Disciples take God and His Word seriously regarding marriage vows
• In marriage under God, ‘two become one’ and parallel the mysterious relationship between Jesus and His bride, the church. May God be honored through marriages.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Fulfill Your Vow to God
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no
pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
~ Solomon, Ecclesiastes 5:4
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
3 A dream comes when there are many cares,
and many words mark the speech of a fool.
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.
Pondering Point
Solomon’s words are not focused on marriage, but marital vows before God would readily apply. Many such vows fall by the wayside, unfulfilled or abandoned. The point here is not to shame those who have taken or later dismissed marital vows lightly; it is to bring to mind the serious nature of such vows – from God’s perspective. There can be multiple reasons that marital vows get abandoned – pain, rejection or fear to name a few. What causes you to withhold the promise to love, honor, and cherish, to live together as God ordains it?
There is an answer. Are you open to addressing it with God?
Prayer Prompt for the Day
If you are married, sit with God and talk about (pray) your vows regarding your spouse. If not married, discuss other vows you have made before God, such as you may have made in confirmation or an affirmation of faith. How could you re-commit or re-affirm your vows?
My Gratitude Journal
Baseball Scrimmage at Orlando Lutheran Academy
Gratitude Journal?
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At the onset of my ministry at Hope, Orlando Lutheran Academy (on Econ Trail) partnered with our church to cover my salary. I taught Bible History for Middle School students and participated in the OLA community (my daughters, Lexi and Jade, went to school there). Doing so gave me a chance to occasionally assist baseball coach Todd Bortz.
One of those days was a student vs. faculty challenge that allowed me (us?!) to joyfully re-live some glory years. Laughing with the staff and seeing the surprise on the faces of the students was not to be forgotten. Just being able to pitch a little and hit some balls over the fence against some overconfident students was a true joy – and is still a joyful memory today!