2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1
 
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” Pastor Dave explained that a yoke is a bar or frame by which two draft animals are joined for working together; it compels them to go in the same direction. The main applications for us of being yoked involve marriage, dating, and business partnerships. The imagery of a yoke suggests that a believer yoked to an unbeliever will go in the wrong direction.
 
Dave stressed that Paul’s instruction not to be yoked with unbelievers is not a light suggestion. (“It might be a good idea not to be unequally yoked if you can help it.”) The five questions that follow the instruction – all demanding the unequivocal answer, “None!” – show that Paul sees it as a command, a mandate. We know the command, but do we take it seriously? Lift up young adults you know who profess to be Christians, praying that they will have the courage and the commitment to Christ to obey. Lift up the influencers of young people, such as parents and grandparents, praying that they will teach this commandment with conviction and clearly explain God’s reason for it.
 
Why is this command so often disobeyed in the church? One reason is presumption. We do things we know are wrong, assuming God will bail us out. A young woman might say, “No, he’s not a Christian, but he’ll change. God will use me to save his soul.” Another reason Dave cited is fear. “No, he’s not a Christian, but if I don’t marry him, there won’t be anyone else. This is my last chance.” Lord, have I compromised with the world and disobeyed Your command – this one or any other – because of presumption or fear?  Meditate on Luke 4:12 and Joshua 1:9 … And Jesus answered [Satan], “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ...Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Repent, and ask the Lord to help you overcome your fleshly predisposition to presumption and fear.
 
God, through Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:15, says we should no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ. But at every opportune moment, Satan whispers, “Go ahead and live for yourself. Don’t miss out! Don’t settle for a boring, miserable life!” Ask the Lord to protect you (and all of us) from the enemy’s lie. Ask Him to remind you often, through His word and Holy Spirit, that a life lived for Christ is a blessed life.
 
Calvary Family
 
Karen Marvel, whose health and mobility have been declining for years, has been hospitalized with a severe urinary tract infection. Thankfully, her body is responding to antibiotics. Pray for Karen and Roger, her husband, who is not permitted to visit because of COVID-19.
 
Lift up long-time Calvary member Dee Oeser as she searches for a room to rent soon. Her roommate has had to move to an assisted living facility, and Dee cannot afford the full rent on her own. Ask God to provide a good and affordable place for Dee to live and to guard her from worry.
 
I received a phone call from retired missionary Rose Palfenier in Texas on Saturday. She wanted to know how everyone at Calvary is doing in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and said she and Bob pray for us every day. Let’s be faithful in praying for Rose and Bob too, as well as retired missionaries Dick and Saundra Watson in North Carolina and Pat Pence in Colorado.
 
I suspect that the stay-at-home order is revealing relationship problems in many households. Don’t we often manage relational conflict by limiting the time and space we share? That’s not an option now! Pray for Christian families, asking the Holy Spirit to enable us to show 1-Corinthians-13 love (Love is patient; love is kind …) to one another. Pray also for unbelieving families, that strife at home would draw some to the Lord. If fear of dying from coronavirus won’t lead them cry out to God, perhaps despair over hurt and alienation at home will.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea