tion to leave home because the parents have so many problems and give her the feeling of being unwanted. There are many other motivating influences of marriage such as sympathy, loneliness, and disappointment. Actually, modem young people have little more romantic freedom (and much less success) than did their ancestors whose parents did the selecting. The only safe method is to allow the Lord to help you choose. He knows our deepest needs. He alone understands our unconscious motives and drives. The first step is to present our lives unreservedly to Him. Then, conscientiously, through the reading of the Bible and following the counsel of those whose wisdom can be trusted, dili gently seek God’s will. Keep in mind that the Lord will never disappoint those who truly desire to know and to do His will. Simply havihg a beautiful ceremony will not insure a happy mar riage. Truly happy homes don’t just happen, for “except the Lord build a house, they labor, in vain who build it.” USEFULNESS It should be a source of real encour agement to our hearts when we realize that in His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ used not only individuals, but also various other things, including animals. As an example, there was the young colt, who hadn’t yet been broken. Scripture testified, “The Lord hath need of him.” This new animal belonged to an ass and as such was considered cere monially unclean, not acceptable for normal sacrificial use. According to the law, the firstborn of a donkey was to be redeemed by the substitution of a clean animal. Otherwise it would have to be put to death. But the Bible de clares, “The Lord hath need of him.” There’s quite a wonderful analogy here. By nature we’re all unclean. We’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God. The Saviour Himself is our per fect substitute. He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God in Him. I f the Lord could use an unclean animal like 15 Anxiety causes tension which could be compared to driving with the brakes on.
ly spoke of these times in the succinct statement that, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” How strange it is that people are willing to risk eternal punishment if only they can escape the clutches of human law or personal embarrassment. Even though it may not be popular, now as never before, we need to call sinners to re pentance, teaching them what Scripture has to say concerning holiness and right living. It’s quite interesting to see that the Word of God classes liars in the same category as murderers, whore mongers, sorcerers, and idolaters, add ing that “all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” The world may like to for get it, but the fact remains that God hates every form of deceit and untruth fulness. As believers, we are told to put away lying that we may speak every man truth with his neighbor. Allow the Lord to search your heart! There is no room for half-truths, lies of expedi ency, or any other form of sin in a life which is filled with the power of God’s Holy Spirit. SECRET OF MARITAL SUCCESS Everybody loves a wedding and June is the month for beautiful brides and exciting activities. The first ceremony uniting man and woman was held in the Garden of Eden. The Lord saw that His masterpiece of creation, Adam, was lonely. Eve was formed as the most suitable partner. God always knows what’s best and should always be con sulted in such an important selection. In olden days, mates were brought to gether by a third party. Psychologists tell us that there is really no freedom in choosing marital companions, for we are all controlled by unconscious drives. As an example, they explain, a man who has been reared by a dominating mother will seek out a comparable in dividual, maintaining the same kind of relationship. The young girl who falls “madly in love” may have a romance which is nothing more than a justifica That preacher is blessed who has a fiery message coupled with a burning heart.
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