Elementary Facts Concerning Marriage

When considering the Word of God, I presume that we all understand that marriage is between a man and a woman (Genesis. 2:24). Divorce is prevalent in our society today because it seems more attention is given to a wedding ceremony than training young people for the marriage relationship. Therefore, the following guidelines I pray will be helpful for those contemplating marriage. They comprise a mixture of divine truth and sound advice.

First, marriage is for the mature. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” Gen. 2:24). Many young people, especially teens, who talk about getting married are not mature enough to do so. Therefore the responsibilities that go along with marriage are often overwhelming. Thus, one should ask, “Am I emotionally ready to get married?” When a young lady says, “If it does not work out, I can go home to Momma,” she is not ready to enter this relationship. If a young man gets upset because his fiancé desires to spend time with him, which time takes him away from his “buddies”, he is not ready. Or, if both are too controlling of the other, they are not ready to be married.

Another question to ask, “Are we ready financially to get married?” The idea that a couple can get by on love alone is a myth. Now, it is true that agape love for each other is essential for marriage to last. However, love does not pay the bills. The boy who quits school so he can get married because he has a job making $200 a week, is likely going to be making the same amount 10 years from now.

Yet, the most important question to ask, “Are we ready spiritually to get married?” If a young man cannot get up and get himself ready for worship, he will not be able to prepare his family. A young lady who marries a non–‐Christian must be prepared to remain strong despite the discouragement that will come from her mate. Someone says, “But Grandma got married when she was fifteen.” But Grandma lived in a different world. Grandma probably had already helped raise 6 or 7 siblings. She was not spoiled rotten like many today. She understood what commitment means. In addition, Grandpa was probably significantly older and was already working and prepared to care for a family.

Second, romance attraction does not guarantee happiness. When a teen boy is drawn or attracted to a teen girl that is a healthy, natural desire. Parents Who love their children must, with the Bible and common sense, guide their children to making not only responsible decisions, but also right decisions. While physical intimacy is wonderful, these feelings and desires can only be fully expressed in the beauty of sacred marriage (Heb. 13:4). Thus, marriage is likewise for the mature. Those who engage in sexual relations outside of holy matrimony are selfishly fulfilling the lust of the flesh and taking advantage of the other. In so doing, those who engage in such cannot fully appreciate the beauty of married love, for in marriage, joy comes more from the giving of one’s self to another. Paul wrote: “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife” (1 Cor. 7:3-4).

Teenagers in the church should understand that the Lord, Paul, the preacher, and godly parents are not trying to keep physical intimacy away from them, but rather are trying to bring it to them in all of its beauty and sacredness in marriage. Only then can such really be enjoyed. While romance is essential to a great marriage, romance essentially is about feelings, and you cannot build a strong marriage on feelings alone.

Third, marriage is for life. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). This word “cleave” carries the idea of bonding together like glue. This means that marriage does not come with a 90 – day option, but is for life. Jesus said, “ . . . What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6). The vows a couple makes to each other may be similar to the following:

I take you to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better —‐ for worse, for richer – for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death us do part.

These vows are not only made to each other, but usually before witnesses, and for sure before God. Therefore, it is absolutely essential we honor the vows we make before Him (Eccl. 5:4).

Fourth, marriage requires work. One man said, “Marriage is like twirling a baton, turning handsprings, or eating with chopsticks. It looks easy until you try it.” The idea that a couple lives happily ever after, without working to make their marriage great, is a myth. Great marriages do not happen automatically or accidentally, couples work to make it so. This requires selflessness on the part of the husband and wife. And, selflessness requires agape love as described by Paul in First Corinthians 13.

Several years ago, a Christian couple won the Happy Marriage contest and was published in the June 1996 Good Housekeeping Magazine. The secret to the success of their marriage, according to this couple, is:

“We gave…when we WANTED to receive. We served…when we WANTED to feast. We shared…when we WANTED to keep. We listened…when we WANTED to talk. We submitted…when we WANTED to reign. We forgave…when we WANTED to remember. We stayed…when we WANTED to leave Not only is marriage going to take a lot of work, it is worth all of a couple’s efforts”

Fifth, make sure Christ is invited to your wedding and into your home. According to John 2, Jesus attended a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. It Was here that he performed his first recorded miracle (v.11). Evidently, the Lord was invited to this special occasion. By His presence He sanctioned what was taking place. Oftentimes, Jesus found himself in the homes of others. So, have you made Him a permanent guest in your home? If He is first and your wife is second, she will be so happy! If He is first and your husband is second, he will be so happy! Notice these words:

“Marriage takes three to be complete; It’s not enough for two to meet. They must be united in love by love’s Creator, God above. A marriage that follows God’s plan Takes more than a woman and man. It needs a oneness that can be Only from Christ —‐ Marriage takes three.” (Beth Stuckwisch)

Christ is the great home builder (Psa. 127:1). Let us invite Him into our homes and build upon His solid and sure principles, which make our marriages great!

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Prayer: When God Says No

The practice of prayer is so fundamental to the overall spiritual health of the Christian that Paul wrote by inspiration, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). To Timothy Paul wrote, “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;” (1 Timothy 2:8). But as fundamental as prayer is there are a lot of misconceptions about how prayer works.

Prayer is the medium through which we communicate our thanks, requests, and cares to God. God communicates to use through his Word and His providence. A big misconception is that God answers prayers in the affirmative or not at all. Often when we get what we want we respond thankfully by saying that God has answered our prayers. But the truth is that God answers every prayer. Sometimes God says, “Yes,” and sometimes He responds, “Not right now.” And there are also times when God says, “No.”

God Told David, “No.” After the birth of David’s son, which had been conceived in sin with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan told the king that because of his sin the child would die. David responded by pleading with God for the child’s life. He “fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground” (2 Samuel 12:16). But God said, “No.”

God Told Paul, “No.” The great evangelist, missionary, and apostle was afflicted with “a thorn in the flesh…a messenger of Satan to buffet” him, that he may not “be exalted above measure.” Paul said, “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.” But God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul reacted by saying, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). God said, “No.”

God Told Jesus, “No.” In the Garden of Gethsemane as the Lord prepared for the cross that lay before Him Jesus pleaded, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me…” (Matthew 26:39). The text tells us that three times he prayed this same prayer, but each time he concluded, “nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” And God said, “No.”

God says no to us when we consider sin over righteousness. God says no to us when our wish is not in accordance to his will. God says no to us when what we want is not in our best interest. The most tragic response will be when God says no to those who desire to enter his eternal home after death that have not been obedient and faithful.

The thing is; we often times think that we know what is best for us, but in reality we are not that smart. Isaiah prophesied the words of God saying, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). And Jeremiah is recorded as saying, “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Many years ago during a particular low point in my life I was feeling lost, discouraged and hopeless. My life was misdirected and in a state of turmoil. I recall one particular evening begging God to give me some very clear and specific blessings; my hearts desires that I knew would bring me peace and good fortune. Today I am blessed beyond measure even though I did not get even one thing I asked for that dark, bleak night so long ago. All because God said, “No.”

Place your trust and faith in God. Do His will and let Him guide your life with His Word. Leave your cares and desires with Him. Be obedient; be faithful!

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He Died Outside of Jerusalem

Jesus Died Outside of Jerusalem

In our minds, we think of the carcasses of animals sacrificed at the temple as being totally consumed in the fires which continually burned at the altar. While this was true of some sacrifices, there were those times when carcasses of the animals were taken outside the camp and to be burned. In such instances the animals had been part of a sin offering, given to bring about purification of the Jews.

The writer of Hebrews affirms that those things in the law were “a shadow of the good things to come” (Heb. 10:1). Is it possible that those sin offerings which were taken outside of the camp (later, when the temple was built, they were taken outside of the city) had a hidden message from God which He would later reveal to His people? Sacrifices were made at the altar, but the bodies of the animals used in sin offerings were often taken outside of the camp. How could this have any possible significance?

The last chapter of Hebrews is remarkable. From the first word in this book our God presented unanswerable arguments to the Hebrews (Jewish Christians) showing how Christianity excels above Judaism. At least twelve times the word “better” is used to contrast a lesser way (Judaism) with a better way. Judaism had its purpose, but Christ came to fulfill its requirements so that it could be removed from God’s plan for the redemption of all mankind. Thus, in the final chapter, the writer urges, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines” (verse 9).

The Jews still had the altar at the temple, but the writer affirmed, “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat” (v. 10). One could no longer approach God through the system revealed by Moses. Jesus Himself is the way, the only way, and no man can come to God apart from Him (see John 14:6). The writer of Hebrews points out that those animals used in sin offerings were removed from the tabernacle/temple. He then makes this amazing conclusion. “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate” (v. 12). This is followed immediately by another conclusion, “Therefore let us go forth to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (v. 13). Eternal redemption was found in the environs of Jerusalem when He died, but it was not found in the temple. It was outside of that place!

What a blessing that He died outside the city of Jerusalem, outside the camp, outside the gate. Christianity is the only way for men to find forgiveness. Take time to count your blessings and to thank God that you have found the Redeemer, the one who suffered outside the camp for you!

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Dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs on the Ark?

[Noah standing at the door of the ark with a checklist in hand]: “That’s two dogs, two giraffes, two bats, two elephants, two stegosauruses, two pterodactyls, …”

When most people first hear the suggestion that dinosaurs were on the ark they find this incomprehensible. The visual image of dinosaurs walking up a ramp through the doorway of the ark is not a picture many have ever considered. Two mental stumbling blocks make it especially difficult for the average person to give any consideration to this suggestion: evolutionary teaching and their gigantic size. The mainstream media has done such an outstanding job of convincing the general population that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago that the idea of dinosaurs on the ark seems ludicrous. After all, they would have us believe that humans are separated from the dinosaurs by 65 million years.

The other stumbling block is the size of these great lizards. Oftentimes when we picture dinosaurs, we imagine massive Sauropod dinosaurs such as the Apatosaurus that easily weighed over 50 tons! How do you get such massive creatures on the ark—and once onboard, how do you feed such enormous creatures? Furthermore, how did Noah’s family and domestic creatures share living quarters with ferocious creatures such as the Tyrannosaurus rex?

In evaluating what animals were on the ark, it is important to consult God’s inspired Word for details. (Remember, this is the only inspired book.) Consider the following Truths that can found in the Bible:

1. All land-dwelling creatures were created on day six (Genesis 1:24-26).

It is clear that on the sixth day God created all land-dwelling creatures and man: “Then God said, ‘Let the Earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping things and beast of the Earth, each according to its kind’; and it was so…. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image…’” This creative history is emphasized again in Exodus 20:11 which tells us: “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the Earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.” Clearly, everything—including man and dinosaurs—was created during the six days of creation.

2. Noah was to take two of every unclean land-dwelling creature on the ark—which would include dinosaurs (Genesis 6:19-20).

Moses wrote: “And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the Earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive” (Genesis 6:19-20). God brought every land-dwelling creature to Noah for safekeeping. If dinosaurs were around during this time then one can reasonably conclude that they too would have required safekeeping.

3. The book of Job describes the “behemoth” (40:15), a creature that fits the description of a dinosaur that was living after the Flood. (Additional scientific evidence exists that these amazing creatures lived after the Flood.)

In Job 40:15 God questions Job about a creature He describes as the behemoth. While many (uninspired) footnotes describe this creature as an elephant or hippopotamus, the description better fits a dinosaur-like creature. (How many elephants or hippos have “tails like a cedar,” Job 40:17?) While most scholars consider Job to be one of the first books written, we can tell from the way Job and his three “friends” were worshipping that it fits in “post-Flood.” Also, there is extensive scientific evidence that men living after the Flood saw these amazing creatures. [We will cover this in detail in an upcoming issue on the dinosaurs!]

4. Genesis 1:29-30 indicates that both man and animals were to eat vegetation before the Flood. It was only after the Flood that God allowed the eating of meat (Genesis 9:3). If it were the case that both man and animals were vegetarian prior to the Flood, then sharing close quarters on the ark would not have presented a problem.

5. The Bible does not specify that Noah had to take adult animals onboard the ark. While many would argue that dinosaurs would have been too large to fit on the ark, we must bear in mind that there are some mysteries that God’s Word does not reveal. For instance, why couldn’t Noah have taken juveniles? Consider they take up less space, eat less food, produce less waste, and you don’t have to worry about reproductive problems! Also, not all dinosaurs were massive in size.

So could dinosaurs have been on the ark with Noah and his family? Absolutely!

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Blind Traditions

The story is told of a young lady who was fixing a ham dinner for her husband.  As she was about to place the ham in the oven, she took a knife and cut off the end of it.  Her husband asked, “Why did you cut the end off of the ham?”  She replied, “I don’t know? That’s the way mamma always did it.”  So they asked her mother why she always cut off the end of the ham. She answered, “That’s the way my mamma always did it.”  They went to grandmother and asked her why she did it.  She likewise replied, “That’s the way my mother always did it.”  They then asked great-grandmother why she did it and she said, “I cut the end of the ham off because my pan was too small.”

Likewise, in religion many follow the traditions and doctrines of men without question or investigation – and they may not realize that not all “traditions” are acceptable to God.  For example, in Matthew 15 the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread. He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?…you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men'” (vv. 2-3, 6-9).

Paul said, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col. 2:8). And know this, “Every plant which My heavenly
Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matt. 15:13).  What traditions do you follow, friends?

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