Message for Singles

Last weeks my pastor preached a really great message for singles and their parents. It was entitled Finding a Marriage Partner.

Ephesians 6:1-3

Some are making the process( immoral lifestyle, courtship, betrothal, dating, ect...) too big of a deal. We need to forget the process and stick to what the Bible says.

1. Build a good relationship with your parents. They are your authority given by God. If they are Christians, they really want the best for you. Heed their instruction by humble faith. Listen! Give parents the highest regard of counsel in your life . Prov. 1:8 - There's a problem with children not listening to their parents. Parents must spend time with their children, you must have a close relationship with each other.
2. Learn now the skills you will need to be a good husband and wife. Prepare now, not after. Learn the qualities now. *Ladies: Titus 2:4-5, Keep a good spirit of live- you set the spirit/tone of the home, keep laundry washed, make beds, clean dishes, clean the house, prepare meals, shop frugally, budget, keep garden sew, serve your dad and brothers, care for children, homeschool, clear up any debt, save money, keep your body clean and neat. *Men: Budget, work skills, house and car in good repair, pick up after yourself, show respect and consideration, provide security, clear up debt, get a house ready, ask your father and godly men for advice.
3. The man is the pursuer and not the woman Song of Solomon- the woman waits Proverbs- the strange woman seeks Issac and Rebekah- both were obedient and waited and God provided.
4. Commit your desire for a partner to the Lord. Psalm 37:5 Do you really believe the Bible? God has to bring it together, trust Him to take are of it. Don't be impatient! Keep busy serving and praying. Serving ought to dominate your life, not being anxious about the "who". Be content while you are single. Phil. 4:11 - Give everything to the Lord. Surrender it all to His glory.
5. Never consider an unbeliever fro a mate. II Corinthians 6:14-17- be resolved that y0u will not even consider it. Some say they are saved but they aren't. Do you have a fervent desire to serve the Lord? Don't start a relationship with someone less than that! I Corinthians 7:39 - only those who are saved. Father knows best!
6. Work with and through your parents Samson did, and so did Isaac and Jacob. Amnon didn't, instead he listen to his wicked friend. Pray together, it's a godly decision. It will affect your family for the rest of your life. Discuss it with each other frequently. Have a relationship with each other and be willing to let your parents have control. If they say "no" then drop it and trust them.
7. Keep the relationship pure ICor. 6:13 - God made each of us unique and to be saved for marriage. I Cor. 6:18 - Only a fool. Romans 12:1 - Not our minds, our bodies. Run away from any temptation . Watch what you put into your mind. Eph. 5:3 - not once among us I Thess. 4:3 - Abstain from fornication

Only a rebel fights against God's will. I Thess. 5:22 - What does it look like? Stay away from the wrong crowd, the dark. Stay chaperoned at all times. Keep your relationship pure. As a teen to fail this is to ruin your life, as a parent to fail it to ruin your children's life.

Don't Fall Into the Rut

I was praying before I even left Germany that the Lord would help me not to fall back into the rut of life where I was. I grew and learned so much on my trip and I fell in Love with the most Special One and was reminded of how sweet His Word is to us. I knew it would be hard coming back home and how easy it would be to fall into the rut of things. So easy to spend massive amounts of time on the Internet, to be consumed with my friends (which aren't wrong), to read other books that aren't as refreshing as the Bible, to slack in my time of conversation with the One I love. All these things were things I was reminded of and learned to control while in Germany and I didn't want to go back to my old ways when I returned home. So I was praying even before I left and when I returned home I immediately began to slip. Our human nature gives us all these excuses to use, the main one I found was that I was dealing with jet lag so it was hard for me to get up early and read and talk to God. Oh, I still did it but I wasn't doing as well. Then you realize how unworthy you are and why God would use you. But He does, Praise God! I guess this is just a reminder to not fall back into the rut of something you've learned to control and if you fall into the rut ask the Father to forgive you and pick you back out.