Meditation

06/29/2022

“If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.” (Deuteronomy 24:5)

Neither military service nor business responsibilities were to take a man away from his wife during the first year of marriage. Instead he was to remain home and “bring happiness” to his wife. Contemporary marriage studies illustrate the importance of the first months of marriage a a time of getting acquainted and establishing marital patterns. Giving a young marriage high priority helps insure its success.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, You have taught us that the covenant of marriage is not just intended for awhile, but for a lifetime. Therefore, the first year of marriage is a priority for the couple to develop their relationship with each other, and also making God a welcome addition to their relationship for the future of the marriage. Today we continue to pray troops serving in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, that a peaceful solution might be found and let the fighting be silenced. We also pray for those who are suffering in body, mind, and/or spirit, with friends, family, for those we don’t know. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Marriage is so important, the couple must add God to the relationship as well.”

KNOWING GOD:

“If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting alone in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—-this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better.” (1^st Corinthians 7:36-38)

Whenever reading Scripture, you must always remember the context of the people in the story, as it may seem archaic to some and silly to others, but for all involved in family matters, it is always a serious step for a man and a woman trying to decide what is right for them to do. More especially the woman, as often in those times, the father decided whom she was to marry. The text describes a couple are either engaged and trying to decide about getting married or a couple who have determined to live together in a spiritual relationship without sexual intercourse. Some assume the engaged couple are meant to e together and that Paul was giving permission to marry if sexual desire is becoming too strong. He still encouraged singleness in light of the times but approved marriages as right if it is desired. The woman’s needs are an important criteria here. All priorities must be taken into account as a couple considers marriage. The needs of both partners deserve equal consideration. This is why I will not officiate a wedding without pre-marital counseling prior to the wedding service, so that all things for both are equally discussed and agreement between the couple has taken place, because marriage is an important step in the lives of the couple.

I AM:

“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered,so that he and his disciples wee not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’ Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’ ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked. Then he looked at hose seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Mark 3:20-21, 31-35)

Jesus faced inter family tension because of His commitment to the will of God. Even though Mary had been told that her Son was destined for a particular calling in life, she along with her other children did not understand Jesus. They feared for His mental condition and wanted to take Him home. His brother even ridiculed Him (John 7:2-5). Jesus declared all who follow the will of God are His family. He did not reject His mother or family. His tender care for her at the cross indicates this in (John 19”26-27). He declared that as Son of God all who enter into close relationship with the Father become His family as well.

2ND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I cam to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against tow and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter an daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. ” (Luke 9:59-62)

Family relationships are given a high priority in the Bible, but the ultimate loyalty of every believer is to Jesus Christ as Lord. Quoting Micah 7:6, Jesus announced the potential divisions among family members that can occur because of decisions to follow or not follow Him. Beloved, each Christian must choose the cross, and understand there is a cost to do so. Ultimate loyalty can e given only to Christ—-not to husband, wife, children, or parents. Obviously, Christian commitment includes faithful service to our families, but Chris must be supreme.