From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632. Please follow this site here.

Teen Sex vs. Divine Light

 by David Cobb Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Are teen girls growing up too fast? Are they becoming sexually active too early in life?

In analyzing these questions, Time magazine writer Belinda Luscombe cites a litany of imprudent behavior by famous young ladies.
Girls behaving badly
Examples include recently published photos of a semi-clothed Miley Cyrus and the unwed pregnancies of Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin. Plus there are the “Gloucester Seventeen,” a group of high school girls in Massachusetts who agreed among themselves to get pregnant together.
Adding to real-life cases, the author cites fictitious young female personalities who behave just as badly—and often more explicitly. Characters from the television shows 90210 , Gossip Girl and The O.C. top the list, plus MTV hits like My Super Sweet 16 and Spring Break . Juno may be the most visible in a list of films that negatively influence teen girls.
There's not enough room in this commentary to fully address the ways in which this particular Time magazine article fails to properly handle the subject—but there is room to make two very important points.
Boy accountability
First, remember that Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin did not get pregnant by themselves, nor did the Gloucester Seventeen. Boys must be held accountable for immoral behavior just the same as girls.
Young men need to understand their proper role with young women—to respect their character and protect their purity. If a teenage guy wants to become a real man, he would never make sexual advances toward a girl or accept any advances that she might make toward him. Real men understand the value of saving themselves and their girlfriends for the incredible blessings of marriage.
Underestimating the media
Second, the Time writer fails to grasp the true danger of sexual content in modern media. She states that the link between how teen sexuality is portrayed in the media and the behavior of teen girls is “more complicated than Tracey see, Tracy do” (“The Truth About Teen Girls,” Sept. 22, 2008). That's a word play on “monkey see, monkey do” to describe how some imitate the actions of others without thinking.
While not every teen exposed to sexual content in news or entertainment apes the behavior he or she sees, that's no cause for the cold comfort implied by Ms. Luscombe. The problem with sexually suggestive or explicit material is that it fills the mind with images and sound bites that are incredibly difficult to un-see and un-hear.
Bright thinking vs. wrong sex
Jesus Christ said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness” (Luke 11:34-35).
Of greater concern than “Tracey see, Tracey do ” is the certainty that when Tracey sees, Tracey thinks . When you think about wrong behavior, you suffer a portion of the damaging consequences even if your thoughts never lead to actions. If wrong thoughts do lead to wrong actions, the damage suffered greatly increases.
Asking whether teen girls are becoming sexually active too early in life is the wrong question. Any young person, male or female, who engages in sexual activity before marriage is doing so too early!
The real question for a vertically thinking young person is, “What should I be thinking and how should I be acting so that I can save sex for my marriage?” Successfully answer this question and you'll never regret it! VT

girls teens teen sex Christian Living Sex Youth Peer Pressure

You might also be interested in...

The Value of Women

In a world that often devalues and dishonors women, where can a woman find...

Whatever Happened to Sin?

Even though our world is morally and ethically adrift, discover how your...

• 

  David Cobb

  David is a member of the Indianapolis, Indiana, congregation of the United Church of God, along with his wife Mandie, daughter HannahBeth and sons Joshua and Elijah. He was born and raised in God’s Church.
  David enjoys serving in the Indianapolis congregation with various activities including organizing activities, taking care of the nursery with Mandie and speaking.

Add to my study list

Print this Page

Join the conversation!

Log in or register to post comments

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632. Please follow this site here.

Spanish and More

article by Emily Quant

I thought I knew exactly what I was doing, but my trip to Spain yielded some unexpected results.

It was my junior year at Baylor University, and I thought I had my college career comfortably under control. I had completed most of my requirements with the exception of one Spanish class. Three years had elapsed since I had read, studied or spoken Spanish; and with this small fact I knew that I was going to struggle.
It was tougher than I thought. After one week, I was hopelessly behind and dropped the class. Considering my alternatives, I had the brilliant idea that studying abroad in Madrid would be the perfect way to learn the language and fulfill my college requirement. Little did I know that I was about to learn more than just Spanish.
With my suitcase in one hand and a metro map in the other, I began to roll my belongings through the streets of Madrid. After 12 hours of travel, having flown from Dallas, Texas, I was more than ready for a shower and settling into my new apartment.
As I walked up Calle Manuel and found the apartment that would be my new home, I was greeted by an older woman with dark eyes. Her name was Carmen, and being a native Spaniard she greeted me with a double kiss and rapidly asked questions in Spanish. At that moment I began to think back to my Spanish classes in high school, wishing I had paid more attention! Not knowing much English, she welcomed me in with hand gestures and pointed down a long hallway to where I would be staying for the semester.
This seemed less frightening when I saw that my three other roommates were American students who had the same stunned and overwhelmed look on their faces. We talked about our flights, our expectations and our initial impressions of Spain. We shared the reasons we decided to study abroad for a semester, and they were shocked to find that I was not majoring in the language. To be completely and humbly honest, I did not hold a candle to these girls who seemed to be comfortable holding a conversation in Spanish. My first challenge soon arrived.

Calamari for dinner

Our first night, Carmen made us fried calamari (squid), and in my fractured Spanish, I politely explained that I could not eat the meal she'd prepared. Then, with Spanish-English dictionary in hand, I made a list of the other meats that I couldn't eat. What a way to make a first impression—rejecting her first meal! I was sure Carmen must have thought I was rude, and she soon learned that I was different in more respects than just my diet.
Every Friday night Carmen noticed how I never went out partying with my other roommates. She also inquired about the "movies" I watched on Saturdays. They were not the typical forms of entertainment the other students watched!
I explained that my church had sermons online that I could watch or listen to regardless of my location or country. Spain, a country rich in religious history and predominately Catholic, did not have many who shared in my beliefs. It was difficult to keep the Sabbath alone, and I knew that this feeling of loneliness would grow with time. I had never considered how much my church was actually a family. Being away from my family brought on a feeling of homesickness.

Road trip!

It was finally time for spring break, and although many of my school friends had planned trips outside Spain, I wanted to stay and fully experience the culture. For centuries, this area has been famous for richly unique qualities of food, dancing and landscape.
A year before, I had traveled through Europe and started a friendship with Claire and Jako Kasper, a couple who attend the United Church of God in Germany. After I told them that I was moving to Spain, we quickly planned a road trip together through the Iberian Peninsula (on which Spain and Portugal are located).
It had been months since I had spent time with other young adults who shared my beliefs, so I was really looking forward to our time together. The first weekend of our camping/road trip excursion, we had a nice Friday night meal, shared in deep conversation and enjoyed listening to a sermon from a small MP3 player on the Sabbath.
I had started to forget the importance of being with people who believe, think and feel the same way I do. They invited me to spend the Passover and week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread with them in Germany, and I knew that it would be an amazing opportunity to enjoy time with fellow Church members.
So the spring festival period came, and I remember stepping off the high-speed German train with a hiking backpack, wondering how long it had been since I had sung hymns. Now was my opportunity to wear Sabbath clothes, sing hymns with fellow believers, give an offering and not worry about explaining my beliefs to people in Spanish! Claire and Jako greeted me with hugs and chocolate. We rode to the Passover service together, and when we arrived at the building I was overwhelmed with an unusual feeling.
In scanning the room it seemed that people were from rather diverse cultural backgrounds. Everything was different, including the personalities, senses of humor and, of course, languages. Yet as I sat there listening to the Passover service in German, something occurred to me. Even with these differences, we were all there that night for the same reason. Each of us had been called into this belief, and we were partaking of the Passover as a unified body.

More than Spanish

This is when it dawned on me that I was learning more than Spanish. I had moved to Europe to master a language and to take part in a different culture. However, while in Europe I learned that the important thing was not whether we spoke the same language or had the same opinions about the things of this world, but that we were all fluent in understanding God's truth and purpose for our lives.
In observing the Passover together, we shared the same solemn, repentant and humbled mind-set. I saw that God has the ability to call anyone, no matter where a person lives or how he or she was raised. And He has called a very diverse group of people. In fact, it is through our diversities that we can see the importance of His plan. If we were all alike, how would we be able to challenge one another and grow?
In the week that followed, I was delighted to spend time with a smorgasbord of people with similar beliefs. The evening after Passover, the group of us keeping the Night to Be Much Observed (which begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread), consisted of people from Holland, Belgium, New Zealand and England, and yours truly from Texas. As we sat around the table discussing how we keep the Sabbath and handle day-to-day Christian living, I also considered the fact that many European Church members are used to living in an environment where they can rarely spend time with other believers.
(Those unfamiliar with observing the weekly Sabbath, the annual Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread may wish to request our free booklets Sunset to Sunset: God's Sabbath Rest and God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind .)
God's people in parts of Europe are so spread out, and yet they have not given in to the ways of the world. They have continued to stand firm and practice their beliefs, even if they are alone in their country. Here I had been, practically spoiled in attending with a few hundred Church members each weekend in Texas. It took my own lonely solitude in Spain to realize the importance of staying committed to what I believe, no matter how alone I might feel.
This lesson was a surprise. I had put such an emphasis on learning a human language that I had temporarily overlooked the more powerful lesson of God—that He is calling people from all backgrounds. I went to Spain to learn Spanish. I came home with a deeper appreciation of the fact that He is calling people of all nations to His way of life. VT

• Peer Pressure
• Passover
• Unleavened Bread
• Baylor University
• Christian Living
• God's Holy Days
• Madrid
• School
• Relationships
• Vertical Thought
• Youth

Nobody has commented yet. Be the first to kick off the discussion!

Login/Register to post comments

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632. Please follow on twitter here: https://twitter.com/UCGElPaso.

Profiles of Faith: Queen Esther - A Woman Willing to Save Others

article by Jerold Aust

The story of Esther and Mordecai transcends time and culture. The situation they faced still applies and teaches valuable spiritual lessons. We should have godly, loving faith built on a loving, trusting relationship with God.

Esther turned and pointed toward Haman: “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!” Haman was mortified.

Source: Illustration by Michael Woodruff

The Jewish exile Mordecai knew the situation was dire and dangerous. Through a sinister plot, the Jews in Persia were secretly condemned to death (Esther 3). Mordecai pleaded with Queen Esther to risk her life: "If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther:4:14For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?).
The story of Esther and Mordecai transcends time and culture. The situation they faced still applies and teaches valuable spiritual lessons.

Setting for the Story

Esther's story takes place near the end of the events described in the Old Testament. The two kingdoms of Israel and Judah had fallen and been taken into captivity in Assyria and Babylon, respectively.
By this time, several hundred years after their fall, the descendants of Israel—the "lost 10 tribes"—had scattered and disappeared from the Middle Eastern map. The descendants of Judah, however, had maintained their beliefs and way of life while in Babylon. However, Babylon, too, had fallen, and now the Jews lived under the benign rule of the Persian Empire.
The Persians had allowed Jews willing to make the long overland journey the opportunity to return to Jerusalem and their homeland. Although many had made the trip, many more had decided to remain where were and put down roots.
The book of Esther is a complement to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Although those books describe life for the Jews who returned to Palestine, Esther is the only Bible book that offers a portrait of those who chose to remain in Persia.
The book of Esther introduces us to a great king of Persia known as Ahasuerus (Hebrew), or Xerxes (Greek). In 479 B.C. the Greeks defeated Ahasuerus in the battle at Salamis.
The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that the Persian king sought consolation in his harem after his defeat. He gave a huge banquet, lasting several days, for palace personnel (Esther:1:1-8 [1] Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
[2] That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
[3] In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
[4] When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
[5] And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
[6] Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
[7] And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
[8] And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.). At that time Queen Vashti— wife of Ahasuerus—gave a banquet for the women of the palace. On the seventh day of his banquet, the king commanded Vashti to appear before his court so everyone could behold her beauty (Esther:1:9-11 [9] Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
[10] On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
[11] To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.).
But the queen refused to appear before her husband. So Ahasuerus, on the advice of his counselors, decided to look for someone to replace her as queen.
The king's servants came up with a plan: "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king; and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women's quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king's eunuch ... Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti" (Esther:2:2-4 [2] Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
[3] And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
[4] And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.). The king agreed and looked forward to the prospect of a beautiful wife who could become his new queen.

Esther Becomes Queen

Mordecai was an older cousin of Esther's who had helped raise her: "And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother" (Esther:2:7And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.). They lived in Shushan.
The king's decree brought to his palace many beautiful young women, but none was more beautiful than Esther. From the beginning Hegai, a eunuch and custodian of the women, favored Esther favor, "so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance" (Esther:2:9And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.).
In turn, each young lady was presented before the king. When it came Esther's turn, she was allowed to choose her attire. However, "she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her" (Esther:2:15Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.). Hegai knew the king's social tastes. She deferred to his advice.
Finally, Esther was presented before the king. "The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king" (Esther:2:17-18 [17] And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
[18] Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.). Thus Esther became queen of Persia.

Mordecai Averts Assassination

One day Mordecai, now a royal official, found that two of the king's doorkeepers planned to assassinate the king. Mordecai told Esther, who promptly warned the king. The king hanged the men. These proceedings, including Mordecai's faithful disclosure, were "written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king" (Esther:2:23And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.).
Throughout this time Esther, on Mordecai's advice, had not told the king of her family background or that she was related to Mordecai.

Haman's Jealous Plot

Another chain of events then began that would threaten Esther and Mordecai.
King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, one of his officials, above all other officials and nobles. By the king's order all the others were to bow and pay homage to Haman. But Mordecai, faithful to God's instruction that prohibited the veneration of anyone but God (Exodus:20:5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;), refused.
Others noticed Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman. They confronted Mordecai, who still refused. Then they told Haman.
Haman grew furious (Esther:3:5And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.). He determined that Mordecai was a Jew, prompting him to craft a plan to kill not only Mordecai but all the Jews throughout Persia—because of Mordecai's refusal to honor him.
Haman and his accomplices cast lots to determine the best day to massacre the Jews. They decided the best day to carry out their perfidy would arrive some 11 months later. Haman presented his plan, couched in deceptive language to hide his motivation, to the king.
"There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people's, and they do not keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king's treasuries" (Esther:3:8-9 [8] And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
[9] If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.).
The king, alarmed at this perceived threat, foolishly agreed: "The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you" (Esther:3:11And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.). The decree gave any Persian the right to kill Jews and loot their property. The city of Shushan and the palace were in confusion over this bizarre decree.

Mordecai's Sacrificing Service

When Mordecai heard of the decree, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of tragedy and mourning. He walked through the city crying bitterly (Esther:4:1When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;).
Esther's servants relayed the news to her. Not yet understanding the gravity of the situation, she sent clean garments to Mordecai. He refused them. Esther then sent her servant Hathach to discover why Mordecai refused the garments. Mordecai sent details and proof of Haman's heinous plan to destroy the Jews and urged the servant to ask Esther to approach the king and plead for the lives of the Jews.
When Esther heard of Haman's plan and Mordecai's request, she was at first undecided over how she should proceed. She knew that to come before the king without a formal invitation, even though she was the queen, could mean she would be put to death (Esther:4:11All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.). She sent word of her predicament to Mordecai.
Mordecai's advice was sobering yet filled with faith. "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther:4:13-14 [13] Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
[14] For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?).
Yes, Mordecai told her, Esther would risk her life if she approached the king uninvited. But if she didn't she and her relatives would be killed in the coming slaughter, he warned. Mordecai knew God would ultimately preserve the Jewish people and pointedly asked Esther to consider whether her influence could provide the deliverance of her people from catastrophe.

A Fateful and Faithful Decision

Esther knew what she must do. First she requested that the Jews in Shushan join her in a three-day fast to humble themselves and seek God's intervention. She would then approach the king, willing to accept the consequences, "and if I perish, I perish!" (Esther 4: 16).
Still fasting, Esther dressed in her royal robes and called upon the king, unsure of her fate.
Immediately the king held out his golden scepter to her, welcoming her presence.
"What do you wish, Queen Esther?" the king asked. "What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half my kingdom!" (Esther:5:3Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.).
Esther answered the king wisely and humbly: "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him."
The king reacted promptly: "Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said" (Esther:5:4-5 [4] And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
[5] Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.).
King Ahasuerus and Haman were obviously thrilled to attend Esther's banquet. The king again invited Esther to state her request. Her reply: "If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said" (Esther:5:8If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.).

A Sudden Turn

Haman was beside himself. He excitedly relayed the news of his unexpected good fortune to his wife and friends: "Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king."
Nevertheless Haman was still jealous and bitter: "Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate" (Esther:5:12-13 [12] Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
[13] Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.).
Haman's wife and his friends had an idea sure to cheer up Haman: "Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits [75 feet] high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet" (Esther:5:14Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.).
Haman's sullen face suddenly erupted in a wide grin. He immediately ordered the gallows built.
On the night before Esther's banquet, however, the king couldn't sleep. He told one of his servants to read to him the royal chronicles.
The king's servant read aloud how Mordecai had averted the earlier plot to assassinate the king (Esther:6:1-2 [1] On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
[2] And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.). Reminded of this event, the king asked his servants, "What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" The servants responded that nothing had been done (Esther:6:3And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.). This shocked the king. This oversight could forever tarnish the king's otherwise magnificent reign.
The king asked if someone of high rank might be present in the court to help correct this oversight. Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's palace. His jealousy and anger toward Mordecai had moved him to approach the king late at night. Ironically, both Haman and the king had Mordecai on their minds.
The king's servants said that Haman had just entered the court. "Bring him in before me," said the king.
When Haman approached, the king asked him: "What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?" (Esther:6:6So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?).
Haman couldn't believe his ears. How could things get any better for him? Now, finally, others would be forced to acknowledge his greatness.
Haman replied without hesitation: "For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: 'Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!' " (Esther:6:7-9 [7] And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
[8] Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
[9] And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.).
Ahasuerus was pleased with Haman's suggestion. He instructed him to hurry and perform what he suggested, to take the robe and the horse "and do so for Mordecai the Jew ...! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken" (Esther:6:10Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.).
Haman was astonished. Yet he was so full of pride, so intent on currying favor with the king, that he did exactly as he was told.
Haman found himself forced to honor the man who would not bow to him. He told his wife and friends of this bewildering turn of events. Listening carefully, they predicted where things were headed: "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him" (Esther:6:13And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.).
Shortly afterward, the king's eunuchs found Haman and whisked him away to Esther's banquet.

Haman's Downfall

For the second time the king and Haman dined with Queen Esther. The king repeated his magnificent offer to grant her any request, up to half of his kingdom. Finally Queen Esther presented her request: "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king's loss" (Esther:7:3-4 [3] Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
[4] For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.).
The king was furious: "Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?" (Esther:7:5Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?).
Esther turned and pointed toward Haman: "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!" (Esther:7:6And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.).
Haman was mortified. How could things have gone so wrong? The king was so angry he could not speak. He stormed out into the palace garden. The desperate Haman began begging Queen Esther for his life. So distressed was he over the turn of events that he lost his equilibrium and fell across the couch on which Esther was seated.
Just then the king, his temper having cooled somewhat, reentered the banquet room only to see what appeared to be a clumsy attempt by Haman to molest his beloved wife, the queen of Persia! He roared, "Will he also assault the queen while I am in the house?" (Esther:7:8Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.).
One of the servants exclaimed to the king: "Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king's behalf, is standing at the house of Haman" (Esther:7:9And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.).
"Hang him on it!" the king commanded.
Immediately the king's servants hanged Haman on his own towering gallows, and only then was the king's anger abated.
Esther informed the king that Mordecai was her cousin. Immediately the king summoned Mordecai and gave him Haman's signet ring. Queen Esther appointed Mordecai to oversee the house of Haman.

Esther's Countrymen Delivered

Even so, the potential annihilation of the Jews throughout Persia still threatened. According to Persian law, once the king had issued a decree and sealed it with his signet ring, it could not be revoked.
Esther reminded the king of Haman's deceitful plot to destroy her people; she pleaded for their lives. Although he could not revoke the earlier decree, the king allowed Esther and Mordecai to write a counterdecree that would enable the Jews to arm themselves and band together against any who would attack them.
When the fateful day arrived, the Jews overcame their enemies (Esther:9:1-11 [1] Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
[2] The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.
[3] And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.
[4] For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
[5] Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.
[6] And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
[7] And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,
[8] And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
[9] And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,
[10] The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
[11] On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.). To express their thanks to God, the Jews instituted the Feast of Purim. The name of this feast is a reminder of Haman's casting of lots ( pur means "lot") and God's deliverance of the Jews from their enemies on the day they were to be annihilated (Esther:9:17-32 [17] On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
[18] But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
[19] Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
[20] And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
[21] To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
[22] As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
[23] And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
[24] Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
[25] But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
[26] Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
[27] The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
[28] And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
[29] Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
[30] And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
[31] To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
[32] And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.).
Esther, Jewish queen of gentile Persia, set a remarkable example of personal sacrifice. Although understandably at first hesitant, she willingly risked her life so others could be saved. In this respect she prefigured the sacrifice of the coming Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, who willingly gave His life so each of us could have the opportunity to receive God's gift of salvation, eternal life in His Kingdom.
Similarly, Christ expects His followers, His saints, to be willing to put their lives on the line to follow Him (John:15:13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.).
Speaking of His followers, God's Word describes them as having overcome Satan "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation:12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.).
Like faithful Esther and Mordecai, we should have godly, loving faith built on a loving, trusting relationship with Him. To see how you can develop such a relationship with your Creator, be sure to the Bible study aid You Can Have Living Faith .

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632. Please follow on twitter here: https://twitter.com/UCGElPaso.

Spring Break! The Best Week of Your Life?

by Scott Hoefker

Source: sxc.hu/goodmorph

Spring Break is all too well known as the monumental rite of passage for college students and young adults all over the world. Every year multiple tens of thousands of young adults travel to top tropical destinations where they experience the wildest parties, the most beautiful beaches, and the most outrageous resorts!
Cancun, Acapulco, Panama City Beach, Puerto Vallarta, Daytona, South Padre Island, and Myrtle Beach are just a partial list of the “hotspots.” Many tour providers offer huge discounts with complete packages offering the Ultimate Spring Break Experience. They advertise boldly “You can’t miss this opportunity of a lifetime!”
Really?
Others will say, “Ah yes, Spring Break!” The time to kick back, relax, and not think about school and studying. Days filled with sleeping in, watching TV, wearing comfy clothes that just might have been slept in, and showering only when necessary. Weekdays filled with playing electronic games, shopping, movie nights, and maybe even sleepovers. Time to take a vacation with or without family, or just with friends, as you travel the open road together.
For many during Spring Break, it’s about eating whatever they want, waking up whenever they want, and doing whatever they want because they’re on vacation. Living the Spring Break dream. And no one judges them for it!
Again, really?
In Ecclesiastes:11:9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. (KJV) God reminds us, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.”
It’s good to rest and take a break! Relaxation helps us build up our energies for the things we face in life, to learn more about this, please read “Relax - Guilt Free! ” I am a huge fan of vacations, breaks, days off, and anything that gives me a chance to decompress, rest, recharge my bio batteries, and gives me a break from this hectic world.
But here is something we don’t want to forget while we’re on Spring Break. Or a vacation from work, or anytime, for that matter.
Do you stop spending time with God just because you are on vacation?
During this time God can be pushed aside, because, um, well, He probably would not want to be at most of the locations involved with Spring Break activities. Maybe you seem to have so many things to accomplish during your vacation that you are just too busy to stay connected with him.
When you’re on Spring Break or any vacation time, remember it is not a vacation from your relationship with God, too. Vacations are great. Spring Break is fine, provided you remember and live the core values God believes and shares with you. Getting some much needed rest is icing on the cake! But remember: don’t take a break from God!
Continue to read the Bible. Continue to talk with God throughout the day in prayer. Continue to go to church services if you are reasonably near a congregation. I would even dare to say… don’t sleep in every day. Wake up at a normal hour and rather than getting ready for classes, or work, grab a cup of coffee and your Bible, and spend time with God.
This week, enjoy your Spring Break or your vacation time. Just remember that it isn’t a break from God, too. He still loves us and wants to hear from us. He still wants us to live His way of life, and question the societal norms advocated in much of the typical Spring Break activities. Many of those He simply would not want us involved in at all.
And yes, He still wants to be a part of our lives… even while we’re on vacation! Enjoy!

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632. Please follow on twitter here: https://twitter.com/UCGElPaso.

St. Patrick & St. Patrick's Day

0 comments

article by Milan Bizic

Who was this Patrick guy, anyway? Known as the patron saint of Ireland, he's an almost mythological figure in the Christian world, with tall tales of his legendary exploits known far and wide.

Theologian and historian James Moffatt said, "So much legend and fiction has been written about him that one is almost led to believe that there were two individuals—the real Patrick and the fictitious Patrick" ( The Church in Scotland , 1882, p. 140).
There are few hard facts about Patrick's life, but we can draw some reasonable conclusions from what we do know.
Patrick is credited with establishing the Roman Catholic Church throughout Ireland. But does history match tradition? Moffatt commented, "He should not be placed where certain historians seem determined to assign him … He was in no way connected with the type of Christianity which developed in Italy" (ibid).
As it turns out, Patrick probably wasn't even Catholic! His belief system was evidently quite different than that of continental Europe.
It's probable that Patrick even honored God's seventh day Sabbath! "It seems to have been customary in the Celtic churches of early times, in Ireland as well as Scotland, to keep Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, as a day of rest from labor" (ibid).
Other historical records and Patrick's own writings reveal him to have been closer to biblical instruction than to traditional Christianity. Part of the Bible's teaching includes rejecting the use of pagan practices in the worship of the true God (Deuteronomy:12:29-32 [29] When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;
[30] Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
[31] Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
[32] What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.).
The real Patrick likely wouldn't even have approved of observing his own namesake holiday! This holiday on March 17 was supposedly to commemorate his death, but that date was in fact the time of the Roman Bacchanalia—celebrating the god of wine and partying. It seems the pagan party goes on in another guise. Bear that in mind when March 17 comes around. Forget the leprechauns, and put God first!
Read the related article "Do You Feel Lucky Today? "

More Than a Feeling Do you know what it means to demonstrate real love?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

More Than a Feeling

article by Katherine Rowland





Do you know what it means to demonstrate real love?







Source: clipart.comThe command that we love one another is nothing new to those who read the Bible on a regular basis. Typing the word "love" into the search box at Bible Gateway brings back 329 results in the New King James Version. We are told to love God, to love His commands, to love one another. In John 15:12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.



See All..., Jesus says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” In John 13:35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.



See All..., He stated, "”By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”



What do we think of when we think of love? For many of us, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is falling in love: a special person that we come to adore. For most of us, thinking about love prompts us to think about a feeling, a tenderness of heart, a smile when we think of that person. We desire that person’s well-being. We want them to succeed. We want good things to come their way. But is there more to it?



I think there is. In John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.



See All..., Jesus says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” The indication here is that there is far more involved than simply feeling loving: that love should motivate us to do something, to keep His commandments. There is action involved. It is no surprise, then, that throughout the New Testament the concept of concern and love for our brethren is closely linked to service, to doing something about their needs. Christ, after all, loved us in far more than just feeling: He gave His life for us. He said, in John 15:13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.



See All..., “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”



In Romans 12:9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.



See All..., Paul writes, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” In Hebrews 10:24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:



See All..., Paul instructs us to “...consider one another in order to stir up love and good works...”



In 1 John 3:16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.



See All..., these ideas are solidified. John writes, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” Likewise, James--linking faith and works--wrote in James 2:15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,



See All..., "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them,“Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”



Loving others – especially the household of faith (Galatians 6:10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.



See All...), but by extension all mankind – is a matter of deeds, then, and not just feelings or words. We are called to follow Christ’s example, not by necessarily dying for someone else, but by daily choosing to lay down a part of our lives for someone else. When we love in deed, it means that we choose to give up something we would rather be doing at the moment to come to the aid of someone else. We give up looking after our own needs in order to espy the needs of others. We give of our energy, time, money, and goods in order to ease the burden of another person. And if we are following Christ’s example, that other person is likely to be someone who doesn't look as though they “deserve” our sacrifice. After all, Christ died for us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.



See All...). None of us deserve His sacrifice. In like manner, we must be careful to serve all in love, not just the people we like. James 2:9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.



See All... tells us that showing partiality is sin.



When we love our fellow man, we demonstrate to God not just our understanding of His word but our understanding of how He thinks. We demonstrate, too, a desire to please Him above pleasing ourselves, and we gain His approval by our conduct. In Hebrews 13:16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.



See All... Paul writes that we ought not “...forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” In 1 John 3:14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.



See All... we read, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.”



Let us continue to grow in love towards our brethren and towards all mankind. In doing so, let us remember not to simply rely on feeling loving, but also on performing acts of love, that our faith may be demonstrated not so much in our profession as in our action. Let us remember to lay down our lives daily for the sake of our brethren in the same way that our Lord and Savior laid down His life for us before we knew Him or could love Him. Let us make our love more than a feeling, but rather the hard evidence of what we believe.



For more information on the Sabbath, read the Bible study guide: You Can Have Living Faith .

.