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December 30

Scripture for today: Malachi 1:1-2:17; Revelation 21:1-27; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 31:10-24

14 results found

“I have always loved you,” says the Lord. But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?” And the Lord replies, “This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob” (Malachi 1:2 NLT)

From: December 30, 2014

Do you ever question God’s love? The exiled Jews that had returned to Jerusalem did. They were happy to be home again, yet they were still under Persian rule and the former glory of their city was a mere memory. They wondered, how has God “loved us?” God’s reply through His prophet Malachi is both startling and mysterious: “I loved Jacob,” but hated his twin brother Esau. In other words, God chose to love them with an exclusive love long before they were even born. Like a groom who chooses his bride, rejecting all others, so God chose Jacob (Israel) and rejected Esau. It is God’s choosing to love us that makes it possible for us to respond. God’s love initiates. As Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). When Paul explained how God has loved us to the Romans, he wrote, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). How has God loved us? By choosing to love us when we were unlovable.

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:10-12)

From: December 30, 2013

It is getting harder and harder to find one, but I did. How? I prayed like crazy and decided to look for a woman based on the “3 Ms.” What are the “3 Ms?” First, “Master” – make Christ your master and look for a woman that has done the same. Second, “Mission” – decide to know and follow the quest that God has given you (a godly woman soon tires of a man who makes her his mission rather than a God-sized dream). And finally, “Mate” – now that you have made Christ your Master and have answered His call to Mission, you are ready to find a mate. Just make sure she has the same Master and is excited to join you on His mission before you make her your Mate.
Following this strategy (Pray like crazy and Follow the “3Ms”) I found a little girl up in the hills of Virginia named Robin. I don’t know if they have any more up there. I may have gotten the last one.

“’How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Malachi 1:10)

From: December 30, 2012

God was displeased with the priests and people of Israel because their hearts didn’t line up with their worship. He told them to stop bringing blemished offerings and breaking their marriage vows, for these exposed their true idolatrous hearts. Heaven forbid that God would feel this way about our worship, that He would want us to lock the church’s doors until we can enter again in repentance. As 2012 winds down, let us ask God to examine our hearts and strengthen us to live wholeheartedly for Him. Let’s fling the church doors wide open in 2013!

“Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring” (Malachi 2:15)

From: December 30, 2011

Marriage is sacred. God sets it apart as an expression of His Trinitarian Oneness and as the means for raising godly children. Individuals and society experiment with marriage at their own risk. God is passionate about His purpose for marriage.