Thirst for the Lord

Matthew 5:6 (New International Version)

 ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.


     I was so blessed by the sermon at church this morning. For almost a year Caleb and I have been praying that God will lead us to a new church family. We, unfortunately, left our previous one for a situation that was beyond on control. It was devastating for us and I have shed more tears than I can count over having to leave. Throughout the past year we have visited many different churches, including Baptist, Southern Baptist, non-denominational and our most current, St. John Lutheran. For months, I questioned God..."why did this happen? why did WE have to leave? why didn't people reach out to us when we needed it?" But finally, through much prayer and devotion, God has shown us that He wanted us to leave...it was for a reason; that we closed an old chapter in our lives and are opening a new one. We have felt so uplifted by the sermons at the St. John and they mesh more with our beliefs. Just an example...at the previous churches we've been members at (all Baptist) we were told that the wine discussed in the bible wasn't really "wine", but instead more of a juice-like drink. We were always confused by that statement, since in several passages it also says, not to become drunk. 

Genesis 9:21 (New International Version)

²¹ When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.

1 Samuel 1:14 (New International Version)

¹⁴ and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."


1 Peter 4:3-4 - "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatires; wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you." (Excess of wine....as in, it's ok to drink in moderation)


4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,  It is not for kings to drink wine,  Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed,  And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing,  And wine to him whose life is bitter. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty  And remember his trouble no more. 
      .
      .....so...relax?  Eat, Drink, Be Merry!

Why, in the same sentence would it say drink wine...then became drunk, if the wine was really juice?  


     We do not believe that God teaches us to abstain from "strong drink" but that we should not become drunk. If people do not drink in moderation, then they should not drink at all...but if they are able to drink responsibly, then we believe it is acceptable. 


    The Lutheran church we are attending is even having a wine tasting in a couple of weeks. Just much similar to what our own beliefs our...so, finally feeling like we've found where we need to be. Still, lots of prayers will be sent up in the weeks/months to follow and if this is where God wants us to be, I have faith we will know. Please continue to pray for us in this area of our lives...PRAISE GOD FOR EACH DAY AND EVERY BLESSING HE BESTOWS!  


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