So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchia, the king's son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, only mire, and Jeremiah sank in the mire (Jeremiah 38:6).
I have been reading through Jeremiah. For some unknown reason, as I read this verse, I thought about the clients who have spoken of feeling trapped in their marriages, jobs and even their lives. It's funny how a single verse can trigger such thoughts--humm.
Sometimes being trapped is not one's own fault. Being trapped can come through simply being faithful, as Jeremiah was a faithful prophet for God. In those situations, one can, at the very least, have a clear conscience about the situation; it goes a long way toward helping one sleep at night! Of course, if it is true that one is trapped because he/she was being faithful to God's word, then God will also make a way out; Jeremiah was pulled from the cistern.
Most of the time, feeling trapped and/or being trapped is of our own doing; we make the prisons that imprison us. I am not blaming here because we all make mistakes and errors in judgement that are not intentional, but, nevertheless, form the bars of our prison cells. It should go without saying that intentional sins have the same result.
Feeling trapped is hopeless anxiety. It is the feeling that a situation will never change and there is nothing I can do about it; I have no resources or power to bring about change. If one believes in the God of the Bible, he/she already has resources to deal with a hopeless situation, even one of our own making. God is our Redeemer, paying the price for freedom from the prisons in which we find ourselves.
So the place to begin is prayer, asking God's help to see and understand. Sometimes the prisons in which we find ourselves are not prisons at all, it is just a matter of perspective. Reframing a situation can make all the difference in the world. If one can meaning in imprisonment, one can find, not only the strength to persevere, but to flourish. It can be that those in a literal prison can be the most free people, the apostle Paul being an example, because there is meaning in the imprisonment.
The prisons of addiction are the most difficult to deal with, not only because of the dysfunctional family dynamics that form much of the prison, but because of altered body chemistry and brain dysfunction. Even with God's help, it is a tough way out.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (II Corinthians 3:17-18).
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Friday, December 09, 2011
Saturday, December 03, 2011
CHARACTER FORMATION/SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (II Corinthians 3:17-18).
The goal of character and spiritual formation is Christ-likeness. It is foolish to think that this can be accomplished by pastors, parents, teachers, counselors, coaches and their methods alone. Without the dynamic of Holy Spirit, it is futility to think that we can accomplish more than Pavlovian responses from those in our charge. So, character/spiritual formation has to begin with prayer!
People are more than animals, they are also spiritual beings. John Rosemond, in an article called, Children, Rats and Mazes, pointed out: . . . the principles that govern the behavior of a rat do not govern the behavior of a human being. A rat is subject to the force of reward and punishment. A human is not. Reward a child for obedience and he is likely to turn right around and disobey the first chance he gets. Punish a child for misbehaving and the misbehavior may get worse. This is not because the child carries a gene that makes him impervious to "normal forms of discipline." It is because of all the species on the planet, only human beings are capable of acting deliberately contrary to their best interests, even when they know where their best interests lie. While I do not know the faith-perspective of Dr. Rosemond, I do know that what he has said is consistent with Biblical revelation. I also infer from Dr. Rosemond's quote that external circumstances are not determiners of behavior, only dynamics. It means that a person has it in his power to act completely different from what powerful family and work dynamics seem to dictate.
The purpose of spiritual/character formation is not for the glory and convenience of the parents, pastors or life coaches, but it is for the glory of God and the good of those in whom the character of Holy Spirit is to be formed. It is important to mention this because properly behaving children make life much easier for parents, but good behavior is not for the parent's convenience, it is for the welfare of the children in this life and the life to come.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
The goal of character and spiritual formation is Christ-likeness. It is foolish to think that this can be accomplished by pastors, parents, teachers, counselors, coaches and their methods alone. Without the dynamic of Holy Spirit, it is futility to think that we can accomplish more than Pavlovian responses from those in our charge. So, character/spiritual formation has to begin with prayer!
People are more than animals, they are also spiritual beings. John Rosemond, in an article called, Children, Rats and Mazes, pointed out: . . . the principles that govern the behavior of a rat do not govern the behavior of a human being. A rat is subject to the force of reward and punishment. A human is not. Reward a child for obedience and he is likely to turn right around and disobey the first chance he gets. Punish a child for misbehaving and the misbehavior may get worse. This is not because the child carries a gene that makes him impervious to "normal forms of discipline." It is because of all the species on the planet, only human beings are capable of acting deliberately contrary to their best interests, even when they know where their best interests lie. While I do not know the faith-perspective of Dr. Rosemond, I do know that what he has said is consistent with Biblical revelation. I also infer from Dr. Rosemond's quote that external circumstances are not determiners of behavior, only dynamics. It means that a person has it in his power to act completely different from what powerful family and work dynamics seem to dictate.
The purpose of spiritual/character formation is not for the glory and convenience of the parents, pastors or life coaches, but it is for the glory of God and the good of those in whom the character of Holy Spirit is to be formed. It is important to mention this because properly behaving children make life much easier for parents, but good behavior is not for the parent's convenience, it is for the welfare of the children in this life and the life to come.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Sunday, November 27, 2011
COMMUNION MEDITATION FOR THANKSGIVING
. . . and if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
On the Saturday night after Thanksgiving, Helen and I were driving home from Kansas after having celebrated the holiday with Helen's side of the family. Making an effort to keep me awake and knowing I was scheduled to have the Communion meditation the next day, she asked me, "What are you planning for a Communion meditation?" I said, "I've been thinking about Revelation 20:15," and then I quoted the scripture to her. I can't remember the exact words Helen used, but she strongly implied that she thought I was being excessively negative. However, I went ahead and did do the meditation based on that text.
The truth is that the most important blessing that we have for which to give thanks is the pardon and forgiveness we have because of the incarnation, crucifixtion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; that is good news! God has warned us about the wrath to come: . . . Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come (I Thessalonians 1:10). Consider also Romans chapter 5 verse 9: Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
During the Thanksgiving season we often make an attempt to make a list of things for which we are thankful. Prominent on that list should be the salvation we have in Christ Jesus because we are able to look to our own coming death with peace and hope because of him!
The wrath of God has been the subject of many theological debates, but what is undebatable is the existence of hell and that people outside the protection of Christ will find that as their destination. Thankyou, Father, for Jesus Christ.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
On the Saturday night after Thanksgiving, Helen and I were driving home from Kansas after having celebrated the holiday with Helen's side of the family. Making an effort to keep me awake and knowing I was scheduled to have the Communion meditation the next day, she asked me, "What are you planning for a Communion meditation?" I said, "I've been thinking about Revelation 20:15," and then I quoted the scripture to her. I can't remember the exact words Helen used, but she strongly implied that she thought I was being excessively negative. However, I went ahead and did do the meditation based on that text.
The truth is that the most important blessing that we have for which to give thanks is the pardon and forgiveness we have because of the incarnation, crucifixtion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; that is good news! God has warned us about the wrath to come: . . . Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come (I Thessalonians 1:10). Consider also Romans chapter 5 verse 9: Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
During the Thanksgiving season we often make an attempt to make a list of things for which we are thankful. Prominent on that list should be the salvation we have in Christ Jesus because we are able to look to our own coming death with peace and hope because of him!
The wrath of God has been the subject of many theological debates, but what is undebatable is the existence of hell and that people outside the protection of Christ will find that as their destination. Thankyou, Father, for Jesus Christ.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, November 21, 2011
CHARACTER FORMATION, NOT BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).
The following is an interesting quote from a column by Dr. John Rosemond: "The term 'behavior modification' has been a distraction because it implies that the discipline of a child is all about proper behavior. In fact, the discipline of a child is all about shaping his or her character. Proper behavior will follow of its own accord."*
I will add my own "AMEN" to this, and if I have time, follow up on it later.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*I read this in the http://www.jewishworldreview.com
The following is an interesting quote from a column by Dr. John Rosemond: "The term 'behavior modification' has been a distraction because it implies that the discipline of a child is all about proper behavior. In fact, the discipline of a child is all about shaping his or her character. Proper behavior will follow of its own accord."*
I will add my own "AMEN" to this, and if I have time, follow up on it later.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*I read this in the http://www.jewishworldreview.com
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
FOR THE HEAVEN OF IT
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell (James 3:6, emphasis mine).
Sometimes, listening to the tractor radio stimulates my thinking as I work. Listening to a sports broadcast or call-in show, it is not uncommon to hear it said, "That was a helluva play," or "he's a hell of a coach." But, if one stops to think about it, those descriptions meant to be complimentary are anything but complimentary. Hell is a place for those with no positive self-discipline; there is only excellence in evil. Hell is a place for the destructive. Hell is a place for the self-centered, there are no team players in hell. Hell is the capital city of evil, destruction and torment. I never want it to be said about me, "He's a hell of a guy," though there have been times when that statement would have been true. Thank you, Jesus, for making it not true!!!
Think about it. God's people should be the toughest competitors because they can persevere. They are tough because they are willing to do what it takes to become the best they can be. More than anybody, God people practice teamwork, working together to bring about success for each member, not just for one's self. God's team is not a team of individual stars, but a team made up of people who serve each other. Heaven's team practices teamwork, hell's team is individual stars out for their own glory.
Perhaps it is because there is no single syllable word for Heaven, that Heaven has not achieved the same popularity as hell, but I really believe that the lost really enjoy spitting at God and raising hell, not Heaven. What team are you part of: Heaven's or hell's? Your language indicates the team you are cheering for.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Sometimes, listening to the tractor radio stimulates my thinking as I work. Listening to a sports broadcast or call-in show, it is not uncommon to hear it said, "That was a helluva play," or "he's a hell of a coach." But, if one stops to think about it, those descriptions meant to be complimentary are anything but complimentary. Hell is a place for those with no positive self-discipline; there is only excellence in evil. Hell is a place for the destructive. Hell is a place for the self-centered, there are no team players in hell. Hell is the capital city of evil, destruction and torment. I never want it to be said about me, "He's a hell of a guy," though there have been times when that statement would have been true. Thank you, Jesus, for making it not true!!!
Think about it. God's people should be the toughest competitors because they can persevere. They are tough because they are willing to do what it takes to become the best they can be. More than anybody, God people practice teamwork, working together to bring about success for each member, not just for one's self. God's team is not a team of individual stars, but a team made up of people who serve each other. Heaven's team practices teamwork, hell's team is individual stars out for their own glory.
Perhaps it is because there is no single syllable word for Heaven, that Heaven has not achieved the same popularity as hell, but I really believe that the lost really enjoy spitting at God and raising hell, not Heaven. What team are you part of: Heaven's or hell's? Your language indicates the team you are cheering for.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, November 14, 2011
THERE IS NO TEACHING, ONLY LEARNING
This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand (Matthew 13:13).
My wife, the lovely and gracious Helen, is an educator. She has spoken to me often of the frustrations of teaching children who are unprepared to learn and who do not want to learn. This is not only true of children, but also of adults. In a news letter I receive, the author spoke of his frustration with adults who would not accept new concepts of investing. That frustration prompted him to say, "There is no teaching, only learning." He went on to say that one must be emotionally prepared to learn before learning can take place. An old school board member who wanted to keep teachers in their place used to say, 'No teaching has been done if the students haven't learned.' There is enough truth in it so his premise sounds logical, but the truth is, if one refuses to learn, no teaching can make him learn; "My mind is made up, do not confuse me with the facts."
Is our culture emotionally preparing our children to learn? If one studies the demographics of our country it will be found that parents are pursuing more self-satisfying lives rather than lives that are in the best interest of their children. With those kinds of parents, how can children be prepared to learn? Our problems in education are more of a crisis of culture than any lack of money.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
My wife, the lovely and gracious Helen, is an educator. She has spoken to me often of the frustrations of teaching children who are unprepared to learn and who do not want to learn. This is not only true of children, but also of adults. In a news letter I receive, the author spoke of his frustration with adults who would not accept new concepts of investing. That frustration prompted him to say, "There is no teaching, only learning." He went on to say that one must be emotionally prepared to learn before learning can take place. An old school board member who wanted to keep teachers in their place used to say, 'No teaching has been done if the students haven't learned.' There is enough truth in it so his premise sounds logical, but the truth is, if one refuses to learn, no teaching can make him learn; "My mind is made up, do not confuse me with the facts."
Is our culture emotionally preparing our children to learn? If one studies the demographics of our country it will be found that parents are pursuing more self-satisfying lives rather than lives that are in the best interest of their children. With those kinds of parents, how can children be prepared to learn? Our problems in education are more of a crisis of culture than any lack of money.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
CHANGE YOUR THINKING, CHANGE YOUR WORLD
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2).
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do (John Wooden, greatest ever basketball coach).
If I remember correctly, the phrase that is used as the title to this blurb is by Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking.
The Bible says much about thinking, the mind and the heart; Colossians 3:2 is only one of many references. Paul's instruction to us does not have to do with thinking about angels, or what heaven is going to be like, but it to do with thinking about God, what He is like--His nature and His values, and then begin to appropriate them into our lives. Certainly, God is righteous and His desire is for us to be righteous too. God is love and His desire is for us to love like He does. God is all powerful, we are weak but He is strong. Christians are God's adopted children, and, one of the blessings of being His children is that He gives us what we need when we need it much better than Bomgaars.*
I have said all that to say this, Christians should not be negative thinkers, focusing on matters of the flesh. A trite example: A week ago Iowa lost to Minnesota in football; I was bummed the whole week until we beat Michigan. What a silly waste of emotional energy! I am still an avid Hawkeye fan, but, when the game is over it is over, move on. The game didn't change the price of corn nor did it solve the economic crisis.
Positive thinking begins by trusting God and who He is. God has not created His children to be exactly alike, but He is Father to each of them. At no time should we think negatively and believe that we cannot have a significant impact in the world because we are not talented, or we do not have money--we have God as our Father who can do all things beyond what we can even dream (See Ephesians 3:14-21). Do not think negatively and allow lack of money or lack of talent to keep you from doing what you can do!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*Bomgaars is a small chain of stores in the upper Midwestern United States with the slogan, "What you need, When you need it."
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do (John Wooden, greatest ever basketball coach).
If I remember correctly, the phrase that is used as the title to this blurb is by Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking.
The Bible says much about thinking, the mind and the heart; Colossians 3:2 is only one of many references. Paul's instruction to us does not have to do with thinking about angels, or what heaven is going to be like, but it to do with thinking about God, what He is like--His nature and His values, and then begin to appropriate them into our lives. Certainly, God is righteous and His desire is for us to be righteous too. God is love and His desire is for us to love like He does. God is all powerful, we are weak but He is strong. Christians are God's adopted children, and, one of the blessings of being His children is that He gives us what we need when we need it much better than Bomgaars.*
I have said all that to say this, Christians should not be negative thinkers, focusing on matters of the flesh. A trite example: A week ago Iowa lost to Minnesota in football; I was bummed the whole week until we beat Michigan. What a silly waste of emotional energy! I am still an avid Hawkeye fan, but, when the game is over it is over, move on. The game didn't change the price of corn nor did it solve the economic crisis.
Positive thinking begins by trusting God and who He is. God has not created His children to be exactly alike, but He is Father to each of them. At no time should we think negatively and believe that we cannot have a significant impact in the world because we are not talented, or we do not have money--we have God as our Father who can do all things beyond what we can even dream (See Ephesians 3:14-21). Do not think negatively and allow lack of money or lack of talent to keep you from doing what you can do!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*Bomgaars is a small chain of stores in the upper Midwestern United States with the slogan, "What you need, When you need it."
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
HABITS OF THE HEART
You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement . . . (Matthew 5:21-22).
This guy was in a counseling session when he told his therapist about an incident that happened the previous week. He said he was out for his daily walk, as the therapist had instructed him to do, when he came to a thorny thistle patch. He took off all his clothes and rolled around in the thistle patch naked. The therapist asked the man why he would do such a thing. The man replied, "Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time."
Though the story is fiction, yet there are many who roll around in that proverbial "thistle patch" because they cultivated emotions and thoughts that, nurtured long enough over time, resulted in painful and destructive behaviors that "seemed like a good idea at the time." That is why Jesus went to the root of negative and destructive behaviors, our thought and emotional lives, and condemned the nurture of them. One cannot stop a thought from coming into his mind, but he can refuse to nurture negative thoughts and emotions by thinking and doing positive things.
Have you let your heart fall into the habit of negative thinking? Do you nurture negative emotions? Perhaps you could plant and nurture the positive by resolving to read and meditate on God's Word each day, choosing to be a happy person in spite of being surrounded by sin and negativity. There are a lot of depressing things happening in the world, and there will always be until the Lord returns, so, choose not to participate in the depression by developing positive habits of the heart.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
This guy was in a counseling session when he told his therapist about an incident that happened the previous week. He said he was out for his daily walk, as the therapist had instructed him to do, when he came to a thorny thistle patch. He took off all his clothes and rolled around in the thistle patch naked. The therapist asked the man why he would do such a thing. The man replied, "Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time."
Though the story is fiction, yet there are many who roll around in that proverbial "thistle patch" because they cultivated emotions and thoughts that, nurtured long enough over time, resulted in painful and destructive behaviors that "seemed like a good idea at the time." That is why Jesus went to the root of negative and destructive behaviors, our thought and emotional lives, and condemned the nurture of them. One cannot stop a thought from coming into his mind, but he can refuse to nurture negative thoughts and emotions by thinking and doing positive things.
Have you let your heart fall into the habit of negative thinking? Do you nurture negative emotions? Perhaps you could plant and nurture the positive by resolving to read and meditate on God's Word each day, choosing to be a happy person in spite of being surrounded by sin and negativity. There are a lot of depressing things happening in the world, and there will always be until the Lord returns, so, choose not to participate in the depression by developing positive habits of the heart.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, October 24, 2011
FAITH IS . . .
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Though there are seven unities listed in this text, I am only emphasising the one faith. There is essential material that must be believed if a person is to be called a Christian. Essential to the Christian faith is belief in the testimony of the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Faith is the belief of credible testimony. Belief of incredible testimony is credulity, believing too easily. God does not expect us to believe incredible testimony, but he does expect us to believe testimony that is credible, and he has supplied us with much testimony that has all the evidences of credibility.
Belief of testimony is not faith if it does not result in obedience to Christ as Lord, and no trust in him as Savior. It was the mission of the apostle Paul, and every other Christian evangelist to call all peoples to . . . the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 1:5). If belief is truly faith then life-change is a foregone conclusion. One will love what Jesus loves and will hate what Jesus hates. He/she will invest in what the Lord is invested and make sacrifices like the Lord sacrificed.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Though there are seven unities listed in this text, I am only emphasising the one faith. There is essential material that must be believed if a person is to be called a Christian. Essential to the Christian faith is belief in the testimony of the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Faith is the belief of credible testimony. Belief of incredible testimony is credulity, believing too easily. God does not expect us to believe incredible testimony, but he does expect us to believe testimony that is credible, and he has supplied us with much testimony that has all the evidences of credibility.
Belief of testimony is not faith if it does not result in obedience to Christ as Lord, and no trust in him as Savior. It was the mission of the apostle Paul, and every other Christian evangelist to call all peoples to . . . the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 1:5). If belief is truly faith then life-change is a foregone conclusion. One will love what Jesus loves and will hate what Jesus hates. He/she will invest in what the Lord is invested and make sacrifices like the Lord sacrificed.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Saturday, October 15, 2011
COMMUNION MEDITATION FROM THE BOOK OF JUDGES
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).
I just finished reading the book of Judges for my own personal Bible study. Judges is one of the books of Hebrew history in the Bible, but as I was reading it I found myself asking the Lord to help me make something of it--to make sense of what it means because the images of homosexual practice, rape, murder, a war that killed many thousands, etc., was not inspirational to me. What follows is what the Lord helped me to understand.
About four times in the book of Judges the theme is repeated, 'there was no king in Israel.' Why did they need a king? They had the Law. And, if they had the Law, they did have a king who was the Law-giver, Jehovah God. When the Israelites were asking for a king to lead them, Samuel told them, "the Lord God was your king" (I Samuel 12:12b). What is clear is that they did not want God for their king. The Israelites disregarded the priesthood and the Law and, as a nation, sank to the lowest depths of depravity. It is interesting to note that the people of Jesus' day did not want a king from Heaven either. Jesus told them, "My kingship is not of this world" (John 18:36). The Jews of Jesus' time were like those of the Judges, they wanted a king from earth, not of Heaven, and, as a result, crucified Jesus on a cross.
The Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, communion reminds us that Jesus is the King sent from Heaven, but rather than rejecting him, we renew our commitment to him.*
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*Often what I write needs some refinement in expression, but I think the broad outline is sound. Communion is a time for recommitting our lives to King Jesus.
I just finished reading the book of Judges for my own personal Bible study. Judges is one of the books of Hebrew history in the Bible, but as I was reading it I found myself asking the Lord to help me make something of it--to make sense of what it means because the images of homosexual practice, rape, murder, a war that killed many thousands, etc., was not inspirational to me. What follows is what the Lord helped me to understand.
About four times in the book of Judges the theme is repeated, 'there was no king in Israel.' Why did they need a king? They had the Law. And, if they had the Law, they did have a king who was the Law-giver, Jehovah God. When the Israelites were asking for a king to lead them, Samuel told them, "the Lord God was your king" (I Samuel 12:12b). What is clear is that they did not want God for their king. The Israelites disregarded the priesthood and the Law and, as a nation, sank to the lowest depths of depravity. It is interesting to note that the people of Jesus' day did not want a king from Heaven either. Jesus told them, "My kingship is not of this world" (John 18:36). The Jews of Jesus' time were like those of the Judges, they wanted a king from earth, not of Heaven, and, as a result, crucified Jesus on a cross.
The Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, communion reminds us that Jesus is the King sent from Heaven, but rather than rejecting him, we renew our commitment to him.*
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*Often what I write needs some refinement in expression, but I think the broad outline is sound. Communion is a time for recommitting our lives to King Jesus.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
CONTENTEDLY DISCONTENT OR DISCONTENTEDLY CONTENT?
Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content (Philippians 4:11).
Perhaps the real secret of contentment is found more in the context of Philippians 4:11 than in the verse itself, except to say, contentment is something that needs learned. In that I hope this post helps.
Discontentment is not a good thing because it is what makes people over spend which leads people to over work, over play, over stress, cheat, steal, lie and murder. It is as the Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (I Timothy 6:10). Hebrews 13:5 gives us a little more insight into contentment: "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have: for he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake you.' " In almost every case, when contentment is spoken of in the Bible it is in the context of money and material wealth. Thinking in this way, contentment is rooted in faith, trusting God, our loving Father in Heaven, to make provision for us. This does not mean that we are to stop working, but it does mean that God will provide the means for His children to have a job and make a living. So, will we trust God or not?
In the dictionary contentment and satisfaction are said to be synonymous, in other words, they mean the same thing. If one is content, or satisfied, there might be a tendency to relax and think there is no need to compete, to achieve excellence, or at least to become the best that we can be. To think that way is to misunderstand Biblical contentment. Contentment is rooted in faith and it grows in gratitude, taking time to recognize the many blessings God has already given us. One of the greatest means of achieving contentment is to count your blessings, intentionally becoming aware of what God has already blessed you with. Because we are His children and His servants, His commands and His blessings spur us on to greater achievement, making the most of what He has given us. Certainly, God is not honored when we bury our blessings and contentedly sit on them.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
PS. We all have a little materialism in us, the idea that if I just had enough money my problems would be solved. When we do not have enough money is when discontentment enters the picture. The truth is that there will never be enough money to solve our problems because very few of our problems are really money problems and money will not solve non-money problems. The One who can really solve your problems is where to begin--person, church or state.
Perhaps the real secret of contentment is found more in the context of Philippians 4:11 than in the verse itself, except to say, contentment is something that needs learned. In that I hope this post helps.
Discontentment is not a good thing because it is what makes people over spend which leads people to over work, over play, over stress, cheat, steal, lie and murder. It is as the Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (I Timothy 6:10). Hebrews 13:5 gives us a little more insight into contentment: "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have: for he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake you.' " In almost every case, when contentment is spoken of in the Bible it is in the context of money and material wealth. Thinking in this way, contentment is rooted in faith, trusting God, our loving Father in Heaven, to make provision for us. This does not mean that we are to stop working, but it does mean that God will provide the means for His children to have a job and make a living. So, will we trust God or not?
In the dictionary contentment and satisfaction are said to be synonymous, in other words, they mean the same thing. If one is content, or satisfied, there might be a tendency to relax and think there is no need to compete, to achieve excellence, or at least to become the best that we can be. To think that way is to misunderstand Biblical contentment. Contentment is rooted in faith and it grows in gratitude, taking time to recognize the many blessings God has already given us. One of the greatest means of achieving contentment is to count your blessings, intentionally becoming aware of what God has already blessed you with. Because we are His children and His servants, His commands and His blessings spur us on to greater achievement, making the most of what He has given us. Certainly, God is not honored when we bury our blessings and contentedly sit on them.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
PS. We all have a little materialism in us, the idea that if I just had enough money my problems would be solved. When we do not have enough money is when discontentment enters the picture. The truth is that there will never be enough money to solve our problems because very few of our problems are really money problems and money will not solve non-money problems. The One who can really solve your problems is where to begin--person, church or state.
Friday, September 30, 2011
THE VIRTUE OF ACCUMULATING WEALTH
Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures forever (Psalms 112:3).
As much negative as the Bible has to say about material wealth and riches, one would think that there is no virtue in accumulating it. First Timothy 6:9 has this to say, But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. So, it is true that the accumulation of material wealth cannot be the first priority of one who is committed to Christ, but the earning of material wealth is an absolute necessity. Consider these texts: If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (I Timothy 5:8); For even when we were with you we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, let him not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). This was standard Hebrew teaching, every little Jewish boy was taught these work ethics as he grew up--generally, the gentiles were not so blessed.
When a person lives up to his responsibility to God, his family and his community, wealth almost always accumulates: A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Proverbs 10:4).*
When a person diligently works at honest labor, spending less that he or she makes, over the years a small fortune will accumulate (Some of the things we need to teach our children about money are: 1. Debt is expensive; 2. The power of compound interest.) Generally, those who try all the get-rich-quick schemes end up in their own personal poverty.
Because of the tendency for material wealth to accumulate when a person is living up to his responsibilities it is easy to make an erroneous assumption, that material wealth, in itself, is a sign of righteousness and salvation because material wealth is a sign of God's blessing. When Jesus said, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," the disciples were exceedingly astonished and they asked, "Then who can be saved?" (Mark 10:25-26). To the disciples, material wealth was a sign of God's approval on a person's life. When the Lord asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?" he made it crystal clear that the accumulation of material wealth has little to do with salvation so one should not make accumulating wealth the purpose of his life!!!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*Where the government allows lawlessness to exist, or the government, itself, is corrupt then the opportunity to accumulate material wealth is severely reduced!
As much negative as the Bible has to say about material wealth and riches, one would think that there is no virtue in accumulating it. First Timothy 6:9 has this to say, But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. So, it is true that the accumulation of material wealth cannot be the first priority of one who is committed to Christ, but the earning of material wealth is an absolute necessity. Consider these texts: If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (I Timothy 5:8); For even when we were with you we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, let him not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). This was standard Hebrew teaching, every little Jewish boy was taught these work ethics as he grew up--generally, the gentiles were not so blessed.
When a person lives up to his responsibility to God, his family and his community, wealth almost always accumulates: A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Proverbs 10:4).*
When a person diligently works at honest labor, spending less that he or she makes, over the years a small fortune will accumulate (Some of the things we need to teach our children about money are: 1. Debt is expensive; 2. The power of compound interest.) Generally, those who try all the get-rich-quick schemes end up in their own personal poverty.
Because of the tendency for material wealth to accumulate when a person is living up to his responsibilities it is easy to make an erroneous assumption, that material wealth, in itself, is a sign of righteousness and salvation because material wealth is a sign of God's blessing. When Jesus said, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," the disciples were exceedingly astonished and they asked, "Then who can be saved?" (Mark 10:25-26). To the disciples, material wealth was a sign of God's approval on a person's life. When the Lord asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?" he made it crystal clear that the accumulation of material wealth has little to do with salvation so one should not make accumulating wealth the purpose of his life!!!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*Where the government allows lawlessness to exist, or the government, itself, is corrupt then the opportunity to accumulate material wealth is severely reduced!
GIVING IS GOOD FOR YOU
And he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27).
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus countered the hyper legalistic critics of his time by telling them that the institution of the sabbath was to bless humanity, not to hinder it. While I am not "Lord of the sabbath" like Jesus was, I believe that this principle could be applied to other areas of faith as well, in this case, giving.
It is strange that those who emphasize grace and Holy Spirit the most are the ones who are some of the most legalistic about money--at a minimum one must give 10% of his gross income, not his net income. Often pastoral sermons on stewardship will speak of money as the Christian's treasure. The thinking is that if one gives his treasure to the Lord, his heart will follow it. Such theology is purely materialistic and thus undermines and distorts the message of Christ. Often such pastoral sermons will lament what the church isn't doing because the church does not have the funding. That is the problem with materialistic theology, it makes finances the determining factor on what can or cannot be done by the church. When materialism is emphasized, there is always a shortage of money, whether it be in the church or the state.
All this begs the question: Does God need our money to accomplish His purposes? If God does need our money, then He is not God. Just as God can 'raise up children of Abraham out of the stones,' so God can raise up givers of money to accomplish His purposes--if He wants to use financial means to accomplish them. I believe one of the reasons the Lord wants us to give is to increase our faith and trust in Him. If we give that which is necessary to physical life to Him, how will we be sustained but by Him? As we rely on Him more and more, we will find riches that money cannot buy--giving is good for us!
The truth is that man, or churches, or states, do not live by bread alone! Those who do believe in life by bread alone are always in poverty. If Jesus Christ is our treasure, if we are led by His Spirit, then the money will follow where He leads. If it seems that the lack of money is the biggest obstacle in your life, or church life, then a radical reassessment of one's relationship with Christ needs to be done.
Finally, if one is not giving his money, and his time and talents, to Jesus Christ, he needs to do a radical assessment of his relationship to Christ too! The truth is that all you have follows your heart--if Jesus has your heart, He has your money.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus countered the hyper legalistic critics of his time by telling them that the institution of the sabbath was to bless humanity, not to hinder it. While I am not "Lord of the sabbath" like Jesus was, I believe that this principle could be applied to other areas of faith as well, in this case, giving.
It is strange that those who emphasize grace and Holy Spirit the most are the ones who are some of the most legalistic about money--at a minimum one must give 10% of his gross income, not his net income. Often pastoral sermons on stewardship will speak of money as the Christian's treasure. The thinking is that if one gives his treasure to the Lord, his heart will follow it. Such theology is purely materialistic and thus undermines and distorts the message of Christ. Often such pastoral sermons will lament what the church isn't doing because the church does not have the funding. That is the problem with materialistic theology, it makes finances the determining factor on what can or cannot be done by the church. When materialism is emphasized, there is always a shortage of money, whether it be in the church or the state.
All this begs the question: Does God need our money to accomplish His purposes? If God does need our money, then He is not God. Just as God can 'raise up children of Abraham out of the stones,' so God can raise up givers of money to accomplish His purposes--if He wants to use financial means to accomplish them. I believe one of the reasons the Lord wants us to give is to increase our faith and trust in Him. If we give that which is necessary to physical life to Him, how will we be sustained but by Him? As we rely on Him more and more, we will find riches that money cannot buy--giving is good for us!
The truth is that man, or churches, or states, do not live by bread alone! Those who do believe in life by bread alone are always in poverty. If Jesus Christ is our treasure, if we are led by His Spirit, then the money will follow where He leads. If it seems that the lack of money is the biggest obstacle in your life, or church life, then a radical reassessment of one's relationship with Christ needs to be done.
Finally, if one is not giving his money, and his time and talents, to Jesus Christ, he needs to do a radical assessment of his relationship to Christ too! The truth is that all you have follows your heart--if Jesus has your heart, He has your money.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Sunday, September 25, 2011
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagles (Psalm 103:1-5).
When you think of all that God has done for you, do you not feel like you owe something to Him? Is there something you could give Him in return? Your heart? If God truly has our hearts, He has everything else!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
When you think of all that God has done for you, do you not feel like you owe something to Him? Is there something you could give Him in return? Your heart? If God truly has our hearts, He has everything else!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
KEEPING YOUR VISION
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell (Matthew 5:29-30).
While my minister was preaching on this text, an old saying came to mind: "It is better to lose your sight than to lose your vision." Rather than being led by the flesh, which dulls the vision, the one who is led by the Spirit has a vision of doing what does not seem possible.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
While my minister was preaching on this text, an old saying came to mind: "It is better to lose your sight than to lose your vision." Rather than being led by the flesh, which dulls the vision, the one who is led by the Spirit has a vision of doing what does not seem possible.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Sunday, September 18, 2011
THOUGHTS ABOUT WEALTH
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (I Timothy 6:17).
The term wealth comes to us from an old Anglo-Saxon word, weal. When one was in weal, he was in a state of well being resulting from being in a state of prosperity. Thinking about this definition, I thought, "Is it possible for a person to be rich and not be wealthy?" A rich person cannot buy his salvation with money; Jesus asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Even though a rich person might be able to extend his physical life many years because of his riches, the truth is one day death will come calling; human beings know that they will die. What then? Many times, in the homes of the rich, there is no love or peace.
We have a rich Father, trusting in Him we are provided with that feeling of well-being even though we might have little in terms of material abundance. During my growing-up years my family was poor. While we were living through those times of poverty, admittedly, there was pain. But, looking back, I treasure my growing up years. We had a good family and we have great memories. God did richly provide for us during those years. It was something that money alone cannot buy--we were wealthy even though we were poor.
Are you wealthy or are you just rich?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
The term wealth comes to us from an old Anglo-Saxon word, weal. When one was in weal, he was in a state of well being resulting from being in a state of prosperity. Thinking about this definition, I thought, "Is it possible for a person to be rich and not be wealthy?" A rich person cannot buy his salvation with money; Jesus asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Even though a rich person might be able to extend his physical life many years because of his riches, the truth is one day death will come calling; human beings know that they will die. What then? Many times, in the homes of the rich, there is no love or peace.
We have a rich Father, trusting in Him we are provided with that feeling of well-being even though we might have little in terms of material abundance. During my growing-up years my family was poor. While we were living through those times of poverty, admittedly, there was pain. But, looking back, I treasure my growing up years. We had a good family and we have great memories. God did richly provide for us during those years. It was something that money alone cannot buy--we were wealthy even though we were poor.
Are you wealthy or are you just rich?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile . . . But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (I Corinthians 15:17&20).
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a historical truth. Following the rules of evidence, the resurrection of Christ is established as a historical fact. That is why I am a Christian. I am not a Christian because it makes be feel better. I am not a Christian because of the social relationships in the church. I am not a Christian because of the do-gooding opportunities in the church. I am a Christian because Jesus Christ has risen!
Christ's resurrection means that the Bible is God's word and thus its words are true. Therefore, we ought to pay attention to the Bible. The resurrection of Christ means that we have not seen the last of our loved ones who are in Christ--we will see them again! The resurrection of Christ means that God has the last word! No matter how good of a lawyer you might have, God has the last word!
I enjoy church, but that is not why I am a Christian. I am a Christian because of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth--love, hope, joy and peace follow the resurrection.
Our Father's Blessings
Tom
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a historical truth. Following the rules of evidence, the resurrection of Christ is established as a historical fact. That is why I am a Christian. I am not a Christian because it makes be feel better. I am not a Christian because of the social relationships in the church. I am not a Christian because of the do-gooding opportunities in the church. I am a Christian because Jesus Christ has risen!
Christ's resurrection means that the Bible is God's word and thus its words are true. Therefore, we ought to pay attention to the Bible. The resurrection of Christ means that we have not seen the last of our loved ones who are in Christ--we will see them again! The resurrection of Christ means that God has the last word! No matter how good of a lawyer you might have, God has the last word!
I enjoy church, but that is not why I am a Christian. I am a Christian because of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth--love, hope, joy and peace follow the resurrection.
Our Father's Blessings
Tom
Saturday, September 10, 2011
A PASTORAL PRAYER
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks , the door will be opened (Matthew 7:8).
Father in Heaven, may we keep your name holy always.
Father, we ask you for faith; we believe, but in difficult times our faith wavers, help our unbelief. We know that without faith it is impossible to please you.
Father, we ask you for love so that we can recognize the needs of those around us and be truly compassionate towards those in need.
Father, we ask you for wisdom so that we might deal with difficult problems in a way that pleases you; so that we can know when show tough love rather than being enablers.
Father, we ask you for courage so that we will take a stand and live for your truth. We are often tempted to take the easy way out rather than stand for what is right.
Father, we ask for strength so that we might persevere and not faint as we face the continual onslaught of the evil one.
Father, we ask for pardon and forgiveness because of Jesus' sacrifice for us. We have sinned and we cling to Jesus as our only hope for eternity. In His name we pray, Amen.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Father in Heaven, may we keep your name holy always.
Father, we ask you for faith; we believe, but in difficult times our faith wavers, help our unbelief. We know that without faith it is impossible to please you.
Father, we ask you for love so that we can recognize the needs of those around us and be truly compassionate towards those in need.
Father, we ask you for wisdom so that we might deal with difficult problems in a way that pleases you; so that we can know when show tough love rather than being enablers.
Father, we ask you for courage so that we will take a stand and live for your truth. We are often tempted to take the easy way out rather than stand for what is right.
Father, we ask for strength so that we might persevere and not faint as we face the continual onslaught of the evil one.
Father, we ask for pardon and forgiveness because of Jesus' sacrifice for us. We have sinned and we cling to Jesus as our only hope for eternity. In His name we pray, Amen.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, September 05, 2011
CONCESSION TO HARD HEARTS: POLYGAMY
If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights (Exodus 21:10).
Over the course of my ministry I have been asked several times about the men of God in the Old Testament who had more than one wife. There are some, who believe that these men were living in adultery because they had more than one wife. However, no where in the Bible does it say that having more than one wife is sinful. Rather, like divorce, the Scripture actually gives one the idea that polygamy is remedial, levirate marriage being one example. Levirate marriage is spoken of in Deuteronomy 25: 5-10 when a man is to marry his deceased brother's wife, regardless of his marital status, so that there can be children to carry on the brother's name. Jesus recognizes the truth of this law in Matthew 22: 23-32.
It appears that polygamy was a better remedy for marital strife than divorce because when a man divorces his wife to marry another he commits adultery. When a man marries another, according to Old Testament law, he is not released from his responsibility to his first wife. Real men stand up and take responsibility for their relationships.
In the New Testament, it is never said that polygamy is a sin either, but it does say that church leaders are to be the husband of one wife and they are to parent their households well. I believe the reason for this is that the ideal marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church, and church leaders are to live that picture out in their lives (Ephesians 5: 25-29).
Is polygamy sinful today? Well, it is against the civil law of the United States. Modern marriage ceremonies have the couple vow that they will forsake all others, so to have another wife is to forsake the vow, which is adultery. Depending on the situation, when a man has an affair and his wife has come to me for counseling I ask her, "Do you want to be one of his harem? That wasn't part of your marriage covenant." Some will go along with being one of the harem.
I believe that God's plan is one man married to one woman for a life time. There is nothing more romantic than a man and a woman working together, supporting each other to achieve their goals, dreams and purpose. Because of hard and sinful hearts and difficult circumstances there were remedies for the civil governance of society, polygamy being one of them. The best remedy is the changing of hearts, but if there can be no change of heart then law has to bring some kind of order out of disorder.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Over the course of my ministry I have been asked several times about the men of God in the Old Testament who had more than one wife. There are some, who believe that these men were living in adultery because they had more than one wife. However, no where in the Bible does it say that having more than one wife is sinful. Rather, like divorce, the Scripture actually gives one the idea that polygamy is remedial, levirate marriage being one example. Levirate marriage is spoken of in Deuteronomy 25: 5-10 when a man is to marry his deceased brother's wife, regardless of his marital status, so that there can be children to carry on the brother's name. Jesus recognizes the truth of this law in Matthew 22: 23-32.
It appears that polygamy was a better remedy for marital strife than divorce because when a man divorces his wife to marry another he commits adultery. When a man marries another, according to Old Testament law, he is not released from his responsibility to his first wife. Real men stand up and take responsibility for their relationships.
In the New Testament, it is never said that polygamy is a sin either, but it does say that church leaders are to be the husband of one wife and they are to parent their households well. I believe the reason for this is that the ideal marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church, and church leaders are to live that picture out in their lives (Ephesians 5: 25-29).
Is polygamy sinful today? Well, it is against the civil law of the United States. Modern marriage ceremonies have the couple vow that they will forsake all others, so to have another wife is to forsake the vow, which is adultery. Depending on the situation, when a man has an affair and his wife has come to me for counseling I ask her, "Do you want to be one of his harem? That wasn't part of your marriage covenant." Some will go along with being one of the harem.
I believe that God's plan is one man married to one woman for a life time. There is nothing more romantic than a man and a woman working together, supporting each other to achieve their goals, dreams and purpose. Because of hard and sinful hearts and difficult circumstances there were remedies for the civil governance of society, polygamy being one of them. The best remedy is the changing of hearts, but if there can be no change of heart then law has to bring some kind of order out of disorder.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Friday, September 02, 2011
CONCESSION TO HARD HEARTS: DIVORCE
"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate . . . Any one who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." (Mark 10: 5-12 NIV)
While doing my daily Bible reading, I was reading from Mark 10 about Jesus' teaching on divorce and it struck me that Mark's gospel account is the most concise and readily understood, certainly being consistent, however, with the other teachings of Scripture about divorce. It is in the divorcing to marry another that adultery is committed. (Adultery is forsaking, disregarding, the vow. Because we have sex on the brain, we think adultery only has to do with sex.)
The Mosaic law on divorce was intended to be remedial. The options for any woman in ancient times were extremely limited. Certainly, there were beautiful and talented women who were leaders and business women, but they were an extreme minority. The options for a discarded woman was even more limited; cast out of her household, what was she to do? She couldn't even marry because, technically, she was still married. It was understood that the Mosaic law on divorce made it possible for the marriage to be ended so that the wife could legally marry again (Deuteronomy 24:2), having the option of marriage rather than resorting to immorality to sustain herself. The option for divorce was not part of God's plan for marriage, but it was intended to be a practical remedy for those with sinful hearts. One of the interesting facets of the Biblical teaching on divorce is that God views remarriage to the first partner to be an abomination if there has been a subsequent marriage (Deuteronomy 24:3-4).
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than Seventy percent of divorces are initiated by women. These days women have a lot more options so they are much less dependent, plus the fact that the hearts of women are fully as hard as men's. Another statistic indicative of that fact according to DHHS is that fully two thirds of child abuse is initiated by the biological mother. Given the Casey Anthony case, I'm not surprised.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
While doing my daily Bible reading, I was reading from Mark 10 about Jesus' teaching on divorce and it struck me that Mark's gospel account is the most concise and readily understood, certainly being consistent, however, with the other teachings of Scripture about divorce. It is in the divorcing to marry another that adultery is committed. (Adultery is forsaking, disregarding, the vow. Because we have sex on the brain, we think adultery only has to do with sex.)
The Mosaic law on divorce was intended to be remedial. The options for any woman in ancient times were extremely limited. Certainly, there were beautiful and talented women who were leaders and business women, but they were an extreme minority. The options for a discarded woman was even more limited; cast out of her household, what was she to do? She couldn't even marry because, technically, she was still married. It was understood that the Mosaic law on divorce made it possible for the marriage to be ended so that the wife could legally marry again (Deuteronomy 24:2), having the option of marriage rather than resorting to immorality to sustain herself. The option for divorce was not part of God's plan for marriage, but it was intended to be a practical remedy for those with sinful hearts. One of the interesting facets of the Biblical teaching on divorce is that God views remarriage to the first partner to be an abomination if there has been a subsequent marriage (Deuteronomy 24:3-4).
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than Seventy percent of divorces are initiated by women. These days women have a lot more options so they are much less dependent, plus the fact that the hearts of women are fully as hard as men's. Another statistic indicative of that fact according to DHHS is that fully two thirds of child abuse is initiated by the biological mother. Given the Casey Anthony case, I'm not surprised.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
