Marriage & Christianity 05.28.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday May 28, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of II Chronicles. Please read Chapters 21-24 in your Bible or Click Here to read. biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Chronicles%2021-24&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the reigns of Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Athalian, the prophecy of Elijah, Joash becoming king and restoring the Temple, and the nation turns once again to idolatry. Today's message focuses on the importance of Christian's marrying Christians and the consequences we face by not doing so.

During most of Jehoshaphat's reign, he maintained friendly relations with Ahab, the idol-worshiping king of the northern kingdom. His son's marriage to Ahab's daughter resulted in a heritage of wicked leadership for Judah. However, Jehoshaphat not only brought the wrath of God upon himself, but he also was unable to control the way it affected his sons and his grandchildren. After his death, his son Jehoram took control of the kingdom and he proceeded to destroy all the godly influence of his father's reign. "Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.....Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD." (II Chronicles 21:1,4-6).

Jehoram is a fearful warning to all parents of the importance of their children marrying a godly person. Can a young couple stand side by side before God and take their wedding vows to be perfectly united with each other in all but one thing? Can they have every interest in common except the deepest interest of all? Can they talk about everyone else with the most openhearted confidence except for the most precious and personal of all, the Lord Jesus Christ?

An unequally yoked marriage usually means either a cross to bear for the life of the Christian or that Christian turning back again into the world. It is a serious mistake for a couple considering marriage to have the same interests in everything except their relationship to Christ. You can be sure that there will be a lot of tension if we are not careful who we choose to marry. It is a difficult thing to wait on the Lord for our mate, but how tragic to marry an unbeliever who has no hope of Heaven. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (II Corinthians 6:14).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through Jehoiada, the high priest, who faithfully hid and protected Joash (II Chronicles 23:1-11). Jesus is our High Priest and we are hidden with Christ in God. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4).

Today's Prayer:

Dear Lord,
Help us build a Christ-centered home, with teaching of Your Holy Word as our golden text for living. Help us to instill love for acquiring knowledge and imparting wisdom. May we be living examples of committed believers demonstrating those character qualities that bring glory and honor to You. May Christ’s presence permeate our conversation and synchronize our hearts and help us choose the right relationships that help us grow closer to You. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great and wonderful Wednesday!
God Bless,
Christina

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