Divorce

16. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Welcome back from the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let’s return to our study on divorce.  Our study takes place in Matthew 5^th chapter.  This is the first time that Jesus addressed the issue of divorce since he began his ministry.  In Matthew 19^th chapter, however, Jesus confronts this issue again.  Today, we will look at that Matthew 19^th chapter. 

Our text today is Matthew 19: 1 “And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?”

To properly understand this text, we must first place it in its historical context.  As you see, the text says that the Pharisees came unto Jesus to tempt him.   One would have to think why is asking Jesus about divorce a temptation?  

Earlier, when I begin this study on Matthew, I talked to you about four major groups that existed during the time of Jesus.  These groups were the Pharisees, Sadducees,  Essenses, and Zealots.   

The Pharisees were the more conservative group.  They were the legalists.  They followed the law to the “letter” yet often neglecting the spirit of the law and had become hypocritical and pious in their acts of worship. 

The Sadducees were the more liberal group and they were the more “political” group.  Whatever was “politically” correct is what they had a tendency to follow. 

I brought these two groups up to explain the temptation.  These groups varied in their beliefs.  One of the main area of differences were concerning divorce.  The Pharisees taught and believed that you could only get a divorce in the case of adultery.  The Sadducees believe that you could get a divorce for any reason.    

Are you getting the picture?  The question that was raised to Jesus was “Is it a lawful for a man to put away his wife for any cause.”  The Pharisees were trying to see if he was liberal in his thinking and would he side with the Sadducees in his theology on divorce.   This subject was a major battle between the religious leaders and the Pharisees were trying to draw Jesus into this age old conflict.   

This is why it is a temptation.  They were not trying to be educated on divorce; they were trying to trap Jesus. 

Tomorrow, we’ll deal with Jesus’ response.  God Bless. Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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Marriage

13. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

It’s the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Before we get into our study on divorce, I thought it would be nice just to look at some other scriptures today that had to do with relationship. 

Ephesians 5: 22” Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” 

A lot of people have problems with this text because of the whole submit, obey idea.  In a lot of wedding ceremonies, the words submit and obey have even been taken out of the marriage vows.    

Look at this text though.  To me it represents a beautiful picture of a Godly marriage.  Let’s look at the role of the man.  He is to love the wife as Christ loved the church and he is the head of the wife.  You have to admit that is some pretty powerful and amazing love.  To be loved as Christ loved the church; that nothing was too much to sacrifice for her even to the point of life.  Christ loved the church to the point that he endured suffering, shame, guilt, etc in order that she would be reconciled back to the father.  Christ loved the church and came to bring it life and more abundant and the list goes on and on and on.  Honestly, who would have a problem submitting to someone that loved them to that degree.  A love that makes sure that she is safe and happy and secure.  A love that provides, that nourishes, that comforts, that builds up, that strengthens, that  motivates, that encourages, etc  WOW!!!!!!!!!!!  Come on, that’s worthy of submission and not only that, God commands it.   I know, first thing that comes to our minds as women is what if my husband is not all that.  Or as men, what if my wife want submit and I am a loving husband.  Yes, that is the problem of our study, which is what leads to divorce in the first place.  Jesus does deal with these issues later on and we will study them.    

For those who are still single and not yet married, I would encourage pre-marital counseling.  There are so many biblical roles of the man and woman that need to be discussed and need to be agreed upon before making this commitment.   I know we think that love will see us through everything and our love is strong enough to get through anything, well that was basically the testimony of every divorced couple.   

We need help understanding what our purpose is in marriage and it will help ensure   a successful marriage.  God’s way is perfect.   

God Bless.  Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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Purpose of Marriage

12. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Our text for today is Matthew 5:31-32 

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Today, our subject covers divorce.  This is a very difficult and controversial issue in the body of Christ.    Just yesterday on CNN, there was a study on marriage and the findings indicated that the statistics show that 1out of every 2 marriages ends up in divorce and the statistics for people living together has drastically increased.      Last time I checked the data for Christians, the divorce rate was about the same for both Christians and non-Christians.  This is heartbreaking data especially among the ‘body of Christ.”    I want to discuss the origin of divorce, where it came from, why it was needed, who instituted it, how did God feel about it, etc.  These are some of the main themes that I hope to cover while we’re on this study.    Before I get into the heart of divorce, I would like to talk about marriage and it’s origin.  I feel that before we can clearly define and study divorce, we need to know what is being destroyed or done away with.  Let’s begin our journey in the beginning.  Let’s travel back to creation and see why marriage was created. Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam  to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave  names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made  he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman,  because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.  

This is a very familiar text.  Recently, I took a survey in church as to what people believed the purpose of marriage was and the two most popular answers were procreation and being able to legally have sex.      Yes these are part of marriage, but what happens if a couple gets married and both of them find that either both or one of the parties is sterile or something happens in the marriage where one of the spouses can no longer have sex.   

Let’s look at the Genesis text.  The bible says that God said; it is not good that man should be alone.  What was the problem; loneliness.    What was the solution, create a woman.  Woman was created for companionship.   The text says that God would make him a helpmate.  That word help mate means a “counterpart” or “his reflected image.”     Think about it, Adam was created to take care of God’s creation.  The text says that he was to have dominion and subdue the earth.   Adam had God.  He walked with God in the cool of the day.  He had a relationship with him yet God said it is not good for him to be alone.   It was not good to not have someone on his own level that he could relate to.   God created woman to be his companion and helpmate.  What we mean by help mate is that she was created to help him accomplish what God had given him to do.  She was created to help him fulfill his calling.  Adam had a mission and plan for their lives given to him by God.  He already had a job, had direction, and had an assignment before the woman was created.  Adam was put in the garden to work it and all the animals were brought to him that he would name them and he was instructed to have dominion over the earth.   I know in this day, it’s hard to accept that I am to help my husband fulfill his calling.  What about me, what about my dreams, my goals, and my ambitions.  Tomorrow, we’ll talk about some of those things.   

God Bless. Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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Adultery in the Heart

11. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Our text for today is Matthew 5:27 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend  thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”  

Today, Jesus deals with the seventh commandment which is “thou shalt not commit adultery.”   Remember earlier that we defined the spirit of the law verses the letter of the law.  The spirit of the law is the original purpose of the law in its entirety when it was given and not just the technicality of it (the letter).  

In this instance, Jesus taught that if a man looks on a woman to lust after her he has already committed adultery in his heart.   There’s that word again, heart.   Jesus is concerned about the heart.    Let’s look at the original grammatical structure of the word “looketh” for a moment.    It does not mean just a one time glance.  It means a continuation. 

We all will agree that we have thoughts that come to us that are ungodly.  The problem is when we entertain those thoughts and meditate on them to the point that we desire or lust after it.  Yes, negative and ungodly thoughts will come and that is not the sin.  The sin is when we entertain those thoughts. 

The scriptures teach us to cast down thoughts and imaginations which are contrary to the word of God.  II Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”   

Jesus then uses a figure of speech called an “hyperbole” which is a type of figurative language which shares an extreme exaggeration to prove a point and in this case to show how serious it is to lust after a person to the point that you keep them in your thoughts and heart.   

Jesus says this is adultery in the heart and it is dangerous.     He uses the phrases “And if thy right eye offend  thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”     

I think we all will agree that this is not to be taken literally, but it is figurative language used to show the seriousness of lust.    Okay everyone including me, let’s check our hearts.  Are we longing for something or someone that is “off limits” and we know it.   

I’ve known people who were so convinced that God told them that a certain man or woman was theirs and they carried that person in their heart and the person ended up marrying someone else.    I don’t know what they expect God to do.  I don’t know if they are waiting on the spouse to die or hoping the marriage will end in divorce.   Let it go!!!!    

We have got to find a way to cleanse our hearts.  For so many of us, it is blocking our spiritual growth and the ability to experience the “abundant life” that Jesus came to give.    I know people want some magic answer but I find that the basics of prayer, meditation, and reading God’s word daily works.  It works.   A consistent word and prayer life brings victory to your defeat and healing to your hearts and comfort to your loneliness.   

Tomorrow, we begin our study on divorce.  We’ll be on this subject for a while.   

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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Being One

10. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Our text for today is: 

Matthew 5: 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing Yesterday we talked about anger and how Jesus compared anger with murder in the sense that it is anger in the heart that leads to such acts as murder. 

Today, Jesus tells us what to do when we know that we have anger towards someone or if someone is angry with us. 

Let’s look at the text.  The setting is the temple or synagogue.  Jesus teaches that when you come to the “house of God” and when you bring your act or worship (your gift) to the alter and when you remember that a person has aught against you then you are to leave your gift at the alter and be reconciled to your brethren.   

Let’s look at some historical context first.   In the ancient world when you presented a gift it was considered an act of worship.  True worship to God is a “heart thing.” 

When we get into the presence of God, we realize and acknowledge our flaws and sins and ask for forgiveness so that we may go before him in pureness of heart.  Jesus teaches that if during this “self evaluation” we remember that our brethren have aught against us, we are to leave and be reconciled.  Notice the text, it refers to someone that you know has aught against you, this could be legitimate or not, whatever the case, you know that there is a problem. 

So often, we feel that if we have not done anything wrong that we should not have to be the one that reaches out to reconcile, after all we can’t control an opinion a person has formed justly or unjustly.  

The text teaches that if you know that your brethren is troubled by something that you did or just may be angry with you with or without reason, you are the one that should reach out to reconcile.  Jesus asks us to do this before we present our acts of worship to God and then we are free to offer up before him in a clear conscious that not only have we sought forgiveness from God for our sins but we are in harmony and peace with our brethren.   

Again, God wants our heart pure and HIS desire is that we would be one.   One of the problems that we face in Christianity is that the church is loosing insight on what it means to be “one body.”    Jesus desires that we would all be one.   

Let me close today with the prayer that Jesus prayers for his disciples and also for the ones that would come after his disciples which are us.   I know it’s a lot of verses but they are so powerful, take the time to read them.  Listen to the heart of Christ as he prays that we all be one:   

John 17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

6 ”I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name–the name you gave me–so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13 ”I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 20 ”My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 ”Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.  

25 ”Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” 

God Bless. 

Make sure you pray and read God’s word daily.

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Anger

9. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Welcome back from the weekend.  I had a wonderful weekend.  I taught yesterday in church on the original purpose of marriage and the role of a man and woman and I actually was refreshed in my own marriage to revisit those issues in the text.   I also preached at the women’s prison that night and I taught on what it means to “see God.”  OHHHHHHHHH, I love the word, not only was the prisoners refreshed and encouraged but I also. 

Our text for today is Matthew 5:21 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca,  shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

Earlier I taught that Jesus came to fulfill the law both in person and in teachings.  By person, we mean that he was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and the one prophesized by the prophets of old as the long awaited Messiah.  In teachings, we mean that he corrects the false doctrines and teachings from the religious leaders.    We’re getting ready to go through a series of teachings where Jesus talks about the “spirit of the law” versus the “letter of the law.”   

When we talk about the spirit of the law, we simply mean the original intent behind the law when it was given.  When we talk about the letter of the law, we’re talking about doing just enough to “technically” say we did not break the law.   The true effectiveness of a law is found in its purpose and intent and not in its letter.  Let me show you what I mean by discussing this sixth commandment, “thou shalt not kill.”   

Jesus says, you have heard by them of old time, thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.  But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger ……..      

Let’s go over this.  Jesus opens this commandment  with teaching that not only is murder wrong but it is also wrong to have anger in your heart against your brethren for after all it is anger that leads to murder.    Jesus actually talks about three different stages. 

(1)     If you are angry with your brother without a cause you shall be in danger of the judgment.  Historically, this particular judgment consisted of a group of governing elders of about 36 that handled smaller matters for the courts.   Jesus was stating that when a person held such anger there was help needed from the elders in order to make sure that it did not escalate into something that could possibly lead to destruction or even murder. 

(2)     If you say to your brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council.  Raca is a phrase that historically meant worthless or empty-headed.  It is an Aramaic word that was commonly used by the ancient world to insult people.  To say that a person was empty-headed was accompanied with anger and contempt.   It was an attack on a person’s intelligence.   The council that Jesus was talking about here was the higher court of order called the Sanhedrin which was a step above the governing elders. 

(3)     Jesus says whosoever shall say “thou fool” shall be in danger of hell fire.   The word fool here is different and stronger than the meaning of fool we used today.  In our society the word fool is used in both joking and serious terms and it means a silly or stupid person or a person that lacks judgment or sense.  It also means someone who has been tricked or deceived to appear or to act stupid or it refers to a weak minded person.   The word in the text comes from a Greek word which means to show contempt for a person’s character.   It was done out of extreme hate and anger for a person whether through jealousy or enviousness, etc.   The contempt was so severe that murder was created in the heart.  Jesus said that this would bring danger of “hell’s fire.”   

We have to ask ourselves today, who we are angry towards.  Is our heart filled with intense emotions that keep escalating and growing to the point where you know you feel intense hatred towards that person?   We have verbally and openly insulted both their intelligence (raca) and character (fool) to the point that we have caused others to form an opinion of them without even getting to know them first.    Yes, technically (the letter of the law) we have not killed anyone but mentally we have murdered them in our hearts.      You will see throughout these teachings that Jesus is after the heart.   If we can get our hearts pure, we will have the ability to “see God” in our situations and in other people and experience phenomenal levels of spiritual growth.    I’m after the abundant life.  I don’t want any malice or ill feelings in my heart towards anyone.  I wanna be free.  I love life and love the freedom that comes through the word of God. 

Join me tomorrow as we discuss what Jesus instructs us to do when we have anger in our hearts.   God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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The Law

6. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: Our text for today is Matthew 5:17

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

In our above text, let me begin by defining some things.   Jesus is putting some very “well known” rumors to rest.  He opens up by saying “think not.”  There were many religious leaders who were making claims that Jesus was anti-law.  Jesus says; no, He is not against the law.  Don’t think that HE came to destroy the law, or the prophets: but to fulfill.   

First, let’s talk about what Jesus means when he says the “law” in this statement.   Jesus was not referring to any particular rule or regulation but actually a body of literature which is made up of the first five books of the bible.  It is called the Pentateuch or Torah.   The Pentateuch is a Greek word which means five books.  The word penta-meaning five and teuch- meaning volumes or books.    Torah is simply the Hebrew word for this same body of material.   The word torah means law or story.  Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and  Deuteronomony are the books that make up this word “law” in this passage.  While some think that when the word law is mentioned, it refers to the Ten Commandments.  The Ten Commandments is only one set of laws that finds its context in the Pentateuch and is often referred to as the “moral law.”  There were ceremonial laws, governmental laws, sanitary laws, dietary laws, etc.   

Jesus says; “think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets.”  The word prophets here refer to a body of literature which contained the writings of the prophets.  As you can see, Jesus was referring to a body of literature in the Old Testament which we know as the “word of God”, in particular the first five books of the bible and the books of the prophets.  Jesus goes on to say;  till  heaven and earth pass one “jot” or one “tittle” shall in no wise pass from the law until all be fulfilled.    A jot is the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet which looks like a apostraphe ( ‘ ) .  It is the smallest or most minute part of the Hebrew language.  A tittle is the tiny marks used to accent the words.  It took is the smallest or most minute part of the language.  Jesus’ point was that God’s word was so important and so dependable that even the smallest part of the word will be fulfilled.  

 Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This is just so powerful to me.  A jot or a tittle, ohhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!  That is just how faithful God is towards his word.  HE IS FAITHFUL.  His word shall not return to HIM void but it shall accomplish the thing that HE sent it to do.  POWERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!   IT CANNOT COME BACK VOID.   Okay, on Monday, we will begin our study on how Jesus fulfills the law and Jesus begins to correct false teachings.  There are some really hot topics coming up including marriage, divorce, adultery, fornication and remarriage.     YEAH!!!!!!!!!!  It get’s pretty heated.    Join me Monday.  Have a wonderful weekend.   

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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Back to Matthew

5. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

 

 

Today, we are going to pick back up on our series from the book of Matthew.  I’ll do a review and then tomorrow we will pick up our discussion.  For those of you that are just joining us, you can always go back through the daily devotionals and catch up.  Our discussion takes place in the 5^th chapter of Matthew.  This is the famous piece of literature known in church history as the “sermon on the mount.”  This sermon covers Matthew chapters five through seven.  This particular chapter starts out with the beatitudes.  For the definition and meaning of these words, please do a review from the daily devotionals.   

The beatitudes were Jesus’ teachings on what true happiness was and what a citizen of the kingdom’s character should be like.    After Jesus closes out the beatitudes, he then tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  We discussed in details what both those analogies mean.    

Jesus then begins to teach on the law.    Tomorrow, we will begin our study on the law.  I think you will be fascinated on this study of the law.   We will talk about the many concepts of the law that exist and what Jesus meant by the law.   Join me, this is one of my favorite topics.  

 

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

 

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Praise

4. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Whatever your political views are we all have to admit that such a historical event took place last night.  I was overwhelmed as I watched the election results.   You have to ask what God is doing and what does this mean for America and where we are headed both physically and spiritually.      

Today, we continue our story with what is called in the theological realm as “Hannah’s song.”   It is her praise to God after remembering her and answering her prayer.   On this very historic day while all the politicians are trying to analyze what happened and what does it all mean,   I would like to leave you with this praise from Hannah. 

II Samuel 1:1 “Then Hannah prayed and said: 2 ”There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3 ”Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. 4 ”The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. 6 ”The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. 9 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.” 

I woke up this morning in such praise to our God and how appropriate that in our study on this day we are on the part where Hannah offers up total praise to God. 

I love God so!!!!!!!!!!!   Glory to HIS NAME.  HE IS ALL WISE.  HE IS WONDERFUL.   ALL IS WELL.  EVERYTHING IS SAFE.  ALL IS AS IT SHOULD BE!!!!! 

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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Pay Your Vows

3. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Our text for this morning is: 

I Samuel 1:20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. 21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. 23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. 25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.  

Today, I want to talk about keeping the vows that we make to God when we are in trouble.  As you can see from the text, Hannah conceived and had a male child.  Hannah keeps the child until it is weaned.  The day comes where Hannah has to make good on her vow.  The text says that Hannah went up to the house of the Lord and turns Samuel over to the priests to serve in the house of God.   

Hannah remembered the vow that she made when she was in trouble.  Have you ever been in trouble and told God, if you ever get me out of this one, I will do such and such and then when God gets us out, we forget to honor him in paying the vow that we spoke when we were in trouble.    Remember, we told HIM that we would be more faithful, that we would not return back to this situation, that we would walk away from certain people, change our environment, change our speech, try to do better, be kinder to one another and the list goes on and on of the things that we promised God  when we’re in trouble.  Soon as the trouble lifts, many of us forget our vows and for many of us, we don’t even attempt to honor them. 

The scriptures teach us that it is better not to make a vow than to make one and not pay it.  I believe that God is calling us to honor our word just as we want God to honor HIS.    For many of us our blessing could possibly be connected to our paying those vows.   For Hannah, the fate of Israel depended upon her paying her vow to the Lord.  Samuel would become a powerful prophet and judge of God’s people.  Eli gets a second chance to rear an heir to God’s house that would honor his name.  Samuel will be used to anoint the first King of Israel.  Yes, destiny was tied into Hannah paying the vow that she uttered when she was in trouble.     

Hannah remembered her vow and she paid it.  What about us.  What have we told God we would do and have not done?  I know for me there are several things that I promised God that I would do this year and already I see where I have gone off track.  This text is personal to me today; for there are some things that I need to take care of and get in order.  I feel like when I get those things in order, something supernatural will begin to break in my life.  I’m excited.    I hope this blessed you as it did me today.   

God Bless. 

Make sure you pray and read God’s word daily.

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