June 2, 2012

A Lily Among the Thorns (6/2)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Song of Solomon 1-8.

“I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.”

“Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens” (Song of Solomon 2:1-2).

We occasionally hear Jesus referred to as the rose of Sharon or the lily of the valley. The description of the bridegroom and his beloved in Song of Solomon is seen by some as an allegory describing Christ and His bride, the church. Ironically, these verses that have been used to describe Jesus are not referring to the bridegroom, but the bride. While there may be some statements that could be stretched so as to make a parallel with Christ and the church, Song of Solomon is simply a description of the love a couple has for one another – before and after marriage.
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May 22, 2012

Audio: The Same-Sex Marriage Debate

This lesson deals with the topic of same-sex marriage. People use things like politics, culture, and tradition to argue either for it or against it. Here we want to consider the subject from a Biblical perspective. This lesson will cover three points:

  1. God’s definition of marriage.
  2. God’s condemnation of homosexuality.
  3. The hope that exists for homosexuals.

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May 2, 2012

The Older Women Must Teach the Young Women

Mother, daughter, and baby

In many ways, our society’s norms and values are quite different from those found in the Bible, particularly in regard to the role and responsibilities of women. Paul instructed Titus to teach the older women about what they were to teach to the younger women. These lessons are still needed today.

“Older women likewise are to be… teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (Titus 2:3-5).

Paul mentioned seven lessons the older women were to teach to the younger women. Let us consider each one briefly.
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March 18, 2012

“A Woman Shall Not Wear Man’s Clothing” (3/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Deuteronomy 21-23.

“A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 22:5).

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February 20, 2012

A Daughter Eating of Her Father’s Food (2/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Leviticus 22-23.

In Leviticus 22, instructions were given regarding who could and could not eat of the gifts that were offered to the Lord. One of these rules affected the daughters of the priests:

“If a priest’s daughter is married to a layman, she shall not eat of the offering of the gifts. But if a priest’s daughter becomes a widow or divorced, and has no child and returns to her father’s house as in her youth, she shall eat of her father’s food; but no layman shall eat of it” (Leviticus 22:12-13).

A rule was given that no layman was to eat of this food that was dedicated to the Lord. This food was reserved for the priests. A priest’s daughter could eat only under certain conditions.
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November 19, 2010

Is Marriage Becoming Obsolete? Four in Ten Say ‘Yes’

Married couple on the beach

A recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 39% of Americans (nearly four out of ten) believe that marriage is becoming obsolete. This is up from 28% in 1978. As a society, a percentage this high is shameful. But anymore, sadly, it is unsurprising.

Let us not forget the admonition to respect the institution of marriage:

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Why are so many people failing to honor marriage and are instead calling it obsolete? To answer that question, we first need to understand the fundamentals of marriage.

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August 15, 2010

Controversy Over Same-Sex “Marriage”

Wedding Cake Toppers

With the recent court rulings in California over same-sex marriage, this debate has once again come to the forefront of our society. Whenever a political or social hot topic overlaps into matters of spiritual consequence, Christians can find great opportunities to talk with others about the Scriptures. With this issue in mind, let us be reminded of a few things and be ready to teach them to others.
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