The Armour of God

Good morning to all from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All our family made it back to their respective states and homes without calamity so thank you for your prayers. God is Good every day and His mercies never cease to humble and amaze me. Other than missing my husband, this Wednesday Finds me in a good place.

As we continue our travels in Matthew 19, verses 1-12, "When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. Some Pharisees came to Him to test Him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," He replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry." Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage]because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." Amen.

I found several lessons from Jesus here. First, when Jesus was challenged by the false religious prophets (Pharisees) He quoted the scriptures. He didn't give them His thinking, Jesus gave them the Word of God. When our faith is tested, when our spirituality is tested, the only thing that can defeat Satan is the Word of God. But you cannot give the Word of God unless you have read it and hid it in your hear for just such occasions.  We are taught also in the scriptures to arm ourselves with the Word daily before going forth in the world daily. There are stinging arrows of sin and disbelief that will be hurled at us from the evil one and what protects us is the armor of God, the Word. This Blog is my way of reading and understanding the Word of God daily so that my mind is protected.

Second these scriptures provide advice to us all concerning the sanctity of marriage. In this day and age of couples dissolving their marriages over any and all things, Christ is telling us that the only condition under which a man can divorce his wife is infidelity. Back in the day when these Words were spoken, women had not authority under the Law which is why men are referenced and not women. Since Christ has fulfilled the law, I believe that both men and women can end their marriage because their spouse was unfaithful without committing adultery when and if they remarry. Marriage is a SACRED union that Gods created. It has a purpose that fulfills each of the parties in the relationship. Marriage should never be taken lightly and when sanctified by God, each person becomes a better version of themselves. Marriage is a fruitful union that ensures the promulgation of our species and that the offspring of the blessed unions will then go forth and continue the original plan of God when He created man and woman. The fact that so many people today violate their vows and are not faithful with their spouses is a sign that this age of sin is rapidly coming to a head and Christ is on His way  to claim is bride, the Church. Infidelity in marriage is a sin. It frees us to dissolve our marriage yet you can forgive your spouse and repair your marriage if that is what you are led to do. Infidelity should never be taken lightly. What is shared between husband and wife is so intimate; we bare ourselves, our souls and thoughts to the one we are married to and when this trust is broken you have to evaluate whether the trust can be rebuilt. I am confident that we in and of ourselves are not able to rebuild that trust again but the Holy Spirit can and will if you are led to stay in your relationship. I pray that those of you that are married continue in your faithfulness to Christ and one another. Protect the sanctity of your marriages as your honor to the God you serve. Be blessed today in Jesus name, amen and amen.

Stephanie