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Bible, Divorce, Emotions, Fighting, God's Will, Home, Love, Relationships, Scripture

I HATE DIVORCE

MALACHI 2:16

“‘For I hate divorce,’ says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘and him who covers his garment with violence,’ says the LORD of armies. ‘So be careful about your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.’”

Through my 40+ years of ministry, I have dealt with a lot of divorced couples. Some I knew quite well, others I did not. But the pain and suffering visible in these couples was terrible. Sometimes the suffering was self-inflicted. And other times it was pretty one-sided. I am no counselor, nor do I pretend to be, but I am sure of one thing – Jesus can heal broken relationships.

The topic of divorce and marriage continues in today’s verse. This was obviously a major issue in the lives of these priests whom Malachi is still addressing. The Hebrew word for “divorce” is shalach, which means to send away or to push out. That’s very descriptive because many times that is exactly what happened to these wives. They were physically put out of their homes. And the word for “violence,” which was commonly used for injury to a wife, is hamas. Isn’t that interesting?

APPLICATION

How should we as believers deal with this subject of divorce? How should it be addressed? May I suggest two books for you to read? They are not exactly easy reads, but they are in-depth looks at this topic from God’s Word. The author is the late Spiros Zodhiates, who was a Greek scholar known for his writings. The two books are entitled “What About Divorce?” and “May I Divorce and Remarry?” Both are available on Amazon.

I only suggest those books because there are so few books that look at this subject biblically. Most simply throw divorcees on the heap pile and move on. Dr. Z looks at Matthew 5:27-32; 19:3-12; Luke 16:18 and Romans 7:1-3 in the first book at 1 Corinthians 7 in the second. If you desire a thorough study of divorce according to God’s Word, take a look at these two books.

Okay, enough book selling, lol. It is my heart that you get rid of the world’s view of divorce and rely on God’s Word to guide you as you deal with this difficult subject. Whether you are going through a divorce, have gone through one or know someone who is going through a divorce, take the time to read God’s Word on this. That is the only truth you can rely on.

O Lord, it is so easy to get pulled into the world’s view on issues that face us daily. Help me to keep my eyes on You.

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Abiding, Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Favor, Home, Oveflowing, Promises, Scripture

LET US GO WITH YOU

ZECHARIAH 8:23

“‘The LORD of armies says this: “In those days ten people from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”’”

I have seen many a child tug on their mother’s dress or coat as they are left in the church nursery. They cried out to them, “Please, let me go with you.” My own children did that. They did not like the nursery. They wanted to stay with us. Mind you, it wasn’t that they wanted to go to “Big Church” with us. It was more about just being with their parents.

In today’s verse, the last verse of chapter 8, the Lord closes out His blessing statements by saying that the Jews are going to be begged by others to take them along back to Israel. They had heard how God had defeated Israel’s enemies and had brought His people home. They wanted to be a part of that. They wanted whatever the Jewish people had.

APPLICATION

We should spread such a sweet fragrance of Christ wherever we go that those we pass will turn and say, “Boy, I want whatever they have.” Can that be said about you? Do people want to follow you? If you are following Christ, they will. Actually, they will be following Christ in you. There’s a big difference.

Why do I differentiate? Because we can become men followers instead of Christ followers. Christ says, “‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Whew! Who wants to do that? Well, I do. I want to follow wherever He goes. Just like the people coming from the other nations to Israel, I want to be where God is doing something.

If no one is following you in your Christian walk, maybe you need to examine your walk. Ouch, Carl, that hurt. Well, I ask myself that question quite often. Does my aroma smell like Jesus? Does my walk imitate His walk? Would people want to follow me if I did this or that? Good questions to ponder, huh?

Lord, allow me to be more and more like You so others can be led to You.

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Abiding, Bible, Calling, Captivity, Deliverance, Exile, Home, Promises, Restoration, Salvation, Scripture

SMOTHERED AND SCATTERED

ZECHARIAH 8:7

“‘The LORD of armies says this: “Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west;”’”

Call me weird, but when I read this verse, I thought of Waffle House, a restaurant here in the U.S. They are known for their waffles, breakfast menu and especially their short order line cook lingo shared between them and the waitresses or waiters. For instance, I like my hashbrowns scattered (spread on the grill for crispness) and covered (with cheese). I saw the people of Israel scattered and smothered during their exiles. But God gives them hope in today’s verse.

He tells them that He is going to bring them back home. Whether they were scattered in the east or in the west, they will return. These people had suffered under various domains, but now, God is bringing them home. Don’t you know the shouts went up when they heard this from Zechariah. These early remnants, who had returned first, would be joined in the days to come by their brothers and sisters.

APPLICATION

In Matthew 8:11, Jesus says, “‘And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;’” Jesus foretold the gospel going out to all the world. Gentiles and Jews alike would come into the kingdom of heaven through Him. He was the One who would bring them together.

Do you know any “scattered” or “smothered” souls who need to be brought home to Jesus. I do. I have family members who need to be rescued. I can’t do that. Only Jesus can, but I can do all I can to show them Jesus. I do that in my attitude, my words, my actions and in my lifestyle. I pray that all who see me only see Jesus.

Today, ask the Lord who He wants you to lead to Him. I promise you He has someone in mind. He can use you if you will let Him. Just be Jesus to that person. Share how Jesus has changed your life. Share the joy you have in His Word. Let God do the “unscattering” and the “uncovering” of these individuals. He is able.

I praise You, O Lord, for bringing me home. I praise You for giving me the chance to share that with others.

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SEARCHING FOR REFUGE 

NAHUM 3:11 

“You too will become drunk, you will be hidden. You too will search for a refuge from the enemy.” 

We run, and we hide. We run, and we hide. But we can’t hide forever. The problems of life catch up to us. We can retreat to the deepest corners of our mind, but the thoughts still flood us like a tidal wave. There is no escape. Or is there? 

In the prophetic words of Nahum, “You too will search for a refuge from the enemy.” Those to whom Nahum prophesied knew far too well the reality of that statement. There was no refuge strong enough, no fortress with walls thick enough. Nothing on this earth could defend them. 

APPLICATION 

Awww, but there is where we are different. We have a shelter to run to. We have a strong tower to climb in. We are protected by the very One who spoke the world into creation. He has only to speak the word, and all our enemies would be vanquished. He is just waiting for us to come to Him. 

Even though there is a different Hebrew word used for “refuge” in Psalm 62:6-8, I still love to hear these words. “6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my refuge; I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my glory rest on God; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us.” 

Run to Him today. He is indeed your refuge from the enemy, your shelter from the storm. He will hide you in the cleft of the rock. He will put His mighty hand around you to shield you from the attacks of the evil one. He will guard your soul from the onslaught of those thoughts that you are not worthy of His love. You are! 

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love, and covers me there with His hand. 

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THE RETURN

OBADIAH 19

“Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau, and those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain; also, they will possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria, and Benjamin the territory of Gilead.

My family and I lived in TN in the 90’s. We loved it there, but God moved us to FL for a season. We spent eight years there and then were called back to TN in 2007. It was like coming home. Now, you Floridians, don’t take that wrong. Florida was our home while we were there. But Chattanooga always felt like our real home. Coming back just felt right.

In today’s verse, Obadiah is prophesying the return of Judah to their homeland. Not only would they return, but they would expand their lands. God will always stay true to His children. He may take us to the “woodshed,” as He did Judah, but He will restore.

APPLICATION

You may have a story of God’s restoration power. I know I do. I’ve been through two stem cell transplants for this disease I have (Amyloidosis). Borrowing a miracle, I will face another one in the years ahead. But each time, the Lord has restored my physical health. I am forever grateful for the lessons He taught me each time.

You may have been restored financially or emotionally. But the most important restoration we can have is our spiritual restoration. He promises to bring us from death to life. He gives us a true new life in Christ. He died and we live. Isn’t that incredible.

And just like Judah, when He restores us, He gives us so much more than we had before. I don’t mean physical stuff. I mean spiritual growth. We go from infants needing milk to eating the meat of the Word as we surrender to Him and seek Him daily. It truly is a restoration process in our lives.

Lord, thank You for restoring me. I was dead in my sins and You gave me new life.

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NO MORE

AMOS 9:15

“‘I will also plant them on their land, and they will not be uprooted again from their land which I have given them,’ says the LORD your God.”

I worked over 30 years with children in the foster care system. Most of these children were removed from their homes due to their parents, not due to anything they had done. Some of the children, however, were placed with us because of their behavior. I had the joy on several occasions to see these families restored. Seeing these children go home made our hard work with them so worth it. Our prayer was always that they would remain with their parents.

God removed Israel from the Promised Land for repeated unrepentance and rebellion. He had to discipline His children. But now He is telling them He would bring them back home to never leave again. That land was theirs. He had promised it and meant for them to keep it. What great news! What a great way to end this book.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you a question. Have you wandered from home? Are you far away from the Master? Maybe you are like that prodigal son who found himself in a pig pen instead of at home with his father. Wherever you are today, stop and take notice. Ask yourself if you are residing with Jesus.

Your physical location is of less importance than your spiritual location. What do I mean by that? You can be in the pit but free in Him. You could be going through the valley of the shadow of death but walking unafraid because of your reliance on the King. The Lord wants us to feel safe. He wants us home.

I can only speak for myself, but I find myself sometimes feeling like I’ve moved to a foreign country spiritually. I go through dry spells and struggle to pray. But when I persevere and stay in the Word, God brings me home. I had always been secure. I just needed reminding whose I am. How about you?

Lord of my life, lead me home. I want to dwell with You in Your Promised Land.

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NO HOMEPLACE

AMOS 1:15

“‘Their king will go into exile, he and his princes together,’ says the LORD.”

My family moved a lot during my ministry. In fact, my wife and children have moved five times. We know each move was directed by the Lord. The events leading up to our decision to move were not our own making. Only God could have done it. But all those moves can leave you feeling homeless. Thankfully, we have settled in Chattanooga, TN. That is our home. Now, God may move us again, but it will always be home for us.

Amos ends his prophecy against Ammon by prophesying the royal family’s exile. Do you know what that means? They would be taken out of their palaces, their homes, and placed in another country which the conquering army had defeated. Wherever they were placed, it wouldn’t be home. They will lose everything that is familiar.

APPLICATION

Have you lost your familiar place? Do you feel homeless? I want to remind you of something. If you are believer, you don’t belong here anyway. This world is not our home. We are citizens of heaven. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and when it is time, He will take us home.

But while you are here, where do you belong? Wherever God has placed you. My wife and I tried to make everyplace we lived home. Some places were easier than others, but we really tried to make it home. Home is where your family is. Don’t be bitter or angry about where you are. Accept your placing as from God.

God has a master plan for our lives. I will never understand it this side of glory. But I trust His wisdom. I know He will never place me anywhere that is not meant to make me more like Him. The people I meet there and the experiences I have are heaven-made. God has allowed each and every interaction for a reason. The journey is exciting. Embrace it.

Father, I trust that You know what is best for me. I will go along for the journey.

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