But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
[I Corinthians 7:9]
Friday, September 20, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
One Unwavering Criterion
The pastor that officiated at their wedding later said, that of all the couples with whom he had provided premarital counseling, they were the most likely to have a successful marriage.
Both were degreed professionals who had their act together. He held a position of respect in the military.
She was eight months pregnant with their second child when he left her for another woman. They had been married for eleven years.
Within marriage, we never can assume that we are "safe." Before anything else, we must be seeking the kingdom of God. We must be ever-vigilant to do the hard work of staying close emotionally and physically to our spouse. As we ask God for wisdom and help, it will be given to us.
We cannot predict whether a marriage will be successful or not. However, the one unwavering criterion for getting married must be that each individual professes a sincere faith in Christ.
TV~
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. [Matthew 22:37,38]
Both were degreed professionals who had their act together. He held a position of respect in the military.
She was eight months pregnant with their second child when he left her for another woman. They had been married for eleven years.
Within marriage, we never can assume that we are "safe." Before anything else, we must be seeking the kingdom of God. We must be ever-vigilant to do the hard work of staying close emotionally and physically to our spouse. As we ask God for wisdom and help, it will be given to us.
We cannot predict whether a marriage will be successful or not. However, the one unwavering criterion for getting married must be that each individual professes a sincere faith in Christ.
TV~
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. [Matthew 22:37,38]
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Sanctification Through Marriage
We think our child isn't ready for marriage. It's too big a responsibility. She isn't mature enough for marriage. She hasn't finished her schooling. She doesn't do what is expected of her at home; how will she ever maintain her own home?
In a marriage, there are expectations that our spouse places upon us and personal standards that we place on ourselves. We may strive much harder and work more diligently than we ever did while living under our parents' roof. Sometimes, those very immaturities that we want to see corrected prior to marriage only will be corrected through marriage.
TV~
They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. [Hebrews 12:10]
In a marriage, there are expectations that our spouse places upon us and personal standards that we place on ourselves. We may strive much harder and work more diligently than we ever did while living under our parents' roof. Sometimes, those very immaturities that we want to see corrected prior to marriage only will be corrected through marriage.
TV~
They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. [Hebrews 12:10]
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Obey vs. Honor, Part 2
It was one month later, March. Her beau had arrived from a faraway land, to propose to her. Once they married, he would take her far, far away.
She asked me to meet her for coffee. "Do you have any reservations about him as a person?" she asked me. He loved God and he loved my daughter. They wanted to get married. I had to admit to her that he seemed like a good man, but that she had to understand how painful it was for me to see her go.
She was 20 years old. We thought we would have more time with her. We thought she would marry someone from this country. We thought.... it would be different.
They got married that summer.
She didn't do what I wanted her to do. I had hoped, for many reasons, that she would wait longer. She didn't do what I wanted her to do, but she honored me.
My granddaughter was born six days ago.
TV~
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. [Isaiah 55:9]
She asked me to meet her for coffee. "Do you have any reservations about him as a person?" she asked me. He loved God and he loved my daughter. They wanted to get married. I had to admit to her that he seemed like a good man, but that she had to understand how painful it was for me to see her go.
She was 20 years old. We thought we would have more time with her. We thought she would marry someone from this country. We thought.... it would be different.
They got married that summer.
She didn't do what I wanted her to do. I had hoped, for many reasons, that she would wait longer. She didn't do what I wanted her to do, but she honored me.
My granddaughter was born six days ago.
TV~
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. [Isaiah 55:9]
Monday, September 16, 2013
Obey vs. Honor
She was 20 years old and in love with someone that she'd spent 19 days with, at most. Yes, they'd been Skyping and e-mailing for a year or more, but enough to know if they wanted to marry each other? They were sure.
She asked to speak with us, her parents. It was February. "We're thinking about getting married this summer." She was very respectful. We outlined four reasons why we didn't think it was a good idea.
Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1)
She was longer a child. That changed overnight legally, when she turned 18. Her position was the same in our hearts, though. She was our little girl whom we loved and adored. Was it right for us to say, "You MAY NOT get married this summer"?
TV~
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), So that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth... [Ephesians 6:1.2]
She asked to speak with us, her parents. It was February. "We're thinking about getting married this summer." She was very respectful. We outlined four reasons why we didn't think it was a good idea.
Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1)
She was longer a child. That changed overnight legally, when she turned 18. Her position was the same in our hearts, though. She was our little girl whom we loved and adored. Was it right for us to say, "You MAY NOT get married this summer"?
TV~
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), So that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth... [Ephesians 6:1.2]
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Go, and Sin No More
A woman was caught in adultery. (What about the man she was with, I would like to know?)
Sinless Jesus didn't accuse or condemn. He first rebuked her self-righteous accusers. Then He said, in essence, "I don't accuse you. But go and sin no more."
If a couple is "caught" in fornication, what would Jesus say? Perhaps he would say, "I don't accuse you. But go and sin no more. " How, exactly, does this couple "Go and sin no more?"
I see two options for them:
1. Live separately and no longer be intimately involved. They could try dating again - not easy once the relationship has already been established on a deeper level. Still, it is an option that is within God's circle of blessing.
2. Get married and bring into wholesomeness the relationship that they have chosen. Also an option that is within God's circle of blessing, if they are both believers.
TV~
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
[James 4:17]
Sinless Jesus didn't accuse or condemn. He first rebuked her self-righteous accusers. Then He said, in essence, "I don't accuse you. But go and sin no more."
If a couple is "caught" in fornication, what would Jesus say? Perhaps he would say, "I don't accuse you. But go and sin no more. " How, exactly, does this couple "Go and sin no more?"
I see two options for them:
1. Live separately and no longer be intimately involved. They could try dating again - not easy once the relationship has already been established on a deeper level. Still, it is an option that is within God's circle of blessing.
2. Get married and bring into wholesomeness the relationship that they have chosen. Also an option that is within God's circle of blessing, if they are both believers.
TV~
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
[James 4:17]
Friday, September 13, 2013
Guidance for the Future
Yesterday, I was reminded that God promises to give wisdom to those who ask for it. As we think about our life situation and seek guidance for decisions big and small, we can go to the Lord.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt... (James 1:6)
TV~
For the Lord God will help me; Therefore shall I not be confounded: Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. [Isaiah 50:7]
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt... (James 1:6)
TV~
For the Lord God will help me; Therefore shall I not be confounded: Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. [Isaiah 50:7]
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