Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Who Cares About Marriage Anyway?


"But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."
Jeremiah 20:9


 I am BURDENED for our country. I am BURDENED for my children. I am SAD to watch the decline of morality.  Sin becoming normalized/ accepted/ praised.


 Who really cares about marriage? Does it really matter? As long as two people are happy and in love?
Who defines it? 
The Supreme Court? 
Happiness?
The President? 
You? 
or God in His Word?



 Marriage between a man and a woman is a picture of Jesus Christ and His BRIDE. It is one of the great MYSTERIES of the Bible! 
Jesus and His unconditional love for HER, His Bride! There is not lovelier figure to describe the relationship between Christ and the Church than that of the bridegroom and the bride.

It is the greatest love story ever told. 


Notice the genders/pronouns listed in these  passages...

"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."
Gen 2:24,25

 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—  for we are members of his body.  “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”  This is a profound MYSTERY—but I am talking about Christ and the church."
Eph 5

"Let marriage be held in honor among all"
Heb 13:4 

"Honor"- Greek Word (timios)-
as of great price, precious, held in honour, esteemed, especially dear

We are to hold marriage in honor! Marriage is precious, of great price, especially dear, valuable!! Marriage is precious and of great price because it is a picture of Jesus Christ and the Bride HE DIED FOR. His blood shed for her was especially dear, each drop of immeasurable value to God.
What is precious, especially dear, of great price to God is hated by the devil. He is the enemy of all righteousness. 

"enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?"
Acts 13:10


 "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
John 8:44

Who do you think wants to twist and distort the picture of marriage so that man cannot see His Savior? The enemy is a COUNTERFEITER! 
He counterfeits the real thing making is twisted and evil in order to destroy. Marriage is a NEON GOSPEL SIGN to the world. Who do you think wants to unplug that neon sign? 
I believe marriage is one of the greatest weapons against the enemy. He HATES marriage and will do all in his power to destroy it/distort it so that the dying world cannot see her only Savior,  Jesus Christ. 
The picture held out through marriage of Christ and His Bride cost God the life of His Son. It very valuable to Him. Very precious. Very costly. Especially dear. 



There are many verses clearly stating homosexuality as a sin. It is sin. You can re-interpret Scripture all day long and there is no way you can get around that... UNLESS YOU CHOOSE TO NOT BELIEVE IT. 

We all have a choice to allow God's Word to be the authority or man's word to be the authority.
God's Word says homosexuality is sin. 
 "Get in the Word of God!  Read Genesis 1, Genesis 19, Leviticus 18, Judges 19, I Kings 14, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1, and Jude. The Word of God is not silent on this issue. Find out what it says for yourself."

"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." Heb 13:4

Not only does it plainly call it sin, Romans 1 also says it is sin to APPROVE of it..

 "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.  In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;  they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."



Now, homosexuality isn't the only sin listed in Romans 1. We all need to tremble over OUR OWN sin. Judgement begins with US and with the house of God. We all have bents toward sin that we have to gain victory over through Christ. We are all tainted with sin. We ALL, like sheep, have wandered away from God and gone our own way. But, our loving Shepherd seeks us out to bring us into safety. He will leave the 99 to find the one who wandered off on the wrong path. For God so loves THE WORLD that He gave His One and Only Son in order that "the world" may be saved. 
He loves us while we are still sinners. 
"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
Romans 5:8

 Jesus preached REPENTANCE. We don't want to be the man who looks at his face in the mirror and after looking at himself immediately forgets what he looks like! We have to get the planks out of our own eyes and after that YES, GO GET THE SPECK OUT OF THE OTHER PERSON'S EYE. People either are too overwhelmed by their own plank that they don't remove it or try to remove specks with it in. Remove your plank so you can see clearly and then you are TO GO AND remove specks! 
 "first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matt 7:5

That means turn from sin. He has given you the power to do it. You CAN turn from ALL sin. Titus 2 says Christ has set us free from ALL wickedness. 
ALL. 
ALL. 
ALL SIN.
You are no longer a slave to sin... whatever the sin is that has you bound.
It may be homosexuality, anorexia, sexual immorality, adultery, envy, deceit, gossip, etc...



I have been watching people's reactions on facebook (in shock). This issue and abortion truly do expose hearts quickly.  People who have not embraced the Word of God have no compass other than their feelings. Evil is called good and good is called evil.
"What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter." Isaiah 5:20


I don't know that I have EVER been more thankful for the Word of God to be my lamp in the darkness because it is getting DARK.  Without the Word, people will simply do what is right in their eyes.
"all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." Judges 17:6
And as the heart of man grows more and more wicked, what is right in their eyes also grows more and more wicked. 
**A Supreme court consensus has nothing to do with the truth of God's Word.
It does, however, open the flood gates for sin to flood into our country. :(
And judgement. 


The most commonly used Scripture in the Bible used by non-Christians is 
"Do not judge" and then they go into a rant about how we are not allowed to judge. Does the Bible say we aren't allow to judge? Yes. It does say that God is going to judge the souls of men and we can't do that but we are to  judge THINGS and ACTIONS!! 
God has given us His Word to be our guide.


"The spiritual man makes judgments about ALL THINGS",1 Cor 2:15 


"Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the THINGS of this life!"


 1 Cor 6:3

It is crazy to say, "Do not judge". What if someone came and kidnapped and murdered your child? Could I 

say to you, "Don't judge them! That is the way they were created?" No way you would say that! 
(Well, it is true. They were created that "way". We were all created with a nature whose longs for sin).


"When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,  idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."
Gal 5

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard."
Romans 3:23



We judge things every day. Every person judges. People just don't like having their 

sin exposed and having light shone in on their darkness because they love and prefer the darkness.

It talks about this right after John 3:16

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."


I believe the Church is to be HOLDING BACK EVIL  just as the Holy Spirit is HOLDING BACK EVIL. We are to be restraining evil.


"For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way."
2 Thess 2:7

**"Restrain/ Hold Back"  here means: to hold back, detain, retain, to hinder (the course or progress of)
Church, don't shrink back. Keep restraining. Keep praying. We are in a tug of war. We need to work together with one voice, one strength, one love.



Prophetic things are happening SO FAST. The red carpet is being rolled out for the return of Christ.  Sometimes I mourn that I wasn't born into the 50s when morality was the norm instead of immorality. But, I have been very convicted about that lately because Acts 17 says that God CHOSE the exact time and place for me to be born AND the exact time and place for my children to be born...
"and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." Acts 17:26

So, if God chose 1976 as the exact time for me to be born, then He placed me RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW for a reason. He chose RIGHT NOW for my children to be here. So that we can know Him and serve Him. The boys and I pray daily that our family would shine like stars in the universe as we hold out THE WORD of LIFE. 
 "Do everything without complaining or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—" Phil 2

The Word says that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
"We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." 1 John 5:19
He is the prince of this world (for now)...
"Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out."
"because the prince of this world now stands condemned."
He gained temporary control when Adam and Eve chose sin over God. We give him more control in our lives now when we choose sin over God. The enemy is going to do as much damage as possible because he knows his control is temporary. He knows the Jesus secured a way for every human to receive eternal life on the cross. All they have to do is cry out to Jesus for forgiveness. How much easier could he have made it? No rules. No check list. Just BELIEF. Jesus paid it ALL. 
So, as believers, how do we live? 
"Be very careful, thenhow you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."
Eph 5:15-17


God chose YOU to live in this crooked and depraved generation too. He wants to use you to share the gospel. To know His Word and to share it. It is the Word that causes the veil to fall from people's eyes, to break the chains of sin, to open the eyes of hearts. Hold TIGHTLY to the Word of life. 
Never let it go and don't let anyone take it from you.

"You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. 
Hold tightly to the word of life,"
Phil 2:15,16

 The enemy is a great intimidator. He loves to gloat and intimidate in order to paralyze us. He wants to distract us. He wants us to be so fearful that we lock our doors and hide in our closets.
Last night after the baseball game, Reece said, "Momma. There was a runner on second base when I was playing short stop that came going.... "Hey! Pssssst. Hey!". He said, "I finally looked at him and he said, "I like your shoes". I said, "Reece, he was just trying to DISTRACT you so you wouldn't be ready when the ball is hit to you.
IGNORE HIM!".
That is what the enemy does to us... "Hey! Psssssst. Hey! Psssst." In order to get us OUT OF THE GAME so that we aren't alert.
Listen to what Jesus said...
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." John 17:15
That is another prayer I pray for my children. That God would protect them by the power of His Name.
 "Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--" John 17:11
Child of God, DON'T SHRINK BACK. Jesus is coming!
"For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and WILL NOT DELAY...But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Heb 10:39
Time is running out.
We are living in the "days of Noah". I believe it with all my heart.
"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."Matt 24:37
The Ark is complete. The door is open. All are invited. But, God will close the door and there will no longer be opportunity to escape the coming wrath.
"A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD closed the door behind them." Gen 7:16
Isn't it cool that Jesus said "I am THE DOOR."?
He is the way out. You still have time to escape.
That door will be closed.
Judgement is coming. 
Believer, God has chosen you FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. He knew the exact place to put you and He has given you every weapon you need. Do not shrink back! Do not be distracted by the tactics of our enemy. He stands condemned. Now,
 GO  (first 2 letters of the word GOspel)) 
and shine your light! Your light will shine SO bright as you hold out God's Word. 
I have so much more that I want to write but I am busy raising up the next generation of the Church. I pray you are ENCOURAGED that God has considered you one of his BEST Soldiers to place you in these last battles. FIGHT. STAND FIRM. GO. PREACH. STUDY TO BE APPROVED. SERVE. TEACH. STAND. STAND. HOLD TIGHTLY.
 And after you are done standing, 
STAND.

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we  are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Eph 6:10-17

Rise up, Church! By the power of the Holy Spirit!
 It is US who God is calling to be purified and holy.
Not the world.
""
"Then if MY PEOPLE who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14




Much love and be blessed~
Steph

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Steph,

This could be my favorite blog post ever! So well written!! I have been so broken about this issue yet I feel timid about speaking boldly against it (maybe worried people would then attack me or accuse me of judging them?). Thank you for all the scripture!!! Looking forward to my quiet time and getting into the Word and all the great references you gave!!
Kelli Owens

Anonymous said...

It is crazy to say, "Do not judge". What if someone came and kidnapped and murdered your child? Could I
say to you, "Don't judge them! That is the way they were created?" No way you would say that!
(Well, it is true. They were created that "way". We were all created with a nature whose longs for sin).

These are your words. This may be the craziest thing I have ever read. To even compare a child predator to a gay person is wrong. Sad and disgusting.
I see your heart for God, it's beautiful. Truly. But to twist things to fit your feelings is not right.
You should not judge. God will judge. Its human nature to judge and I completely understand that. However if someone murdered your child , that is taking a life. That is not the same as two people loving each other. Not even close to being the same thing.
I understand gay marriage goes against everything you believe in. I respect you and your strong convictions about this. I believe in God and his love for Us.He died on the cross for each and every one of us. That is how much he loves us. I believe a God that loves us that much would want us to show others love and compassion. Even if we don't agree with their actions. I know gay people and they are wonderful loving amazing people. It hurts my heart to think of the way they are treated because of who they choose to love.
I respectfully disagree with you. Especially with your comparison to judging a at person to a child murder. That's something I pray you will see is just wrong.