God’s Ultimate Design for Marriage
Satan is obsessed in destroying marriage—because it is on earth, an image, a mirror, of God’s fulfilled plan for the Church at the end of this age!
Satan will do all he can to destroy the image of God . . . to block the transcendent meaning of Genesis and Revelation, and everything in between.
And that’s exactly why people of understanding defend traditional, historic, biblical, natural orthodox marriage—between one man and one woman.
It’s not ultimately about earthly marriage or even about the practice of homosexuality. It’s about the desire to preserve the magnificent picture of the image of God. And it’s about God’s ultimate design for the universe—the Grand Wedding of His Son to the prepared Bride. And that is why the definition of marriage as man and woman—matters!
To you. To our nation. To God!
From “Well Versed”/Chapter 9: Marriage
Controversial Words
One of the most controversial words in the Bible is found in Ephesians 5:22: Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord!
Want to start a firestorm? Just quote Ephesians 5:22 in a public venue. What gets left off too often, however, are the words in Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Show me a man who can love his wife like Christ loved the church, and I’ll show you a woman who won’t struggle with “submitting.”
It’s not about a husband lording his authority over his wife.
How did Christ love the church?
He took on himself the sins of the church. Translation: the husband takes responsibility for the failures, struggles and challenges of marriage. Hard to do? Yes!
But the rewards are a loving, fulfilling, spectacular marriage!
From “Well Versed”/Chapter 4: The Four Governments
Concern for the Unemployed
If you’re a Christian employer, as a follower of Christ you should be concerned about the un-employed!
I’m talking about a spiritual, biblical, moral issue! Unemployment isn’t merely not having a job. It’s a loss of the command of Genesis to “till the Garden,” to contribute to this world. Genesis 1:26 tells us we were made in the image of God. That means, in part, that we are to “create” through our occupations. We were made for work.
“Work” was not a result of the fall of humanity in Genesis. It predated the fall. And in heaven we won’t be taking “eternal naps!”
There’s something insidious about being unemployed.
It rots the souls of men—a strong message for every Christian employer to remember!
The land-owner in Jesus’ example in Matthew 20:1-16, knowing this principle—took action. He hired the workers!
From “Well Versed”/Chapter 21: Minimum Wage
Israel
Are you aware that the only nation in the entire Middle East where Christians have religious freedom—is Israel?
The demand for Israel to give up land never ends.
Israel is criticized for building the wall that separates Jewish areas from Palestinian areas. Israel had no choice—it was the only way to protect innocent citizens.
I’ve been in small group settings with governmental and military leaders in Israel. They want peace, but they don’t want their people killed. Like any good persons, these men and women will defend their nation.
Israel is here to stay! And their enemies need to learn that.
And Scripture affirms that if we bless Israel, we will be blessed. And if we curse Israel, we will be cursed.
I didn’t make that up! God said it. You’ll have to take it up with Him!
From “Well Versed”/Chapter 33: Israel
Retirement vs God’s Eternal Purposes
Where in the Bible does it say anything about retiring at 65?
Or any age?
This sense of sitting back and becoming unproductive has been promoted in our society as an unstated “entitlement” due a person for a life of hard work. But think again!
When you just stop working and don’t replace it with challenging activity, it’s proven to be devastating to your health and mental well being.
Even trying to relate it to some kind of foreshadowing of a “heavenly retirement” where you’ll do nothing for eternity—is all wrong!
In 1st Corinthians 6:3, Paul reminds us our lives will be coupled with God’s eternal purposes, including acts of judgment!
Rest is good and necessary! The Lord rested from His work of creating the universe. But retirement from meaningful activity to the glory of God? That’s not the plan!
From “Well Versed”/Chapter 22: Social Security
The Best Outline of Government
The best outline of government was written 2,000 years ago in a letter to friends in Rome!
The apostle Paul was the author, recorded in Romans 13:1: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
Seven hundred years earlier, Isaiah said: “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.”
Secularists get nervous when they hear God referenced in such a prominent way in political conversation—thinking we’re advocating a “theocracy” where religious rulers govern based on what God has spoken.
To affirm God’s role in government is not to call for some type of a theocracy. Rather it is to affirm what our Founders affirmed—that our rights come from God! A concept of authentic government—established by God!
From “Well Versed”/Chapter 5: The Purpose of Government
