I hate divorce

"I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel Malachi 2:16a

I hate divorce.

This is a statement from God. If this is a statement from God then why do we listen to the world? Why do brothers and sisters in Christ allow each other to listen to the temptation of the world? Selfish cowards let there brothers fall. I hate divorce too, and I hate running through God seeking life without having a brother step-up and encourage, follow, and aid in building another brother's relationship towards a God filled marriage covenant. Why do we "let things slide?" The movies we watch, the shows we see, the magazines we read, but still nobody gets in the grill of my face and says "love her like God loved the church." Do not break the faith. Do not listen to the world.

Sexual temptation roams large. Sexual temptation bites evil poison into relationships. Where is a brother? Where is a sister? Do we pray for sexual purity for our brothers? our sisters? I'm tired of allowing myself to listen to the world. Can someone please stand up and understand the woman is the daughter of God. Outside of marriage a man has no right to her body. Her body is a temple of God. Sit down coward. Stop lacking in your faith with God and glue the heart of God to your forehead. Unlawful sex takes prime real-estate to destroy God's holy and pure vow of the covenant of marriage.

Marriage is from God.

My heart weeps.

I hate divorce.

God not pleased

"You placed defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the Lord's table is contemptible. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 1:7-8

God sets the tone. God deserves our honor and respect. He requires the very best of our abilities. "For I am a great king, says the Lord Almighty, 'and my name is to be feared among the nations." How often do we shorthand prayer and praise towards God? We have the time in our day to spend with Him, but we decide to minimize the time with Him to jump over to something else. He is worthy of all our praise!

How lost do we have to be for God to say, "I am not pleased with you." (v.10)

May we give everything to Him who made all things.

I have loved you

Malachi 1:2
"I have loved you," says the Lord.

In this book we find the Israelites back in their sinful ways, but the Lord quickly sets the tone at the top of this book. He loves us.
Now I know the Israelites have really been through a lot with their past journey, which includes many experiences of God's wrath, but it's note worthy to see him say "I have loved you."

Then the next few verses the Lord shares his thoughts on Esau and the people of Edom. He is obviously not happy with the people of Edom, but verse 5 seems to summarize the situation. If only the people would truly see the greatness of God, then they will come out of their wicked land. "You will see it with your own eyes and say, 'Great is the Lord -even beyond the borders of Israel!' But the people will continue to be under God's wrath if they continue their self-reliance in thinking they can rebuild on their own.

Like the people of Edom, I know I frequently think "self-reliance" ways. But how can we ever truly see God's greatness if we aren't dependent on him? In all things, and everything, we must depend on Him. Our minds battle and emotions stir but God will deliver peace and comfort during times of uncertainty. Depend on him

Heart in my Chest

I've got to be honest...scripture hasn't been as 'lively' or 'passionate' in my head lately. I'm not sure the direct reason. I honestly hate these times, but I know God continues to guide us even when we feel like we are not being fed to our maximum capability. I've recently read from 2 Corinthians about "being the aroma of Christ" and "we who have unveiled faces reflect the Lord's glory." This is where I desire to be; daily challenged by his word so I may also be transforming into a more clearer image of reflecting God's glory.

Sometimes lyrics like this help us fall for Christ...

If all we have is love then all I have is You
If life is what we choose my choice is You

I'm coming Your way
I'm coming Your way
I'm coming Your way

If all we do is try I'm giving You all mine
If faith helps us to decide I have decided

With all of my breath with this heart in my chest
Every look in my eye You know why

I'm coming Your way
I'm coming Your way
I'm coming Your way

-Desperation Band "I'm Coming Your Way"

Watch the Bush Burn

So it's tax day and what a better passage to read then about the burning bush. Here is what I wrote today in my daily writings...

Today I decided to jump back and read one of my favorite chapters in the old testament: Exodus 3. This is when Moses comes across a burning bush as the bush isn't really burning. It's God who is first telling Moses to take his people out of Egypt, and he promises to lead them to "a land flowing with milk and honey" (v.8). The very chapter marks probably the most important journey of any large mass of people within the whole history of man kind. It's God's people being moved from one location to another, but the journey would provide many test and trials for the people to truely understand God's greatness.
This story of the bush burning makes me know God is near. He is always beside us, watching, planning, and delivering through our daily lives. He knows he can speak to us in unique ways and the burning bush was definitely a unique way to catch Moses' attention. But sometimes I do wish this bush in front of me would just start a blaze. Wouldn't that be incredible? Then God could tell me where he wanted my life to lead towards. He could describe to me my main mission field and ministry in my life. Maybe he would say, "Go, tell the students at USM about 'I AM'" or "Become one flesh with Emily and start an orphanage in Mexico" or "Start a donut shop in Petal to tell people about Him as they order their glazed and chocolate creme filling donuts." What is my calling today? And, what is my calling for tomorrow? That's the question I have today. What would God tell me if he talked to me through a burning bush today?