God's sovereignty? Or is it a combination of both? Let me give you some verses to help make the point. Pr 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.” God knew what was going on with David and Bathsheba and He was not going to let them get away with it. Pr 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths. 22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. 23 He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. God wasn't going to let David get away with this sin. The truth is, none of us will ever get away with sin. It must be accounted for! If not in this life then the next. If we are not confronted with our sins, that is, convicted of them, and then instructed through the gospel how to shed those sins from our record, then we shall “die for lack of instruction.” It is great folly to think that we can cover our sins! We are all sinners in need of forgiveness and try as we might to cover our tracks, sin can only be obliterated by the blood of Jesus. For without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sins (Heb 11:29) The shed blood is applied the moment you trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and those sins are taken off the books and tossed into the Sea of Forgetfulness. Thank You Father for removing my sins from Your sight as far as East is from the West.

Oh What Peace We Forfeit

497 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:6-8, “Then David sent to Joab, saying, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." And Joab sent Uriah to David. 7 When Uriah had come to him, David asked how Joab was doing, and how the people were doing, and how the war prospered. 8 And David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." So Uriah departed from the king's house, and a gift of food from the king followed him. ( 2 Sam 11:6-8) David has a plan to cover his sin with Bathsheba. If he can get her husband home from the battlefront under the guise of a field report, everyone will assume that Uriah and his wife would do what husbands and wives do, and it would be assumed by all, that the child Bathsheba was carrying was fathered by Uriah. Good plan right? This way no one knows about the adultery except Bathsheba, David, and maybe the messengers who brought Bathsheba to David in the first place. We're all home free right? But think it through. Suppose this plan works. Who will the child resemble, David or Uriah? What will be going through Bathsheba's mind every time she sees that child? What will be going through David's mind when he sees that child. How will David handle the natural tendency to connect with that child while he tends to his family and Bathsheba tends to her family? How much peace will David and Bathsheba have for the rest of their lives as they seek to keep their secret sin hidden? But that's just the beginning of their woes. Pr 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. The word “prosper” means to push forward. Hidden, unconfessed sin keeps you in a spiritual rut and blocks the mercy of God! Is that a wise path to follow? To be sure our sins leave a trail of ramifications, but let it not be a trail that keeps us from the goodness of God. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Learn From Joseph and Mary

496 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:4,5 “Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 5 And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, "I am with child." (2 Sam 11:4,5) Two married consenting adults, caught up in sexual passion commit adultery in the middle of the night, and when lust has been spent, “she returned to her house.” It was as if it never happened. But oh oh, what's this? Bathseba's pregnancy test comes back positive, and she gets word to David, “I'm pregnant.” How many times in history have those two words sent tremors of fear into the hearts of those who have illicitly dallied. High school sweethearts who went too far. A night of partying away at college or a singles bar that crossed a line, and suddenly another life has been brought into this world. (You should know by now that life begins at conception) What to do? Perhaps the best thing to do in that situation is to learn from the experience of another couple who were surprised by a pregnancy. Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married, when Mary discovered that she was pregnant. Both Mary and Joseph were sent heavenly messengers who's first words to them were, “ “Do not fear!” This tells us that their initial reaction to the news was fear. It's a perfectly normal reaction under the circumstances! But the heavenly advice is meant for all of us. Don't let your fear guide your actions! Fear will lead you into all sorts of misguided steps to cover your actions. Rather, make the most of the situation! Embrace this new life created and loved by God. Remember there are more than the plans for your life at stake here, God has plans for that little one as well. In Mary and Joseph's case. God planned to use their little Bundle of Surprise to save the world from their sins, yes even their sins of sexual passion and abortion. Fear not beloved, and never forget that even if you have reacted negatively to fear, God forgives and He heals.

Well At Least She Wasn't Impure

495 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. (2 Sam 11:4) We will never know the complicity of Bathsheba in this whole sordid affair. Her husband was off to war and we must remember that she too was subject to sexual temptation. A warm spring night, a bath within full view of the palace, and the timing is such that she is free from the physical restrictions imposed by the Law against sexual activity. Le 18:19 says, “ 'Also you shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness as long as she is in her customary impurity.” Why did the Holy Spirit feel it was necessary to include this little bit of information for us? Why is it necessary for us to know that Bathsheba had the physical green light for sexual activity? Could David and Bathsheba look back on this incident and say, “well at least we didn't commit adultery during her days of impurity!” In Paul Kretzmann's commentary on this verse, he says, “ The great sin of adultery she (and I might add they) committed without serious thought, but the act of purification she religiously observed, just as many people living in open transgressions of God's holy Law believe they may salve their consciences by small acts of charity.” Beware my friend, this is a trap that we all may fall into far too easily. We excuse our grievous sins by patting ourselves on the back for doing a good job in other areas. Let us not forget James 2:10, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” Father, we are so quick to recognize our areas of obedience and so slow to recognize our areas of disobedience. Holy Spirit search my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me.

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

494 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:2,3, “Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" (2 Sam 11:2,3) Odds are that our modern day trysts aren't going to be triggered by a night time walk on a roof. We have our own set of triggers, our own sets of circumstances and conditions that make for the powder keg of sexual sin. Whatever those circumstances may be, let us heed the advice of the Holy Spirit as given to us in Scripture. This is God talking to us about sexual sin! Hear what He has to say! 1Co 6:18 says, “Flee sexual immorality.” The word flee means to run away! Don't walk, don't saunter....run! Get far away from this sin quickly! In Job 31:1, He encourages us with these words, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” And Jesus tells us in Mt 5:28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Adultery! That's what's going on with David and Bathsheba, and it's a double dose of adultery, both are married, and God can't speak much plainer against adultery than He does in the Commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Now, one might say, but Jesus didn't condemn the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. Yes that's true. Jesus forgives adultery, as He forgives all sins, but He certainly doesn't condone it. His parting words to the woman were, “Go and sin no more.” “Don't commit adultery. Father, help us to take your words about sexual sin to heart. Give us a new appreciation of Your passion for the sanctity of marriage. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Turn From Temptation

493 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:2,3 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" ( 2 Sam 11:2,3) The lingering glance. The lust of the eyes. Instead of turning his eyes away and removing himself from the temptation, David allows himself to take in the beauty of Bathsheba and as he does his imagination takes over. He now has a desire to connect with this woman and so he inquires as to who she is. This is a common temptation to man and we read about it in 1Jo 2:15-17, “ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” Here the Holy Spirit speaking through John tells us “Do not!” and He gives us some helpful advice to enable us to turn from the temptation. He says, “Remember these things you are lusting after, this beauty of Bathsheba, is TEMPORARY! It's a fly speck on the timeline of eternity. Why let sexual sin endanger your standing in eternity? Oh the sin itself doesn't damn you, there is no sin that Jesus didn't pay for on the cross, but it, and all habitual sinning weakens your faith, saps your resolve to remain with Jesus. Listen to Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. You see it's about enduring. Fighting to the end. Never stop calling sin, sin, and never stop dealing with it in the way Scripture prescribes. It's never too late to get back on the right path! Turn from sin at every possible moment, but if you fail, confess it, receive forgiveness and try again!

No Man Is An Island

492 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. (2 Sam 11:2) Let's pay a little attention to the “happenings” here. In v1 we read IT happened that David stayed behind, and in v2 we read THEN it happened. This tells us that the first event set the stage for this event. If David goes out with the army and doesn't isolate himself this second happening doesn't take place. I don't think we can overemphasize this enough. Fight isolation! So, one night David has trouble sleeping and decides to get up. He flips on the computer to see what's happening on Facebook and his eyes happen to catch an ad featuring a beautiful looking woman, who says she would like to meet a man like him. “Click” And, the snowball to a personal hell that will affect him and every one around him is out of the gates, and rolling down the mountain. Sound far-fetched? I don't think so. I know far too many men who have hit that button, with tragic consequences. And guess what? It all started with isolation. Stop isolating yourself. No man is an island! This kind of temptation is a constant struggle for men, and the best way to fight it, is to share that struggle with other men. Gather together on a regular basis around the Word of God to speak honestly with each other, pray for each other, and encourage each other to fight! These men are in your church. They also meet in your cities in groups modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Make the effort to find them and to join with them in warring against this sin. It's never too late to get started. Father, I pray for all of those who struggle with sexual sin. Lead them out of isolation and into victory.