Category Archives: Purity

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YOU ARE NOT WEARING THAT

1 TIMOTHY 2:9

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,” 

Modesty seems to be a thing of the past. Have you walked through a mall lately? The things people are wearing and the things the stores are selling can be very, should we say, revealing. I know, I know. Every generation screams this. There was a day when if a woman’s ankle showed below her dress she was horrible.

But modesty isn’t just about what we wear. It’s about so much more. This Greek word for “modesty” is only used right here in this verse. It actually refers to an act that precedes or prevents a shameful act. Hmmm, Paul is trying to encourage the women to do just that. Modesty, in other words, can help prevent wrong things from happening.

APPLICATION

Modesty isn’t just for girls, though. This is appropriate for all of us. We should not only dress modestly, but we should behave that way. We should never present ourselves in such a way that lures others to make bad choices.  As parents, we teach our children modesty to protect them. When they are toddlers, it is cute to see them run around the house naked. Not so much when they are 10 or 12 or 18, right? 

But we teach them also not to draw attention to themselves. Remember, as believers we should always be pointing others to Jesus. When we dress or behave in such a way that all attention is on us, then we have strayed from our mission – to lead others to Him. Modesty helps us achieve our goal.

Maybe you struggle with this issue. Perhaps you like to flirt or show yourself off. Will you examine your heart today and ask the Lord to reveal how you should display modesty? He wants you to never be ashamed. He died so that you would not feel that way ever again. He is the image of modesty. Follow Him.

Let my every action point to You, O Lord. Make me aware of anything that pushes people away from You. 

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WHAT DRAWS YOU?

1 TIMOTHY 1:6

“For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,” 

It is so important to understand not just what, but how the Scriptures are written. What do I mean by that? I mean the choice of verbs and adjectives is important. Today’s verse is one perfect example. The verb phrase “have turned aside” is in the passive voice, which means an action has been done on the subject. In this case, we have to ask what turned them aside. It’s in the phrase before, “straying from these things.”

Don’t let me lose you. Hang on! You see, when we stray, when we miss the mark, we are turned aside from where we should be going to where we should NOT be going. That can be “fruitless discussion” or something more dangerous. You see, sin will take you further than you ever thought you would stray, cost you more than you ever thought you would pay and keep you longer than you ever thought you would stay (this saying is not original to me).

APPLICATION

This is why one of our most important jobs as parents is to teach our children to focus on the eternal perspective. When they lose sight of the eternal, the temporal will cause them to stray. Learning to sacrifice immediate gain for ultimate reward is huge. Setting long term goals is critical, even for children.

Let me give you an example. When I began mowing yards as a young boy to make some money, my dad took me to his company credit union to open an account. I gave him money each time I got paid which he deposited into that account. When I turned fifteen, I had enough money to buy my first car. He helped me see past the bubble gum and movie tickets to my ultimate goal (though years away) of getting a car.

Are you making deposits for your spiritual future? Or are you spending every blessing you receive as fast as it is received. We need to examine every decision we make with eternal eyes. How do our decisions affect our eternity and the eternity of others? That’s a heavy question, but one we need to ask ourselves.

Father, You are so good to give me exactly what I need when I need it. Teach me to see all things eternally and to let go of my own selfish desires. Pleasing You is so much more important than pleasing myself or others.

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SMOOCHIE, SMOOCHIE

1 THESSALONIANS 5:26

“Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.” 

Now, before you think I am trying to be funny, let me just say that we are told four times by Paul and once by Peter to greet each other with a holy kiss. It was common back then, but not so much today, at least not in my culture. Jesus uses this word twice. Once was when Mary anointed His fee with the ointment. He told Simon that he had not greeted Him with a kiss. The other time was when He asked Judas if he was betraying Him with a kiss. Those two weren’t exactly “holy” kisses.”

But that is the point. This kiss is supposed to be HOLY. It’s supposed to be a different kind of kiss. It isn’t a smoochie kiss. It was a greeting among close friends. It was meant to be tender but not intimate. It was sincere but not erotic. It was done properly and respectfully. It truly was a holy kiss.

APPLICATION

Don’t you love to kiss your children or grandchildren? I have always kissed my kids. Now that I have four grandchildren, I kiss them too. Those kisses were always given with love. Sometimes those kisses were playful, but they were always proper. Tell your children why you kiss them. Tell them it is a sign of love and tenderness. But also tell them that they must be done with the right motive.

In this day of wrong motivated people, we have to guard our children against receiving or giving improper affection. Explain to them that a holy kiss ALWAYS respects the other person and is NEVER forced. In fact, a holy kiss could be seen as how you would greet the Lord Himself. You are kissing another believer in the name of the Lord, so that would always be right and proper.

But this holy kiss isn’t for everyone. There are people in your church body you would not even dream of giving a holy kiss. Why? Because they would not know how to receive it. There are others, however, who would know how it is meant and would receive it warmly. It is an expression of love for our Savior and a bond between believers. Show your close brothers and sisters some love today.

Father, Your kisses from heaven to me are welcomed and appreciated. Help me give a holy kiss to that fellow believer today who needs it.

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NO WRATH


1 THESSALONIANS 5:9

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 

Isn’t this an incredible promise of God? He, and only He, does not set us up or place us in wrath. The word “destined” is written in such a way that it means ONLY HE makes this decision. Why is it written that way? Because Satan would love to destine us for wrath. If he had a say in it, we all would. 

But we are destined to obtain salvation. Oh, listen to this. That word “obtaining” is used in Ephesians 1:14 and 1 Peter 2:9 to refer to “God’s own possession.” Do you get it? God has destined us, He has established us, He has determined that we will be HIS! Praise be to God!

APPLICATION

Do you have video of your child’s birth? Has your child seen it? If not, show it to them and explain to them that God determined to place them into your family long before they were born. The birth just made it reality. The Lord brought you and your husband or wife together and through that union established a family into which they would be born.

Explain to them that their birth into God’s family brings into reality what God had already established. It is God’s will, His desire that all men be saved. And because of that desire, whenever anyone enters the family, it brings into place what was destined to begin with. God WANTS all of His creation to come to Him.

I pray you have made that decision. I don’t assume for a second that just because you are reading this devotional that you are a believer. You may have just stumbled onto it through one of the hundreds of search engines out there on the web. Make God’s Will for you reality today. Accept His Son Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. You are NOT destined for wrath. He has destined you for salvation.

What a comforting thought, O Savior of my soul. I praise You for saving me. I thank You for allowing me to come into Your family and experience Your salvation.

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IF WE BELIEVE


1 THESSALONIANS 4:14

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” 

Man, that’s a huge statement! IF WE BELIEVE! Do you get what Paul is saying here? If you truly believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again to give you new life, why in the world would you NOT believe that He will bring us with Him when He returns? Even this early in the history of the church speculations were abounding. People were saying He had already returned. Others were denying His physical resurrection and ascension. Hmmm, sounds like today, doesn’t it?

If you believe, I mean really believe, won’t you trust anything He says in His Word? If He said it, that settles it. Your belief in it doesn’t change the factual truth of His Words. But your belief in Him and what He says about His return will give you hope in the darkest days.  Hallelujah!

APPLICATION

Ask your little Gertrude if she believes you when you tell her something. Now hopefully you don’t have a habit of lying to her. If she says she does, ask her why. She may say something like, “Because you love me” or “Because you are my daddy.” Such simple trust, right? That’s how we need to trust our heavenly Father. He is totally and completely trustworthy, unlike us.

If you have ever broken the trust of your child, make that right. Remember, your earthly family (as a believer) should mirror your heavenly family. It should be one that is full of peace and love and trust, not anger and tension and conflict. Ask your child that tonight. Does their family reflect Jesus?

Boy, this is tough, isn’t it? Who would have thought today’s verse would have sparked this discussion. IF YOU BELIEVE! Do you? Do you really? Then trust that He is coming back for you. Who knows when, but He is. Are you ready? Is your family ready? Are your neighbors? 

Father, I know You sent Your Son once and He is returning. I know and believe that the saints will return with Him. I look toward that day with anticipation.

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ARE YOU PROPER?


1 THESSALONIANS 4:12

“so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” 

I love to see the difference between English translations and the original languages of the Bible. Sometimes the translations are very different than the original meaning. We just don’t have adequate words to make that translation closer. But the truth of the Word is still there.

This verse is one of those verses. “Behave properly” in the Greek could read “walk in good form.” You get the idea. Paul is telling us and the Thessalonians to represent Christ in their dealings with outsiders (non-believers). Why? To draw them toward Christ and not drive them away. Our actions and behavior should always mirror Christ.

APPLICATION

One of the best things we can teach our children is that their behavior matters. It doesn’t matter just for us. It matters to our Lord. I never wanted to do anything to damage my family name. But I am more concerned that I don’t do anything to harm the name of Jesus. That’s what we teach our children.

If they tell people, especially lost people, that they are a follower of Christ and then live like the world, why would those people want to surrender their lives to Christ? Ask your child what they could do to live differently around their lost friends. I bet they can tell you a number of ways. Then encourage them to do exactly that.

Are you behaving properly? Are you walking in good form? Does your walk resemble your talk? Ask yourself today if your lost friends see the difference Christ has made in your life. If they can’t, perhaps it’s time to re-examine your commitment to Him. Let your light shine today.

I want to draw my lost neighbors and friends to Christ. I desire to see them freed from the bondage of sin. Give me the discipline to live in such a way that others ask me what makes me different.

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REJECTION

1 THESSALONIANS 4:8 

“So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.”  

Rejection is probably the one thing I struggle with most. When I am rejected by someone, it hurts. Most of the time it’s because my pride is hurt. It’s all about me. I know I do NOT need the other person’s acceptance to identify me, but I still don’t like that someone doesn’t like me.   

But we can expect this if we are walking with Christ. Jesus told us, and Paul is telling us in today’s verse. People who aren’t walking in the light do not like the light shining on them. It points out their faults. He exposes their sin. So, if you are walking with Christ and trying to live for Him, others will reject you because of Him. 

APPLICATION 

Teaching our children about rejection is difficult and very emotional. They will encounter this at some point. Other children can be so cruel. Some kids just love to hurt other kids. They think it makes them feel better, but it doesn’t. We have to teach our children that their identity rest in Jesus, not in the opinion of men. 

When our children grasp this truth, they will be able to withstand any amount of rejection. Sure, it will still hurt. But knowing who you are in Christ makes all the difference. Jesus can handle the rejection. He is God. Let Him take those hurled words of insult. Let Him shoulder the load of rejection. He is able. 

Have you been rejected lately? How about by someone you love? Maybe even a family member? It hurts, I know. But give it all to Jesus. Let Him take the pain away. If you are living for Him, He will comfort you in the very midst of the rejection.  

Father, I know You experienced rejection when You sent Your Son to earth to die for us. When the world rejected Him, they rejected You. So, I know You understand how I feel when I go through this. Take this emotional pain from me today. 

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WHERE DOES GOD POINT?

1 THESSALONIANS 4:7 

“For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.”  

Do you ever have any doubts about where God wants you to go or how He wants you to live? If you do, this verse should put those doubts to rest. Look at the verse. It’s pretty simple. God calls us to be holy and sanctified. He never calls us to impurity or anything unholy. Why? Because He wants us to look like Him. 

Everything we do, say or think should be directed toward our sanctification. Do I mean you have to be perfect? Well…yes! But before you panic, that’s not me saying that. God tells us to be holy like He is. He tells us to be perfect like He is. The good news is that it is not up to us to make ourselves holy or perfect. He does that, if we will just surrender to Him. 

APPLICATION 

Don’t you wish you had perfect kids? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if your Elrod or Gertrude never misbehaved? Of course, if you had perfect kids, you would think it was because you are the perfect parent. You would probably write a book on being the perfect parent. You would probably go on a book tour and sign the books and give speeches on how to be the perfect parents. 

That is EXACTLY what God did. He is perfect. He wrote a book to tell us how to be perfect. He sent His Son to us to tell us how to be perfect. His Son gave speeches on how to be perfect. We just need to listen to Him. All the answers we need to parent our children perfectly are contained in His Word.  

Will you ever be perfect? Not until you reach eternity. Then and only then will you be perfected. Then and only then will you cease to sin. Then and only then will you achieve holiness. God knows that, but we are still to strive to be like Him every day. Will you today? 

O Perfect One, make me like You. Show me all my faults and failures. Help me perfect myself to live just how You want me to. 

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DO YOU USE PEOPLE?

1 THESSALONIANS 4:6 

“and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.”   

There was a song in the 70’s that talked about using things and loving people, rather than loving things and using people. Which are you? Pau is warning us in this verse not to take advantage of or step over others. This was especially true in the context of this verse – sexual immorality. Sexual sin always hurts others. 

In our daily lives as Christians we should never do anything that hurts another person, whether they are believers or not. Our goal should always be to bring them along the path to righteousness, to point them to Christ. If we are “using” them, we are not doing that.  

APPLICATION 

Children can get into this habit of manipulation of people if we don’t guide them. Your little Susie will see how other girls get boys to like them. Of course, she wants to fit in with her girlfriends, so she learns to “use” the boys to get what she wants. 

Your Johnny may see girls as just a conquest. He hears the other guys talking and wants to play the same game. Listen to me, Mom and Dad. You must teach your children this truth. Everyone is loved by God and is precious to Him. He longs for each and every one of them to come to Him. Our job is to teach our children to see them as brothers and sisters in Christ or as potential “family members.” 

Are you guilty of transgression against your brother or sister? Have you defrauded or stepped over someone? Confess that as sin and ask the Lord to help you make it right. As the verse says, “the Lord is the avenger in all these things.” You certainly don’t want the Lord avenging your wrong against them. Make it right today. 

If I have wronged someone today, Lord, please forgive me. Give me the opportunity to go to them and make it right. I truly want to be a witness for You. 

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