Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
I have made so many mistakes in judgment when it comes to character that one day I said, “Okay, God, I need You to put a force field around me, so that no one who is not good for me can get to me. And then, when the right one comes along, I need You to put a big, bright, neon sign (like “Eat at Joe’s”) over his head. I had lost faith in my ability to make right decisions. That lack of confidence in my relationship decisions spilled over into every other decision in my life. I discovered that this was one insecurity that was actually a good thing. In the beginning, my disdain for the prospect of making bad decisions was paralyzing. I literally was not willing to make any moves because I feared that I might make the wrong move and end up headed in the wrong direction and knocking myself further off-course. However, eventually, I realized that I had someone better to trust than myself: God. My miscues led me to put all of my trust in Him. And, not just in the major things like jobs, relationships, money; in EVERYTHING. I fear the Lord. I am not scared of God (although, I am glad to be living in the age of grace--have you read the Old Testament?); I reverence God. I respect God. I have learned that God knows what is best for me and that He has a future plan for me and a right now plan for me that will work out for my good if I will listen to Him and obey His voice. I have been blessed with several gifts to use for ministering to others, but for a very long time, I struggled with how to properly use God’s gifts and talents. Every time, I have tried to do something my way, it has not turned out well. So, then, I just stopped trying, but that was not the correct answer either. Earlier this year, I felt a nudge to record, but I had no idea what the purpose of my recording would be. I agonized over what to do with the music that I had. I was not sure if I needed to do an entire CD, or just a demo. I didn’t know if I should try to sell my work or give it away. Taking a step forward just brought about so many questions. Admittedly, for a little while, I was discouraged because I felt like God was not showing me what to do. Then, I read a devotion that encouraged me to spend some quiet time with God; not talking, not singing, not making a sound, just listening. This was very difficult at first because my mind is always racing. I know God knows that, but each day, as I endeavored to respect Him by giving Him quiet time, it became easier and easier to quiet my mind. And soon, His voice began to drown out mine. And, after one month of asking what I should do, it became clear. There are still a few details that I am sure God will give me in the right time, but I know the answer to my main question. I have to believe that as I continue to show reverence for God, whether in quiet time or by simply being obedient to His leading, He will reveal anything that I need to know to me. That is the beauty of the God we serve. Anything that He is not showing us, He is holding back for a good reason. That gives me hope as I wait for my spouse to come into my life. I am not being obedient to get answers or to get what I want. If that were the case, I would have stopped being obedient when I felt God was saying ‘no’ and ‘wait’ too much. I am being obedient because I respectfully fear the Lord and His greatness. I know that He is stronger and wiser than I will ever comprehend. So, I will wait patiently for His secrets to my life to be revealed. Prayer Thank You, God for loving me enough to not give me any information that I will misuse. Please forgive me for not being respectful to You in my actions and in the way I divide up my time. Lord, please help me to listen, move when necessary and be still when necessary. In Jesus’ Name, Amen *Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©1984, unless otherwise indicated.
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Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
One of the most dangerous things a single Christian can do is start looking around at other single people, especially those that are not Christians. Inevitably, it will seem as though we are doing everything right, but remain single while they are doing everything wrong and are dating and happy. Looking around at other people’s lives is detrimental to your spiritual walk, so do not do it. The devil knows this weapon of mass destruction. He will whisper in your ear every time you look at another person who has what you believe you want and try to convince you that God is holding out on you. 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. Prayer 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 *Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©1984, unless otherwise indicated.
Pray While You’re Prey Weekly Devotions for Singles
Why do good girls love bad boys? And, for that matter, why to good guys want bad girls? What is so attractive about the person that you know means nothing, but harm? I would submit that good girls and good guys do not love bad boys and girls, but they sure do lust after them. Let’s be real, the bad ones are sexy. I am not talking about those who are a threat to your well-being; those people should be avoided at all costs. I am referring to the ones who are aloof, commitment-phobic, risk-takers; the ones who only care about what you can do for them, never giving a thought to what they can do to enhance your life. At one point, about thirteen years ago, after a series of failed attempts at relationships, I tried to figure out where I was going wrong. So, I made a list of all the guys that I had dated and looked for their similarities. Once I had that list, I analyzed it to figure out what my red flags should be for my next suitor. It included things like: baby boys or only children, belongs to or aspires to belong to a fraternity, birthday in the winter months. It was a very scientific list. I thought if I could avoid those things, I would be on my way to a future of happiness. But, it wasn’t very long before I found myself dating the same exact type of guy again because he was someone to whom I was physically attracted. And, he had that bad boy quality that was so enticing. You know, when you are attracted to someone because they have an “I don’t care” attitude, you should probably take the hint and run very far away. So, how do we avoid getting caught in this trap? Rather than looking through the blinded eyes and deafened ears of lust; we need to seek out wisdom from God. God’s wisdom can show us the obvious that we are overlooking and it can show us layers of someone’s personality that are hidden until after you fall in love. How do we get this wisdom? Seek God and meditate on His Word. When I was compiling my list of who not to date, it should have included anyone who does not know God. That is the first red flag for a single, Christian woman or man. We must stop thinking that if we can get someone to fall in love with us, we can make them fall in love with God. We cannot change the hearts of any other person and what usually happens is that the person draws our focus away from God. God does not want us to be in relationships with bad people. Nor does He want us, in an effort to get them before they get us, to be bad people. He gives us the opportunity to screen those with whom we come in contact by giving us His Word, His wisdom and the Holy Spirit. Our part is to read, understand and listen. Prayer Lord, thank You for Your Wisdom. Thank You for the opportunity to learn what is best for me. Please forgive me for all of the time that I do not listen to Your warnings. Please show me anyone in my life who does not belong. In Jesus’ Name Amen. *Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©1984, unless otherwise indicated.
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