Category: marriage

A Lost Love #2

Friday, July 21, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Ministry is not easy—especially when dealing with loved ones, the people we know quite well, those with whom we come into contact often. It should concern us when we learn they have no personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. They may be religious, faithfully attend church, pray frequently, talk about “God,” and read “holy books,” but they are without forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and righteousness. We want so desperately to warn them of the perilous fate that awaits them. How we try to reason with them of their need of Christ’s finished crosswork as a fully-satisfying payment for sins. Yet, they are comfortable where they are. They will not believe the Gospel of Grace in their heart. “Leave me alone. I am ‘good enough, I ‘keep the Law,’ I am doing the best I can, I will never forsake my denomination/religion,” and on and on and on and on they go with their flimsy excuses as to why faith in Jesus Christ alone is not their preference.

When the Apostle Paul ministered to unsaved Jews in synagogues throughout the Roman Empire, he encountered these sorts of people by the thousands. Read today’s Scripture in context: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1-3). Zealous, religious, passionate, devout, enthusiastic, pious, fervent, sincere—but lost as lost could be! Billions of souls today fall into such a category, and, whether we know it or not, we meet them on a daily basis. They sit in our church buildings, labor in our workplaces, sit in our classrooms, live in our neighborhoods, shop in our stores, and perhaps stay in our homes (!)….

A Lost Love #1

Thursday, July 20, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

My friend (now 86 years old) started kindergarten in 1943, meeting a little female classmate who became his friend. It was not until after high school graduation, many years later, did he begin to date her. He took her out 19 times. However, the relationship failed and they parted ways, marrying other people. In 2005, at their 50th high school reunion, he and his wife briefly met this old girlfriend. His wife moved on to Heaven in 2013, and he has been a widow ever since. Suddenly, after over 15 years of silence, in 2021, he receives a phone call from that former girlfriend (who is also now widowed). For the past few years now, they have become close friends again, talking on the phone and visiting in-person. They both still have deep affection for each other.

On one hand, he has considered marrying her—but, on the other hand, he cannot do it because she is not a Christian as he is. See, sometime after they stopped dating all those years back, he left their works-religion cult when he trusted Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for his sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Now, having been a Christian for over 55 years, he knows he is not to marry an unbeliever (“[marry] only in the Lord;” 1 Corinthians 7:39). On numerous occasions, he has talked to this dear lady about the Scriptures and the Gospel of Grace. Unfortunately, she still belongs to her works-religion cult that she has been in all her life (almost 90 years!), and firmly resists the idea of abandoning the family religion.

This brother was asking me for advice on how to proceed with such a delicate situation. While he cares much for her spiritual wellbeing, he knows he cannot force her to believe, which makes it even more heart wrenching. Israel’s sorry spiritual condition in today’s Scripture was just as troublesome to the Apostle Paul….

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 14, 2023

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 35 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”

Comatose! #5

Monday, February 27, 2023

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14 KJV).

“Wake up!,” screams the Holy Spirit to today’s comatose professing church!

In Matthew 13:25, “the enemy” labored “while men slept.” Verse 39 identifies this “enemy” as “the devil.” The sleeping, of course, is not physical but spiritual. When people are spiritually oblivious, napping in the spiritual realm, they become more susceptible to Satan’s will. A saint not walking in the light of God’s words to him or her will fall into the spiritual trap of functional death, the Christian life not functioning (see today’s Scripture). Also, any lost people refusing to believe God’s words to them—they are content in being lost—they too will be vulnerable to Satanic deception (remaining lost). The context of the verses in Matthew chapter 13 is the Little Flock receiving and believing the Gospel of the Kingdom, God’s work (genuine), and lost Israel refusing and disbelieving the Gospel of the Kingdom, Satan’s work (counterfeit).

Satan’s evil world system is still in force now, misleading lost and saved alike, following the patterns already laid out in Scripture. It had duped the Corinthian saints (spiritual immaturity, heresies and sects, fornication, abusing spiritual gifts, petty lawsuits, mockery of the Lord’s Supper, et cetera), the Galatian saints (legalism, denominationalism, works-religion), the Ephesian saints (various sins and silly deeds delineated in Ephesians 4:17–5:21), and so on. In the verses following today’s Scripture, we read: “[15] See then that ye walk circumspectly [looking around, carefully, alertly], not as fools, but as wise, [16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. [18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;….”

If there is no renewed mind, thinking like a mature grace saint (Romans 12:1,2), we will be “fools… unwise… [not] understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Since the vast majority of the professing church has never paid much attention to the warnings the Holy Spirit issued 2,000 years ago, there is no filling of the Holy Spirit, and therefore no real spiritual fruit and meaningful Christian influence on the world. Like with Israel of old, a spiritual coma incapacitates….

Comatose! #4

Sunday, February 26, 2023

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14 KJV).

“Wake up!,” screams the Holy Spirit to today’s comatose professing church!

In today’s Scripture, Paul evidently alluded to Isaiah 60:1, which is sinful, spiritually blind, spiritually-impotent Israel exhorted to pursue holy living because of Messiah’s coming: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” You may also see verses 2 and 3 (Millennial Kingdom glory—cf. Matthew 5:14-16). Since Israel’s Messiah (Jesus) is our Head, the Head of the Church which is His Body, should we not likewise walk in God’s light instead of stumbling in Satan’s darkness?

As it was appropriately stated long ago, “We do not become sinless when we become Christians, but, when we become Christians, we should sin less.” Before we can fix a problem, dear friends, we have to identify it. After we discover what is wrong, only then can we proceed to making it right. If we want to improve our lives, we have to admit our shortcomings. Three passages of the Dispensation of Grace that will benefit us in pinpointing and correcting our carnal living, worldliness, and foolish thinking are Romans chapter 12, Ephesians chapter 4, and Colossians chapter 3.

If these three chapters were actually believed in the heart and applied to life on a daily basis, the Church the Body of Christ would have a far greater and more positive impact on the world than it has. We would hear much less about “hypocritical Christians,” “confused Christians,” “discouraged Christians,” “apostate Christians,” and “silly Christians.” There would be fewer dissolved Christian marriages, fewer broken Christian homes, fewer delinquent Christian youth, fewer split Christian churches, fewer secular Christian colleges. More lost people would notice and say, “I may not agree with Christians, but I cannot deny their sensible thoughts and decent lives.” More lost people would respond with, “I want to know more about Christianity and that ‘Jesus’ you serve.” Ultimately, there might just be a few less atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, Muslims, Buddhists, Satanists, and other pagans.

Today’s Christians need to wake up and heed the Lord’s words through the Apostle Paul, rising from their practical death, and enlightened with the brilliance of Christ’s very words….

Able to Teach Others

Thursday, January 19, 2023

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV).

Whenever anyone expresses thanks for our insightful Bible studies, I always answer, “As faithful brethren taught me, pointing me in the right direction, so I am glad to ground others in rightly divided Scripture!”

Many people want to be the center of attention in a local church or ministry. “I gave so much in the collection plate, this building will be named after me!” “Watch me lift my hands, dance, clap, and speak in an ‘angelic tongue’—I am so spiritual, and you had better join me or you will feel left out!” After all, with the preachers flashing their exquisite jewelry and modeling their costly attire, the commoners see no wrong in seeking the praise of men too. Yet, what really matters forever is overlooked—sound Bible teaching!

Several years ago, I asked our pastor why his wife taught the church during Sunday School (which I never attended for that very reason). He replied, “There is no man here who can teach!” Not realizing it, he spoke to his shame. Why could no men in his congregation teach the Word of God? He was negligent in teaching them, for he was a babe in Christ too! Furthermore, when I shared sound Bible doctrine with him, he fought it fervently and retained his church traditions!

It is a sad commentary, but millions of Christian women are totally ignorant of Scripture because their husbands have not taught them anything meaningful either. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church…” (Ephesians 5:23). In fact, you can even find these women leading marriages because their men are spiritual absentees. This tragedy severely crippled the Corinthian church, with the “flamboyant women” abusing spiritual gifts because the men failed to teach them proper conduct in the local assembly (see 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 1 Corinthians 14:34,35)!

As you have been taught the Bible here, dear saints, so teach the same information to others, and you will dispel the ignorance that has gripped so many for so long.

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 8, 2022

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 34 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”

Only in the Lord!

Thursday, March 31, 2022

“The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39 KJV).

Why would God order a Christian to marry “only in the Lord,” joining in marriage with no one but another believer in Christ?

A hundred years ago, a man married a Christian woman who wanted to serve and worship the Lord. Finally, he had had enough of her “Christianity!” Infuriated, he expressed his scorn, “You can keep doing what you want, but leave me out of your religion! I do not believe in your God and you are only making a hypocrite out of me!” It is a most pitiful situation, and, to be sure, it has happened hundreds of millions of times before and since. Sound Bible doctrine is set aside because of deceptive emotions, outward appearances, and other worldly pleasures.

While forbidding the Christian’s attachment to false religion, the following passage parallels the believer marrying the unbeliever: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

By the way, there is a salient epilogue to the true (!) story with which we opened. That man became a world-renowned professional. He and his wife grew quite wealthy. One day, trouble came upon him, and he cried out to his wife: “If your God can do anything to help me, please pray that He would!” She replied, “My faith was destroyed long ago!”

Our two latest Bible Q&As: “What does ‘churlish’ mean?” and “What are ‘old cast clouts?’”

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 9, 2021

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 33 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”

Spiritual Cardiosclerosis #7

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

“And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go” (Exodus 4:21 KJV).

Exactly what is “spiritual cardiosclerosis?” How can we avoid this invisible, destructive malady?

Upon examining the contexts of the verses wherein spiritual cardiosclerosis appears, we conclude the affliction arises once the human soul (heart) refuses God’s words. Whether Pharaoh declining to let God’s people Israel go, or the Egyptians themselves refusing to release the Jews, or other unbelieving Gentiles in the Old Testament economy, or apostate Judaean King Zedekiah, or unbelieving Israelites wandering in the wilderness under Moses, or apostate religious Jews lacking compassion on a disabled man Jesus healed, or unbelieving disciples concerning Jesus feeding the multitudes, or callous people vehemently endeavoring to divorce, or national Israel blinded for not believing Christ during His earthly ministry, or unbelieving Apostles post-resurrection, or unbelievers in the Dispensation of Grace, or Jewish unbelievers during Daniel’s 70th Week, they all deliberately reject the Divine revelation given them. They are now insensitive (hardened) to the truth!

God’s Word tells us what to believe (doctrine), what we are doing wrong (reproof), and how we should think to do right (correction): “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). If we are unwilling to hear and trust its counsel, however, Proverbs 29:1 will be our lot: “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck [stubborn!], shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Ephesians 4:18,19 speaks of those “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” First Timothy 4:2 references those who “speak lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;….” We avoid spiritual cardiosclerosis by believing God’s words to us upon immediately hearing them. Let us pay special attention to Romans through Philemon, or face spiritual destruction!