Monday's Lesson - Maintaining Integrity

Read the following accounts. In what ways could these men have so easily violated their integrity? What can we learn from these stories? As you read each account, think of the background to these temptations, think of all the pressure on these men to compromise, think about how easily they could have rationalized another choice.

Gen. 39:6–12

Joseph could have easily violated his integrity because his master's wife wanted to sleep with him and at that time no one was around. Joseph did not see this violation of integrity as an act against his master, but an act against his God. This was the principle that kept Joseph from violating his masters trust.

Like Joseph we must render ever service as if we are rendering that service unto God.
Though humans may be displeased by our lack of integrity, God is the one who is ultimately displeased. We should desire to maintain integrity so that we may shine as lights in this dark world and bring Glory to our God.

1 Sam. 24:1–10

In this passage Saul was pursuing David with the intentions of killing him. Saul was jealous of David and his grounds for wanting to kill him were completely unfounded. David found Saul in a vulnerable position yet he choose to act with integrity by not killing him. David realized that Saul was the king who had been anointed by God and he could not do harm to God's anointed. This reveals to us a few lessons about integrity.

When we see authority figures who are appointed by God we may not like them but we must respect God's choosing in the matter. It is not our job to slander and undermine them. Though we may not agree with what they do we must show respect a integrity in dealing with them.

Dan. 6:1–10

Because Daniel acted with strict integrity in all that he did this caused his co-workers to become jealous of him. The decided to devise a plain against him to get him in trouble with the king. A decree was made that no one should pray to another God but the God of the king. Daniel had a custom of praying to his God three times a day.

In the passage we see that Daniel could have shut his window and prayed or went to a secret place to pray. Daniel continued is custom as normal and maintained integrity to his God. This shows Daniels faithfulness to principle by not acting on impulse to avoid consequences.

We too must learn to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. We must realize that God is the one that we serve , and God is the one that we represent.

Think about a non-biblical character, either from history from the news or from a personal acquaintance, whom you deem as a person of integrity. What are the traits this person has that you wish you did? How can you seek to emulate those traits better in your own life?

Prayer: Father thank you for the examples you have given us of men of integrity. Father help us to exhibit the same integrity in our lives. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

Sunday's Lesson - Jesus in the Wilderness

Read Matthew 4:1–11. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, what were the three avenues of temptation through which Satan approached Him? How did Jesus refute those temptations, and what can we take away from this account for ourselves?

First we find Satan tempting Jesus to be self sufficient, then he wants to make Jesus presumptuous in His worship, then he wants Jesus to flat out worship him. Satan's plot to obtain worship is most clearly seen with the third temptation, but He is satisfied if we simply seek to provide for our own needs or act presumptuously in our relationship with God. Satan is satisfied because underneath these acts we are denying God's authority and exalting self as our God.

As Satan leaks to us his delusive power, we hunger for more until for some he unveils his guise and simply asks them to worship him so they can obtain all the power they ever wanted. Another interesting thing to note is that in the first two temptations Satan questions if Jesus is the Son of God. This assertion was in direct conflict the word that God had pronounced calling Him His Son.

Our identity in relation to God is often called into question by Satan. We are tempted to believe that if we were children of God then we would or would not do this or that. We must hold to the promise that we are his beloved children in whom God is well pleased.

In what areas of your life have you compromised what you know is right? How did you feel the first time you did it? Does it bother you less now than at first? Or does it not even bother you at all anymore?

Prayer: Father we pray that you will not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil. Keep us from self sufficiency, and keep us from presumption in our religion. Father help us to trust completely in you for all our needs. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.

Thursday's Lesson - Bought With a Price
Why should we take care of our bodies? What theme comes from the following texts that answers this important question for us? Why do these texts make sense only if God created us, as opposed to our being the chance results of purposeless cosmic forces? John 2:19–21; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Our body is the place where God seeks to reside. When we do harm to our bodies we are doing harm to Gods's temple. Understanding that we are created by God and for God changes our outlook on life. We are accountable to the God who created us.

Dwell more on the Cross and what Jesus did for us. Why should that motivate us in all that we do? If you truly believe that Christ, the Lord, died for your sins so that you can have the promise of eternal life, shouldn't that take front and center in your life? How should this wonderful truth motivate you to take better care of your body temple

We must truly begin to value the great price which was paid for our salvation. By a daily contemplation of this theme we will want to give a more complete surrender to God. We must keep our focus on Jesus, and trust Him with our lives. As we draw closer and closer to Him we will desire to serve Him more fully and faithfully.

Prayer: Father thank you for the great price you paid for our redemption. What an amazing love. Help us to surrender all to you. Thank you in Jesus name amen.