As a young christian I am in the relm of dating these days, as many others. There are many fish in the sea, but which are the ones I should choose? I am also in search of friends, fellowship, and even bettering relationships with family members. For anything in life, a person should choose importantly, especially when it comes to those who you allow yourself to be closest to. Whether your making good friends or dating you should be careful and consider the attributes that will be brought upon yourself by being close to the person(s). Today I read in 2 Corinthians, a verse I have always been familiar with, but studied the words earlier today.
"Do not be yoked with nonbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What
accord as Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbelievabler? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For
we are the temple of the living God; as God said.
To betterunderstand what righteousness verses lawessness I made a list of light vs. darkness.
RIGHTEOUSNESS LAWLESSNESS
IN PEOPLE IN PEOPLE
-purity -corrupt
-Godliness -lying
-honesty -drunkards
-loving -prideful
-joyful -sexually immoral
-faithfulness -vengeful
-innocent -angry and bitter
-compassionate; understanding -depressed/gloomy
-studies the bible -bad language
-evangelizes -unsure; insecure
-honors God in life -unbeliever; immiture in the LORD
-forgiving -doesn't care
Based upon your personality, your relationship with God, and your life.. we all have different needs. While I was going through my lists I was thinking about what I truly need, what will benefit me, what will help me grow with Christ? In the verse above it talks about what does light and darkness have in common? It is so true, because as a follower of Christ for me to be very close with someone who carries more traits on the lawlessness side would be hypocrasy to myself, my beliefs, and the bible. God specifically tells us that we need Godly fellowship, relationships,
and friends. A few questions to ask yourself if your having trouble believing that lawlessness and righteousness cannot form together for the best then as yourself these questions...
1) Do righteousness and lawlessness go together?
2) If mixed, what do you get?
3) Do you have the same morals and values?
4) Would you want to raise your children the same; with moral values and biblical truth?
5) Do you participate in the same activities, and are these activities honoring to God?
6) Does the relationship benefit your relationship with Christ?
The reasons I ask you to ask yourself these questions is vital. God created us, and we are intended to find friendship and love when given the right person and time. He created us ultimately to love Him, and he wants two to grow together with Him as the center. You cannot have both light and darkness, because it lowers the Godliness in the righteous person. A lawless person can always uprise out of their life and turn to God, but it is up to them whether they make that choice or not. I am NOT telling you to go out and look for someone perfect, because we have all fallen short of the glory of God. We all sin, and none of us are good. We can ask for forgiveness in Christ, have faith, and trust in Him; and when we do we have an
eternal life with Him in heaven. After talking about the relationships I made yet another list of what I need in my friendships, boyfriends, or even family. I encourage you to do the same! I myself need people who...
-love God
-study the bible
-will have conversations with me about scripture, problems, and God
-goes to church
-strives to live a righteous life
-honors God in his work, personality, and overall life
-has the same values and morals as I do
-tells others about God and his word
-Asks for forgiveness and seeks God through prayer daily
What do you need? Please do not be discouraged by this blog/message I wrote about today. I can look at many items on the lawlessness side and can say "Oh jeez, I lied today, I cursed today, I was depressed, insecure, or thought something lustful." We are human, and it is human nature to be sinful, but with God we can always try to change this! If we ask God for satan to flee from us, and IF we resist his temptations and overlook his blunders he throws in our way, we can go on to becoming more and more righteous! This way of life is difficult to follow; it takes self control, love, forgiveness, understanding, joy, prayer, reading the bible, developing a christian fellowship. All of which is well worth it though, because when you are on top and closest to the Lord, living for him and through Him, YOU will have the most fufilling joy possible on earth. Whether you are dirt poor,
unemployed, lonely, or whatever YOU will have the love, grace, and joy of Christ inside of you. So be patient, pray often, and really try to live a life of righteousness; fight off the lawlessness and resist satan and he will flee from you. Satan does not want you to live a life for God, to have a christian fellowship, or have attributes of righteousness. Do not fall into his lies of believing that lawlessness will satisfy you and make you happy. Turn to God and choose your fish in the sea wisely!
Tips for transforming your life to a righteous life?
-Listen to music God would listen to, have your radio on a christian station.
-Try reading atleast one bible verse a day; not just reading but studying and understanding.
-Pray, pray, pray, pray, pray! Write a prayer request list for yourself, others, and whatever else is layed upon your heart.
-Surround yourself with Godly people, influences, and positive attitudes.
-Write down your weaknesses and stregnths, and don't give in to your weaknesses.
-If you feel like you will be tempted to do something not honoring to God, don't put yourself in the situation where you could be able to do wrong.
-Be patient, because God's plans for you as great if you trust in Him and keep your hope in his words. Great things are to come!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
And & You Shall Receive!
Here I am graduated high school, but what do I do now? I sit pondering daily on what excatly it is I want do to, where I want to go in life, my goals; basically my future. I am always thinking "God is going to bless my life, he will take care of my future," and I firmly believe so, but I know it takes more than just believing. As in anything a person does in life, you must act for something to take place. If someone wants to lose weight, they must diet and exercise. If a person needs a job, they must go out and search or create their own business. If someone wants to find their true love, they cannot just sit at home watching Oprah or playing video games.
God is abundant in blessing lives, putting miracles and serenity to lives, and giving them the life he desired, but we as Christians should ask first in truth. You may ask yourself, well what excatly is truth? I am TRUTHFULLY asking God to let me loose that weight, get me a job, help me find love and it's not happening! Well have you ever thought your asking for selfish desires or for reasons that will not honor God? Maybe you want to loose that weight to get someones attention, to wear something more revealing to feel sexy. Maybe you want that job to impress someone, to be rich and powerful, to own nice cars and a mansion. Now what about love? Is it because your lonely, sad, unsatisfied, angry, wanting sex, or selfconscious?
Did you ever happen to think that the things you were asking God were for yourself, your own desires, or to benefit you in a way God might not want you to benefit in from that time. Now he is a loving and oh so gracious God, and he wants the best for you. He wants you to come to Him in love, forgiveness, and a desire to want to know Him more. Oh, but I go to church on Sundays! Why is God not answering my prayer? That would be like wondering why your not loosing weight only working out once a week for one hour. Why is he not giving me the job I want so I can make money? First of all, how, let me rephrase... WOULD you even be willing to honor God or glorify Him in any way through your job? Most often though, finding the love of your life is the case. If you want to find true love then you MUST remember. Love is patient. Simple as that! Sure you can go out and date, go on as many as you can, but it's not the quantity of guys you go out with that will give you what you need. I have learned that trying to find the perfect guy may only procrastinate finding the right one. Before you are ever ready to experience a love like the one God wants for us, and will give us, you should be satisfied ALONE in God. His love is more than enough, and he wants to show you this. As a girl I admit that I dream of my wedding, the dress, the cake, the decor. However, I know I am not ready because I have now become fully satisfied with God yet. Even if I had met the person I was going to marry, I could not commit. When I can truly say and feel like God is my Father, friend, and I do not need a man in my life because I am so happy, so fufilled, and so satisfied, that is when I will be ready.
You see, God will always give to those who call upon His name. When we pray He hears, and He always answers. The way He answers or the time He does may be different than what we want, but He always does. Instead of looking for a sign, an easy way out, or even an instant change, look for the opportunities He has put upon you. Maybe if you say no to going to a party, to hooking up with the wrong kind of guy, or stop a friend from doing something wrong that could be an opportunity to see the grace of God. Maybe if you pray to even WANT to pray or to know what to pray for then doors will open up. If you bring out your bible and attempt to study one verse it could change so much, and you will be able to see it clearly. Not until you surrender the life you live for yourself and give it completely over to God will you be able to see the true blessings and life God has planned for you. So ask and you shall receive!
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Matthew 21:22
God is abundant in blessing lives, putting miracles and serenity to lives, and giving them the life he desired, but we as Christians should ask first in truth. You may ask yourself, well what excatly is truth? I am TRUTHFULLY asking God to let me loose that weight, get me a job, help me find love and it's not happening! Well have you ever thought your asking for selfish desires or for reasons that will not honor God? Maybe you want to loose that weight to get someones attention, to wear something more revealing to feel sexy. Maybe you want that job to impress someone, to be rich and powerful, to own nice cars and a mansion. Now what about love? Is it because your lonely, sad, unsatisfied, angry, wanting sex, or selfconscious?
Did you ever happen to think that the things you were asking God were for yourself, your own desires, or to benefit you in a way God might not want you to benefit in from that time. Now he is a loving and oh so gracious God, and he wants the best for you. He wants you to come to Him in love, forgiveness, and a desire to want to know Him more. Oh, but I go to church on Sundays! Why is God not answering my prayer? That would be like wondering why your not loosing weight only working out once a week for one hour. Why is he not giving me the job I want so I can make money? First of all, how, let me rephrase... WOULD you even be willing to honor God or glorify Him in any way through your job? Most often though, finding the love of your life is the case. If you want to find true love then you MUST remember. Love is patient. Simple as that! Sure you can go out and date, go on as many as you can, but it's not the quantity of guys you go out with that will give you what you need. I have learned that trying to find the perfect guy may only procrastinate finding the right one. Before you are ever ready to experience a love like the one God wants for us, and will give us, you should be satisfied ALONE in God. His love is more than enough, and he wants to show you this. As a girl I admit that I dream of my wedding, the dress, the cake, the decor. However, I know I am not ready because I have now become fully satisfied with God yet. Even if I had met the person I was going to marry, I could not commit. When I can truly say and feel like God is my Father, friend, and I do not need a man in my life because I am so happy, so fufilled, and so satisfied, that is when I will be ready.
You see, God will always give to those who call upon His name. When we pray He hears, and He always answers. The way He answers or the time He does may be different than what we want, but He always does. Instead of looking for a sign, an easy way out, or even an instant change, look for the opportunities He has put upon you. Maybe if you say no to going to a party, to hooking up with the wrong kind of guy, or stop a friend from doing something wrong that could be an opportunity to see the grace of God. Maybe if you pray to even WANT to pray or to know what to pray for then doors will open up. If you bring out your bible and attempt to study one verse it could change so much, and you will be able to see it clearly. Not until you surrender the life you live for yourself and give it completely over to God will you be able to see the true blessings and life God has planned for you. So ask and you shall receive!
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Matthew 21:22
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