He Seeks Godly Offspring

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Getting back to the “pre-marital primer” found in Mal 2:11-16. This is a “must read” section of Scripture for those considering marriage! Today, we’ll talk about one of the main purposes of God’s institution of marriage, namely using the fleshly union of man and wife to produce godly offspring.

 

Mal 2:15 But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring.

 

“Family planning” has been a buzz word for many generations in our culture, yet it is a fairly recent phenomena in the church. It was not widely accepted by Protestants until the 1930’s, and once accepted by one denomination, the rest fell like dominoes.

 

Like it or not, the very term, “birth control” smacks of rebellion against God, as if we are in control of when life begins, not Him.

Couples considering marriage ought to take the time to meditate on the Word of God when it comes to their “family planning.” And adjust their outlook concerning family size accordingly.

 

Having fewer children may have led to a higher standard of living, but I wonder if it has led to a higher standard of life.

 

The Lord has checked in on this matter in Ps 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.  4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

 

Take these things into consideration before you tie the knot, and no matter how many children God blesses you with seek to raise them up in the admonition of the Lord, so that when they are old they will not depart from the faith, for the Lord seeks godly offspring.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

The Two Shall Become One

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Getting back to the “pre-marital primer” found in Mal 2:11-16. This is a “must read” section of Scripture for those considering marriage! First of all, we saw the strong admonition to seek a Bible believing spouse. Last time we looked at the hindered prayers of the husband who deals harshly with his wife.  Today, let’s move on to verse 15.  

 

Mal 2:15 But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit?

 

This is vital to understand as husband and wife enter into the marriage covenant. By way of illustration, let us use the example of two separate garments being sewn together to make one. That’s what’s happening in marriage. It’s not some warm fuzzy feeling of unity,  it is a Holy Spirit actuated reality accomplished by God through His ordained institution of marriage.

 

Whereas you and I would use stiches to make such a garment, the Holy Spirit makes this garment seamless! That’s how thorough the union is meant to be. Jesus spoke of this miraculous union in Mr 10:7-9, “'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,  8 'and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

 

Marriage is a God thing, not a you thing. Know this before the knot is tied and steel yourself to a life long commitment to your spouse.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Like A Ming Vas

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Getting back to the “pre-marital primer” found in Mal 2:11-16. This is a “must read” section of Scripture for those considering marriage! First of all, we saw the strong admonition to seek a Bible believing spouse. Today, let’s move on to verses 13,14:

 

Mal 2:13 And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. 14 Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.

 

Here we see that the husbands’ prayers are falling on deaf ears! God’s not listening to them because they are treating their wives poorly! Peter addresses this same issue in his first letter! 1Pe 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

 

All right guys, how do we do this? How do we give honor to our wives as a weaker vessel. The best illustration I can give you is that of a vas and a vase. A vas is something fragile, something you cherish and handle gently, Liken it to a priceless Ming vas!

 

Whereas a vase is something cheap you pick up at Walmart and you really don’t care what happens to it. If it breaks or your tired of it….get another one!

 

Not so with the Ming vas. It is precious, irreplaceable, and worth protecting at all costs! So guys, know this going into your marriage and treat your wife like a Ming vas instead of a Walmart Vase, lest your prayers be hindered!

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Anyone Else feel Like Lot

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

I apologize for being a little late this week, but my computer was acting up. Today I’d like to talk about the half-time show at the Super bowl. I’ll keep it short.  Honestly I felt like I had a ringside seat at a Canaanite worship service. The frantic dancing reminding me a bit of the prophets of Baal in their standoff with Elijah.

 

My text today comes from  2Pe 2:6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) --

 

Anyone else feel a bit like Lot while viewing the Super Bowl halftime show? I will say this, on one hand, the choreography was amazing, on the other, the gyrations were overtly sexual. A viewer couldn’t miss what was attempting to be portrayed. Let’s face it. Like Lot, we are living in a culture obsessed with sex.

 

This culture is no different than living in Canaan, or the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of Lot. And here’s the thing that most people miss, a sex obsessed culture always results in dead babies. Just read the Old Testament and see where cultural obsession with sex ALWAYS led to.

 

And dead babies always lead to a devaluing of human life, and all the other associated problems that come with that mindset. Welcome to America 2023. Pray people! Pray for the mercy of God upon our children and upon our land.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Hang In There

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Continuing today in Mal 2:11-16. This is a “must read” section of Scripture for those considering marriage! Last time we looked at the issue of marrying an unbeliever.

Mal 2:11 Judah has dealt treacherously, And an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, For Judah has profaned The LORD'S holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god.

 

Make no mistake about it. To deal “treacherously,” is to “transgress,’ (to sin) and I’m not pointing this out to heap guilt upon you! I know you have enough strugglers dealing with an unbeliever in the house, but let’s first of all, deal with this for what it is, a sin, and let’s put it under the blood of Jesus so we can move on, and see what God has in store for us in this situation.

 

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

So, what to do while living with an unbelieving spouse! Let’s see what the Scriptures say.

1Co 7:13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

 

God loves your unbelieving spouse and wants to save him or her! How do you know if he won’t use your unconditional and steadfast love to bring your spouse to faith!

1Pe 3:1 tells us: Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

 I can’t emphasize this enough, because it is my story! I am here today in large part because my wife lived out this truth found in 1 Pet 3:1.

 

Was it easy for her? Absolutely not! But , “Who knows whether such love will result in another precious soul coming to faith in Jesus.  It did for me, and I pray it will for you too!

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

The Institution That God Loves

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Anyone who is considering marriage, for starters, ought to take the time to read and meditate on Mal 2:11-16.

 

There is so much to consider in these passages before you “take the plunge.” Let’s start by looking at verse 11.

 

Mal 2:11 Judah has dealt treacherously, And an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, For Judah has profaned The LORD'S holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god.

 

Judah….God’s people….believers, have committed an abomination (something God views as disgusting) They have profaned (made common) the Lord’s holy institution that HE loves.  (marriage)  How did they do that? For starters, they have married an unbeliever.

 

God loves what He instituted in holy matrimony! It was His idea from the get go! Ge 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

 

Since He instituted it, He knows best of what He wants it to look like, and marrying a fellow believer ought to be the starting point.

 

Having said that, I know this is not always easy. You do not have access to your potential spouse’s heart. God does! So pray! Pray and do the best you can in this area of discernment. It’s important, or God would not have included it in His Word.

 

And if it turns out that your spouse is an unbeliever. Make the best of the situation. It is not grounds for divorce. The Apostle Paul addressed this situation in 1Co 7:12-14, “

 

 

“ But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

He Is Coming

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Zec 14:4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. 5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You. 6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7 It shall be one day Which is known to the LORD-Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light. 8 And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be-"The LORD is one," And His name one.

 

Come Lord Jesus! And He wil,l just as Zechariah prophesied. Just pause and let some of these things concerning Judgment Day sink in and strengthen your faith. Jesus will return just like He said HE would!

 

As Zechariah said, “Thus the Lord my God will come.”(v5)

He ascended into heaven on the Mount of Olives and the angels said He will return in like manner. Ac 1:11, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

 

AND, according to Zechariah, the Lord will bring the departed saints with Him! “And all the saints with You,’ (v5) Just as we read in  1Th 4:16,17, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

 

And we could go on and on here concerning the Last Day! For instance, that Day is only known to the Father! (v7)

 

The God created lights of the sun, moon, and stars become undone as Jesus cracks the atmosphere in all His frightful holiness! (v6)

 

Living waters ever flowing from Jerusalem, as mentioned in Re 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

 

Even the splitting of the Mount of Olives serving as a picture of the division of the sheep (believers) and goats (unbelievers) as the Holy Son of God judges the nations!

 

It’s coming beloved, just as Zechariah and Jesus said it would! Hear the approaching hoofbeats, repent and believe the gospel! Turn to Jesus and live before it’s too late.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

A Promised Fountain

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Zec 13:1 "In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

So, if you follow my blog at all, you ought to know by now, that I feel very strongly about the present day church’s apathetic view of baptism. The urgency displayed by the early church concerning the command of Jesus to go and baptize is clearly missing.

 

“What are you waiting for?” (Acts 22:16) has been replaced by, “when we get around to it.”

 You can understand then, why I get a little excited when I see prophetic references to this powerful means of grace that God has put at our disposal in the New Covenant.

 

Such is the case here in Zechariah! “In that day,” the Day of the New Covenant ushered in by Jesus,  a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, (the New Testament church) for sin and for uncleanness. (This fountain will wash away sins and all manner of uncleanness.) This fountain is the water of baptism connected with the words and promise of Jesus. )

 

The early church was well aware of what Jesus promised to deliver in baptism and urgently brought it into play whenever the gospel was shared. Perhaps Ananias had this very passage from Zechariah in mind when he pled with Paul, Ac 22:16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

Like I said, I love it when the Old Testament testifies to what is coming in the New, and such is the case here. Let us not waste what the Old Testament prophets wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

 

A fount was coming to the church. A means of grace that God would use to wash away sins. Let us avail ourselves of it ASAP.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

God Has A Plan For You

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him:

 

As I was reading this verse this morning, I was struck by description of the Lord found in this one short sentence. The Lord, who created this magnificent universe out of nothing, has also busied himself with forming the spirit of every man, woman, and child that HE has brought into this world!

 

We left the world of nothingness and joined the rest of His creation at the moment of conception. From conception on He is busy forming our spirits into what He created us to be.  

 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me! (Ps 139:6) Sometimes we wonder with David, why does the Creator have such an interest in men? Ps 8:4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

 

First of all, we can go back to the sixth day of creation when He formed Adam out of the dust of ground and breathed life into Him. That alone makes us special! But here in Zechariah, we see that He doesn’t just form us and plop us down in creation as if that’s the finished product! No!

 

The formation of the inward workings of the spirit of man is an ongoing process! He is the Potter and we are the clay. The raw material is  created at conception and the molding begins! It continues until He calls us home.

 

Take the time to look at God’s creation! Consider all the thought that went into it, and know that God is ever thoughtful of you. Everything about you and your environment is being used by God to mold you into what He created you to be.

 

It’s complicated I know, but for our part. Let’s just ask God for more of His Spirit that we may be like putty and not stone in His hands. He has a purpose and reason for each one of us just as HE has a reason for everything in His creation.

 

 I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Come Home

 Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

I have made it a practice in my spiritual journey to read a Psalm a day. Lately I have been spending time in the “Psalms of Ascents. (Psalm 120 through Psalm 134.)

 

These are Psalms the people basically sang on their way to church. Today I found myself in Ps 132, in particular verses 13 through 16. As we think on these verses today, I pray it will be your experience at the church you attend this weekend!

 

Ps 132:13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:  14 "This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

 15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.

 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

When I see the word Zion, I think church….the body of Christ. In this Psalm we see that God has chosen the church for His dwelling place and has abundantly supplied all that is needed for His people.

 

The poor (in spirit, the humble and contrite heart) will be fully satisfied (fed) with bread (the Word of God) The priests (pastors) are clothed with the message of salvation. (The Gospel) where they announce to the poor in spirit that their sins are forgiven by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ!

 

Look what happens when that message is proclaimed in the worship service! “Her saints shout aloud for joy!

 

So why aren’t you in church every week? It seems to me, that this is too good a deal to miss out on. Fed by the Word, absolved of sins, and joyous celebration of that fact! Come home dear sinner! Come home.   

 

 

1	Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling—   Calling for you and for me; Patiently Jesus is waiting and watching—   Watching for you and for me!
	Come home! come home!   Ye who are weary, come home! Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,     Calling, O sinner, come home!
2	Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading—   Pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not His mercies—   Mercies for you and for me?
3	Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing—   Passing from you and from me; Shadows are gathering, death-beds are coming—   Coming for you and for me!
4	Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised—   Promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon—   Pardon for you and for me!

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Simply Ask!

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

Zec 10:1 Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.

 

The latter rain! An agricultural and spiritual necessity! In my home state of Wisconsin it is easy to see the effects and necessity of this early spring and fall rains. Just watch the corn, in its early and late stages of growth.  Without rain the stalks and cobs are pathetic. They wither and are fruitless!

 

In the Bible the “latter rain” is meant to be a picture of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit! We are now living in the “latter days,” and will be until Jesus returns. To say we need the Holy Spirit is an understatement.

 

As Jesus said in Jn 15:5, “without Me you can do nothing.” And speaking of the Holy Spirit in Joh 14:16 He says, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--

So how do we get this Holy Spirit to rain (and reign) in our lives?.....Zechariah tells us to simply ask.

 

JESUS tells us to simply ask!

 

Lu 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

 

What are you praying forth these days. What are you pounding on heaven’s door for? We all have a tendency to ask God to meet our physical needs, but neglect this most basic spiritual need. Nothing of eternal value will ever be accomplished without the aid of the Holy Spirit.

 

“Lord You know all my physical needs, but my greatest need is the Holy Spirit and so I do what Jesus has told me to do. I ask. Lord fill me with the latter rain. Fill me with Your Spirit.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Glory To God!

 

Glory to God!

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word.

 

My word for this year in my spiritual journey is “reset.” One of the things I have “reset” is my practice of journalling. Thankfully, I have entries for every day of the new year! With the start of a new month, I went back and read the entire months’ worth of entries.

 

I recommend this practice for everyone who journals and it might be wise to review your month with a highlighter in hand. It’s time consuming, but well worth the effort.

 

What struck me about this month in my journal is the answered prayers. I’m not going to go into the details, but I had four answers to prayer that I was made aware of (there were probably more) but four stood out to me!

 

In each case God responded over and above what I had asked for. And the words of Eph 3:20,21 come to mind!

 

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

If I would have brushed off my monthly review, I would have missed this truth and missed an opportunity to give God glory!

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word