Learning To Say No
2009-06-03

*Sings* School's out...for summer!

Thank you, Alice Cooper! Heheheh....



Here's a prayer point for today from the Presidential Prayer Team site.

America's security. In a message broadcast on Arab TV the same time the President arrived in Saudi Arabia, Osama bin Laden threatened Americans, saying President Obama inflamed hatred toward the U.S. by ordering Pakistan to crack down on militants in Swat Valley and block Islamic law in the area.



Psalm for Today: 65:4b-13

We expect our fill of good things
in your house, your heavenly manse.
All your salvation wonders
are on display in your trophy room.
Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer,
Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,
Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash,
of mobs in noisy riot�
Far and wide they'll come to a stop,
they'll stare in awe, in wonder.
Dawn and dusk take turns
calling, "Come and worship."

9-13 Oh, visit the earth,
ask her to join the dance!
Deck her out in spring showers,
fill the God-River with living water.
Paint the wheat fields golden.
Creation was made for this!
Drench the plowed fields,
soak the dirt clods
With rainfall as harrow and rake
bring her to blossom and fruit.
Snow-crown the peaks with splendor,
scatter rose petals down your paths,
All through the wild meadows, rose petals.
Set the hills to dancing,
Dress the canyon walls with live sheep,
a drape of flax across the valleys.
Let them shout, and shout, and shout!
Oh, oh, let them sing!
(The Message)

"While it is the kindness of God to his own people which is here more particularly celebrated as being better known, we are bound, in whatever part of the world we live, to acknowledge the riches of the Divine goodness seen in the earth's fertility and increase. It is not of itself that it brings forth such an inexhaustible variety of fruits, but only in so far as it has been fitted by God for producing the food of man."

(Commentary from Heart Aflame: Daily Readings from Calvin on the Psalms)



Father, I thank you for the blessings that are provided to us through the earth. It is true that you have made our planet so that it provides sustenance for us. I pray that you help us be better stewards of the gift that you have given us. I also pray, however, that we be good stewards without turning it into idol worship, as so many have.


Tabletalk Magazine

"Female Authority"
1 Timothy 2:11-12

11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. (ESV)

It is believed that the false teachers (remember that is what Paul is combatting in 1 Timothy) had many female followers, including young widows who "embraced the heretics' asceticism, which included such things as avoiding certain foods and shunning remarriage." The fact that Paul brought up jewelry in a previous verse also leads us to believe that there were wealthy women in the setting, who probably opened up their homes for Church meetings. "These rich ladies probably let the errant elders infiltrate worship, and in turn they likely allowed the women to teach men."

There's a lot of speculation in the above paragraph. However, Paul addresses a this subject in another passage in 1 Corinthians 14:33b-35, calling for women to be silent in a different context. Paul is thought by many to be a "woman hater." I don't know about that, but I do know that his teaching does not support the idea of "male superiority, for the Bible knows no such thing."

(This is such an uncomfortable subject.)

"What Paul says in today's passage is that women are barred from preaching and teaching in worship, not every kind of speaking. Paul assumes women will prophesy in Corinth (1 Cor. 11:4-5) and throughout the Scriptures women engage in speech acts in the worship service (like singing, see Ex. 15:20-21;Col. 3:16). First Timothy 2:11-12, then, is calling women to be attentive and not interruptive, prohibiting their ordination to the office of elder."

This topic is a sore spot in many churches, I'm aware of that. Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about it. But I do know what the Scriptures say, and I would rather ere on the side of caution, regardless of what my feelins are. I will say that I don't think I could ever be comfortable sitting under a female pastor. But, then, I'm still struggling with the modern-day setting of the Church, anyway.



Father, I am very grateful for the role that women have played in the history of your people. We have to stop and remember that some of the most influential people surrounding Christ when he walked on the earth were women. But we also have to remember that the ones that he chose to be his "disciples" were men. I pray, Father, that we can find ways to assert these truths without coming across as misogynists. May we recognize the contributions and benefits of all people in the Church.


Holiness Day by Day

"Say No"
Titus 2:11-12

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, (ESV)

"Grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness. Ungodliness in is broadest form basically comprises disregarding God, ignoring Him, or not taking Him into account in one's life. It's a lack of fear and reverence for Him." If you read Paul's account of the wickedness in Romans 1, it begins like this: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV) This is a very basic definition of sin. And it shows that people can be very moral and even generous and still be ungodly.

Now that we have been delivered from the dominion of sin, God's grace teaches us to renounce the attitudes and actions of ungodliness. "Obviously this training does not occur all at once."

"Grace also teaches us to say no to worldly passions, the inordinate desire for and preoccupation with the things of this life, such as possessions, prestige, pleasure, or power."



Lord, I pray that I will listen to what your grace is trying to teach me. I struggle with those "worldy passions," Father, which you well know, since you know me more intimately than I even know myself. There have been times that I have wanted to ask you, "Why have you made me thus?" in regard to things that seem to cause me great struggles, but for now, I just pray for the wisdom to learn from your grace. Teach me to say no.


I'll be looking for opportunities to listen to grace over the next few days. I'm also looking to have a better attitude at work. I have really been struggling with that this week.

Give thanks today for God's provision through the resources of the earth. And remember that he gives those blessings to all people, whether they choose to acknowledge him or not.

Grace and peace, friends.



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