Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles |
Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:12-13 So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I'm commanding you today—live a good life. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “With or without a mate, I can live a full life that is pleasing to God, and I will be rewarded.” |
Apparently, this is a common problem. I found a couple of YouTube videos and computer forums with possible fixes, and went to the computer’s website, but to no avail. The icon still says, “plugged in, not charging.” This has been going on for a few days, but on this day, it hit me that this is exactly how I feel sometimes with my relationship with Christ. I feel like I am plugged in and not charging. In other words, I know that Christ and I are connected, but I feel stagnant in my life. I feel like I am not moving forward with Him. I feel drained.
Yes, I go to church. I worship sincerely. I read my Bible daily. I read devotions. I pray. I try to live a life that is pleasing to God. I am not trying to sound like the Pharisee that was praying in the New Testament. I am just wondering if there is anyone else that has felt plugged in, yet still empty. You feel like you are doing everything that you know to do. You are seeking God to find out what else you need to do. Why are you stuck in this place? Why can’t you move into the next phase of your life?
Well, as I continued to troubleshoot the laptop/battery/charger issue, I noticed a common theme with this problem. The issue generally happened when using a universal charger; that is to say, a charger that is compatible with many different types of computers, but not specifically made for your particular model. That is what I have because it was less expensive than ordering a new part from the company where I bought my computer. And, as I read through several pages that said, “Don’t use a universal charger,” I had an epiphany. Maybe I feel like I am plugged in, but not charging because I am using a universal standard with which to measure my life rather that the standard of the original Source of my life.
So many times, we get caught up in what the world says our lives should be. And, although we pray and praise, we feel like something is being held back from us. We are plugged in with universal chargers and we are not charging. Instead, we must rely on God; live in His presence, with holy reverence. We must realize that there is no universal formula for each of our lives. Rather, God has a unique and individual plan for each and every one of us to live a good life; a full life. And, what is more, for those who believe in Him and accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, that life never ends. It will continue throughout eternity.
There is nothing that God is holding back from us, that is literally the oldest trick in the Book (see devil vs. Eve in Genesis). I still probably need a new charger or a new laptop, but I definitely don’t need anything that God has not already given me. We must trust in His plan for our lives, so that we do not find ourselves plugged in, but not charging.
Thank You, God for providing me with
every opportunity to have a full life on Earth and in Heaven.
Please forgive me for thinking that You are holding
anything back from me.
Lord, please help me to not just be plugged in to You,
but recharged daily by Your Word, Your guidance and Your grace.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Thirteen
Focus
Scripture: Matthew 14:29-31 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “God doesn’t want us to be alone if we desire not to be. But any time that you put anyone or anything before God, it is a sin and displeasing to God. God will not bless anything that is displeasing to him.” |
One of my favorite Peter moments is walking on the water. I was not there, so I do not know what was actually said by other people on the boat, but I can only imagine, based on my knowledge of human nature what the other passengers were thinking. Some probably thought Peter was very brave. Others probably thought he was a show-off. And, oh, when he started to sink! I can just hear it now, “Where’s your big faith now, Peter?” Or, “Mmm hmm, you thought you were all big and bad, Peter, now look at you. You’re going to drown!”
Why didn’t Peter just keep his eyes on Jesus? It could have saved him a lot of trouble and embarrassment. I have to ask myself that question more often than I like. Why can’t I just stay focused on Jesus? I was abstinent for over years. It started as a bargain with God (which we should never do, but I was young and foolish), but then, I began to see how much more clearly I saw the world when I was not living in constant disobedience. Being single was still difficult for me, but not unbearable. Then, I met someone, and it only took a few months before I stopped focusing on what God wanted for my life and started focusing on making the relationship work, which included being disobedient to God to make my man happy.
In the beginning of my abstinence journey, some people thought I was very brave. Others thought I was crazy and just showing off, so they waited for my downfall. And, I gave it to them. God blessed me to be in a relationship, but the minute I felt that relationship was threatened, and the storm of singleness started raging, I lost my focus. I began to sink back into my old habits, rather than trusting God to heal the relationship or to end the relationship because it was not His best for me. I was drowning!
Then, God said, “Why do you doubt Me?” God has brought me through too much for me to lack faith in Him. He has also shown me how much better my live if when I live in obedience to His Word. It does not matter what the people around me say or think. My sole focus has to be on God, not others.
If we desire to be in a relationship, God is not trying to keep us out of one. However, if we let that relationship come before God and if we start trusting in a man or a woman over God, God will not be pleased. As we sink, it will start to feel as if He is further and further away from us, but He has not moved. It is our focus that has shifted and caused the distance.
The best part of the story is that Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Peter. He said, “You of little faith.” This indicated that Peter had some faith. And, if we can just have a little faith, even after we start sinking, God will not let us drown. He will catch us, correct us, and come closer to us as we draw nigh to Him. If being single is not what you desire for your life, it can be difficult. So, whether you are in a bad place or you finally feel safe, keep your focus on God.
Thank You, God for always catching me before
I drown due to my own lack faith.
Please forgive me for being disobedient and losing focus.
Lord, please help me to never doubt You or Your love for me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Week Twelve
Looking Around
Scripture: Psalms 37:7-11 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret —it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. | Quote from Pray While You’re Prey: “We need to trust in God or trust in our own eyes; we can’t have it both ways.” |
Here are some examples: you go out with friends, dressed in an appealing, but modest way. Your smile catches the attention of some men, but every time you look around, the men are dancing, flirting, or talking with a girl who is not leaving anything to the imagination. You start to think, “What gives? I am presenting myself in an appropriate way. I am not being overtly sexual, but I am also not a prude. Why don’t I get any attention?”
For the guys, you engage a woman in intelligent conversation. You make her laugh and maybe you even compliment her. But, you see her desperately pursuing a guy who talks down to her and grabs her backside. You start to think, “Is being a respectful guy even worth it? Why do nice guys finish last?”
In all honesty, are these really the people we want in our lives? Hopefully, the answer is no. If not, you may want to take some time and pray about that. God knows what is best for us. I know that it seems like we are doing everything right (although, there is always room for improvement) and remain single. Meanwhile, others are drinking heavily, having casual sex, and just being plain wrong, but they get to be a part of a couple. But the happiness that those who behave wickedly seem to be enjoying is fleeting. The joy of the obedient Christian is eternal.
While it may look like the wicked are prospering and the wise are suffering, consider that there would be far worse suffering if we chose the path of the wicked over patiently waiting on God. Do not get caught up in looking around at other people. Be content with what God has given you in this moment, knowing that He cares for you and knows what is best for you. It matters not whether those behaving badly are happy. That is between them and God. What truly matters is that we trust God enough to believe in His promises for our lives and not to focus on others.
Thank You, God for being faithful and trustworthy.
Please forgive me for being envious of what others have
especially when they are not living in obedience to You.
Lord, please help me to be still, steadfast and content
knowing that You know what is best for me and when to add it to my life.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Pray While You're Prey Weekly Devotions
I pray that this 52-week devotional honors Him and blesses you. Enjoy!
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Pray While You're Prey Weekly Devotions by Toni L. Wortherly is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.