The Commands of Jesus

COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

John 7:37 If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST

Father, I am touched by your invitation to COME to you! You don’t say be good or do good or follow my laws. You know we fail when we try this. You know we can’t save ourselves. So you just say COME to you for rest. Take your yoke upon us – be joined with you, going in your direction. When we are weary and burdened we come. Letting go of control and surrendering to you brings us rest and peace. We surrender to you and allow you to drive our lives. Help us come to you every minute of every day. Help us obey you, be joined (yoked) with you in all we do and say. I thank you also that we can COME to you to quench our thirst. You satisfy!

This is the last command of Jesus recorded in the bible. I’ve blogged on these since April 2012! Now I will blog every third week or so on the promises of Jesus. The promises are also in the red words written as the words he said. It’s interesting that the command today also offers a marvelous promise – “Come to me…and I will give you rest.” Thank you, Father for your commands that guide us and your promises that bless us.

New Year Blessings, Dottie

The Commands of Jesus

DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT TO SAY

Matthew 10:19-20  When they arrest you do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Mark 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking but the Holy Spirit.

Luke 12:11-12  When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.

Luke 21:14 Make up your mind not to worry before hand how you will defend yourselves.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT TO SAY

Father,

The times have become so unChristian or anti-Christian that whether we’re arrested or just in an unfriendly atmosphere we need to discern what to say and how to say it to present the Truth. Help us learn to lean on you, trust you, discern your ways and walk in them so we will be prepared for such a time. We want to be open enough and in tune enough for the Holy Spirit to speak through us in helping and reaching others for you, whatever the situation.

FLEE PERSECUTION

Matt. 10:23  When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.

FLEE PERSECUTION

Father,

I’m glad you have this instruction to flee persecution! This would no doubt be my first inclination. The disciples dispersed to all parts of the known world due in part to persecution - and the result was the spread of the Gospel. We pray for the many Christians around the world who suffer persecution and even imprisonment for their faith. Help them be strong in the faith. Guide, guard and protect them – and use them mightily. 

Lord, I just received a mailing from Voice of the Martyrs with stories of persecution of Christians especially now in Syria. The persecution is from both sides in the conflict. Some Christians are staying there in spite of the danger because they believe You want them to be your witnesses there. What courage and dedication they have. We pray for the Christians in Syria. Bless, guide and protect them. May they inspire boldness in others including us. In Jesus name, Amen

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10 NIV

Blessings, Dottie

The Commands of Jesus

ASK THE LORD FOR HARVEST WORKERS

Matt. 9:35-38 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

Luke 10:2 ”The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

John 4:35  ”I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

ASK THE LORD FOR HARVEST WORKERS

In Mathew’s gospel the context of this plea for workers gives many details: Jesus has been preaching and teaching the good news in many towns and he healed every disease and sickness. Yet in looking over the crowd he has compassion on them because they are “harassed and helpless” like lost sheep. The Message says “his heart broke” because they are “confused and aimless.” Jesus is moved because their spiritual needs are even more desperate than their need for physical healing. This is often true of us and our world. Aren’t today’s people in our nation as well as other nations “harassed and helpless?” Aren’t many “confused and aimless?” Aren’t our spiritual needs at the root of many of our troubles?

Jesus’ call for harvest workers is not as simple as I thought. He tells the disciples to PRAY to the Lord so he will send more workers. Jesus in effect is saying our prayers make a difference. Our prayers to God for workers are effective and result in people hearing God’s call. Are we called to be workers? We should first pray and then wait for God’s specific call on our lives. What does he want me to do? There is a great need for many workers to help our sin-sick world.

PRAYER FOR HARVEST WORKERS

Father, we need harvest workers to reach out to the hurting and lost people in the world who don’t know you. We pray, as Jesus commanded, Lord, send out workers. Show us how to impact others spiritually so they can come to know you. Show us the ways you want us to spread the good news and win disciples to you. We pray for the many missionaries and ministries around the world who reach lost and desperate people offering them food, water, shelter, and medical care as well as teaching them about you. Bless and empower them. May all Christians reflect your glory to the world so you can set them free. 

Blessings, Dottie

Listen and Obey

These are the words of Jesus

Matt. 7:24-27   Hear my words and put them into practice.

Matt. 13:9, 43  He who has ears, let him hear.

Mark 4:3          Listen!

Mark 4:9, 23    He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:24        Consider carefully what you hear.

Mark 7:14        Listen to me, everyone.

Luke 8:8          He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 11:28      Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Luke 14:35      He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

John 6:45        Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

John 8:31        If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples.

John 8:51        I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.

John 14:15      If you love me you will obey what I command.  

John 14:21      Whoever has my commands & obeys them, he is the one who loves me.

John 14:23      If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching.

John 15:14      You are my friends if you do what I command.

John 18:37      Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.

Rev. 2:7           He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Rev. 2:29         He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Rev. 2:11         He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Rev. 2:17         He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Rev. 2:29         He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Rev. 3:3           Remember... what you have received and heard. Obey it and repent.

LISTEN AND OBEY

Father, 

Help us listen to you and obey you. Jesus certainly tells us repeatedly in your Word to “listen and obey.” The long list of Bible references to Jesus saying either listen, obey or both surprised me. It’s good you are patient because most of us have a hard time listening to anyone except ourselves. I confess I do.

Help us take time to listen. Teach us to bring even minor issues to you that trouble us and pray about them from our hearts. And listen. Your reassuring presence often comes when we do this. Some years ago I prayed about a difficult struggle with another person. You gave me a visual image of us kneeling side by side and you had a hand on each of our heads blessing us. I realized that you had brought us together and we could work things out. This was a turning point in our struggle and I thank you for this. Listening makes a difference.

I’m listening to you by studying the red words in the Bible. I remind myself these are words Jesus spoke! This keeps me focused on your will and shows me my flaws, failures – SINS. I confess and repent and accept your forgiveness. This is not easy.

                                                                                                                                                         

Lord, obeying you is also difficult. We have as much difficulty obeying as we do listening. Obedience is not a word I’ve ever liked, though I enjoy singing “Trust and Obey!”  You have told me several specific things you wanted me to do. I struggled with each one and questioned it. When I finally obeyed, your directions led me on new paths which stretched me and blessed me beyond my dreams. I want to listen, trust and obey! Forgive our rebellious hearts. Help us learn there’s no other way but to trust and obey.

COMMANDS OF JESUS

WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

John 4:23-24  A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit and his worshippers worship him in spirit and in truth.

WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

Father,

A note in my Bible says “genuine worship involves both fact and faith.” Our mind and our heart are both involved; our reason and our will join our heart and our soul. Worshipping in spirit means we aren’t just going through the motions but have reached an inner submission to you. We’ve given our hearts to you. Worshipping in truth means our minds also believe that we worship the one true God – the God revealed in Scripture and in Jesus Christ. We worship and love you with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We aren’t doing the “Hokey Pokey” with one foot out. We’re all in it. Help us do this Lord. We can only do it with your Holy Spirit.

                                                                                                                                                          
Lord, I do worship you in spirit and in truth. You are my Lord and Savior. You are the Way, The Truth and the Life. You are the Creator, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. You gave your Son to save us and your Spirit to indwell us. You are the one true God. We bow before you with awe and wonder and praise your holy name. 

Enter Through the Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. Small is the road that leads to life and few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gate to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. NLT

Luke 13:24 Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

John 5:23 He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

John 6:29 The work of God is this; to believe in the one he has sent.

John 6:40 My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day.

ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE

Father,

These scriptures tell us that Jesus is the narrow gate. He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) We must lose our self-focus, our pride and surrender our will to Him. This is why it’s described as narrow and difficult. Our salvation isn’t earned. It’s a gift of grace which we humble ourselves to accept and trust.

Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy says, “The narrow gate is obedience - and the confidence necessary to it. We can see that it is not doctrinal correctness because many people who cannot even understand the correct doctrines nevertheless place their full faith in him...The broad gate, by contrast, is simply doing whatever I want to do.” 

Lord, following you is not easy but it is a marvelous way. Help us stay on the narrow road. Help us seek your face daily and become more like you.

Commands of Jesus

ASK - SEEK  -  KNOCK

Matt. 7:7-11 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and your will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Luke 11:9 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 

Mark 11:22-24 Have faith in God. I tell you the truth if anyone says to this mountain, “go, throw yourself into the sea’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

John 16:24b Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete.

ASK - SEEK - KNOCK

Dear Father,

In Mark’s gospel he starts this section with “Have faith in God.” I think all versions presuppose this. We need to have true and trusting faith in you. Lord, increase our faith in you. When we seek you our faith grows. It’s reassuring to know from Scripture that you want us to pray; you want us to ask of you, seek you, and knock on doors, persistently.

As I was writing this I ran across these verses from Jeremiah 29:12-13: “You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Thank you for the assurance that you hear us and will give us good gifts, whatever is best for us. Help us keep your will in mind when we ask. Help us ask, seek and knock in keeping with your kingdom. Help us persist in seeking you. Help us pray with intensity. Help us understand that if we don’t receive what we pray for, it’s because you have something better for us. 

It’s awesome to think that our faith in you can move mountains. It’s amazing to realize that in some mysterious way our prayers release your power into the lives of others, even those who don’t know you - healing or saving them. Increase our faith, Lord.

The Commands of Jesus

DO NOT GIVE DOGS WHAT IS SACRED

Matt. 7:6 Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Matt. 7:6 Don’t give what is holy to unholy people. Don’t give pearls to swine!  They will trample the pearls and attack you. NLT

Matt 7: 6 Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege. The Message

DO NOT GIVE TO DOGS WHAT IS SACRED

Father,

This is a puzzling verse. Through study, thought and prayer I learned that we are not to give what is sacred and eternally valuable - the Truth about you - to those who hate the truth, those who will reject it and dirty it. According to the Message we aren't to water down the message in order to be relevant. Wow! I must be guided by your Spirit in sharing the good news with those with differing views. The church must be also. Jesus did not argue with the Pharisees or the Sadducees but he did offer eternal life and Nicodemus was open to hear him. Help me in sharing the Gospel and forgive me for not understanding how wasteful and even alienating this can be when not led by You.

Readers: Do you know other interpretations of this verse? If so please comment.

                                                                                                                                                          Blessings, Dottie

The Red Words in Scripture

I'm resuming blogs on the Red Words in Scripture - Jesus' Commands. This began back in a blog called How Do You Read the Bible?

BE MERCIFUL, DON’T JUDGE

Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Matt. 12:7 I desire mercy, not sacrifice.  

Matt. 7:1-5 Do not judge or you will be judged.

Luke 6:37 Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Matt. 7:5 Take the plank out of your own eye.

Luke 6:42 First take the plank out of your eye.

John 7:24 Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment.

BE MERCIFUL, DON’T JUDGE

Father,

I’m not sure I can go one week without judging someone. I’m less judgmental than I used to be and I’m more aware when I have critical thoughts. I pray about these and you keep me from speaking them - sometimes. I see the plank in my own eye better, thanks to your Spirit in me. Most of us are so sure we are right and we know what’s best for others. What conceit! How do you stand us?

Help me not judge others by their appearance or initial impressions or by what I would do if I were in their situation. Help me see others as you see each of them.  Give me your viewpoint. Remind me that every person is made in your image; every person is unique. Help me to be merciful, kind, loving, compassionate, and tender toward others - as you are. Let the mind of Christ live in me.

Blessings, Dottie

SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM

SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM

Matt 6:33 Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things (your needs) will be given to you as well.

Matt. 6:33 Make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. NLT

Luke 12:31 Seek his kingdom and these things (your needs) will be given you as well.

Luke 12:31 Make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. NLT

SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM

Dear Father,

Your Word says we are to “Seek first your Kingdom.” What is your Kingdom and how do we put it first?

Hayford’s Bible Dictionary says that “where the King is personally, the Kingdom is presently.”

The Illustrated Bible Dictionary says the Kingdom is “God’s rule of grace in the world.”

Jesus made clear that the Kingdom was already present though hidden, a mystery – with consummation later. Your Kingdom now lives in the hearts of those who trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior and seek to follow his commands, his righteous way of love. How exciting! Thank you, Lord.

“Seek first your Kingdom.” So how do we seek your kingdom first? 

• We read your Word. Help us read it more.
• We obey your commands. Do we? No one does this perfectly. Help us notice when we fail to keep your commands. Help us do better as we grow in you.
• We focus on putting you first in every area of our life, surrendering all. This is not easy. This means giving our time, our money, our hearts and souls to you daily.

Lord, we want to seek your Kingdom and your righteousness first, but we often fail to do this. We need your Spirit to enable us. Let Christ rule in our hearts and in our churches. We welcome your Kingdom. What a thought! Show us when and where we fail at this. Help us remain in you and in your Kingdom.

Blessings, Dottie

DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL NEEDS

Matt. 6:25-34  Do not worry about your life, food or drink, clothing or tomorrow.

Luke12:22-28 Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.

Luke 12:29 Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink, do not worry about it.

John 6:27 Do not work for food that spoils, but food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.

John 7:37 If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL NEEDS 

Father,

You have blessed us with resources so we know we have food, drink and clothing. Many in war ravaged or diseased infested lands do not have it so well. And many right now in New York and New Jersey are struggling without power, food, water or gas and with their homes destroyed as a result of hurricane Sandy. It is much more difficult in these situations to trust You for our care. Or is it? Sometimes we feel closest to you when we need you the most.

Even with abundance we worry about what to wear (though we have plenty of clothes). We worry about the economy with the debt looming over our country. And we worry about minor physical problems, about the length of our life and the duration of good health. I know I do. I often worry about tomorrow! 

Forgive me, Lord. Worry is a common human response to most anything. I think Jesus is saying our worry separates us from You. And much of what we worry about is in the future. To stay close to You we need to remain in the present rather than borrowing trouble by worrying about tomorrow. Help me remain in You and trust You completely.

Blessings, Dottie

DON’T BE A HYPOCRITE

GIVE IN SECRET

Matt. 6:1-4 “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” NIV

Dear Father,

You have taught me to be more giving than I was in the past and this has its own reward. It feels good to give. I can see it would be easy to feel self-righteous about any giving I do, feeling pride in it and wanting to be admired or honored by others. It bothers me when Christians give with the understanding that their name will be made public as the donor. While I do want to please others I’m not comfortable being honored. I want to only bring honor to You.

Help me to be on guard against pride in my giving. Help me always remember that the giving I do is inspired by You. Until I learned Your way of love, my nature mostly kept money and things for myself. Self-centeredness continues, but less so. I’m sure there are other areas in which I am a hypocrite – deceitful, prideful and self-centered. Reveal these to me and change me, Lord.

PRAY IN SECRET

Matt. 6:5-8 When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men….But when you pray go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray do not keep on babbling…. for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. NIV

Father,

I pray I am not like the hypocrites. Studying this has shown me how many times You warn about being hypocritical. Yet we all have our pretenses and a desire for attention or even acclaim. Show me sins in this area and help me be real - with no pretense in me. Paul says in Roman:12:9  “Let love be sincere,” which means literally unhyocritical. I enjoy praying in secret while public praying is more difficult. I know the key to both is praying from my heart. I need to be open and real and let the Spirit pray through me. All prayer needs to focus on You, not on what others think. Show me when I’m just babbling and help me listen to You more.

Blessings, Dottie

BE PERFECT

by Dottie Parish

These red words in Scripture challenge many Christians - as well they should. This is a command! Jesus says:

Matthew 5:48 

Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect. NIV

Matthew 5:48 

What I’m saying is, grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live out of your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. The Message

BE PERFECT?

Father,

I’ve been trying to “be perfect” all my life. I know I have to give up my wish for perfection as that’s not possible and not what you mean by “be perfect.”  Rather you mean be loving - as You are loving. Perfect means being whole, complete, or mature in the faith.

I have mixed feelings about The Message’s injunction to grow up! I like its directness and the fact that we must grow, but I don’t think this means we should “stuff” our feelings and never have a meltdown. This leads to denial of issues we need to face. Facing our issues keeps us growing.

On the other hand it’s hard to let go of childish things (such as a “pity party” or self-centeredness) and move on to the solid maturity of an adult believer. You said, “My food is to do the will of my father.” (John 4:34 NIV) We must chew on the Word and let it mature us. Then we will do Your will. Help me make Your Word and Your will my food also. Help me be humble and loving in all I do and say. 

Blessings, Dottie

Love Your Enemies

I'm back to blogging on the commands of Jesus - the red words in the Bible. Those who missed previous posts on this  can look back to April 17, 22, 30, and May 8, 14, 21, 28 and June 4 and 11.  

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.

Matt. 5:43-47 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even pagans do that?

Luke 6:27 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:35 Love your enemies, do good to them and lend them without expecting to get anything back.

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

Father, Teach me to love as Jesus’ loved. While I don’t have any major enemies there have been some people in my life who I didn’t like and who I avoided. We judge too quickly by appearances without getting to know people. I worked with a few people who were difficult, who misunderstood me. I liked them, but our relationship was not good, but did I pray for them? Others who annoyed me have been people who seemed like Pharisees - pretentious, condescending. Did Jesus love the Pharisees and Sadducees? This is very hard to do. Leanne Payne, a speaker I’ve heard, talks about “my beloved enemy,” those close to us who we love, but are unloving toward. Ouch! Those closest include my husband, my sisters, and my children. Help me, in all my relationships, demonstrate love. I’ve learned this year that my need to control can make me seem to be unloving and even an enemy. I give all these issues to you, Lord. Change me!

 Blessings, Dottie

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK & GIVE TO ALL WHO ASK

Matt. 5:38-42 If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Luke 6:29-31 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Matt. 7:12  Do to others what you would like them to do to you.

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK and GIVE TO ALL WHO ASK.

Father, It seems to me that this scripture describes a peace maker and a very generous person. This is someone who cares about others, listens to others view points, gives to others in need and is openly vulnerable, not defensive, in relationships, that is, turns the other cheek. The loving way is to cooperate and do more than is asked. This is a very high standard and contrary to the ways of our culture.

I am generally a peace maker and I thank you for giving me this disposition. Even so, the inclination to retaliate is strong in most of us, including me. When someone hurts me, I want to hurt them back, though most of the time I stuff it or journal about it or try to talk with the person.

I have learned in my journey with You to be more open and transparent with others, rather than hiding my weaknesses and flaws. Help me continue to grow along these lines of love. I also have overcome much defensiveness though this occasionally raises its head in close relationships. I am giving and caring in many ways, but I need to be more responsive to the needs of others and less self focused. 

Your words command extreme humility and generosity. Help me obey. 

Red Words in Scripture

DO NOT DIVORCE

Matt. 5:31-32 Do not divorce except for unfaithfulness as this equals adultery.

Matt. 19:9 Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.

Mark 10: 11  Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.

Luke 16:18   Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

DO NOT DIVORCE

Father,

“Do not divorce” seems harsh in view of our culture’s acceptance of divorce, in view of how difficult marriage is, and in view of the fact we are all sinners. On the other hand, look what has happened to our culture with the acceptance of divorce. Families are torn apart. Many children know only one parent. Extended family members lose beloved in-laws or aunts and uncles. The easy acceptance of divorce has devastated the foundation of our culture – the family.

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary says that Jesus’ point here was that divorce was contrary to God’s plan for marriage and should never be taken lightly. Hayford’s Bible Dictionary says “Behind every broken marriage is a heart hardened against God, then hardened against one’s mate.” This rings true to me as a counselor, for at least one of the two people divorcing. 

Father,

I thank you for your plan of life long marriage. I also thank you for my marriage which survived in spite of my hard heart and controlling ways. Marriage has enriched my life in so many ways - with my husband’s friendship and love, with children, grandchildren, and wonderful memories.  Even the struggles blessed us and forced us to grow throughout more than fifty years together.

I pray couples will honor their vows to each other and to you and will stay together.