staying pure

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God’s Anointed Words

16th November

“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your word… I Have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

Psalm 119:9,11

How can any of us stay pure in a world where temptation is so ‘in your face’ and where it is deemed strange to stand up for purity and holiness? Although there is an easy answer to this question, it is in reality a hard teaching to put into practice. The Psalmist’s answer to the question we looked at, is to obey God’s word. Yet how can we obey God’s word if we are not familiar with it?

Hiding God’s word in our hearts is not just daily habitual readings of it but meditating on it, thinking about it during our day, reciting His word, rejoicing in His laws and studying His commandments. God has graciously given us His word to help us along life’s hard journey, equipping us with the tools to withstand temptation and sin, and to become more like Christ in all we do.

Our challenge, is in the midst of our busy lives, to find a moment to take time out and reflect on God’s word. What is He is saying to us today? What verses will help us live a life of purity against the enemies scheming attacks? How can I learn to rely on Jesus in all I do? Friends, may we know the power of God’s word in our lives as we surrender to Him, to be shaped and moulded for His glory and Kingdom.

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Joseph: An Example We Can Follow!

21st May

“She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible!”

Genesis 39:10

Throughout the last few weeks we have been looking at the life Samson and learning valuable lesson about how not to act. His life seemed like a repetitive downward spiral of living in opposition to God rather than in partnership with Him. In today’s passage we read of someone who got it right, Joseph. If only Samson had spent more time reading the stories of old and less time giving in to his selfish and lustful desires.

Joseph, a noble and faithful servant of God, found himself betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. He was hired by Potiphar, the captain of Pharaohs guard, to work in his household and quickly gained favour for his integrity, honesty and diligence and was soon promoted to run of all his household affairs..

Because of Josephs handsome looks and great physique, he unwittingly caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife. Time and time again she would approach him and offer him her body, yet time and time again he would refuse because of his love for God and because of the trust that his master Potiphar had showed him.

One day, Potiphar’s wife could not resist Joseph anymore. She grabbed his cloak and insisted he sleep with her. However, yet again Joseph remained pure and holy, left his coat in her hands and ran away. This act eventually led to the unfair imprisonment of Joseph, yet he remained true to God and true to his master Potiphar.

When faced with temptation, Joseph gave us three great examples of how to act. Firstly, he kept out of her way as much as possible. When faced with temptation we shouldn’t linger around and flirt with it. Secondly, his love for God outweighed his need to fulfill his lustful desires. Thirdly, when temptation finally cornered him, he ran away (even though it would lead to his imprisonment!!). Honouring God is achievable if our motives and desires are to honour Him, and if we don’t rely on our own strength but on the grace of our Lord Jesus.