With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

Acts 2

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” v40

At Pentecost, Peter warns those in attendance to "save [them]selves from this corrupt generation".  All of us struggle with temptation of some kind regarding idolatry people, things, status, power, etc. Whatever our struggle may be, Peter's warning rings true for everyone.

Peter's warning isn't an isolated one as there are many of the same or similar warnings throughout scripture:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

 

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? 2 Corinthians 6:14

 

Instead, we are intended to live in fellowship with other believers who can mutually help each other grow in Christ.

 

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

 

While we are called to bring the Good News of Jesus to unbelievers, we need other believers in our lives who can keep our faith "sharp" and help us avoid the "dullness" that comes from growing too close with the things of this world.  See also this post from DesiringGod.com.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided other believers in my life to help keep me sharp and avoid dullness - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of the blessings You pour out on me - I too often conform to the patterns of this world and my sin is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Psalm 119

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. v37

I often find myself being distracted by things of this world.  It is not wrong to enjoy the comforts of this world or to depend on people or things in this world, but we cannot let people or things get in the way of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

In posted the following earlier this year:


In Matthew 8, Jesus responds to a disciple that sought to attend to his family instead of focusing on God: 

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”  But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:21-22

The primacy of our relationship with Jesus vs our earthly relationships is supported elsewhere in scripture:

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.  A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35

 

Our relationship with God is the most important aspect of our lives, and we are encouraged to surround ourselves with others who act as such.

 

From Psalm 1 we are encouraged to cultivate an ongoing relationship with God - day and night:

 

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.  Not so the wicked!  They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

 

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are, You created all things, are in all things, hold all things together.  You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus for the overwhelming love You pour out for me on a daily basis.  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I am easily distracted by the things of this world - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.