HEART FOR LOVE

The picture above was taken a number of years ago when we were in Ukraine visiting kids and churches. Nancy and I took a walk one cold afternoon and found this artistic metal work in a park. The creation was made for picture taking so we took one, even though it was not Valentines Day or our anniversary.

I believe the golden rings pictured a husband’s and wife’s wedding rings linked with some decorative metal flowers at the bottom. Between the intertwined rings was a small heart. You get the idea? Love is a commitment of two people “committed” to each who become like one. That is a universal principle that comes from Scripture. Marriage was God’s idea from the beginning.

The Bible refers to this concept in Genesis 2:25 where God creates man and woman and performs the first wedding ceremony were Adam married Eve in a perfect garden wedding. Note how many times that same idea is repeated in Scripture.

Gen_2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Mat_19:5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'?

Mat_19:6 "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

Mar_10:8 AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.

1Co_6:16 Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH."

Eph_5:31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

Amazing isn’t it? That verse is the foundation of what all weddings essentially should be since Creation (thousands of year ago). The three basics are leave, cleave or be joined together with commitment, and become one flesh. Note the order also. If you get them mixed up, you will have problems; then you need to humble yourself and seek God’s forgiveness in Christ and refocus. Only He can forgive our sin.

This is what constitutes God’s plan for marriage even if culture reverses things, or goes off track. Sincere, unselfish and committed love is what holds it together. We can say that from experience having been married over 50 years now; happy to tell you about it, too. Neither of us is perfect but, thanks to the Lord, we are forgiven and still “crazy about each other.”

Happy Valentines Day

Pastor Mark

Our engagement picture in 1968.

GOD OF LOVE OR VENGENCE?

"God in the Old Testament is a god of vengeance and wrath, while in the New He is loving and kind."  "How could a loving God cast people into hell?"  These are common questions that deserve some thought. With wars and crisis around us how could God be loving or even care?

But what does the Bible actually say? It is clear that God is not an either/or God but a God who is both.  God's vengeance is seen in the Old and New Testament as in this NT verse that quotes the OT. Heb. 10:30 says, "For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." " 

God's love is also illustrated in both testaments. The OT Hebrew word "Chesed" is commonly translated "loving-kindness" and refers to His "love." Psa. 118:1 is one of my favorite verses. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting."  Well known NT passages like John 3:16 remind us that God's love (Gk. agape) is primarily expressed through Christ's sacrifice on the cross for sinful man. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Since God is absolutely just He, in his love, must deal with the sin and corruption of this world. Some feel like He has not. But the book of Revelation makes it clear that He will deal with all sin and corruption eventually upon Christ's second coming as we have been studying in Revelation 6. The scariest place you could ever be is as in the hands of God when He deals with sin. "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31).  He will eventually deal with all sin.  But the most wonderful place you could be is under the protecting love of the Good Shepherd's fold (Jn. 10:14ff).  That can only happen when we come through repentance and faith to Christ who paid the price for our sin.

The picture my son Caleb sent shows a building destroyed by war in the area of Ukraine we visited recently.  The building pictures what sin does to our world. But the beautiful blue sky reminds us about the promise of Christ's second coming in the clouds to deal with the corruption of this world and give His own the hope of heaven.  What a picture!

Building destroyed by recent war in Slavyansk, Ukraine. 

Pastor Mark

P.S. 

Don't miss our annual noon Memorial Day Picnic at the Marshall home on Fox Island (684 6th Ave).  Bring your own meat to grill, and a salad or dessert to share.  Beverages and tableware provided.  Stay for the afternoon and enjoy various outside activities and games for kids and adults.  Dress for being outside most of the time.

In case you missed it, here is a video about Camp Gilead that was shown a few weeks ago. It is has been consistently rated the best Christian camp in the NW for the last three years. Time now to register at www.campgilead.org for summer camps.