Why is marriage good in our society? 🤵🏾👰🏽

In our current society, marriage often has a poor reputation. To be honest, marriage can look quite intimidating depending on where you look. Divorces are rampant both in the church and the world; for many, the institution seems more like a curse than a blessing. Some have had such hellish experiences that they wouldn't wish marriage on their worst enemy. Indeed, marriage can either make or break you, depending on whom you choose as a spouse.

Marriage is a solemn undertaking that requires deep reflection, much thought, and even more prayer. The worst mistake one can make is to be blinded by raw emotion; reality has a way of making such impulsive decisions lead to regret. However, beyond the frightening aspects of a "bad" marriage lies a beautiful experience—if we understand its true purpose. A successful marriage based on divine principles will still have its challenges, but it is a beautiful thing that our individualistic society needs now more than ever.

Our society is deeply selfish. You can be surrounded by people yet feel utterly alone because everyone is busy chasing their own dreams, leaving no time for their neighbor. Marriage is the cure for this ill. In a rightful marriage, each partner understands their task: to be a lifelong companion to the other. Everyone else may be too busy for you, but your spouse should not be.

In a marriage based on divine principles, I understand that my spouse is my companion. When a person is single—and there is nothing wrong with being single—they must handle most of life's burdens alone. In marriage, life’s tasks are shared. A single man must cook, iron, and do his own laundry. A married man with a good wife can come home to a prepared meal, knowing his needs are met and his household is cared for.

Conversely, an independent woman may have to handle car repairs, rent, lawn maintenance, and financial management all on her own. But a woman with a good husband can simply say, "Honey, I think something is wrong with the car," and know it will be handled. She knows she has a shoulder to lean on during life’s greatest difficulties.

 In this difficult world, a good marriage is a source of strength, comfort, and support. It is the security of knowing, "I am here for them, and they are here for me." I can lift her up when she is weak, and she can comfort me in hard times. It is having a partner to help you on the way to Heaven.

 True love begins when we realize that marriage is not primarily about sex or being treated like a character in a "prince or princess" fantasy. While intimacy and romance are parts of the whole, companionship is the foundation. It is having someone to talk to, someone to share your mind with, someone to travel and experience the world with.

Companionship is what we are all truly looking for. For example, when I preach, my wife may not be on the pulpit with me, but she is involved in the sermon because she often creates my PowerPoints. That is companionship.

Marriage is not bad; it is a good and beautiful thing. We begin to enjoy its blessings when we understand that to be married is to have a faithful companion for life’s journey, through both the good days and the bad. Marriage is about love, and it is about God. With Him at the center, you will enjoy the fullness of its blessings.

Breaking down the door of decency:Paris 2024 last supper mockery ( days of Lot )

 

In the Bible, we read the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God had sent two angels to rescue Lot, the nephew of Abraham. The angels appeared as men, and Lot, who was sitting at the gates of Sodom, saw the strangers coming and offered them hospitality. Though the strangers initially resisted, claiming they would rather sleep in the streets, Lot’s persistent concern eventually persuaded them to accept his offer.

"But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, and said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly." — Genesis 19:4–7

Because the angels had delayed in accepting Lot’s offer, they were noticed by the men of the city. Immorality was rampant in Sodom, and the men soon made their way to Lot’s house with the intent to gang-rape the two visitors, whom they believed to be mere humans. The Bible specifies that men "both old and young, from every quarter" came to the house, meaning this lifestyle had infected every generation of the city. Does this not sound like our society today? Immorality is spreading like a deadly virus, affecting both the young and the old.

 When Lot begged them to stop, offering his daughters in a desperate attempt to protect his guests, the men of Sodom became even more aggressive.

"And they said, 'Stand back.' And they said again, 'This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now we will deal worse with you, than with them.' And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door." — Genesis 19:9

Those who practice evil are often the quickest to accuse those who reprove them of being "judgmental." Just like the men of Sodom, many today use the phrase "Don't judge me" as a shield for their actions. However, a person seeking to live right is not afraid of being reproved; they recognize their shortcomings and go to God in prayer for correction and victory. As the Psalmist said: "Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity..." (Psalm 26:1).

The men of Sodom tried to break down Lot’s door. This is a crucial point: a movement of immorality is never satisfied until it has broken down every door of decency. We see this today as agendas are pushed into schools and even into the pulpits of many churches. This "breaking down of doors" was on full display at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, where many were offended by a display that appeared to mock the Last Supper of Jesus and His disciples.

As Christians studying the Bible, we should not be surprised. Jesus told us in Luke 17 that His second coming would occur when society looked exactly like it did in the days of Lot:

"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot... the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained down fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus it will be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." — Luke 17:28–30

 When we see these behaviors becoming more bold and daring, we must realize we are in the last days. God is about to destroy not just specific cities known for their lifestyles—be it San Francisco, Atlanta, or Fort Lauderdale—but the whole world with fire.

In the story, the angels pulled Lot inside, closed the door, and struck the men outside with blindness. They then revealed their true mission: they were messengers sent to destroy the city. They urged Lot to gather his family and escape. Today, the message is the same. As sexual immorality increases, do not get angry, but seek shelter in the "secret place of the Almighty."

Escape for your life by praying for victory over sin. Do not look back at the pleasures or comforts of this world. Let us spread the word of salvation to our families so they may find shelter in the Lord Jesus Christ before the fire falls.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foxnews.com/politics/us-world-leaders-denounce-paris-olympics-opening-ceremonys-mocking-last-supper.amp

Who is to blame for the world's misery? My part in human suffering.

 When we look at the world, we see immense suffering. Everywhere, the cry of a suffering humanity is ascending to heaven. But who is to be blamed for all of this misery? Do I personally play a part in the world's distress? In this post, we will take a brief look at how misery spreads and our individual role in it.

The Origin of Suffering In the beginning, God made humanity perfect; male and female He created them and placed them in a perfect garden. He gave them a simple commandment: do not eat from the forbidden tree. But the serpent came into the garden and tempted the woman. She was seduced, and after being overcome, she went on to tempt her husband to follow her into sin. The man ate of the forbidden fruit, and the rest is history—suffering is now widespread.

The Blame Game After sin came the "blame game." The man and the woman both blamed others for their own actions. The man blamed his wife, the wife blamed the serpent, and God judged them all. From that point on, misery became the norm in our world.

So, why is the world so evil? Why is there such misery in our homes, our workplaces, and our society? Is this suffering merely the result of "other" evil people doing bad things, or do I play a part? The truth is: I do.

How I Contribute to Human Misery I play a part in human misery whenever I allow myself to be overcome by evil individually and then pass that misery onto the life of another. Consider these examples:

1.  Let’s say I had a stressful day at work; customers and co-workers made my day difficult. That is a temptation. If I come home and yell at my wife or speak unkind words to her, she feels hurt. I have just made the world a worse place. I allowed the burden of work to overcome me, and I was too weak to protect my wife from my frustration. Evil spreads when we are too weak to resist it.

2.  If I am a parent who was disrespected or emotionally abused by my own parents, I know how much that hurts. But if I turn around and do the same to my child—yelling at them or abusing them emotionally—I have become a tool in the hands of the enemy to spread more misery. If I am not healed from my own wounds, I will use those wounds to hurt others.

3. Perhaps you were betrayed by someone you loved in the past. If your heart has hardened and you vow to hurt others in return—seducing and abandoning people—you are now an agent of evil. Whether it is a man using women for lust or a woman using men for money, these actions destroy lives and spread the devil's work.

 Evil thrives when I am personally overcome. The devil knows that if he can defeat me, he can use me to lead someone else down with me. If I struggle with lust, anger, or addiction and do not go to God for the strength to overcome it, those very things will be used to bring misery into the lives of others.

There is no neutral ground. I am either a tool in the hand of God for good or a tool in the hand of the devil for evil. To make a positive impact, I must, by the grace of God, overcome the evils in my own heart. A truly strong person is one who allows himself to "suffer" the weight of his own emotions or urges so that others can be safe.

Becoming a Blessing Through Resistance When you resist taking your frustration out on others, you make their lives better. When you break the cycle of how your parents treated you, you protect your children. When you refuse to take advantage of someone else just because you were once taken advantage of, you bring light into the world.

To resist personal evil is an act of love and strength. You are like a person holding back falling debris so that the vulnerable can flee to safety. Evil thrives where weakness exists, but true strength protects.

 We are all responsible for human suffering to some degree. As long as I keep my wounds and brokenness away from God, they can be weaponized against those I love. Eve was seduced and then unknowingly became an instrument for the ruin of her husband. If I allow the devil to tempt me into sin, I become his agent.

The only way to start making the world a better place is to "submit yourself unto God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Let us ask God for the strength to resist the evil within so that we may truly do good for those around us.

A new Constantine: Will Trump become more religious ?

On October 28, 312 AD, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. Rome was in the midst of a civil war. Constantine won the battle, starting the path that led him to become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. But something significant happened before the fight: Constantine, a pagan at the time, claimed to have received a vision from God.

On October 27, with the armies preparing for battle, Constantine claimed a vision led him to fight under the protection of the Christian God. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, around noon, Constantine saw a luminous cross in the sky with the Greek inscription, "In this sign, thou shalt conquer." Constantine also claimed a dream in which Christ commanded him to use the sign of the cross against his enemies.

Constantine became the first emperor to convert to Christianity. He ended the policy of persecuting Christians and, in 313 AD, issued the Edict of Milan, proclaiming religious freedom. It sounded like a victory, but this nominal conversion allowed paganism to walk into the church. As noted in The Great Controversy:

"Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ." (GC 49.2)

 This compromise led to the development of the "man of sin"—the papacy of Rome. In 321 AD, Constantine introduced the first civil legislation concerning Sunday, decreeing that all work should cease on that day (except for necessary farming). The emperor brought a Sunday law in opposition to the Bible Sabbath. Eventually, the church became the persecutor of those who opposed its false teachings. This brings us to the present day.

A Modern "Sign to Conquer"? By many definitions, Donald Trump has lived a secular or "pagan" life; his lifestyle has not historically reflected Christian values. However, he has been leading a fierce ideological civil war between the Left and the Right. He has been indicted and convicted, yet he continues to fight. On Saturday, July 13, 2024, he may have found his own "sign to conquer."

During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a twenty-year-old assassin fired at Trump, grazing his right ear. A timely move of his head saved him from certain death. Trump and many evangelicals are calling this a miracle—a sign that he is ordained by the Lord. Trump has promised to give the church more power, and Christian Nationalism is now firmly in his camp.

History Repeats Itself Could this event be the "sign of the cross in the heavens" for Mr. Trump? Could it lead to a nominal conversion where he becomes more religious to unite Church and State? Bible prophecy teaches that in the last days, the United States will transform into a religious tyranny that sets up the "image of the beast," forcing worship just as the papacy did in the past.

While I cannot be certain if Mr. Trump will introduce a Sunday law like Constantine, he does look like a man of destiny fulfilling a mission. It would not be surprising if he continues to promote Christian Nationalism until a Sunday law is established, leading to the persecution of dissidents.

Conclusion We are living in perilous times. The ideological civil war in America is moving toward a final battle. Is it possible the attempted assassination was Trump’s signal to "go and conquer"? Time will tell, but it appears the triumph of apostate Christianity over godless secularism is near. The Sunday law, the Mark of the Beast, and the return of Christ are drawing ever closer. Let us find shelter in Jesus, lest we be found wanting in these final days.

May God help us stay true to Him.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/18/to-his-supporters-trump-is-a-martyred-messiah-resurrected-after-crucifixion

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/18/trump-rally-shooting-religious-right

https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4998/t/the-usa-in-bible-prophecy

Freedom is not free

Today is the 4th of July, the day America celebrates its independence from the British Empire. It is a day marking freedom from the oppression of the British Crown—a day of great rejoicing. But friends, this freedom was not simply given; it was not free, because true freedom never is.

 The Founding Fathers of the United States had to fight for American independence. King George III of England would not simply allow the colonies to walk away. He sent soldiers to crush the rebellion, and much blood was shed for the liberty we enjoy today. It was a long and bitter struggle until the Americans prevailed and the British Empire retreated.

Similarly, in the spiritual struggle against sin, the world, and the devil, freedom is not free. The enemy will not allow his captives to walk away freely; he will fight to the bitter end to keep us in the chains of sin. If we want to be truly free, we must be willing to fight. We must be willing to "crucify" the sin in our lives and stand firm in the heat of the battle.

Jesus is our Great Captain. With Him leading the line, victory is guaranteed. However, that guarantee is only for those who actually take to the field of battle and engage the enemy. We must be willing to fight for the long haul and never grow weary in our struggle against sin. If sin defeats us in one skirmish, we must remember that losing a battle is not the end of the war. Let us get back up through the strength of Jesus and fight again today.

 Freedom is not free. But all those who are willing to endure the pain of the struggle—the "wilderness" of withdrawing from the things of this world, the loneliness of walking alone with Christ, and the heavy weight that comes with resisting temptation—will be free at last.

One day, on the Sea of Glass in Heaven, we will sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb—the ultimate song of victory. Let us fight for our spiritual freedom in prayer, always remembering that freedom is never free.

Counterfeit morality: A deeper look, the naked truth

 Recently, I saw an article that discussed the "unwritten laws" of nude beaches—rules intended to regulate behavior in such places. The title was, "Lose your clothes, but not your manners." I found this fascinating because it perfectly reveals the modus operandi of this world. It shows how the enemy ensnares the masses into a sense of self-righteousness while they are actively promoting and participating in evil.

One of the "laws" mentioned was: Don’t look down, and don’t compliment people on their bodies. This would be hilarious if it weren't so wicked.

 A person who frequents such a place and keeps these "laws" will consider himself a moral person. Because he didn't stare or make inappropriate comments, he feels righteous. He might even condemn someone else who fails to follow these rules as a "pervert" or a "wicked person with no self-control."

This is exactly where the world wants to bring us: to a point where we think we are righteous because we keep the "laws of evil" while remaining in complete disobedience to God.

Some might ask, "Are you saying there shouldn't be laws to regulate behavior at a nude beach? How else can we ensure the experience is pleasant for everyone?" This is the trap. The world tries to get us to agree that these regulations make the practice "decent." But as Christians, we should not fall for such counterfeit morality. We prevent evil at a nude beach by not having such a wicked thing in the first place. Public nudity is a sin against the Lord. It isn't just the man who breaks the "beach rules" who is a pervert; the entire environment is based on perversion. We must stand on God’s morality, not man’s imitation of it.

 Our society is full of this counterfeit morality. Take, for example, the "age of consent." God’s standard is clear: intimacy is reserved exclusively for a man and a woman within the covenant of marriage. However, society rejects this. Men say, "We want to have sex without being married, but we need rules to regulate the behavior." So, they set an arbitrary age of consent. In one society it is 18; in others, it is 16, 15, or even younger. If a 21-year-old sleeps with a 17-year-old, society calls him a pervert. But if that same man waits until the girl turns 18, society views him as a law-abiding citizen. God, however, sees both as being in sin. Having an "age of consent" for a sinful act does not make the act right. A man who follows God’s law—refraining from intimacy until marriage—will never have to worry about violating the changing laws of men.

 Society calls abortion "a woman's right to choose," while God calls it murder. Society calls homosexuality an "alternative lifestyle," while God calls it an abomination. Too often, the church follows the culture’s morality instead of the Word of God. When the culture shifts, the church shifts.

Fifty years ago, both the culture and the church condemned homosexuality. Today, the culture celebrates it, and many churches have followed suit. Today, society and the church rightly condemn pedophilia. But as wickedness increases, and as justifications are found to rebrand these actions—perhaps calling them "minor-attracted persons"—the church that follows culture will eventually follow that trend as well.

 Society’s morality changes like the wind. Today they condemn; tomorrow they apologize and exalt. History shows us that ancient cultures, like the Greeks and Canaanites, practiced things that we currently find loathsome. Society is largely under the control of the enemy, and its "morality" is just a series of evil counterfeits.

The Word of God reveals true righteousness. It tells us that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We must not follow the shifting winds of culture. Instead, let us preach the Word—condemning sin while offering mercy to the sinner. In the eyes of society, the fornicator is respected while the pedophile is condemned; in the eyes of God, both are in need of divine grace.

Let us live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. His morality is the only true morality.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3730628/

https://www.cnn.com/travel/nude-beach-etiquette-naturism-rules/index.html

Oppose the promotion of homosexuality

Would you allow a friend to eat poison? Would you support a friend who is drinking down a deadly toxin? Would you justify the drinking of poison within the church, or simply say "live and let live" while someone destroys themselves? Unless you have a cruel heart, you would do no such thing.

Yet, for some reason, many people are cheering as a minority of our human family consumes the spiritual poison of homosexuality. In the eyes of God, homosexuality is not natural; it is described as an abomination and a departure from His design. According to the Word of God, the spiritual consequence of unrepentant sin is death, and the Scriptures teach that those who persist in this lifestyle will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

 God made the woman for the man and the man for the woman. "Opposites attract," and the physical design of the human body shows that men and women were made for one another. From a biblical perspective, homosexuality is an aberration—a misuse of humanity. It represents a breakdown at some level where the divine distinction between male and female is no longer discerned. Rather than a cause for celebration, this is a condition in need of help and healing.

 The Book of Proverbs says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). A proud person is often blinded to reality and set on a path toward ruin. The fact that our society dedicates the entire month of June to "Pride" suggests a collective loss of spiritual sanity. A society that can no longer see the inherent disorder in same-sex unions is a society that has moved away from its foundation and toward divine judgment.

 If we truly love our neighbors, we must oppose what we believe destroys them. We should never tolerate a path that leads to spiritual ruin; instead, we must seek to rescue those caught in this snare. We must point them toward the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, who is able to restore the mind and bring harmony where there was once disorder.

Our opposition should not manifest as hatred or "bashing" those caught in this struggle. Instead, we must preach the Gospel of our Lord, who has delivered us from our own spiritual bondages and corruptions. We must:

1. Show Love: Treat the individual with kindness while warning them of the path they are on.

2. Tell of Power: Share the news that Jesus has the power to save and transform.

3. Counteract Deception: Challenge the arguments of a culture that rebrands sin as a virtue.

Conclusion Homosexuality is a spiritual poison and a breakdown of the original nature God intended for us. However, Jesus is able to heal those who have been affected by the "old serpent" called the Devil. He is able to renew broken minds and provide a new nature. Let us oppose the lifestyle and the pride associated with it by preaching the good news: Jesus is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.