We should be telling them what the Bible says about marriage. From the earliest age, we should be telling our children that marriage is a commitment to God, a recognition of His social hierarchy and His purpose for marriage which is to give glory to God; to serve Him with all our heart, mind and soul... not to serve our own ideas, wants and or desires.
It is not enough to talk to our children, we must visually express this in our own marriage. We must show them that it is by God's authority that we live to love and serve the Lord in marriage. You see, marriage is a not means of finding happiness through another person because one thinks that he or she is the 'right person' as in the one of your dreams and the one who can make you happy. There should only be one dream and that is to love and serve the Lord our God with all your heart, mind and soul.
Americans go at marriage the wrong way. They think that there is 'the person' out there that God made just for them. Of course, we can look at it that way and feel good about the person we married thinking that God created just that person for us but God did not make someone special just for you, he made people for Him. He is not god - the a creator of individual personalities. He is God the Creator of all things seen and unseen. His plan for His creation is much bigger than one can imagine. He is spiritual and He put that divine spirit in each one of us in order to grow in spirit and that is as special as it gets which is very special.
We need to seek His guidance in the decision to marry and in marriage so as to move forward in faith not in a 'happy marriage' as if that is the only purpose for marriage ~ to be happy. For it is not. Tell your children to that, then you/they will know that the person they are thinking to marry is the right one in terms of a godly choice. What about love? A person can and should love all people in Christ Jesus. This is possible as it is God's true wish for us for it glorifies Him. Marriage is not about finding your 'true love' though you can love someone dearly and truly... in knowing that God is our true love! Tell your children to put God first and ask Him for guidance when considering to marry for marriage is a sign of moving forward in faith and in God's purpose.
As for which gender you marry. Firstly, know that "...the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves not the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" 1 COR 6:9-11. "Keep the marriage bed pure for God will judge." Hebrews 13:4
The Bible is clear about marriage between a man and a woman. God made people in His image, and He made them male and female different and yet in marriage "The two will become one flesh" 1 COR 6:16.
All in all "... it is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband." 1 COR 7:1-3
Monday, June 22, 2015
Monday, June 15, 2015
God asks us to Honor Thy Father and Mother
One of the ten commandments is to honor thy father and mother~ Deuteronomy 5:16
Jesus said we must honor our parents, mother and father. No matter what we think of our parents as people, as Christians and as sinners, God asks us to honor them as He is the source of their authority. It is for the purpose of experiencing God's social hierarchy, His order of things in this world so that we can begin to understand His world which in its spiritual aspect reflects and respects levels of spiritual authority ~ namely His which stands at the apex.
It is not for our harm... but for our salvation and eternal life that He asks this of us. Though the Mosaic law 'ten commandments' were of the Old Testament we know that they served a purpose then and now. Yes, Jesus came to forgive us of our sin so that we may have eternal life but He also stressed the very first commandment which is to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind. Therefore, the ten commandments remain an integral aspect of God's purpose and authority. We understand then that the God's authority in our life does not change. In the New Testament we learn this through His Son Jesus Christ and we are changed from carnal beings into a new creation in Him. With this knowledge, we become salt and light. As such, we are asked to follow Jesus, we know that parents are asked the same and because of that, we honor them. And, we can rest in knowing that our children will do the same. This creates a level of awareness and appreciation for God's authority and purpose for us which is to give peace to our being in this fallen world.
Jesus said we must honor our parents, mother and father. No matter what we think of our parents as people, as Christians and as sinners, God asks us to honor them as He is the source of their authority. It is for the purpose of experiencing God's social hierarchy, His order of things in this world so that we can begin to understand His world which in its spiritual aspect reflects and respects levels of spiritual authority ~ namely His which stands at the apex.
It is not for our harm... but for our salvation and eternal life that He asks this of us. Though the Mosaic law 'ten commandments' were of the Old Testament we know that they served a purpose then and now. Yes, Jesus came to forgive us of our sin so that we may have eternal life but He also stressed the very first commandment which is to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind. Therefore, the ten commandments remain an integral aspect of God's purpose and authority. We understand then that the God's authority in our life does not change. In the New Testament we learn this through His Son Jesus Christ and we are changed from carnal beings into a new creation in Him. With this knowledge, we become salt and light. As such, we are asked to follow Jesus, we know that parents are asked the same and because of that, we honor them. And, we can rest in knowing that our children will do the same. This creates a level of awareness and appreciation for God's authority and purpose for us which is to give peace to our being in this fallen world.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Living like a Child of God
Turn from sin and become a little child.. "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." This means to trust in the one who created you; your 'our' Father in Heaven. Let all the burden of this world be placed at His feet so that you can be free of it and be like a child in the presence of a father.
How to do this as adults when we are told to take and have responsibility for our own lives? Paul in his letter to the Galatians describes the constant conflict between the flesh, our lower nature prone to sin, and the indwelling Spirit. Paul reminds us that only the Holy Spirit can deal with this conflict when we submit to His control and actively walk in Him. This enables us to die to the flesh, and delivers us from the tyranny of the Law and causes the Fruit of holiness to grow in our lives ~ New Spirit Filled Bible.
How to do this as adults when we are told to take and have responsibility for our own lives? Paul in his letter to the Galatians describes the constant conflict between the flesh, our lower nature prone to sin, and the indwelling Spirit. Paul reminds us that only the Holy Spirit can deal with this conflict when we submit to His control and actively walk in Him. This enables us to die to the flesh, and delivers us from the tyranny of the Law and causes the Fruit of holiness to grow in our lives ~ New Spirit Filled Bible.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Love God with All your Heart, Soul and Mind
Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37
We as Christian parents can agree that this is the important commandment. Yet, when we look at our life we can see many idols that we put in front of God. We put idols in our children lives too. We put, 'things, people and places', idols in front of them and we make idols of our children. We sit them in front of the television and put on Disney and Dreamworks (safe, right?). As for media, they may be safer when compared to most other stuff out there. The problem is that we tell our children that this or that program, idea, thing, or person, place is good and right as in correct and that some day, we will all go there. In anticipation, we buy them toys so that they can cuddle with them and dream about their soon to be pilgrimage to those special places 'palaces' ~ Magic Kingdom.
We justify this planned and prized destination because we might not have been to those places as children, we want to go. We also justify the trip and cost saying that kids expect it these days, and we tell ourselves "what's the harm", its fun and they like it.
Ask yourself this ...Where is room for the Lord in their life - Almighty God and Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, of all things seen and unseen... Ask your children if they could spend some quiet time with Him, pondering His wonderful works????
I hope for their sake and yours that they jump for joy and say "Yes, I want to do that"! If not, take the time to show them how you do it and tell them about the joy you receive when you Love God with all your Heart, soul and mind.
We as Christian parents can agree that this is the important commandment. Yet, when we look at our life we can see many idols that we put in front of God. We put idols in our children lives too. We put, 'things, people and places', idols in front of them and we make idols of our children. We sit them in front of the television and put on Disney and Dreamworks (safe, right?). As for media, they may be safer when compared to most other stuff out there. The problem is that we tell our children that this or that program, idea, thing, or person, place is good and right as in correct and that some day, we will all go there. In anticipation, we buy them toys so that they can cuddle with them and dream about their soon to be pilgrimage to those special places 'palaces' ~ Magic Kingdom.
We justify this planned and prized destination because we might not have been to those places as children, we want to go. We also justify the trip and cost saying that kids expect it these days, and we tell ourselves "what's the harm", its fun and they like it.
Ask yourself this ...Where is room for the Lord in their life - Almighty God and Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, of all things seen and unseen... Ask your children if they could spend some quiet time with Him, pondering His wonderful works????
I hope for their sake and yours that they jump for joy and say "Yes, I want to do that"! If not, take the time to show them how you do it and tell them about the joy you receive when you Love God with all your Heart, soul and mind.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
We Live to Love and Serve the Lord! Part Two
Do not be like the Pharisees who multiplied regulations, creating their own form of 'godliness'. They got so wrapped up in their own rules that they lost sight of Jesus. Even today, man-made rules about how to live the Christian life enslaves many people. Their focus is on their performance ~ works, rather than on the Jesus the Son of Man who is God the creator of Heaven and earth of all things seen and unseen.
It is through knowing Jesus intimately that you become like Him. This requires spending time alone with Him. Let go, be still and know that He is God. In this way, you stay conscious of Him as you go through the day. Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you to get through whatever must be endured. As you trudge along in this fallen world, keep your mind on Him. Thus, the Light of His Presence shines on and in you, giving you Peace and Joy ~ Jesus is Calling!
It is good to hope in the Lord's faithfulness...Why? Because... "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. How? By waiting quietly for salvation from the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26
His works are wonderful deeds. "Help us to understand the meaning of your commandments, and we will meditate on your wonderful deeds". Psalm 119:27
Go, love and serve the Lord your God by waiting for His calling you to your purpose, not what you suppose your performance should be.
It is through knowing Jesus intimately that you become like Him. This requires spending time alone with Him. Let go, be still and know that He is God. In this way, you stay conscious of Him as you go through the day. Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you to get through whatever must be endured. As you trudge along in this fallen world, keep your mind on Him. Thus, the Light of His Presence shines on and in you, giving you Peace and Joy ~ Jesus is Calling!
It is good to hope in the Lord's faithfulness...Why? Because... "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. How? By waiting quietly for salvation from the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26
His works are wonderful deeds. "Help us to understand the meaning of your commandments, and we will meditate on your wonderful deeds". Psalm 119:27
Go, love and serve the Lord your God by waiting for His calling you to your purpose, not what you suppose your performance should be.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
We live to Love and Serve the Lord! Part One
As Christians, the only message we need to hear is the call of God to do His will. That message is our being called to do something for His Kingdom. It is our God given task/work which we must and can understand and should understand ~ we live to love and serve the Lord.
That means being prepared. How? Being patient and waiting for Him to tell us what we are called to do, not what we think we should be doing for Him. Waiting for His call may take longer, since His plan for us and all people is much bigger than we can imagine. It may come in the middle of the night, in the morning or in the middle of the day. It may come at the beginning of our life, in the middle or at the end. We can only prepare fort that moment... which may last only that long or longer. Again, How? By being patient and by not sinning. If we do, we must reach out to the Lord and ask forgiveness and accept His Mercy and Grace. In this way, we keep our hearts open and fully prepared for the moment when the Holy Spirit calls us. If we are sinning and full of self condemnation, we will not be able to hear or accept the incoming message that we need to hear in order that we can fulfill what God has called us to do for Him.
That means being prepared. How? Being patient and waiting for Him to tell us what we are called to do, not what we think we should be doing for Him. Waiting for His call may take longer, since His plan for us and all people is much bigger than we can imagine. It may come in the middle of the night, in the morning or in the middle of the day. It may come at the beginning of our life, in the middle or at the end. We can only prepare fort that moment... which may last only that long or longer. Again, How? By being patient and by not sinning. If we do, we must reach out to the Lord and ask forgiveness and accept His Mercy and Grace. In this way, we keep our hearts open and fully prepared for the moment when the Holy Spirit calls us. If we are sinning and full of self condemnation, we will not be able to hear or accept the incoming message that we need to hear in order that we can fulfill what God has called us to do for Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)