SUM 11: Day 24

Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:1-3

Sexual immorality has no place among Christians. At several different times, I began the workout program “P90X,” but the longest I made it is the start of the third week. I’ve thought about my lack of commitment to the program, and I’ve figured out why I drop out.

I have to sacrifice too much to do P90X the right way, so I quit early to save myself the hardship of giving up ice cream and Mountain Dew. Therefore, I continue to have high cholesterol and a weight problem.

Sexual immorality is like P90X for a lot of people. They feel like they are giving up so much or “missing out” on something by keeping themselves pure. God is clear about what is best for us. He is clear about what he expects from us as followers of Christ, to be free from sexual sin.

Pray: Thank God for giving you clear direction in Scripture about what He wants for you. Thank Him for giving you a way out when temptation comes. Ask Him to forgive you for any sin that is in your life. Ask Him to help you to love Him more than anyone else in this world.

Do: If you are in a relationship where you are guilty of sexual sin, end the relationship now. Regardless of your current relationship status, vow to keep yourself pure.

SUM 11: Day 16

Ephesians 5:1-2; Romans 5:6-11; John 13:34

Respect for Others. Does anyone sing about it better than Aretha Franklin? Seriously. But does anyone actually know the words beyond,“R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, take care ... watermelon, watermelon ... .” Talk about bad karaoke. Do you ever hear a song, try to decipher the words to no avail and then resolve to recreate the song, using your own words? This has happened to me more than once. Sometimes it’s embarrassing to discover the correct words and realize how off I was.

So many times, we tend to hear words like “respect” and react to them as we react to unknown song lyrics: I’ll make it up as I go. When it comes to respecting others, we don’t have to guess. Jesus shows us exactly what it means to love someone and to treat people with respect.

Read: John 13:1-35. Notice how Jesus shows His respect and love for His disciples. Read the passage again, this time keeping in mind how you treat those you love. How does your love and respect for others mimic Jesus?

Pray: God, You lived a life of love, but sometimes some of those around me just seem so hard to love. Show me how to love those who are hard to love. Help me to remember that You love the unlovely.

Do: Think of a person(s) in your life that could really use some extra love right now. Take some time to think of ways they could be loved this week. Maybe it’s inviting them over to your house for dinner, sitting next to them at lunch, sticking up for them when someone is bullying them or giving them a much needed hug.