Strength for the Wilderness - by Peggy Little

Numbers 21:4 – “Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.

            The Israelites had been traveling through the desert wilderness to the land of promise. But we do not know if they went around the south of Edom or to the north, between Edom and Moab. As they traveled it was hot, and there was little water. But God promised them He would guide them and provide for them. Like many of us they became discouraged. If only they had trusted God’s promise that He who had led would continue to lead, if only they had believed that he who had supplied would continue to supply, instead of being discouraged they would have been encouraged. When we get down to discouragement it turns into encouragement when we look away from our circumstances and focus our eyes on the Lord.

            So let’s all keep our eyes on Christ as David did in 1 Samuel 30:6 which says: “And David was greatly distressed fort the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God”. When in the midst of trouble, there is where he got his strength. Today things may not look to good and you [personally] and especially our nation may be in the wilderness and it may be easy for us to get discouraged. You need to remember discouragement is a tool of Satan. But victory comes from our Lord Jesus Christ and his finished work at the Cross of Calvary.

            Will our distress drive us to despair and discouragement or to God? May we, like David find strength in the Lord!

            Someone has said, “To look around is to be distressed; to look within is to be depressed; to look up is to be blessed.”

            I pray that the Lord will bless each of you as you walk with him daily. Walk as Christ walked.

Bent Hearts

Romans 8:28-30 - (28) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified".

     Before modernization and machines, the techniques of furniture craftsmen were simple but efficient.

     For example, to bend pieces of wood for chairs, the wood was cut while still green. It was then bent around an object and tied together, often with grapevines, or placed in a crude mold.

     There is a similar scenario of God’s exercise of sovereignty, particularly as it relates to affliction. The craftsmen did not haphazardly misshape the wood. They had a purpose, a finished product, in mind.

     Likewise, God never exercises His sovereignty capriciously. He is never the author of evil, but always uses the vile and the virtuous for His ultimate design – to conform men and women to the image of Jesus Christ.

     This is what He died for, to redeem us from sin’s curse – death – and work unceasingly in our souls to restore us to our original image – His image, stamped in the Garden and distorted by sin.

     As you turn to God and cry out to Him in your affliction, the providence of God is mysteriously at work, accomplishing His intent. Absolutely nothing can thwart that purpose when your heart is bent toward Him. The pressures of life, severe as they may be, drive you only deeper into His divine mold.

Perscription

          The only prescription for curing America’s grave ills is the spiritual awakening of its inhabitants. Only men rightly related to God and committed to His ways can deal decisively with the moral, financial, social, and intellectual woes afflicting our nation.

Listen to some of the voices from the past: (Notice especially the many references to morality as a vital foundation for lasting liberty. And there are many more quotes!

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” – George Washington

"I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessing on this House (Congress) and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof?" – John Adams

"It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains." – Patrick Henry

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.  Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." – John Adams

“If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering.” – Theodore Roosevelt (Comment: Mr. Roosevelt should have practiced more of what he espoused with those comments).

“The sum of the whole matter is this that our civilization cannot survive materially, unless it is redeemed spiritually. It can be saved only by becoming permeated with the Spirit of Christ.” – Woodrow Wilson (Comment: Mr. Wilson was a pure socialist and in my opinion would have destroyed the United States. He probably didn’t completely understand the comment he made. If he had, he would have understood that the finished work of Jesus Christ and Him crucified at the Cross is the only HOPE for civilization (mankind). Meaning there is no collective salvation, only individual salvation with each person making a decision to accept the finished work of Jesus at the cross and accepting Him as Savior and Lord.)

"My concern is not whether God is on our side; my great concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” – Abraham Lincoln

Our nation’s problems are complex to say the least, but the solution begins with recognition of man’s need for God, his estrangement for Him, and the reconciliation provided by faith in Jesus Christ. A redeemed society is possible only through the actions of redeemed men.

PRAY FOR OUR NATION AND ITS LEADERS

THE THORN (No Pain - No Gain)

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (7) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations (presents the reasons for the thorn in the flesh), there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me (an angel of Satan), lest I should be exalted above measure (This has the Apostle concluding this sentence as it began). (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me (The Apostle knew it was the Lord allowing this, but he didn’t understand why). (9) And he said unto me (the Lord responded, but did not agree), My grace is sufficient for you (speaks of enabling Grace, which is really the Goodness of God carried out by the Holy Spirit): for my strength is made perfect in weakness (All believers are weak, but the Lord tends to make us weaker, with the intention being that we then depend solely upon Him, thereby, obtaining His Strength). Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (because of the end result), that the power of Christ may rest upon me (If Paul needed so humbling and painful an experience of what the carnal nature is, it is evident that all Christians need it. Whatever weakens, belittles, and humiliates that proud and willful nature should be regarded by the Believer as most worthwhile). (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (then the strength of Christ can be exhibited through me, but only when I know I am weak).  Note: Blue is Scripture – Red is comments reference scripture).

     

     Author Elizabeth Elliot defines suffering as “anything about which one says, ‘Oh, no!’”

     That is an apt description. We dislike any incidents that disrupt our plans, interfere with our personal pursuit of happiness, or awkwardly invade our comfort zones.

     Our lifestyles are built to repel and avoid it. And that is only human, for who rightly yearns for pain?

     Yet the Bible plainly tells us in book after book, chapter after chapter that we should not be surprised by suffering (a thorn if you would). There is no vaccine for tribulation, no inoculation to cure suffering, for Christians or Non-Christians.

     “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

     Listen: The bible is full of stories such as; Joseph and Jeremiah knew the stench of jails. David and Moses knew the heat and barrenness of the wilderness. Paul and Stephen knew the sting of stones.

     Someone said the Christian is “either headed into a storm, in the middle of one, or coming out of one.” Whatever adversity you face, don’t be surprised. God is completely informed of your problem. By His grace, He can help you advance through your adversity.

BE ENCOURAGED – Remember in Mark 6 vs. 50 while the disciples were in the midst of a storm, Jesus came walking on the water and spoke to them saying: “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid).

FORGIVENESS

By Peggy Little

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.” Genesis 45:4

     The story of Joseph is an early account of the forgiving nature God expects us to display in our treatment of those who have wronged us. It is a prime example of Christ-like love. Though Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and deceived his father into thinking him dead, when he confronts his brothers during their time of need, forgiveness and love burst forth from his heart.

     With uncanny faith in the overriding providence of God, Joseph even professes his belief that God had redeemed his brother’s betrayal of him by using it as a means to deliver his family during the time of famine. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brother’s sin is so complete that he kisses each of them and weeps with joy at being united with them once again.

     So let’s go on a little farther and let me ask you these questions.

     Do you suppose that while Joseph was being sent to misery and an almost certain death in Egypt that he thought God was preparing him to rule a nation? Do you suppose that while he was imprisoned in darkness and filth that he felt the anticipation of one preparing for a glorious future? Do you suppose that during the long, forced march to Egypt he was thankful to his brother’s for acting as the hand of God moving him toward the realization of his destiny? I don’t think so.

     Yet when Joseph forgave his brother’s, he revealed a long-term attitude of heart that allowed his suffering to become his strength.

     God expects us to forgive because we’re growing in Christ-like love. But more personally, when we forgive, we allow God to take the mean treatment we receive and turn it into the forging of a character that allows God to use us to rule in our own Egypt.

     Who is God using to shape your character? And too! Are you forgiving?

     Please take heed to what forgiving is all about and search your heart to see if there is something or someone you need to ask forgiveness for.

     I love you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

THE CROSS DOES NOT RECOGNIZE CLASS DISTINCTIONS

1 Corinthians 1:17-18

17) “For Christ sent me not to baptize but to Preach the Gospel not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect.18) “For the Preaching of the Cross is to them who perish foolishness but unto us who are saved, it is the Power of God.

Ø  The cross is offensive because it makes moral and immoral persons go to heaven by the same road; the cross makes rich and poor enter heaven by the same door; the cross makes the philosopher and peasant walk on the same highway of holiness.

Ø  Therefore, the wise man says, “What! Am I to be saved by the same cross which saves a man who doesn’t even know the alphabet?” The very rich and sophisticated lady asks, “Am I to be saved in the same fashion as my servant-girl?”

Ø  The middle-class moral person says, “What! Am I to walk beside a prostitute and drunkard on the road to heaven?” We’re all equal at the Cross!

The only solution for sin, the only answer to sin, is the Cross of Christ!

Who is Your Best Friend?

Read: John 15:12-17 – 12) “This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. 13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14) You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. 15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16) You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17) These things I command you, that you love one another”.

Jesus Christ is man’s best Friend. Christians are not only forgiven of their sins and gifted with eternal life; their relationship with God is transformed from enmity to intimacy.

Abraham was called a “friend of God.” (James 2:23) Jesus” disciples were not merely students but “friends.” (John 15:13) During His earthly ministry, His disposition toward even the most despised of men, tax-gathers, was characterized by friendliness.

As your Friend, Jesus loves you as no other can. He loves you when you behave miserably, when others reject you and misunderstand you; Jesus embraces you, comforts you, and counsels you.

As your holy Friend, Jesus listens with compassion. You can complain, argue, gripe, moan, cry, or grieve. He sympathizes with every emotion without turning you away.

Jesus’ friendship is unceasing. There is never a moment, a nanosecond, when you are without His intimate presence. At the height of loneliness, Jesus is with you, in you, longing for you to look to Him for His unfailing help and consolation.

Is Jesus your Friend? Do you see Him only in a stern light; or do you hear Him call: “Friend, come and spend time with Me today”?

Friendship with God is life’s greatest pleasure and eternity’s everlasting reward.

Question and Answer Segment:

Question of the Day: I try to share Christ with some of my unsaved friends, but they don’t seem to understand what I’m saying. I know we are to tell others about Jesus, but it is so frustrating sometimes. Could you give me any recommendations?

     I understand your disappointment. The unsaved person is often in different to the Gospel and occasionally hostile. Let me share something that I think will help explain the reaction you receive and encourage you as you share Christ.

     There are various evangelism tools available to the Christian such as tracts, books, like this blog, and training programs. They are useful, but I am convinced there is one essential part we frequently overlook – the critical role of the Holy Spirit in bringing men and women to faith in Christ.

     Jesus described the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit in John 16:8; “And He (the Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment.”

     Although the unbeliever may seem like everyone else on the surface, the Scriptures tell us that his soul and mind are in a depraved state. (Romans 3:10-18) He is spiritually dead; that is, he is completely separated from the life of God by sin. (Ephesians 2:1-2) He has no desire for God. (Galatians 5:19-21) He is also blind to the truth. (1 Corinthians 3:18-20) He cannot see the kingdom of God.

     The unbeliever sins because he is a sinner by nature. He knows nothing about righteousness, sin, or judgment.

     It is in those areas that the Holy Spirit is able supernaturally to impress an unbeliever’s heart. Without His divine aid in sharing Christ, we are helpless; dependent only on our persuasion or reasoning which in themselves cannot bring a person to salvation.

     Only the Holy Spirit can regenerate a person. Only the Holy Spirit can convict him of the truth about his sin. Only the Holy Spirit can convince the lost about God’s holy standard of truth and of His judgment that awaits all who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior. (John 16:8-11)

     The Holy Spirit points the unbeliever to Jesus Christ. In so doing He brings him to an awareness of his separation from God and need for salvation.

     The next time you share your faith, invest time asking the Holy Spirit to open the eyes and mind of the unsaved person. Then understand that his salvation is not dependent on your presentation alone (although we want to be courteous and scriptural) but on the Holy Spirit).

I hope this helps some of who are seeking to be a more effective witness for Christ! Address your thoughts or questions in comment section of this blog post. Let me know if this has helped.

EARLY LIGHT - Pray for our Nation

Special Devotion

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Proverbs 14:34

2 Chronicles 36:15-17
15) “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:  16) But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.  17) Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: He gave them all into his hand”. 

    

     One of the most terrifying phrases in the Bible is “God gave them over….” That phrase is used repeatedly in the Old Testament to describe God’s dealing with Israel – His faithful people – through His divinely decreed captivity of Israel by other nations.

     In the New Testament the phrase takes on new and traumatic meaning in Paul’s epistle to the Romans: “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts…” (Romans 1:24). “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions.” “…God gave them over to a depraved mind…” (Romans 1:28).

     Today the judgment of God is still expressed in terms of captivity. Although we may not be conquered by invading hordes, we are rapidly becoming a nation enslaved to moral depravity. Pornography, drugs, alcohol, homosexuality, abortion, child abuse, sexual immorality, and other forms of moral corruption have captured and now rule the heart and soul of a nation once founded on the moral principles of Scripture.

     The consequences are devastating. Families disintegrate. Public decency and compassion are neglected. Authority is despised. Chaos and degradation are unavoidable.

     The question is - Can you make a difference?  YES - Pray!

Equipment Malfunction

     On Friday July 8^th Peggy & I attended the East Texas (15 year old) Babe Ruth All-stars State Baseball Tournament in Nederland, TX., to watch our grandson play in the opening game. The announcers asked everybody to rise for the playing of the National Anthem before the first pitch of the game.  However, the music system malfunctioned and the announcer stated; we have an equipment malfunction so let’s just go ahead and play ball. The players went back into their respective dugouts making ready for play and the fans seated themselves.

     However, I immediately shouted from the stands let’s all sing it, and began along with a couple of other folks to sing.  My voice seemed to resonate from the stands with our blessed National Anthem, and suddenly everybody rose to their feet, removed their hats with the ball players coming back out of the dugout standing and paying honor to our flag and nation. Upon completion the people began clapping, whistling and cheering with a demonstration of patriotism not often seen anymore, especially in venues such as this.

     You know folks, this great nation of ours did not become great by giving up when a malfunction occurred. It’s time real true Americans take a stand and let their voices be heard from the Little League fields to the White House. We must get involved, stay informed and contact our government leaders informing them that they work for us and all the bureaucratic malfunctions (i.e. unsustainable national debt, overzealous government spending, programs and waste and poor economy) are no longer acceptable and remind them that the 2012 elections are coming and our vote counts.

     God bless America.

RELATIONSHIPS

The Bond of Love

Ephesians 52:21-33

Introduction

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Paul is pleading for unity: in the church, home, with children, with servants and masters. Submit is a hard word, but it melts all tensions. True love must forget self and seek the best for the one you love.

Bond of Love for the Church

Christ is the head of the church, His body. He is the savior of the church. The church is subject to Christ. He sacrificed to make the church holy, without stain or blemish. She should be blameless. “Washing of water through the word.” A bride was ceremonially bathed before the wedding. This probably refers to the cleansing of baptism. All of us who comprise the church have been washed.

Husband and wife

Husband is to love his wife like Christ loved the church. Therefore, he makes her look good (his queen). He protects her and his whole family. He works to make his wife and home radiant, meaning no blemish. Why? If the man does his part, then the wife can submit. The house does not have two heads (Read Genesis). You see, the idea of male and female was God’s idea (Genesis 1:27). Marriage was designed by God to meet the first problem of the human race: loneliness, therefore a Helpmate, helper was part of the design. The same word used of God in Psalm 46:1: “A very present help in trouble.”

Marriage was planned to bring happiness, not misery. Adam said: “I have finally found the one who can complete me, who takes away my loneliness, and will be as dear to me as my own flesh. She is so beautiful! She is perfectly suited to me. She is all I will ever need” (Genesis 2:23).

Marriage is leaving other relationships to establish a permanent relationship between man and woman. Leave father and mother. Honor and love them, but leave them. Both husband and wife must refocus their lives together, and nothing takes precedence over marriage relationship—not career, advanced education, hunting, golfing, televised sports, over-involvement in church, children, especially a wondering eye (lust) for someone else by either party.

Cleave. The inseparable joining of husband and wife. In other words to adhere, to stick, to be attached by some strong tie (how about Jesus). You cannot be separated without damage to both husband and wife in an intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual way. Such is the case with many who separate and ultimately divorce because of SIN issues.  

Oneness. The two shall become one flesh, which means: No adultery or other person receiving your effections. To divide or let someone come between the two is to fracture the two.

Conclusion

 In Christian marriage there are not two partners, but three. The third being Jesus Christ.

CLOSING COMMENT FORM THIS EVANGELIST: There are some of you out there (you know who you are) struggling with these very issues. Listen to me Closely, because I speak to you having experience with this personally: Do you want to heal your marriage? “The answer which you seek is found in the Cross!  The solution which you seek is found only in the Cross!”  The Word of God in Romans 6 tells us that the only remedy for sin, the only solution for sin, the only answer to sin, is the Cross of Christ, which becomes the object of our faith because of the finished work of Jesus there.  In other words, the Holy Spirit through Paul takes the Believer straight to the Cross.  Remember, Paul is not speaking here to unbelievers, but rather to Believers.  As we attempt to live for God, and I mean live for God properly, this tells us that we must ever understand that it is the Cross of Christ where we must begin, and where we must end.  There is nothing after the Cross of Christ, because there needs to be nothing after the Cross of Christ. Jesus paid the our penalty and sin debt at the cross.  

Ephesians 5:21-33

21)       Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22)       Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23)       For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:   

           and he is the saviour of the body.

24)       Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the

  wives be to their own husbands in everything. 

25)       Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave            

           himself for it; 

26)       That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

27)       That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,

           or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28)       So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves

           himself.

29)       For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourish and cherish it, even as the

           Lord the church: 

30)       For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 

31)       For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto

           his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 

32)       This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 

33)       Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; an 

           the wife see that she reverence her husband.

No Fine Print

"You could be the next five million dollar winner!" You are a guaranteed winner!"

      How many times have you received mail with these familiar statements printed on the envelop? Upon closer examination of the material, however, you realized the offer is negated by the myriad of stipulations discretely placed amid a sea of asterisks. The only guarantee you have is that many more of those envelopes will come to your house again.

     Is there anything that is truly free? Is there anything in life with no strings attached? Can we really be a guaranteed winner at something? We certainly can; and what is so amazing about this offer is that it concerns the most important thing to us - our eternal life.

     Jesus Christ came to save all who are lost in sin (Matt. 18:11). He is the only door to God's forgiveness and eternal life in Heaven, (John 10:9).

     All you need to do to receive God's gift of eternal life - life spent forever in God's presence - is prayerfully acknowledge your sin, your need for forgiveness, and God's provision through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is it - no strings attached.

     The price has already been paid by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross who willingly died on your behalf, bearing your sins. He purchased for you a life that offers meaning and joy on earth and a guarantee of eternity with Him.

    
     If you would like to know more about guaranteed salvation email your request to Straightway Ministry at Ron218@warpspeed1.net
    
     Join and follow the Straightway Ministry Blog to help you achieve more understanding about the finsished work of Jesus at the Cross of Calvary. Periodically, devotions, messages or other material will be posted to help you.  

THOUGHT FOR TODAY : DON'T MAKE PLANS WITHOUT GOD

 “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

Don’t plan without God.

God seems to have a delightful way of upsetting the plans we have made, when we have not taken Him into account.

• We get ourselves into circumstances that were not chosen by God, and suddenly we realize that we have been making our plans without Him—that we have not even considered Him to be a vital, living factor in the planning of our lives.
• Listen folks the only thing that will keep us from even the possibility of worrying is to bring God in as the greatest factor in all of our planning. 
• In spiritual issues it is customary for us to put God first, but we tend to think that it is inappropriate and unnecessary to put Him first in the practical, everyday issues of our lives. If we have the idea that we have to put on our “spiritual face” before we can come near to God, then we will never come near to Him. We must come as we are.

Don’t Plan With A Concern For Evil In Mind.

Does God really mean for us to plan without taking the evil around us into account? “Love … thinks no evil” (1 Corinthians 13:4–5).

•  Love is not ignorant of the existence of evil, but it does not take it into account as a factor in planning.
• When we were apart from God, we did take evil into account, doing all of our planning with it in mind, and we tried to reason out all of our work from its standpoint.

Don’t Plan With A Rainy Day In Mind.

You cannot hoard things for a rainy day if you are truly trusting Christ. Let me say it again! Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled (is said by Christ immediately after predicting Peter’s shameful denial) you believe in God, believe also in Me (means simply to have Faith in Him as they had Faith in God; this is His Highest and most complete Revelation of Himself as God)” (John 14:1). (Scripture Blue & (Comments in Red)

• God will not keep your heart from being troubled. It is a command—“Let not … .”
• To do it, continually pick yourself up, even if you fall a hundred and one times a day, until you get into the habit of putting God first and planning with Him in mind.

RELATIONSHIP ON THE ROCKS - NEED COUNSEL (Let Jesus Help)

The Bond of Love

[Ephesians 52:21-33]

(See Scriptures Below)

Introduction

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Paul is pleading for unity: in the church, home, with children, with servants and masters. Submit is a hard word, but it melts all tensions. True love must forget self and seek the best for the one you love.

Bond of Love for the Church

Christ is the head of the church, His body. He is the savior of the church. The church is subject to Christ. He sacrificed to make the church holy, without stain or blemish. She should be blameless. “Washing of water through the word.” A bride was ceremonially bathed before the wedding. This probably refers to the cleansing of baptism. All of us who comprise the church have been washed.

Husband and Wife

Husband is to love his wife like Christ loved the church. Therefore, he makes her look good (his queen). He protects her and his whole family. He works to make his wife and home radiant, meaning no blemish. Why? If the man does his part, then the wife can submit. The house does not have two heads (Read Genesis). You see, the idea of male and female was God’s idea (Genesis 1:27). Marriage was designed by God to meet the first problem of the human race: loneliness, therefore a Helpmate, helper was part of the design. The same word used of God in Psalm 46:1: “A very present help in trouble.”

Marriage was planned to bring happiness, not misery. Adam said: “I have finally found the one who can complete me, who takes away my loneliness, and will be as dear to me as my own flesh. She is so beautiful! She is perfectly suited to me. She is all I will ever need” (Genesis 2:23).

Marriage is leaving other relationships to establish a permanent relationship between man and woman. Leave father and mother. Honor and love them, but leave them. Both husband and wife must refocus their lives together, and nothing takes precedence over marriage relationship—not career, advanced education, hunting, golfing, televised sports, over-involvement in church, children, especially a wondering eye (lust) for someone else by either party.

Cleave. The inseparable joining of husband and wife. In other words to adhere, to stick, to be attached by some strong tie (how about Jesus). You cannot be separated without damage to both husband and wife in an intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual way. Such is the case with many who separate (sometimes for so called good intentions - but always for wrong reasons) and ultimately ending in divorce because of SIN issues. 

Oneness. The two shall become one flesh, which means: No adultery or other person receiving your affections. To divide or let someone come between the two is to fracture the two.

Conclusion

In Christian marriage there are not two partners, but three. The third being the Living Son of God - Jesus Christ Jesus.

CLOSING COMMENT FORM THIS EVANGELIST: There are some of you out there (you know who you are) struggling with these very issues. Listen to me closely, because I speak to you having experience with this personally: Question: Do you want to heal your marriage? “The answer which you seek is found in the Cross!  The solution which you seek is found only in the Cross!”  The Word of God in Romans 6 tells us that the only remedy for sin, the only solution for sin, the only answer to sin, is the Cross of Christ, which becomes the object of our faith because of the finished work of Jesus there.  In other words, the Holy Spirit through Paul takes the Believer straight to the Cross.  Remember, Paul is not speaking here to unbelievers, but rather to Believers.  As we attempt to live for God, and I mean live for God properly, this tells us that we must ever understand that it is the Cross of Christ where we must begin, and where we must end.  There is nothing after the Cross of Christ, because there needs to be nothing after the Cross of Christ. Jesus paid our penalty and sin debt at the cross.

I speak blessings and healing in relationships in Jesus name.  Amen!   

Ephesians 5:21-33

21)       Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22)       Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the

   Lord.

23)       For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the

   head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24)       Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the

   wives be to their own husbands in everything. 

25)       Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the

   church, and gave himself for it; 

26)       That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water

   by the word, 

27)       That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having

   spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and

   without blemish.

28)       So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that

   loves his wife loves himself.

29)       For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourish and cherish

   it, even as the Lord the church: 

30)       For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 

31)       For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall

   be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 

32)       This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the

   church. 

33)       Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even
           as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.