Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).
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Opening
Speak these words out loud:
Jesus said, ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.’
Acts 1.8 (NIV)
Today’s Proverb
Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.
My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men. (NIV)
Pay close attention, son, and let my life be your example. Prostitutes and immoral women are a deadly trap. They wait for you like robbers and cause many men to be unfaithful. (GNB)
Proverbs 23.26-28
Adultery is not an expression of freedom, the right response to marital boredom. Adultery is a sin – a serious sin, even making it into the Ten Commandments. But why?
First, it breaks promises. A marriage is intended to be a lifelong covenant (i.e. a promise of faithfulness) between a man and a woman. When they fail – which sadly they do – those vows are broken, for which the parties need to repent, and repent deeply. The promises we make in marriage are not lighthearted banter but a serious commitment.
Second, adultery is something (almost always) done in secret. Friends, when you find yourself doing something in secret (unless it’s a surprise gift!) you need to take a serious look at yourself, because what you’re doing is almost certainly wrong.
Third, breaking a marriage rips apart something that is supposed to stay together. Jesus said, ‘what God has joined together, let no one separate’ (Matthew 19.6, NIV). It’s not that it’s impossible to separate a husband and wife; he said ‘let no one separate’, not ‘no one can separate’. Breaking a marriage is always bad – though sometimes sadly necessary.
Adultery starts with flirting and fantasy, with day dreaming and dissatisfaction – spot the warning signs before it’s too late!
If you are reading this and you are not or no longer married – how can you support and uphold the marriages of your friends and family?
Prayers
Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.
Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:
Roger Myring, JoAnne Griffin, Joyce Madeley
Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.
We also pray for: Knit & Natter
Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.
Church Family Prayer
Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.
Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6
May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.