God Brings a Divine Dimension to Marriage!

A Supreme Court of Canada decision that upheld Quebec's laws which provide rights to married couples that do not apply to couples merely living together has been applauded by pro-family organizations as a recognition of the unique and distinctive role that true marriage plays in society.

In what has become known as the Eric and Lola case, pseudonyms designed to protect the couple's three children, the court ruled that the Quebec law that excludes cohabiting couples from receiving spousal support in the event of relationship breakdown is constitutional and does not discriminate against couples who choose to live together without the benefit of marriage.

In a close 5-4 decision, Chief Justice Beverley McLaughlin wrote, "Those who choose to marry choose the protections, but also the responsibilities, associated with that status. Those who choose not to marry avoid these state-imposed responsibilities and protections."

The Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) says that the decision accurately reflects the social science research which shows marriage to be substantively different from living common law.

"There is great consensus from social scientists, no matter their political stripe, that marriage is different from living together," said IMFC Manager of Research Andrea Mrozek.

"Unfortunately, the statistical reality is that people living together break up more readily—even if they do eventually wed. They are more likely to have multiple partners. Their children face more problems—higher rates of school dropout, more drug use and an earlier age of sexual initiation.

And single parents—mothers—are more likely to be poor. These are some of the harsh statistical realities of living together versus getting married, and it is wise to acknowledge this difference," said Mrozek.

The IMFC points out that providing the same benefits to those living common-law and those who are married contradicts the research, and sends the wrong signal about the importance of marriage for society.- LifeSiteNews, Feb 5, 2013, Thaddeus Baklinski

God wants marriages to be strong. He wants them to last long. He wants them to be a reflection of His relationship with His redeemed people. Today, I want to help us understand that building a strong marriage is not so much finding the right person as it is about our being the right person.

Let's begin by taking a look at the foundation of a strong marriage! Psalm 127:1 says, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” This verse teaches us the truth that every endeavor in life must be based on a relationship with God.

This is especially true when it comes to our marriages. If they are to be strong; if they are to glorify God; if they are to be a blessing to us and other; they must be built on the bedrock of a strong and serious relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

As His love operates in the heart of a husband and a wife, the married couple is better able to love one another. Being rightly related to the Lord Jesus brings a divine dimension to marriage. As most of us know, over 50% of all marriages in our nation fail. Many fall apart during the stormy times. Things like debt, lust, business of life, loss of interest in the other partner, and a host of other things can bring marriages to the brink of disaster.

No marriage, not even Christian marriages are immune from these upheavals. However, a marriage that stands on the bedrock of a strong relationship with Jesus Christ can weather any storm that comes along (See Luke 6:47-49). Certainly, marriages in which both partners are not saved can and do last for many years. That is a wonderful thing. Still, those marriages can never achieve the spiritual purposes God has for marriage. The marriage is real and the love deep, but it can never be everything God designed marriage to be.

Next, when one talks about the fundamentals of a strong marriage, there are several non-negotiable essentials that stand as pillars in every strong, spiritual marriage. They are as follows:

Love – When we speak of love, we are not talking about the kind of love portrayed in Hollywood. Movies and television depict love as nothing more than sexual desire. While the sexual relationship within the context of marriage is very important, (1 Corinthians 7:1-5), even it flows from a deeper, more spiritual kind of love. Paul describes the kind of love we are talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.

Loyalty – Ephesians 5:31 speaks of the law of “leaving and cleaving”. This was what God expected of the first married couple, Genesis 2:24, and it is what He expects of every other married couple. When a man and woman are married, there is a fundamental shift in their relationships to others. Their relationship with the parents is altered forever. It can still be strong, but the marriage relationship must have preeminence over the parental relationship. Children need to let go and so do parents. Few things are more devastating to a marriage than a failure to “leave and cleave”.

Respect – Mutual respect is fundamental for any marriage that expects long term success.

Faithfulness – Ephesians 5:31 speaks of the bond that exists between the husband and the wife. It is a bond that can only exist between two people. There is no room in the marriage relationship for a third party. It is never acceptable for a man or a woman to have a sexual or emotional relationship with a member of the opposite sex on the side. Our relationship with our spouse is to be one of absolute faithfulness, both physically and emotionally. Adultery is a sin regardless of the form it takes, Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:28.

Finally, what will be the outcome of all the love and effort in a marriage? A strong marriage will bear fruit to the glory of God. Here's what a strong marriage will produce...

• A Strong Marriage Sanctifies The Home – Ephesians 5:21-22; 25; 29
• A Strong Marriage Glorifies The Savior – Ephesians 5:32
• A Strong Marriage Witnesses To The Lost 
• A Strong Marriage Instructs The Next Generation – Ephesians 6:1-3

In closing, marriage is one of the greatest gifts God ever gave to humanity. But, it is truly beautiful when it is operates like God intended it to!

Scripture: 1 John 4:18; Hebrews 13:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Luke 16:11;  Mark 5:36; Romans 8:35

Prayer: Lord, I am willing to stand for You. Guide me, I pray! Amen

May God bless you always,

Brandi

Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: The Bible is the Written Revelation of God’s Will

The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks through his telescope he sees worlds beyond; but if he looks at his telescope, he does not see anything but that. The Bible is a thing to be looked through to see that which is beyond; but most people only look at it and so they see only the dead letter.  -Phillip Brooks

Dear readers, I tell you that scriptures are not to be guided by men but are to guide us to God. We are not to make Scriptures say what we think or want them to say, but let them say what God desires to reveal. To close our self off from God will close the true teachings of Scripture off to us.

However, simply reading or listening to Scripture is not enough. We need to listen to Jesus speaking to us out of His word. When we hear Jesus speaking to us in His Word we need to allow Him to change our perspective which will change our life. Jesus leads us to life through our receptivity to His word. Also, reading the Word without considering to whom it was written and just what is being said can lead to a wrong interpretation. However, to know all figures contained in the Bible is not the end for which God has given us this Book.

We can analyze, organize, and classify the Scriptures all we want, yet miss the primary purpose for which they were given. The Bible is the written revelation of God’s will, and it’s intention is to acquaint us personally with the one to whom it bears witness-Jesus Christ.

The needle on a compass and the arrow of a weather vane have something in common. Both indicate the direction of natural powers. In a much broader sense, the books and writers of the Bible point to the person and power of Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. He is the constant theme of its sacred pages. From first to last, they testify of Him.

As an example, in the New Testament, our Lord is the one pervading subject. The whole substance of the New Testament is Jesus crucified. Even its closing sentence is bejewelled with the Redeemer’s name. We should always read Scripture in this light. We should consider the Word to be as a window through which we see Jesus. His likeness is dim, but it is still a blessed preparation for when we will see Him face to face. The Bible contains Jesus Christ’s love letters to us. The Scriptures are the swaddling bands of the holy child Jesus. Unroll them and you find your Savior. The essence of the Word of God is Christ.

Looking into both the Old and New Testaments our hearts should cry out in aspirations with the apostle Paul, "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection" (Philippians 3:10). You find the LIVING WORD by looking into the WRITTEN WORD!

The Bible is the word of God and is powerful and life changing. The promises of God start with 2 Timothy 3:16 when God tells us that all Scriptures in the Bible are inspired by God. With this promise of God in hand we can then be assured that what we learn in the Bible comes from Him!

Are you standing on the promises of God today? Is God your all in all? The ten powerful Bible verses about the promises of God, which I have included below, are meant to encourage you today. Read through them slowly and let God work these promises into your hearts. These scriptures come from both the Old and New Testament.

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:4; Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 11:28-29; Isaiah 40:29-31; Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:37-39; Proverbs 1:33; John 14:27; Romans 10:9; Romans 6:23

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi

Video: "Writing the Future" - Lisa Bevere

The Bible tells us to write His Word on our hearts. What does that mean? And what happens when we do? Lisa Bevere explains this to you in her usual inspirational style. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Bible Study Snacks, Acts 15:13-34

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks! As always, I thank you so much for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Fifteen, Verses 13-34.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Note that Paul, Peter, and James are in complete accord, and that Judaizing teachers act without any apostolic authority.

For your convenience, here is a summary Acts 15:13-34...  

Finally James, the Lord's brother, offers Amos' prophecy in support of what Peter said. He then recommends they not trouble the Gentiles, but that a letter be written asking them to abstain from things offered to idols, blood, things strangled, and sexual immorality. The apostles and elders, with the whole church, agree to send the letter, and to have Judas and Silas accompany Paul and Barnabas to confirm its authenticity. The letter, its counsel approved by the Holy Spirit, is delivered and joyously received by the brethren in Antioch. Judas and Silas offer their exhortation and strengthen the brethren before Judas returns to Jerusalem (13-34).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:  

1) Who spoke last? What did he say? (Acts 15:13-21)
2) What was the reaction to James' suggestions? (Acts 15:22-23)
3) What are key points in that letter? (Acts 15:24-29)
4) How did the brethren in Antioch react to the letter? (Acts 15:30-31)
5) What did Judas and Silas do?  (Acts 15:32-34)

After completing this week's study, go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!  

Sheri

God Is the Answer to Fear

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child. - Unknown


God’s answer to fear is not an argument or a formula. It’s a Person. That’s why he said to Abraham, “Fear not. I am your shield.” God himself is the final answer to every fear of the human heart.

Have you ever wondered why God called himself by the name “I AM” in the Old Testament? Above all else, it means that God is eternally existent and therefore all creation depends on him. God stands alone. No one can be compared to him. He is complete in himself. God doesn't need us but we desperately need him.

God doesn't need us but we desperately need him. Think of it this way. To say that God is the great “I AM” means that when we come to him, he is everything we need at exactly that moment. It’s as if God is saying . . .

I am your strength.     
I am your courage.        
I am your health.          
I am your hope.            
I am your supply.           
I am your defender.       
I am your deliverer.      
I am your forgiveness.   
I am your joy.                 
I am your future. 

God is saying to you and me, “I am whatever you need whenever you need it." He is the all-sufficient God for every crisis.

Pioneer missionary J. Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission in 1865. During the terrible days of the Boxer Rebellion (1898-1901), when missionaries were being captured and killed, he went through such agony of soul that he could not pray. Writing in his journal, he summarized his spiritual condition this way: “I can’t read. I can’t think. I can’t pray. But I can trust.”

There will be times when we can’t read the Bible. Sometimes we won’t be able to focus our thoughts on God at all. Often we will not even be able to pray. But in those moments when we can’t do anything else, we can still trust in the loving purposes of our heavenly Father.

Fear not, child of God. No one knows what a day may bring. Who knows if we will all make it through this week? But our God is faithful to keep every one of his promises. Nothing can happen to us except it first passes through the hands of God. If your way is dark, keep on believing. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he cares for you.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalms 46:1; Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 51:12; Matthew 10:28; Mark 4:40; John 14:27; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5; Hebrews 13:6

-thanks to R. Pritchard

Prayer: Dear Jesus Christ, I know that all power and authority on Heaven and Earth belongs to You alone. I come to You today, asking for supernatural divine deliverance from fear. I am facing numerous issues that are scaring me, sometimes tormenting me! I ask You right now Jesus, in faith and with all of my existence, please, please deliver me from all fear. Amen

Have a blessed day! 

Arianna

Music Video - "Love is the Answer" - England Dan & John Ford Coley

Here is a great song from 1979 that was recently brought to my attention by a staff member. The tune is "Love is the Answer" written by Todd Rundgren and recorded by England Dan and John Ford Coley. I think the song has an awesome message for all of us.Yes, Light of the World, shine on me, love is the answer..!  Enjoy!   ~Eve 

Name your price
A ticket to paradise
I can't stay here any more
And I've looked high and low
I've been from shore, to shore, to shore
If there's a short cut I'd have found it
But there is no easy way around it

Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all
Set us free
Love is the answer

Who knows why
Someday we all must die
We're all homeless boys and girls
And we are never heard
It's such a lonely, lonely, lonely world
People turn their heads
And walk on by
Tell me is it worth just another try

Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all
Set us free
Love is the answer

Tell me, are we alive
Or just a dying planet
(What are the chances)

Ask the man in your heart
For the answer

And when you feel afraid
(Love one another)
When you've lost your way
(Love one another)
And when you're all alone
(Love one another)
And when you're far from home
(Love one another)
And when you're down and out
(Love one another)
And when your hopes run out
(Love one another)
And when you need a friend
(Love one another)
And when you're near the end
(Love)
(We've got to love)
(We've got to love one another)

Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all
Set us free
Love is the answer

Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer...

To Have True Knowledge of God

Death is not extinguishing the light from the Christian; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come...

I have a question for you…"If you knew you were going to die, what would you talk about?" You see, one thing that really jumps out at me when I read the book of 2 Peter is that Peter knew that he was about to die. Peter wrote this letter in 66 AD. He died, at the hands of the Romans, one year later. And it seems that Peter knew, as he set out to write this letter, that his time was very short. Look at what he wrote near the start of his letter -

(2 Peter 1:13-15) I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

So let me ask you again… if you knew you were about to die, what would you want to pass on? What would you consider the most important truth to pass on? Hopefully it would concern the things that actually matter… the truth of the Lord Jesus, salvation by grace and eternal matters. Well, anyway, thankfully for us Peter had time to write about the things that mattered to him. So with that as an introduction, let’s look at the things that mattered to the Apostle Peter.

(2 Peter 1:1) Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours.

Now, I can imagine Peter, knowing that the time of his death is at hand, looking back over his whole life… where he has come from, and where he has come to. And so he starts by calling himself Simon Peter. On the one hand, he’s still Simon – A simple fisherman with a mouth big enough to fit a foot in! And yet, on the other hand, he is Peter – an Apostle of Jesus Christ, a shepherd of God’s sheep and fisher of men.

It is crucial that you see and understand these two natures within you as well. On the one hand, there is who you are in the natural - the old Simon… someone very capable to say, and do, the wrong thing! And yet, there is also who you are in the new creation (if you have been born again) – the new Peter!... a spotless, righteous, dearly loved child of God. It is important that we see both!

Peter then wants to remind his readers that there are no 2nd class citizens in Christianity. He writes ‘to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours.’  While we all have a tendency to place certain people on a pedestal, Peter was quick to point out that all Christians have obtained the same precious faith, the same precious privileges. Peter will pick this theme up in greater detail in verse 4 so we’ll leave it at the moment.

Here's the main point! (2nd Peter 1:2) "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."

How much do we need God's grace in our life? How much do we need his favor and enabling to be present with us? We struggle and strive, lacking peace, yet this verse tells us that God's grace and peace can be multiplied... It can be increased! But look at how Peter says it can be multiplied-it is in the knowledge of God. Peter emphasizes this a lot! But that is where the problem comes in.

You see, there's been a “dumbing down” of Christianity in our generation. And it is causing all sorts of problems, because as Peter says above, God's grace and peace is directly linked to the knowledge of God. As D. L. Moody once said ‘I prayed for faith and thought it would strike me like lightning. But faith did not come. Then one day, I read – “Now faith comes by hearing. And hearing the word of God.” I had closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now began to study my Bible and faith has been growing ever since.’

Therefore, the main point that Peter wants to address first and foremost, is this topic of true knowledge. This enabling and grace of God is activated in our life through a true, Biblical, knowledge of the Almighty God. And yet, let us not think that this knowledge is merely knowing or understanding facts. As we shall now see, this knowledge is not just factual, it is practical. True knowledge cannot be divorced from it’s outworking in our lives.

(2 Peter 1:3) His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  

As Peter makes clear in verse three, we’re not just talking about knowing ‘things’. We’re talking about knowing the Lord, and the practical outworking of his life in us. Someone has once said, ‘the Bible was not given for our information, but for our transformation.’ Peter would wholeheartedly agree. For him, the knowledge of God relates directly to ‘things pertaining to life and godliness.’

This true knowledge of God is to have an impact on our mundane everyday lives. So right about now, you are hopefully asking yourself, ‘then what is the link between the knowledge of God and outworking of his divine nature with in us?’ And that, my friend, is a very good question! I'm glad you asked it.

(2 Peter 1:4) Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Verse four above, gives us the link between the knowledge of God and the outworking of his nature within us. The link is His precious promises in the word of God. Peter says it is through these promises that the divine nature can free us from the corruption that is in the world.

So what do we do with the promises of God? Have you faced the situation lately, were you have had to count and trust in the promises of God? You might remember in Pilgrims Progress, when Christian is trapped by Giant Despair in the dungeon of doubting castle, that he finally frees himself after he finds in his pocket a key called ‘promise’!

The promises of God have always been the key to escaping from doubting castle. You see, it is by meditating on God's promises that frees the Holy Spirit to work His life, His peace, His joy, and His enabling, into your life. It is what King David instructed us to do in Psalm thirty seven when he wrote ‘Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.’

In conclusion, even in the first four verses of second Peter, that we have looked at today, we see an entirely different Peter from the one presented to us in the Gospels. The young rash, self dependent fisherman of the Gospels has been transformed by the Holy Spirit and his dependence upon the divine nature. The lack of understanding, so prevalent in his youth, has been replaced by a true knowledge of the workings of God in a believer’s life.

And, as he approaches the end of his life, Peter has written to us to remind us of that which is most important in these last days. Can I ask you whether that which was important to Peter, is important to you? Where does the knowledge of God rank in your life? Where does the outworking of his divine nature through your life sit in your priorities? How precious is the word of God, and the promises of God, to you? These things that we've seen today in the first four verses of 2nd Peter lay the foundation for not only the rest of the book, but for our lives as well!

Scripture: Philippians 4:19; John 15:7-8; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Romans 8:28; Psalm 37:4; John 3:3; 2 John 1:2 

-special thanks to I. Gordon

Prayer: Father in heaven, lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill my heart, my world, my universe. Amen.

Bless you always!

Marilyn