BY LORD PENZANZE

  By Lord Penzanze in Hyde v Hyde [1886] LR 1 P&D 130

 "I perceive that marriage, as understood in Christendom, may for this purpose be defined as a  voluntary union for life of one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others"

If Lord Penzanze would be able to rise from the dead today - he would probably suffer a heart attack. English law has changed a lot through the seasons of time.


Today, English Law allows a valid marriage to be terminated by several means as follows:


a. the death of one of the parties
b. by a decree of dissolution
c. via pronunciation of  divorce by a Court of competent jurisdiction.

Governing Statute in Malaysia.

 In  Malaysia, the law at present governing divorce for non- Muslims is the Law reform ( Marriage &  Divorce) Act 1976 ( Act 164) . S 8 of the LRA provides that marriages may be dissolved by


a. death by one of the parties
b. an order of a Court  of competent jurisdiction
c. a decree made by a Court of competent jurisdiction that the marriage is null and void.


( There was some ruckus raised by the opposition  in Parliament as to whether we have copied English Law.The Ruling Party solemnly declared that we have enough brains to draft our own laws and promptly shouted down the opposition)

BLUE EARTH

NASA handout image of Hurricane Irene moving over the Caribbean taken by astronaut Ron Garan from the International Space Station. The United States put its eastern seaboard on alert for Hurricane Irene on Tuesday as the powerful storm barreled up from the Caribbean on a path that could hit the US coast on the weekend.

MAY IT HAPPEN.

KING JEHOIACHIN -CHART YOUR OWN COURSE.

 Following the example of his father, Jehoiachin sinned against the Lord. 2 Kings 24:9

Every family has got its own dark history.Few exceptions here.Jehoiachin was unfortunate in the sense that his father was  a bad leader who  was known for abusing his people. He could have rejected his dad's ways  ' and charted his own course.Instead he became "a  chip of the old block" and incurred Gods wrath.

The Judgment
This is what the LORD says: ".... His life will amount to nothing." - Jeremiah 22:30


Whatever your family background or your choice of friends, you have to make your own commitment to God.You don't have to be an alcoholic because your father happens to be an alcoholic, or a gambler because your mum was a hopeless gambler and the other family members or friends are incurable gossipers.God is light and He has invited you to live in the light.Therefore choose right.Don't follow in Jehoiachin's footsteps.The old has gone, the new has come. You are a new creation in Christ.( 2 Cor 5:17)

As someone once said "We cannot avoid the crow from flying above our heads, but we can prevent it from building a nest on our heads"In this regard Pauls advice to the  Christians at Corinth becomes all the more important."Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty". Live well, my friend and be guided by God's Spirit.   GBY!

KING JEHOIAKIM

The King with a changed  name. -its meaning- whom God will raise up.

Neco made Joahaz brother Eliakim king of Judah and changed his name to Jehoiakim . Joahaz was taken to Egypt by Neco. 2 Chronicles 36:4

Jehoiakim's 11-year reign was disastrous. Although he had opportunity to follow his father Josiah's righteous example, Jehoiakim turned to evil. Jeremiah described him as a presumptuous ruler who abused his own people and persecuted and murdered God's servants (Jeremiah 26:20-23).

Its not just enough to have a name changed during a baptism service or a born again experience and thereby to be known by a biblical name which carries fantastic spiritual meanings. The Christian life is  deeper than that and - must be based on the fear of God.An inward  spiritual change is what matters to God. Eliakim had a new name- Jehoiakim- but his manner of life did not reflect the meaning of that  name. Although his new name meant that God will raise up- in reality, he sunk. The name change did not affect him one little bit. He was captured and carried off to Babylon in chains.2 Chronicles 36:6

It is regretabble that even some notable preachers bore biblical names- but plunged other Christians into misery.David Koresh is just one example among so many. Don't join their ranks.Instead heed the  admonition of the Scriptures- " Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind"

When a Christian appears before the judgment seat of Christ- he would not be asked by what name he was known here on earth. All that would matter on that day is whether he did the Fathers will.Remember Jehoiakim's life.

MY HEARTS PRAYER

God of my life, I welcome this new day
Its your gift to me- the first day of the rest of my life
I thank you for the gift of being alive this morning
I thank you for the sleep which has refreshed me
I thank you for the chance  to begin life all over again


Lord, this day is full of promise and opportunity
Help me not to waste it away
This day is full of mystery and of the unknown
Help me face it without anxiety
During this day,may I become a mote thoughtful person
A more prayerful person, a more generous and kindly person 
Lord, bless this day for me and for all of us. Amen.

KING JEHOAHAZ=2 CHRONICLES 36: -Draft

 “.........And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him off to Egypt.”

Someone has once said that in life  we have to play the card that we are dealt with.Jehoahaz had the misfortune of being born as Eliakims's brother. After King Necho killed their father, he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim and imposed on the land  an enormous tax.And to ensure that Jehoiakim  paid the money he carried his brother Jehoahaz off to Egypt. Jehoahaz seems to have got a bad deal in life.

Not much of  this man's life is recorded for us except that he died in Egypt.[2 Kings 23:34]. I assume Jehoahaz must have cried a lot when the time came for him to be deported.Maybe you are also caught up in a situation which is beyond your control. Far from home and among strangers. This can be especially true for students who are enrolled in Universities and brethren in the city because of their new jobs.

Whether its peace of mind , courage or provision of our needs, we place ourselves in His hands and on His schedule. Faith embraces the reality of the Scriptures which states- “ I will never leave you or forsake you,so we say with confidence- The Lord is my helper, I will be not be afraid-what can man do unto me ?”

When life seems to take everything away from us, as it did for Jehoahaz- refrain from despair.We need to endure the incoming roar of the moment until God  “changes the times and the season”. It is God at work. God will never abandon you. And when His work is done, He will usher you to the next stage for your spiritual well being and  growth. “You are the potter, I am the clay” Journey well, my friend.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus  Christ and the  fellowship of the Holy Spirit and the love of the Father be with you forever more. Amen.

KING JOSIAH - THE LEGAL APPROACH

THE EVIDENTIAL ISSUES.

2 Chronicles Ch .35 v 25 "Jeremiah also uttered a lament for Josiah....

 Jeremiah preached inward repentance.The priest was concerned about the nations idolatry.While cleansing the temple, Hikiah the priest accidentally "stumbles" upon a Book. He passes it on to Shaphan the secretary who in turn passes the Book to Josiah.To corroborate its authenticy, they are sent to Huldah- an unknown woman- who pronounces judgment on the land- but King Josiah would die in peace.

One wonders why they enquired from this lady from the servants quarters when Jeremiah was still around prophesying. Of course, it was a set up job. The prophecy turned out to be completely false.First judgment was to come from the Chaldeans as prophesied by Jeremiah. But Josiah, incited by the Priest Hilkiah went on a rampage against the idolaters of the land- to the point of burning the bones of the priests upon the  altars.The irony is that after Josiah died, the Hebrews went back to pagan worship.The great "revival' ended with Josiah's death.

The evidence is clear. Hilkiah wanted to centralize  worship and get rid of the idolaters.But he was frustrated by Jeremiahs prophecies. Hilkiah  had no political clout. But the Book of Moses had great authority.And Hilkiah used the Bible.A whole nation was fooled. It was the ultimate deception. From David Koresh,Jim Jones to Hilkiah - deception from religious authorities is the ultimate weapon of Satan.Eventually the nation was wiped out by the Chaldeans.Exactly as prophesied by Jeremiah.

Disciples: What will be the Sign of your coming?

Jesus Christ: Take heed that you do not be deceived.

KING JOSIAH - THE EXEGETICAL APPROACH

THE BIBLE READERS DILEMMA

"....and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace....'"  (2 Kings 22:18-20)   "And his servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo..." (2 Kings 23:29-30)

King Josiah's life is an enigma. First the prophecy about him that he would die in peace. The reality was that his life ended  tragically at the hands of an Egyptian King. What is the the Bible reader to make out of all this?

Let us examine the situation. God gave the promise of a peaceful ending to King Josiah.In the Old Testament, God is a Covenant keeping God. The New Testament teachings are conditional too.God has provided the atonement for the world. The command? Repent and believe  in this message. We can have fellowship with God .The conditions?  If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another.."

To grab at promises while ignoring the conditons attached is dangerous. In the 80's many  Christians  were caught up in the "Confess and Possess" doctrine, only to be severely disappointed.( although the Bible promises many things) Our faith must be rooted in the whole counsel of God. A believer is advised not to select Scriptures here and there and expect God to work.Josiah had Gods promise- but he strayed ouitside God's will.And the promise did not work. His life was recorded for a reason. VJ- the Midnight Owl

KING JOSIAH - THE DEVOTIONAL APPROACH

In Josiah's 31st year as king,he faced a national security crisis. Egypt sent an army to attack a site on the Euphrates River.To get there,they had to cross through Judah's territory.Josiah refused to allow this foreign army on his soil.King Necho of Egypt warned him to stay out of his way.Josiah decided to face him in battle. He faced Necho and lost his life in a war that God had not santioned.

Josiah was a great  King who had introduced many spiritual reforms in the nation and was much loved by the people.But he lacked one thing.Unlike other Kings,he did not have any military victories on his personal record. In terms of battlefield victories, he certainly could not be classed together with King David, Saul or any of the other Kings. He needed this war only for one thing-his social validation.And that proved to be his undoing.

Understand this.Much of what we want in life must be perceived in this way- what will it cost us? It is a fact of life that people who achieve millionaire status, move on to desiring titles. Someone or something to validate their social status- even the desire to being admired. It is this hidden desire that causes chaos in the dynamics of interaction.Ignore people and they are certain to feel their worth questioned.

Reflect.Your deepest validation already took place at the Cross by God Himself. Know this truth and it will set you free  from this bondage.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

KING AMON

2ND CHRONICLES 33:21-26

ITS MY  LIFE, ITS MY CHOICE

"Amons officials plotted against him and assasinated him in the palace" v24

We are where we are in life because of the sum total of our own choices. With the exception of birth all almost all other areas are within our choice.And Amon chose the "tresspassing life". Maybe,like his father, he wanted to sow his wild oats before choosing to follow God. But what King Amon did not realize was this- no two life patterns repeat itself in exactly the same way. The only thing that repeats in  life is its utter unpredictability.

 "Amon trespassed more and more..." Enjoy while you can. But his fun  was cut short. And when he was not anticipating it, the downfall came from his own quarters and his life ended. (Such is the price one has to pay for being ignorant of the people who mingle around us.)Life choices are a simmering battleground for Christains. In an inherently morally decayed society, where almost everything is available for our indulgence, we are forced to restrain our feet on a daily basis.A certain choice can be pleasurable for a season but can turn catastrophic as it was for King Amon.

If we chose the evil and hope to turn to God in some future day like King Amon there is always a possibility that we may suddenly be confronted with some unforeseeable pain and tragedy.Since there is no one on earth to tell us our appointed time, it is prudent to stay away from all appearance of  evil and respond to God early in life.

Understand this.Life ends abruptly for many people cutting their dreams short.We read about them in the daily news.Tragic accidents, brutal murders and victims of  horrific abuse. Since life is so fragile, include in your  prayers  "And deliver us from all evil." Don't walk in Amons footsteps.

The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth" (Psalm 34:16).