DAY 7 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (IDOLS) - MAY 31, 2013

May 31

1 Peter 4:3-6

3You have already wasted enough time living like those outsiders in the society around you: losing yourselves in sex, in addictions and desires, in drinking and lawless idolatry, in giving your time and allegiance to things that are not godly.4When you don’t play the same games they do, they notice that you are living by different rules. That’s why they say such terrible things about you. 5Someday they, too, will have to give an account of themselves to the One who judges the living and the dead. 6This is why the good news had to be brought to those who are dead so that although they are judged in the flesh, they might live in the spirit in the way that pleases God.)

DAY 7 - DAILY DEVOTION - MAY 31, 2013

May 31


“A Blessed Life Starts With Worship”
Posted on December 30, 2012 by katherine


Ladies, don’t you love a man who can cook? Or, maybe, you love a man who can work on cars or fix things around the house?

I love to see a Man in total surrender worshiping God whether people are around or not.. My perfect man is a Man who Worships God, with all his heart, mind, & soul- that catches my eye every time. And, I bet, it catches God’s eye too..

I want to encourage you whether male or female to Worship God, Pursue Him like there is no tomorrow.. As you Worship, that is when you find what you have been looking for… And, it’s all found in Him through your Worship!!

Worship makes you complete & Whole!! You will never feel alone or lacking for anything. Why? Because you were created to Worship!!

Worship brings closeness, a good fit, togetherness, and unity.. And, where there is Unity- It Commands A Blessing.. You want a Blessed Life? Start with Worship & see your life change forever!!





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DAY 7 - DAILY PRAYER (IDOLATRY) - MAY 301, 2013

May 31


Prayers Against Idols & Idolatry
Posted on 3 May 2011 by HKP-Admin

Original source: Apostle John Eckhardt’s book “Prayers that Rout Demons”

Let any idol in my life or nation be destroyed and burned with Your fire (1 Kings 15:13).

Lord, cut down all the idols in the land (2 Chronicles 34:7).

Let the familiar spirits, wizards, and idols be taken out of the land (2 Kings 23:24).

Let the idols be confounded and the images be broken in pieces (Jeremiah 50:2).

Let men throw away their idols and turn to You, O Lord (Isaiah 31:7).

I renounce all idolatry in my bloodline and break all curses of idolatry in the name of Jesus (2 Kings 21:21).

Lord, put the names of the idols out of the land (Zechariah 13:2).

I will keep myself from idols (1 John 5:21).

Abolish the idols in America and the nations (Isaiah 2:18).

Lord, expose all idols as lying vanities (Zechariah 10:2).

I renounce all covetousness; I will not serve the god of mammon (Colossians 3:5).

Let Babylon, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, fall in the name of Jesus (Revelation 17:5).

Lord, cleanse the pollution of idols from the land (Acts 15:20).

Sprinkle clean water upon me, and cleanse me from all filthiness, and cleanse me from all idols (Ezekiel 36:25).

Let me not go astray after any idol (Ezekiel 44:10).

Let all false gods and idols (including humans) be removed from my life in the name of Jesus.

I will put no other gods before You, Lord (Exodus 20:3).

DAY 7 - DAILY QUESTION ABOUT GOD'S WORD (WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE)

May 31

Question: "What is the definition of idolatry?"

Answer:The definition of idolatry, according to Webster, is “the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.” An idol is anything that replaces the one, true God. The most prevalent form of idolatry in Bible times was the worship of images that were thought to embody the various pagan deities.

From the beginning, God’s covenant with Israel was based on exclusive worship of Him alone (Exodus 20:3;Deuteronomy 5:7). The Israelites were not even to mention the names of false gods (Exodus 23:13) because to do so would acknowledge their existence and give credence to their power and influence over the people. Israel was forbidden to intermarry with other cultures who embraced false gods, because God knew this would lead to compromise. The book of Hosea uses the imagery of adultery to describe Israel’s continual chasing after other gods, like an unfaithful wife chases after other men. The history of Israel is a sad chronicle of idol worship, punishment, restoration and forgiveness, followed by a return to idolatry. The books of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles reveal this destructive pattern. The Old Testament prophets endlessly prophesied dire consequences for Israel if they continued in their idolatry. Mostly, they were ignored until it was too late and God’s wrath against idol-worship was poured out on the nation. But ours is a merciful God, and He never failed to forgive and restore them when they repented and sought His forgiveness.

In reality, idols are impotent blocks of stone or wood, and their power exists only in the minds of the worshipers. The idol of the god Dagon was twice knocked to the floor by God to show the Philistines just who was God and who wasn’t (1 Samuel 5:1-5). The “contest” between God and His prophet Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is a dramatic example of the power of the true God and the impotence of false gods (1 Kings 18:19-40). The testimony of Scripture is that God alone is worthy of worship. Idol worship robs God of the glory that is rightfully His, and that is something He will not tolerate (Isaiah 42:8).

Even today there are religions that bow before statues and icons, a practice forbidden by God’s Word. The significance God places upon it is reflected in the fact that the first of the Ten Commandments refers to idolatry: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me” (Exodus 20:3-5).

Idolatry extends beyond the worship of idols and images and false gods. Our modern idols are many and varied. Even for those who do not bow physically before a statue, idolatry is a matter of the heart—pride, self-centeredness, greed, gluttony, a love for possessions and ultimately rebellion against God. Is it any wonder that God hates it?

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible SoftwareandBasic Theology by Charles Ryrie.



While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.


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DAY 7- DAILY HISTORY - AMERICAN MINUTE FOR MAY 31, 2013

May 31


American Minute for May 31st:

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On MAY 31, 1775, Harvard President Samuel Langdon addressed the Massachusetts Provincial Congress during the Revolutionary War:

"We have rebelled against God. We have lost the true spirit of Christianity, though we retain the outward profession and form of it. We have neglected and set light by the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and His holy commands and institutions.

The worship of many is but mere compliment to the Deity, while their hearts are far from Him. By many, the Gospel is corrupted into a superficial system of moral philosophy, little better than ancient Platonism...

My brethren, let us repent and implore the divine mercy. Let us amend our ways and our doings, reform everything that has been provoking the Most High, and thus endeavor to obtain the gracious interpositions of providence for our deliverance....

May the Lord hear us in this day of trouble...We will rejoice in His salvation, and in the name of our God, we will set up our banners!...

Wherefore is all this evil upon us? Is it not because we have forsaken the Lord? Can we say we are innocent of crimes against God? No, surely it becomes us to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, that He may exalt us in due time...

My brethren, let us repent and implore the divine mercy. Let us amend our ways and our doings, reform everything that has been provoking the Most High, and thus endeavor to obtain the gracious interpositions of Providence for our deliverance...

If God be for us, who can be against us? The enemy has reproached us for calling on His name and professing our trust in Him. They have made a mock of our solemn fasts and every appearance of serious Christianity in the land...

May our land be purged from all its sins! Then the Lord will be our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble, and we will have no reason to be afraid, though thousands of enemies set themselves against us round about.

May the Lord hear us in this day of trouble...We will rejoice in His salvation, and in the name of our God, we will set up our banners."

On MAY 31, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge said in his Memorial Day Address:

"Settlers came here from mixed motives...Generally defined, they were seeking a broader freedom. They were intent upon establishing a Christian commonwealth in accordance to the principle of self-government...It has been said that God sifted the nations that He might send choice grain into the wilderness."

Calvin Coolidge continued:

"They had a genius for organized society on the foundations of piety, righteousness, liberty, and obedience of the law...Who can fail to see in it the hand of destiny? Who can doubt that it has been guided by a Divine Providence?"

At the Memorial Day Ceremony, MAY 31, 1993, President Bill Clinton remarked:

"The inscription on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier says that he is 'Known only to God.' But that is only partly true. While the soldier's name is known only to God, we know a lot about him.

We know he served his country, honored his community, and died for the cause of freedom. And we know that no higher praise can be assigned to any human being than those simple words...

In the presence of those buried all around us, we ask the support of all Americans in the aid and blessing of God Almighty."


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DAY 6 - DAILY BIBLE VERSE (SEXUAL DEFILEMENT) - MAY 30, 2013

May 30

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (The Voice Bible)

3Now this is God’s will for you: set yourselves apart and live holy lives; avoid polluting yourselves with sexual defilement. 4Learn how to take charge over your own body, maintaining purity and honor. 5Don’t let the swells of lustful passion run your life as they do the outsiders who don’t know God.

DAY 6 - DAILY DEVOTION - MAY 30, 2013

May 30


“Demanding & Pursuing A Mate”
Posted on March 1, 2013 by katherine


If you would stop breaking your neck trying to check out every person that goes by, snooping on every social media site, or going to extreme measures to find someone and start pursuing God more, then God will bring the person He has for you. God sees your hearts desires. I encourage you to line them up with His Word. Psalm 37:4, says, Delight yourself in the Lord, not delight yourself in trying to scour every church, singles group, or latest fling.. Get so close to God, that others see His heart in you. A lover of His Presence is what’s attractive to men & women of God.

In 1 Samuel 8, the people demanded a King- they got a King, but it wasn’t “The One” God really had for them. They insisted on having it their way. Are you demanding a spouse? Let me remind you, this isn’t Burger King, and you can’t have it your way! Let God be God!

And, what about when God told Samuel to go to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem because God had chosen one of his sons to be the next king. When Samuel arrives, they brought all of Jesse’s sons except one son, David, who was way out in the field tending to the sheep. I have to believe that David was out in the field tending sheep and worshiping God. I bet that is when he started writing all those Heavenly songs that he played later on his harp. God didn’t forget David and He won’t forget you. God knows where you are- perhaps you are out in the field working like David, and you feel you have been overlooked. Why not worship while you wait, like David did? You are Not Forgotten!

And, I have to say, perhaps, you have been looking on the outward appearance, but God is looking inwardly. Just as God told Samuel, “don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is for I look at his heart.” God says, Trust me, I have your best interest at heart, so keep your heart in tune with me while you wait!

Or, maybe, you have been watering the animals like Rebekah- God brought Isaac to her. I’m sure she was doing her normal every day routine, and God saw her faithfulness. God didn’t forget her & He’s not going to forget you. He knows your name & number, and most importantly, He doesn’t need your help!

So, give all this hustling and bustling a rest & relax. Keep doing what God has called you to do. God’s got the person for you. He’s probably waiting for you to stop actively looking & say, “God, you know the person & the plans you have for me & they are good.. I rest in the peace that only you can give and in your timing. Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary for your glory, and to continue doing what you have called me to do, until you bring my mate.” Let’s push onward and upward in Him.

We live, move, and have our being because of Him. So, we can trust Him even more now knowing He’s got us in the palm of His hands!





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DAY 6 - DAILY PRAYER (SEXUAL RELATIONS) - MAY 30, 2013

May 30

Most Loving and Merciful Father,

We thank You for the price paid on the cross by Your one and only Son.  That through His death and resurrection, we might have our trespasses forgiven and the promise fulfilled of an eternal life with You.  Please hear our prayers today for repentance of our sins as a nation, and especially for the sin of adultery.  Father, we are an adulterous nation, and we repent now in Jesus' name!  The lusts of the flesh have been a major sin in this country since it's inception, even though it goes against Your commandments.  You have called each one of us to resist the temptations of the flesh, but so many of us have succumbed to the lies that satan feeds this world regarding sexuality and pleasure.  Many of us in this nation  have given into pre-marital pleasures, lewd thoughts, and everything else that defiles Your plans for us.  Forgive us as a nation for our sins of immorality, and our transgressions against Your laws.  Please forgive the early sins of our youth, and those of our adult years.  As we pass the responsibility for the purity of this nation onto the younger generation, we pray.  Lord, we ask today that You will guard the hearts and minds of our nations youth.  That the pressures of this world would not be too great for them to overcome.  Be ever present in this society and the daily relationships that form between boys and girls, men and women.  We ask also that You would guide the single and married adults of this nation into loving and true relationships that are pleasing to You.  Allow those who are lonely to find pleasing relationships that are in alignment with Your will, or at least help them to maintain a pure life of abstinence.   We pray against the schemes of satan to tempt us with suggestive advertising, sexually driven movies and images, and the host of other creative deceptions that he uses to ensnare the people of this great nation.  From our government to our households, may the laws of man begin to reflect Yours, limiting and closing the avenues to sexual immorality.  Equip the parents of this nation with a sense of morality, that they may guide their families in all righteousness.  Come against those that wish to pollute this nation with their wicked pursuit of sexual immorality, and guard us against their perverse idolitry.  And Father, we pray today that this nation will one day lead the world in transformation from an adulterous society, to one pleasing to You.

We ask all things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen!

Wally Ziolo
Founder - 40DAYPRAYER4USA
Lancaster, Ohio USA

DAY 6 - DAILY QUESTION ABOUT GOD'S WORD (WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE)

May 30



Question: "What does the Bible say about sex before marriage?"

Answer:There is no Hebrew or Greek word used in the Bible that precisely refers to sex before marriage. The Bible undeniably condemns adultery and sexual immorality, but is sex before marriage considered sexually immoral? According to1 Corinthians 7:2, “yes” is the clear answer: “But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.” In this verse, Paul states that marriage is the “cure” for sexual immorality.First Corinthians 7:2is essentially saying that, because people cannot control themselves and so many are having immoral sex outside of marriage, people should get married. Then they can fulfill their passions in a moral way.

Since1 Corinthians 7:2clearly includes sex before marriage in the definition of sexual immorality, all of the Bible verses that condemn sexual immorality as being sinful also condemn sex before marriage as sinful. Sex before marriage is included in the biblical definition of sexual immorality. There are numerous Scriptures that declare sex before marriage to be a sin (Acts 15:20;1 Corinthians 5:1;6:13,18;10:8;2 Corinthians 12:21;Galatians 5:19;Ephesians 5:3;Colossians 3:5;1 Thessalonians 4:3;Jude 7). The Bible promotes complete abstinence before marriage. Sex between a husband and his wife is the only form of sexual relations of which God approves (Hebrews 13:4).

Far too often we focus on the “recreation” aspect of sex without recognizing that there is another aspect—procreation. Sex within marriage is pleasurable, and God designed it that way. God wants men and women to enjoy sexual activity within the confines of marriage. Song of Solomon and several other Bible passages (such asProverbs 5:19) clearly describe the pleasure of sex. However, the couple must understand that God’s intent for sex includes producing children. Thus, for a couple to engage in sex before marriage is doubly wrong—they are enjoying pleasures not intended for them, and they are taking a chance of creating a human life outside of the family structure God intended for every child.

While practicality does not determine right from wrong, if the Bible's message on sex before marriage were obeyed, there would be far fewer sexually transmitted diseases, far fewer abortions, far fewer unwed mothers and unwanted pregnancies, and far fewer children growing up without both parents in their lives. Abstinence is God’s only policy when it comes to sex before marriage. Abstinence saves lives, protects babies, gives sexual relations the proper value, and, most importantly, honors God.

Recommended Resources:Logos Bible SoftwareandWhy True Love Waits by Josh McDowell.
Men -Every Young Man's Battle : Strategies for Victory in the Real World of Sexual Temptation by Stephen Arterburn.
Women -Every Young Woman's Battle: Guarding Your Mind, Heart, and Body in a Sex-Saturated World by Shannon Ethridge.

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While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.



Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/sex-before-marriage.html#ixzz2UlkqH5ID