[The Mayor]

December 12, 2005

"But God . . ."

Read:
Genesis 39

[Joseph] left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. —Genesis 39:12

Bible In One Year: Hebrews 5-7

What if Joseph had succumbed to the advances of Potiphar's wife? (Genesis 39). Imagine how he could have justified his sin. "But God, You don't want me to be unhappy, and you know how lonely it is here. Besides, I think I really love her."

What if Abram had disobeyed when God told him to leave Ur and head for parts unknown? (Genesis 12). What if he had said, "But God, I'm established here. I can't afford to risk everything on an uncertain future. I've got to watch out for Sarai. I'm staying."

Praise God that Joseph and Abram did the right thing. Joseph fled temptation; he ran from sin. Abram left Ur; he journeyed in obedience.

In life, we face both of these kinds of choices. Sometimes temptation rises up in front of us. When it does, we can either run and reap God's rewards—or we can give in, reap the sad consequences, and then make sorry excuses. Sometimes we sense that God is leading us in a particular direction. We can choose either to follow Him and trust His omniscience—or we can offer flimsy excuses and live a life of disobedience.

The abundant life of godliness is far better than a life of excuses and despair. Let's live so that we won't give in to the desire to say, "But God . . ." —Dave Branon

Let the road be rough and dreary
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely, strong or weary—
Trust in God and do the right. —Macleod

God does not demand success—just obedience.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Eve & Rahab: Learning To Make Better Choices

[The Mayor]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dutchess; dollycali;The Mayor; GodBlessUSA , and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

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Maigrey...................cousin OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin..........niece, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiancee weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady.....................nephew Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt..........................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk..........................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx..................active duty Old Sarge................active duty Bykrbayb.........................son Hope and Glory................son Walkenfree............2 grandsons, 3 nephews, 1 granddaughter ariamne.....................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13..brother-in-law, cousin El Gato.....................nephew MississippyMuddy.............sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster......................stepson veeceeque................active duty freema.............. nephew and son Jemian............................ son Lone Red Ranger...Brother in law No Longer Free State ..... active duty right2parent.................son Ike..................................son repubmom......................son Skyraider........................ son CMS................... active duty CyberAnt.................nephew Jen's mom.............daughter 911angelady...........2 sons

scubachick...............husband ladtx........................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T...................son gator girl.................husband severa.......husband, brother Hostel......................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA...............................son katykelly......................son cookcounty.....................son SpookBrat...nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...son-in-law Himyar..........................son boxerblues................2 sons the piper.........................son sheeza.......................husband kemathen7.................husband Tiffee4Bob.................boyfriend deadhead......................cousin JimRobinson.........2 nephews TexKat..............son, step-son Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel.........................niece Donaeus......................nephew dixie sass...................nephew BeAllYouCanBe...................son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn.........................2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.............................son Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby Skimask.......................Son Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy..........niece Sunflowergal..............grandson visualops.......................cousin Alouette..............................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa......................son auboy............................cousin spotbust1...................husband Leofl.................................son chena................................son campfollower...................fiance LUV W..............................son painter.........................nephew ProudAFDad......................son TheMayor....friends'son & nephew mhking........................cousin Misty4jc......................husband Colorado Slim................ nephew Tapatio.....................2 nephews CGblue....................active duty ak_daddoo.....................nephew DirtyHarryY2K.......daughter,son-in-law nelibeli.........................nephew bigghurtt...................Active duty frankiep....................Active duty Palladin.......................grandson Gonzo......................friend's son jkphoto.........................nephew JRios1968..................Active Duty Azbushgal..........................son rahbert............................son Kimmykay...........................son sneakers……….son NavySEAL F-16 .................son wolfcreek................daughter JesseJane ............ cousin. Roses0508..................son SoldiersPrayingMom.........son WakeUpandVote..........brother mrs tiggywinkle............cousin MEG33..................grandson

[luvie]

Good evening, Mayor. Thanks for our lesson from God's Word. I love Joseph's story.

[FreeTheHostages]

[deadhead]

To Our Military, past and present: Thank You and God Bless You

[Victoria Delsoul]

Happy Monday, Mayor.