Lean Not On Your Own Understanding (pt2)

I have way too much I could put in this post. So, instead of putting it all together to make a nice sensible orderly post, I will leave it as a hodge-podge post of quotes, lyrics, and verses that all have one theme. Sorry. =/

"Far beyond my deepest heart’s desire
Far beyond what I could ever dream
Far beyond my fairy tale imaginations
Is your perfect plan for me
There’s no limit to romance in all it's beauty
When the Author of love shapes my destiny
Far beyond the most that I could long for
I will find the dreams You have dreamed for me

I could search forever
I could look for true love everywhere
If all my dreams were answered
They still could not compare
To the beauty of Your ways
And all Your plans for my life
'Cause You’ve been scripting out a story for me
Before the very foundations of time" [Lyrics taken from "Far Beyond" by Eric and Leslie Ludy]

Having faith that God, the One Who created the desire of love between a man and a woman, can write you a love story exceeding anything you could ever write, makes it much easier to wait faithfully and patiently.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” –Philippians 4:6

"If your future spouse could see you now, as you interact with members of the opposite sex, how would they feel? Would they feel hurt and jealous, or adored and special?” -Eric and Leslie Ludy

Hebrews 13:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 40:31, Hebrews 12:2, Proverbs 4:23, James 1:14-15, Romans 13:1, Proverbs 16:2, Titus 2:11-12, Matthew 5:27-28, Psalm 51:10, Matthew 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 2 Timothy 2:22, Titus 2:4-5, Ephesians 5:3, Galatians 5:19-21

“ Anything that “hints” at sex outside of marriage is wrong. Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) defines God’s standard of purity: ‘ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.’ This certainly includes actually having sex. But the sexual sin forbidden here is broader than that. There should not be even a hint of sex outside the marriage bed. You don’t have to have physical contact with a guy to “hint” at sexual sin. Jesus extended the definition of sexual sin to include looking at someone and lusting after them (Matthew 5:28).

You “hint” at sex when you wear a low cut tank top showing off your cleavage.
You “hint” at sex when you text-message something flirtatious to a guy-friend.
You “hint” at sex when you hang around the Abercrombie poster in the mall, glancing a few too many times.
You “hint” at sex when you expose yourself to songs, television shows, and movies that use sexual humor and language (The very next verse says, ‘ Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place”—Ephesians 5:4.)

According to Jesus, these areas of mental impurity count. They rob you of virtue. But sexual sin in the mind isn't the only area where Christian young women are struggling. Our hearts break as we hear of young women engaged in practices ranging from sexual touching to masturbation to oral sex, all the while rationalizing that these acts are not sexual sin.

They are." (Lies Young Women Believe, 91-92)

God's standard is so much higher. Any thing(s) that hint at impurity in your heart and your life need to die. Save your self for the one the Lord has planned for you, respect and love them even when you do not know who they are. Solomon warns more than once, "Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases."

Cloud Nine by According to John:
"She got the boy
He got the girl
She was on cloud nine
He was up on top of the world
Puppy love
They would lasso the moon together

But he found another girl
When she had their boy
Anything for love
He said she was the only one
Nothing old - and nothing new
Now she’s alone with baby blue
Listen what she had to say

It’s not what I thought it would be
Not s’posed to happen to me
Wish I could go back in time
I am Just sixteen
Not how I thought it would be
Here on cloud nine

Verse2
There is a boy
There is a girl
In God’s perfect time
Out there somewhere in the world
Just for you
You will lasso the moon - together

So will you trust the One
Who made the world
He invented love
And made the one you’re dreaming of
But for now - and until then
Trust and wait on Him
Listen what they had to say

Just you wait and see
Just you wait and see
It’s not what you think it will be
You don’t have to be the one to say

It’s not what I thought it would be
Not s’posed to happen to me
Wish I could go back in time
I am Just sixteen
Not how I thought it would be
Here on cloud nine"

When you chose to wait for God's best doesn't make it always fun and staying pure isn't always easy. Your faith will be tested. You may often feel that you walk alone. When you decided to take the narrow path, you should've known that Jesus warns us that difficulties, persecution, hardship, and tears would be part of this life! But let me tell you with all honesty: that which comes through much struggle and that which you wait for the longest, becomes an even greater treasure and sweeter prize to win.



"... waiting doesn't mean just sitting around wondering when something is going to happen. Neither does it mean postponing marriage. Rather, it means serving the Lord faithfully right now wherever He has put you. If God keeps you single, He has work for you to do." — Sarah Mally [Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide to Radiant Purity]

Lean Not On Your Own Understanding (pt1)

I was visiting my grandparents the other day when a commercial played on their TV. It was for a Christian online dating site. The add said, "Sometimes we wait for God to move, when He's saying 'It's your time to act.'"
"Ha!" my grandad said. "I think it's always safe wait for God! That is so dumb! ...Wasn't that that Abraham's problem? He thought he knew what was best for him and took things into his own hands rather than waiting for God."

He left me thinking of the many times the Bible says to wait. We are shown, through the lives of many throughout the Bible, what the consequences are for not waiting on the Lord, and what a reward there is when they do wait for Him.

Psalm 62:5 says, "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." (emphasise mine)

How many times we search for joy, love, and pleasure from people (and things). We think 'If I just had a boyfriend who loves me, then I will be happy'. Sure, that may satisfy you for a while, but for how long? We cannot find everlasting joy in any relationship, except in a relationship with our perfect Christ! And until we learn to find the love, security, and intimacy that you long in God alone, you will never be satisfied.

"We say, then, to anyone who is under trial, give Him time to steep the soul in His eternal truth. Go into the open air, look up into the depths of the sky, or out upon the wideness of the sea, or on the strength of the hills that is His also; or, if bound in the body, go forth in the spirit; spirit is not bound. Give Him time and, as surely as dawn follows night, there will break upon the heart a sense of certainty that cannot be shaken." -Amy Carmichael

Look at the world, behold the splendor of God's creation! Even in it's fallen sinful state it is showing the might of our God and screaming of His awesome power. Give Him time to steep the soul in His eternal truth, the Bible. After having faithfully done so you will know that He is in control!



Be a faithful Christian, one who waits silently for God alone, and whose expectation is from the Lord!



And when I speak of the faithful Christian, I picture to myself one who has truly brought their whole unto God, by a true confiding faith in Jesus Christ as their All. One who has presented themselves entirely surrendered, transformed, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God; someone who not only knows, but acts upon the fact that they owe everything to the blood that was shed for them on Calvary, and who is now fully absorbed with the redeeming mercies of the Lord. They are joyful- joyful, because they have an intimate relationship with their Saviour and Lord.

They know that they have One who knows them like no other, and whatever worries there may be, they know that the Lord reigns, and is superintending all for good; they are not overcome with fear. Yes, they may have great misfortunes, but they know that it is guided by a Father who pities their distresses and loves them with an everlasting love. They have a Friend mightier than the powers of evil, therefore they can sings in spite of their trouble—"The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart dances for joy, and in my song will I praise Him!" God's joyous light that shines on them, relieving them of their riddles, filling them with wisdom, giving them food for delightful meditation and living water for their thirsty soul, comforting their heart, and kindling radiance along all their way! That is what I mean when I speak of a faithful Christian!

We are not an alone, we have a righteous, almighty, and loving Saviour, Who sees all, and provides for all, and takes care of all! We can see by the love shown to us daily, and the love shown for us on Calvary, that He is the Only One who can love us so. And as we become more like that faithful Christian, we will soon be able to say with the psalmist, “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You." (Psalm 39:7)

He has told us that those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10), and that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), let us have faith and trust in His promises!

"If it is God's will for us to be married, then He will not leave us single for even one day longer than He knows is best, right, and perfect." -Sara Mally

I can not tell you of how much greater it is to choose God's best above our best, and not just in the area of a spouse, but in every area! We need only to have faith in Who He Is, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6) Seek the Lord, through prayer and His word. Wait on Him. (Ps. 19:14)

Prayer Quotes

"How often have we prayed something like, 'O Lord, be with cousin Billy now in a special way'? Have we stopped to consider what it is we're requesting? Imagine that you are a parent who is preparing to leave your children with a babysitter. Would you dream of saying, 'O Betsy, I ask you now that you would be with my children in a special way'? No way. You would say, 'Betsy, the kids need to be in bed by 9 pm. They can have one snack before their baths, and please make sure they finish their homework. You can reach us at this number if there's any problem. Any questions before we go?' We are very specific with our requests and instructions for our babysitters. We want them to know specifics. It should be no different with prayer." -David Jeremiah

"There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision. It is as if a regiment of soldiers should all fire off their guns anywhere. Possibly somebody would be killed, but the majority of the enemy would be missed." -Charles Spurgeon

To Live Is CHRIST

"Some Christians are for living on Christ, but are not so anxious to live for Christ. Earth should be preparation for heaven." ~C. H. Spurgeon

How can we expect to enjoy spending all of our time in heaven with our Saviour, if we are not even willing to spend a portion of every day serving and worshipping Jesus?

We are not called to self-indulgence and a life of ease, we are called to suffer for Christ by doing right. We are called be the body of Jesus Christ Himself;cry out for the nedy, to pray for the persecuted, to reach out to the lost, to show love to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and to love the Lord our God with every fiber of our being!

I heard it asked, "What good is it having someone who can walk on water if you don't follow in his footsteps?"



Footprints of Jesus

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,
Come, follow Me!
And we see where Thy footprints falling
Lead us to Thee.

Refrain:
Footprints of Jesus,
That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus
Where’er they go.

Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains,
Seeking His sheep;
Or along by Siloam’s fountains,
Helping the weak.

Refrain

If they lead through the temple holy,
Preaching the Word;
Or in homes of the poor and lowly,
Serving the Lord.

Refrain

Though, dear Lord, in Thy pathway keeping,
We follow Thee;
Through the gloom of that place of weeping,
Gethsemane!

Refrain

If Thy way and its sorrows bearing,
We go again,
Up the slope of the hillside, bearing
Our cross of pain.

Refrain

By and by, through the shining portals,
Turning our feet,
We shall walk, with the glad immortals,
Heav’n’s golden street.

Refrain

Then at last when on high He sees us,
Our journey done,
We will rest where the steps of Jesus
End at His throne.

Asleep in the Light by Keith Green

Do you see?
Do you see?
All the people sinking down?
Don't you care?
Don't you care?
Are you gonna let them drown?

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come!?
You close your eyes,
And pretend the job's done

"Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord"
You know it's all I ever hear
No one aches!
No one hurts!
No one even sheds one tear!

But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
And He cares for your needs
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such a sin?

Cause He brings people to you door,
And you turn them away
As you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all heaven just weeps
Cause Jesus came to your door
You've left him out on the streets

Open up!
Open up!
And give yourself away
You see the need,
You hear the cries,
So how can you delay?

God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah you run,
He's told you to speak
But you keep holding it in,
Oh can't you see it's such a sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
Cause it's asleep in the light!
How can you be so dead,
When you've been so well fed?
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed!

Oh, Jesus rose from the dead!
Come on, get out of your bed!

How can you be so numb,
Not to care if they come?
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done,
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

Don't close your eyes!
Don't pretend the jobs done!
Come away!
Come away!
Come away with Me, My love!
Come away, from this mess!
Come away with Me, my love.

Verse of the Week

Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In Me

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
May His Spirit divine
All my being refine,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

When your burden is heavy and hard to bear,
When your neighbors refuse all your load to share,
When you're feeling so blue,
Don't know just what to do,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

When somebody has been so unkind to you,
Some word spoken that pierces you through and through,
Think how He was beguiled,
Spat upon and reviled;
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

From the dawn of the morning to close of day,
In example, in deeds, and in all you say,
Lay your gifts at His feet,
Ever strive to keep sweet,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

Another Perspective

Verse of the Week