"The Covenant of Marriage"

The Bible says, "God hates divorce" and for the most part I guess we all do. When God made a covenant with Abraham, He made the vow one sided. He made the vow as something He was going to do through Abraham. He would bless the nations through Abraham as the stars in the skies, and bless a people called out for Himself as numerous as the sand upon the seashore. It was a covenant He kept and fulfilled Himself. However, unlike God's covenant, marriage is a two way covenant.

 

When two get married, it is a covenant between two people - to cherish each other and to love, honor, and obey; through sickness, and in health; till death do us part. The words spoken by the two parties should be as important in their situation as the Words spoken by God to Abraham. When we make a vow about anything, it is not to be taken lightly. Jesus said of the words we speak: "We shall give an account of every idle word we speak on the day of judgment." Our words, our vows, bear the same weight as the covenant God made to Abraham. God expects us to keep our word as He keeps His. Not to be used as an easy way out of a situation, but with deep meaning and commitment. Certainly there are situations which cannot be reconciled and God understands that and that is also why marriage goes much deeper than we consider.  Marriage is not a short term answer to a problem, but a life-time pledge to be faithful to the end.

 

So what is the secret to marriage? It is not of ourselves. It is a vow, a long-term commitment, not only to our spouse, but also to God. God must be and/or must become the center of the marriage for a marriage to succeed. With man it may be impossible, but with God, all things are possible.

Come Out From Among Them

The quandary is not with those who spiel hatred, but those who listen. Satan goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour. Satan is going to do his thing no matter. It only affects you when you listen and act on his prodding. Today we see fulfillment of "The love of many will wax cold" (Matt. 24:12). Strife and hatred are not of God. The Bible calls God "Love."

Jesus said you would know them by their fruits. A good tree will not bring forth corrupt fruit, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Most who condone sin, have never read the Bible, yet they trick the unknowing into believing they have. And even if they had, they could not understand it, because it is spiritually discerned: meaning only those born of the Spirit understand the things of the spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The Bible says, "Come out of the world and be separated from them, do not touch their unclean things." Satan is the god of this world (1 John 2:16). However, the victory of Jesus on the cross means you do not have to be of this world. There is another option available for you since the cross of Calvary. You can become a son or a daughter of the Living God through what Jesus accomplished. (Acts 4:12) states, "There is none other name, under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved." Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me."

If you are still under bondage to sin, get yourself free today, because "whom the Son sets free, he is free indeed." He can set you free from any vice you may have (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, porn etc.). All you need do is invite Him into you life as your Lord and Savior. Don't wait, or it may be too late!

What's Your Choice - Two Paths to Eternity

Everything we do in life is a choice. Do you want vanilla or chocolate? Which restaurant shall we eat at? What car should I buy? We even have to make a choice concerning where we want to spend eternity. That's right, and it is the biggest choice we will ever make in life. If we want to spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus, we must make a decision to do so. If we desire to spend an eternity in Hell with Satan, we do not have to do a thing, but go on living as we have been from the beginning.

Jesus said, there are two paths leading from this life to the life going on into eternity. He said the first one leads to destruction, and most of the people who live on this earth will go there. The second path leads to eternal life and few people who live or have lived on earth will choose to go therein. The path to eternal life is simple - believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, (confess with your mouth that He is your Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the death). Why then do so few inherit eternal life as Jesus indicated, especially when nearly two billion of the worlds population claim Christianity as their religion?

We can look at the huge assortment of numerous denominations within Christianity for the answer. Many do not adhere to strict biblical teaching. Others teach from the Bible, but rely more so upon strong traditional values and teachings conjured up by that particular denomination's founders. Many larger denominations fall under that type methodology. A handful have changed the Bible to fit their particular doctrine. Others have rewritten their own bible mentioning Jesus so as to classify themselves under the umbrella of Christianity. Most of these various offshoots of Christianity were formed centuries ago and have added members throughout the years. Nevertheless, there is only one source for knowing the things of God and that is the Bible. No, not just any Bible. Many have been transformed to fit the doctrine of its religious founder. Only a Bible as translated from the original Hebrew and Greek is acceptable. Not just reading it, but studying it and doing what it says - confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. When you do your part, God will then do His part. You must make the first move - God will not override your free-will.

"Instant Gratification"

 In today's fast moving society, full of individuals seeking after instant information - is the Church fully equipped to handle the questions from those seeking for answers to Christianity?

Unlike the days of our grandfather, today’s world is a finger texting, quick talking, high speed lanes, fast foods, channel flipping, throw it in the microwave, get out of my way, want it now generation. In addition, we are living in an age where people are not just asking questions, but if you do not have an immediate, responsive, valid, realistic answer waiting, they quickly move on. Therefore, the Christian must always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks for a reason of the hope that is in him with meekness and fear.

When Jesus gave us the commandment to go out and teach all nations, He did not forget to give us a message to teach. Why then do we keep referring to the Trinity as a mystery; after all, it is Christianity’s most important doctrine. What about the Virgin Birth, the Born-again experience or the differences between the soul and spirit and how they work in the salvation message? Can we explain these and other paranormal questions the world is asking today in a logical way that makes sense by using only the Bible as our reference? Paul wrote in 2^nd Timothy 4:2,

•  “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables.” - (2 Tim. 4:2)

Certainly, things are different now than in the apostle’s or even our grandfather’s day, but that does not diminish the urgency of the Great Commission. In fact, as we see a decline in Christian believers and an increase in atheism and Islam today, that responsibility becomes even more demanding. What Jerry Falwell visualized for his Moral Majority movement in the eighties has afforded the opposite effect today. The immoral minority has definitely overtaken today’s Moral Majority.

So what is the answer? I believe you will find it specifically spelled out in the 6^th chapter of Ephesians. Flesh and blood is not our problem, except where apathy in the Church is concerned. Where are the tent revivals, Billy Sundays and Billy Grahams? Television is fine for sowing a seeds, but cannot take the place of an on fire man of God preaching a Holy Ghost filled message in a tent setting built on prayer. If the Church is to press forward with the Great Commission of today, it needs sound doctrine and valid responsive realistic answers for those who believe the Church is void of genuine answers. If Jesus merely gave us a mystery (Trinity) for ammunition to spread the Word, we are of a people most miserable. The principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness in high places were deceiving the elect and the elect bought the whole fabrication. The Trinity was always in the Bible, it was never a mystery and by merely understanding Trinity’s concept, we can provide most any realistic answer to any tough question a skeptic may submit.

The Great Commission never stopped with the advent of television. Jesus said, “Go out” and teach all nations, making disciples…” The Church of today shoulders the same responsibility as those of previous generations. As times change so must methods. The Church must keep abreast of God’s Word and what He is doing in these last days in order to satisfy an instant gratification generation seeking immediate answers. The book of Daniel declares, “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” This is the Church’s greatest hour; let it not neglect this opportunity. "The Unveiling of the Trinity" is an excellent book that provides the whole picture of the Trinity, without the mystery. The updated version to simply be titled "The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed" and provide even more realistic answers than the previous version should be available by the end of this year. Don't be caught without your helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the "Word of God."

Has the Immoral Minority Overtaken the Moral Majority?

With the Presidential Election coming up, I have republished this blog in light of the times. Even after the people have voted for their candidate of choice, this article will be relevant as the people have made the decision of whose moral values they wish to follow.

Sin is a word most people hate to hear, let alone be accused of committing. The Bible declares tears do not exist in heaven, but the late Reverend Jerry Falwell must be fighting them back. The morals in today's society have plummeted to an all-time low. Has Reverend Falwell's Moral Majority army of the 1980's and 90's now become the Moral Minority? With the past several elections over, Americans selected whom they desired as their leaders. Did they vote for someone with strong moral principles, someone who would guide us with wisdom of God's Word and His will for our nation, or did they risk placing our nation in jeopardy. The voter must realize that when someone votes for a candidate, he is agreeing with that candidate's platform? In other words, the voter embraces any immoral viewpoints, which his candidate may have.

Perhaps the biggest tragedy in America is the attempt to rid God from every venue of life. Each Christmas season that evidence becomes more evident. However, a close second, is one that must bring even God to tears -- abortion. For any clear thinking individual to dare compare the tragedy of abortion to any war we fight is a tragedy in itself. What the poll show at the time of this writing is that between 65 to 70 percent of Americans agree that the issue of abortion either does not matter anymore, or a woman should have the right to abortion anytime she desires and at any age she happens to be. Moreover, the polls also show something else. What do you suppose is more important than the issue of abortion? That's right, the good old root of all evil -- the pocketbook. The candidate who can promise the most entitlements gets the cherished endorsement.

I hate to be the bearer of doom-and-gloom, but as a thinker and a realist, I no longer see a silver lining in the clouds anymore. The fringes surrounding America's future are showing right now. Today foreclosures are out of control, oil prices are gushing skyward, food prices are hard to swallow, medical cost make you sick, all the while the dollar keeps declining. Notice, the one thing we want to protect is the very item being affected -- the pocketbook.

Today's abortion issue is merely one among many moral issues that needs fixing. Throughout history, we have had watchmen like Noah, Jonah and others who warned of impending danger and the need to repent. Yet, many times the warnings were ignored, while at other times, including 9/11 and Katrina, everyone was caught off guard and by surprise. Are we living in a period of time, which is repeating the warnings of the past? Could another impending disaster be looming round the corner? Have we paddled beyond the river of no return? Is there still gold at the end of the rainbow?

These are questions we seek answers to, but another question each of us must ask ourselves -- "What matters most, my pocketbook or my morals?" Your vote will tell exactly where you stand. As I see it, if America's morals are not right, the American dream will become the American nightmare. Maybe, just maybe, Jerry Falwell and the Moral Right were right after all.

Pride or Humility?

We all take personal pride in things we accomplish. You may well be the greatest in your field, and there is nothing wrong to feel good about what you have done, it is when you allow it to overwhelm you above what you really are. The Bible specifies in Philippians 2:3, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves." The apostle Paul stated he could boast about many things, but would not do so--then went on to say, "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord".  The Proverb declares that pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall. Pride is mentioned as one of the signs of the last days, whereby men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, unthankful... (2 Tim. 3:2).

Pride is most evident in many venues today. Athletes in sporting events display pride in various ways and the public spectacle they radiate is emulated by the younger wannabe sport enthusiast in their particular sporting genre. Not to mention the nations who no longer hold to God as their protector, but rely upon their great might of accumulated weapons, or the proud parades that now grace many nations of the world today.

The Bible says, "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble." "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." Jesus said in Matthew 23:12, "Whosoever shall exalt (pride) himself shall be brought low, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

The signs abound everywhere that the last days have arrived. Soon the man of sin (pride); the Antichrist, will deceptively appear on the scene. The wrath of God shall suddenly come upon the world as a snare, when they least expect it (as occurred on 9/11). The sand in the upper chamber of the hourglass is about to empty its last few grains into the lower hourglass chamber. Will you be ready when the trumpet sounds its alarm and the shout goes out to the wise virgins - "The Bridegroom Cometh" - "The Bridegroom Cometh". Will you say right now -- "My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." - (Ps. 34:2)

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. - (1 Peter 5:6)