"Hotel California"

Last weekend I was working behind my favorite bar, having some wonderful conversations.  One conversation in particular has stuck in my mind.  There were about four of us sitting around enjoying some classic rock n' roll, when the Eagles' hit "Hotel California" came through the speakers.

Everyone sang along at first, but then question was posed, asking what the meaning of the song was all about.

One guy gave a speech about how songs have no meaning, they are all open interpretation for the listener.  That was obviously a good cover up for not having an intelligent guess, but whatever.

An older gentlemen said he was almost positive it was written about an insane asylum.  He referenced the lyrics, "we are all prisoners here of our own device," and "they just can't kill the beast."

I had never really thought about it.  I knew all the lyrics but just assumed the message made sense to everyone else but me...seeing as that is how it usually is.  I figured it was literally about a strange haunted hotel of some sort.  Although the insane asylum guess made good sense to me.

Much to all of our surprise, the song was actually written about the overly greedy culture of America and the dark side of the American Dream.  Don Henley said it was "our interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles," and later explained how that related to all of America and the greed in the music industry in the 1970's.

The whole song is beautiful in how it really engages all five of the listener's senses.  You can smell the "warm smell of colitas" and feel the "cool wind" in your hair.  I think this is part of what makes this such a successful song.  It is a beautiful creation and it laid the framework for the rest of their album.  The album went on to be #37 on the Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of all times.

The song talks about bringing your alibis, having mirrors on the ceiling and being a lovely place--all descriptions of materialism, greed and conceit in our culture.  I mean, it's no secret Americans are known for having too much and never being satisfied.

"And she said, 'We're all just prisoners here, of our own device.'
And in the master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the beast."

I think these are the most powerful lyrics in the song.  It shows the deep emptiness and longing that comes from craving earthly treasures.  One of the residents literally describes herself and company as prisoners of their own keeping.  There is a church saying that goes with this, "Sin will take you further than you wanted to go, and keep you longer than you wanted to stay."

Greed is one thing Jesus came to set us free from.  No matter how much you gain, you will never be able to "kill the beast."  That's what makes money, fame, and success addicting.  It is empty.

The Bible and The Eagles both teach us to invest in eternity rather than the earthly.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal."
--Matthew 6:19-21

Investing in the eternal is a hard concept for me to wrap my head around.  I believe in saving, tithing, and living debt-free.  All of these things require hard work and good, biblical financial skills.  At the same time, we need to be extremely open to giving away everything we have received.  I was recently challenged to come up with ideas of how to do this.  Here are a few:

• Tip BIG when you go out to eat.  This means above and beyond 20%, which is today's standard.
• Donate your money to a worthy cause such as a missions group, non-profit organization or charity.
• Always, always, always tithe first and foremost--AT LEAST 10%.  If you take time to feed from a church, give money back.  These people have families too.  Also it is giving back to God...after all he did provide you the money in the first place.
• Do not give out of abundance, give regardless because that's how God gave it to you.

I like how Jeremiah 6:13 puts it, "For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely."  

Instead of coveting, grasping and asking for more, try killing the beast with contentment.  I struggle with this daily but the Lord has shown me the way to kill many things is through thankfulness.  If you are thankful and grateful then you will realize you are content.

It is Thanksgiving, ya know.

Action-->"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  

Promise--> "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Keep the lyrics of Hotel California in mind as you walk through your day today. If not you may be searching for a "hotel" that doesn't really exist.

The Good Charlotte Gospel: Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

(A continuation from The Good Charlotte Gospel: The Anthem.

2) Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

Lifestyles of the rich and the famous 

They're always complainin'

Always complainin'

If money is such a problem 

Well they got mansions 

Think we should rob them (rob them)

(They would fall, they would fall)

Lifestyles of the rich and famous 

We'll take your clothes, cash, cars, and homes just stop complainin'

Lifestyles of the rich and famous

Lifestyles of the rich and famous

Lifestyles of the rich and famous

I'm literally writing a book about complaining.  God has really focused on that with me this semester.  It's hard, but it's good.  We don't realize how much complaining we do until we sit back and look for it in our daily conversations.  I mean, even our greetings are complaint-filt.

Person 1: "Man, it's so hot out there!"

Person 2: "Yeah, I hate this weather..it's terrible..."

Then we complain about having too much homework, not enough vacation time.  God gives us a bonus check and we complain about how long it takes to save up to buy a new boat.  We gossip to others and tell them how horrible it is living with this man...working with this woman...or wearing these shoes.

Nothing is ever good enough.  Everything falls short.  

The preacher was too long today.  The music was a disaster.  I hated the piano solo.

Nothing meets our standards.  People let us down because they can't live up to perfect.

We cry, and hate, and gossip, and talk and try to change everything that is out of our power by complaining.  Even the good things are burdens to us many times.  We try to talk others into doing what we would rather have them do, and we talk ourselves out of what we should be doing--complaining of the heavy sacrifice.

WELL YOU KNOW WHAT...??  

Go to Africa.

Seriously.  We Americans are foolish and inconsiderate.  If you compare the wealth of the average American, to that of any foreigner, you would quickly be humiliated at our complaint list.  Check out these articles:

• Americans Are the 1%
• Our Poverty are the Richest in the World
• Standard of Living in the U.S.-wikipedia article

Also check out this website and you can see how you personally compare to the rest of the world..it's pretty cool, and humbling too. http://www.globalrichlist.com/

And yet the more we get, the more ungrateful we become.  How does this happen, I wonder?  Probably because money will never satisfy the soul.  Only God can do that. 

 Lecrae puts it this way: "Lovin' money is like crack, both of 'em will leave you dead."  

Check out the rest of his lyrics...

Then check out his track "God is Enough."

Look how God puts it in 1 Timothy 6:6-10:

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  

Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

I love how the Good Charlotte lyrics say, "if money is such a problem, well they got mansions, I think we should rob them."  I wonder if orphans and widows around the world echo this same phrase as they watch Americans live their daily lives.  

It is more blessed to give than to receive!

Obviously I have been very convicted about this too.  It's a hard, deliberate work to strip your vocabulary of ungrateful responses, but this is what a heart in love with God requires.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks to God always.  Try it this week. :)

"Lovin' money's like crack; both of 'em will leave you dead."

--Lecrae

Wait...Wait...Wait

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long

I won't be shaken by drought or storm

A peace that passes understanding is my song

and I sing

My hope is in You, Lord

I will wait on You

You are my refuge

I will wait on You

You are my refuge

--My Hope Is In You, Aaron Shust

Life is full of waiting isn't it?  I know the single section just shouted a chorus of "Amens."  But what about the rest of us?  What about life after marriage?  What about the life of a child?

I remember the first time the desire of a long-term wait really sunk in for me.  I was sitting in a small, wooden desk with a package of 64-count Crayola Crayons.  My best friend, Bernice, sat right in front of me, and one of our other friends joined us as we discussed the grown-up details of our 6 year-old lives.

"I can't wait to be sixteen," Bernice let out with a long, hopeless sigh.  

"Sixteen?  Why, what happens at sixteen?"  I asked with wide eyes and a curious mind.

"Duh, Haley.  Everyone knows that when you turn sixteen you get a car and  you get to drive wherever you want."  she replied.

After a few moments of careful thought and consideration, I then announced to the group that I would be getting a pink convertible to match Barbie's on the day of my sixteenth birthday.

We were six.  A good ten years of waiting sat before us, and yet we had already planned out the date, the details, and the price our parents would have to pay.  What a torturous way to spend ten years of a young life.  If only we had that license, THEN we would be complete.  We would be grown women.  Wise, mature, sexy, confident.  Everything hinged on the day we turned sixteen and received our licenses.

But of course...everyone knows what happens when you FINALLY turn sixteen...

You have to wait two more years to become eighteen.

And when you turn eighteen, it's three more years 'till twenty-one.  And so, at some point we begin to realize that satisfaction, contentment, joy, and love do not magically appear after a period of waiting.  In fact, we are often just pushed on to realize something else we desperately need to make us happy.

You want to know the real truth, the secret to the waiting game?  Here it is:  you'll always be waiting for something.

As a single woman, we often waste our single years wishing for Mr. Right to come save us and make us happy and complete.  But what happens after we receive that?  You guessed it, more waiting, wanting, and discontentment.

Paul clearly tells us the secret to this never ending wait in Philippians chapter 4.  First, look at verse six:

 "Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your request to God."

Then jump down to verse twelve:

"I know what it is to be in need, 

and I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content 

in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry,

whether living in plenty or in want."

As a Christian on earth, you will always be waiting and watching for something more, something better...something holy.   This is because our husband has not come for us.  He is sitting on the throne in heaven watching and praying for us, waiting for just the right time to rescue us from all things evil, thus redeeming us to the one our soul desperately longs for.  Yeah, now that's something worth waiting for.

So what do we do in the mean time?  Worship, work, and wait.  

Ecclesiastes 8:15-16 says:

"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.  Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."

And 1 Corinthians 10:31

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

And also, John Waller says,

"I will serve you while I'm waiting, I will worship while I'm waiting."

Put your hope and trust, your pains and struggles, and your desires and longings in God's hands and he promises to never let you go.  

He will NOT leave you in despair, I promise you.

"God, the one and only--I'll wait as long as he says.

Everything I hope for comes from him, 

so why not?"

Pslam 62:5-6 (MSG)

During the Holidays

After reading this post you may agree with my brother and think that I have way too much thinking/observing time on my hands, but that's okay, it's what I do.  Through a combination of observing past holiday experiences and present circumstances I have caught on to another tactic of Satan.

Some of you may remember my post in early November Preparing for War, and Preparing for War pt. 2 in which I warned of Satan's Holiday tactics.  As I have survived Thanksgiving and Christmas (knock on wood,) I have noticed that these tactics of Satan have been executed once again.

In my previous post I described how the process starts.  You might have seen these plays used on you around Thanksgiving time.  Now that Christmas is over I think it is interesting to evaluate how we all handled the temptations thrown at us (1 Corinthians 10:13.)

In my own life, I have had randomly had several extra "male callers" lately.  What makes it interesting is that these men and I have nothing in common, and this has previously been established.  However, when I got the first random text a few weeks ago, all I could do was giggle at Satan's attempt to trip up both me and the fellow.  When I fall, it always begins with a random text from a random guy.

As I told my brother, if God hadn't of clearly warned me to watch out for Satan (1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10) and closely guard my thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:6-8), I would have undoubtedly fallen into the lust trap as I have so many times before.  Fortunately, I promised myself I would stay in the Word and on guard throughout this Christmas break.  When I am obedient, God is faithful.


Not only have I seen Satan try to trip me up with emotional lust and attachment, but I have closely watched it happen to many other people in my life, both this year and years past.  Think of any dating or talking couple in your life right now.  Have they not become closer throughout this holiday season?  I've seen strong single girls sink into texting guys they know they won't be with during this time of year.

Watch Facebook and you'll see twice as much flirting.  Many of my Facebook friends have been playing the "Date or Pass" game to try and find a date.  I'm sure you've seen the lonely statuses too.  Everywhere you turn people are coupling up or complaining about being single until someone does couple up with them.  Why?  Because everyone wants to feel loved, especially during the holidays.  This is not a sin, it's how we are made.

It becomes a sin however, when we take these desires to someone/thing before we take them to God.  No person will ever completely fulfill us if we don't first learn how to rest in God. (Philippians 4:12)  It is also a sin when these desires give birth to sin (James 1:15.)

So right now, in the middle of the Christmas break, before New Years, I ask that you would examine some things in your life and on your mind right now.

Have you recently seen a relationship spring up in your life that does not honor God?

Have you turned to a relationship or person to take away your impatience during this season of life?

Are your actions reflecting your faith in God or your ability to do things in your own power?

Are certain thoughts causing you to stumble?  Where do these thoughts come from?

Do you feel as if you have distanced yourself from God over the past few weeks or month?

I'm desperate for you.

Everything You Need

I love you Lord,

Even if you're all I ever have.

The sweetest moment of my life was the first time I looked at this phrase and meant it with all my heart.  I had reached a total dependence on the God of my salvation.  How beautiful it is when we realize that this is all our hearts need.  Nothing else will do, nothing else will satisfy or last because Jesus and Jesus only satisfies our every hunger.  

In John 6:35 Jesus explains it this way:

"I am the bread of life.

He who comes to me will never go hungry,

and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

How wonderful it is to know that God created Jesus to fulfill our every hunger and desire.  He is the ultimate satisfaction despite what Satan tells you.  Many a young college student is tricked into believing that marriage is the ultimate fulfillment in life.  High School students fall for the lie that sex is what satisfies, and married couples sometimes hear Satan tell them they are missing out on a different life. 

Whatever your walk in life is, you can be sure of one thing.  Jesus Christ is all you will ever need to find joy, peace, and contentment for a lifetime and then some.  So turn to him for every weakness, every desire, every pain, hurt, and fear.  He promises he will be right there (John 6:37) and he will never turn you away.  

The more we depend on God the more fulfilled we will be.  This is the opposite of human nature, because human nature is to control.  But the Bible tells us the more we lay down at the feet of Jesus, the more he picks up and carries for us.  (1 Peter 5:7, Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:39, John 12:25)

The great apostle Paul put it this way:

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing

greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have

lost all things."

                                                        Philippians 3:7-8

So what can you give to God today?  What have you been holding on to so tightly that the satisfaction of Jesus can't get past?  Why are you afraid of laying it down, has Jesus' promises not been made clear to you?  What are you going to do today as a first step to laying down that burden in order to pick up Christ?

My soul will rest in you.

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding

My soul will rest in You.

I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm

My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay

My refuge and strength always

I will not fear, His promise is true

My God will come through always, always

                          --Kristian Stanfill: Always

This is a beautiful song of the comfort, hope, and peace God gives us when life gets a little crazy.  I think the hardest part about receiving this comfort is letting God give it to you.  I talk to people all the time who really want help and comfort from God, but yet they are too stubborn to lay down their troubles.  We think if we just keep trying things we will ultimately fix the problem themselves.

 It's a control thing we all have as humans.  We feel like it is our right to be in control of our own life, and we don't want no help from no body!  This is fine for those who don't mind misery--but God has something so much bigger and better in store for his children if we will let him show us!!


      Step 1:  Recognize that your life is not your own, you were bought with a price.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Do  you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought with a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

When you become a Christian you accept that you are a sinner, and that you need help and forgiveness from God Almighty himself.  You also confess him as Lord.  This means you give him control over your thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5,)  your desires (Psalm 37:4,) and your plans (Proverbs 16:3.)  

This is not a natural occurrence, it is the result of an overflowing heart for God that says, "I love God so incredibly much, because I realize I deserve nothing he has given me, and because of that I choose to lay down my life for him and let his glory be made known through me, and this way others will come to know the hope and peace that I have found in Him."

     Step 2: Realize that God has everything under control.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Isaiah 41:13 (MSG)

"That's right.  Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go."

If God can create an entire intricate universe that includes insects, the molecular biology of plants, every internal and external organ of the human being, all the millions of different animals in the world, and magnificent nature, in just 6 days, what makes us thing he can't handle our momentary problems?  Yes, it might be cancer, a divorce, or rumors--but we're talking about the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE here!!  He has this whole thing planned out already!  One way or another he is going to get glory from this and you are either going to go closer or farther away from him depending on what you chose (Joshua 24:15.)

     Step 3: Lay it down.

1 Peter 5:7

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Philippians 4:6

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

As a human, one of the hardest things you'll do is admit that you can't do it by yourself, and that you need help.  However, if we come to this realization that God can handle it, and he does know what's best for us, we can start to receive his help.  We just have to humble ourselves and lay down our controlling hearts first (2 Chronicles 7:14.)

    Step 4: Let him comfort you.

Psalms 34:18 (MSG)

"If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there."

Psalm 73:26

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

After we initially lay down our plans, troubles, or whatever, it is often instinct to pick it right back up when God starts to do work.  This just takes us right back where we started though.  It is important to remember to keep your pile of stuff at God's feet.  Stop trying to take back the reigns and control it yourself.  YOU WILL MESS UP if you keep trying to fix it in your strength alone.  Let Go and Let God.

The Truth about Dating Divinely

The older I get the more stories I hear about God's timing for our love stories. It seems to be true that once we come to the point of complete and total abandonment of our personal desires for love and marriage--the point where all we want and all we need is God alone--this is the point where he final says, "Okay, now you're ready to meet your spouse."

Focusing fully and completely on God is hard. Living a life to glorify him in everything you do is very difficult, in fact most people are too afraid to even try. It's a lifelong struggle of laying down idols, sinful desires, and selfish motives, to pick up God's will, his desires, and his patient plan of perfection. I don't think anyone ever perfects this--but I think we can be stronger or weaker at doing this depending on our faith in the Lord.

Because this is such a difficult life-long pursuit, how in the world do you keep God your main focus when you throw in another person? I honestly have no idea how married couples do it. As a single woman, all of my time, energy, and focus is put into keeping God my main source of everything--if another individual were to come in and try to steel half of this attention, I don't know what I would do. Obviously, God leads us and prepares us for the challenge of loving both--in his time, but until you are a single woman who is firmly and consistently relying on the love and plans of God, I don't think God will show you the man he has set apart for you.

These are some of the theme verses of my life regarding this issue:

1 Corinthians 7:34

"An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned with the Lord's affairs; Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit."

1 Corinthians 10:13

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Philippians 4:12

"I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Psalm 72:25

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you."

Philippians 3:8

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ."

Matthew 22:37-40

"Jesus replied, love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All of the law and the prophets hang off of these two commandments."

Psalm 40:1

"I waited patiently for the Lord, he turned to me and heard my cry."

Proverbs 4:23

"Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Give God the Pen

"Truly God gives the very best to those who leave the choice with him."

--Hudson Taylor

A friend of mine gave me this quote today after I had a very good quiet time about this very thing. I have been continuously learning that the more we let go, the more God steps in and does miraculous things that are far better than what we had planned. This has proven itself true in countless areas of my life, and I know it is the truth in the live's of others too. But today let's look at how this can affect our dating lives specifically.

There's a book by Leslie Ludy called "When God Writes Your Love Story." Although I have never read this book, the title has been imprinted in my mind over and over again. I told God many years ago that I wanted him to have complete and total control over my love life--and he has had that. This is so important to me because I know if I'm in control I will screw up and settle for something that's not that great. I also know that if I let God work out the plans he already has for me, I will be blessed beyond my imagination (Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 3:20.)

Join me for a short trip into your future: Years from now when you are looking back on your life, you think about how you and your husband met. You remember how ya'll met, who pursued who, who arranged the dates, how God was represented, and why you married that man. This can either be a joyous reflection that ensures you of how much your husband loves you and God provided for you, or this could be a scary reflection that causes doubts to rise in the back of your mind.

In the second scenario, this reflection could cause doubts and uncertainty to creep into your marriage because you realize that you are the one who arranged the marriage.

You think about it, and you texted him first.

You arranged the dates.

You pressured him into purposing,

and you did not seek God or friends advice on the subject at all.

So what makes you so sure he wanted to marry you in the first place? --says the devil.

You think about it, and you have no idea. You think, yeah...why didn't he pursue me? Was I not good enough? Was it not God's will?

Why did I have to force everything to happen? Hmm...

Manipulating, asking guys out, texting them first, arranging get togethers--that's not going to be a story of fate, destiny, or God's planning. That is a story of control, impatience, and insecurity.

Look at the alternative scenario. After reflecting on this love story you feel overwhelmed by God's grace and goodness. You are speechless to think that the man in the other room wanted you bad enough that he prayed about you, sought guidance from elders about you, and he took the time and courage to consistently pursue your heart.

Afterall, he did text you first.

He arranged the first date.

He surprised you with the purposal,

and countless friends, mentors, and pastors confirmed your relationship as a work of God.

This guy is obviously head over heels for you...even more now than he was then. --says the Lord.

You think about it. Yes! Lord, you are SO right! You have confirmed this relationship over and over again.

I know without a doubt in my heart that this man loves me and that he is the one you promised me years ago.

With a humbled heart and joyful soul you say:

Lord, Thank you for writing my love story.

Patient waiting, trusting, and depending on God--letting the man lead and develop the relationship--receiving advice and confirmation from spiritual leaders and mentors...THAT is a story of faith, love, destiny, and God's perfect planning.

Ladies, please. Let God write your love story.

Why do people have such a hard time staying single?

Why do people have such a hard time staying single?

If singleness is the obvious gift Paul and God declare it to be, then why is it so hard?! Why do so many men and women ache and hurt and complain about not having a significant other? Why do people frown upon us for being individuals? Why can't we all just enjoy this time in our lives?

Because the devil is much smarter than that.

2 Corinthians 2:11 says, we are not unaware of the schemes of Satan. John 10:10 says the thief comes only to steel, kill, and destroy. Ephesians 6:12 blatantly tells us that our struggle is not against the flesh and blood, but against the evil forces in the spiritual realm.

1 Corinthians 7:34 says, "An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit."

1 Corinthians 7:8 says if you are unmarried it is good to be that way.

The Bible tells us that it is good to be single. Why? Because you can focus your full attention on God. We all know that as soon as a man comes in your life you forget the existence of everything else, your grades drop a bit, you stop sleeping, and God goes on the back burner. However, when your single you have no distractions. When your single, God can speak clearly and boldly use you to do awesome acts for his kingdom--it's in the bible. Satan knows this too!

If singleness weren't such a sacred place for holy living and advancing the kingdom, Satan wouldn't bother messing with it. However, the devil knows that God has big plans for your single life, he knows that this is the freest and most spontaneous you will ever be, and he sees God wanting to use that, so he fights it! He fights it with all of his will. Steel, kill, and destroy--that's exactly what he's trying to do to you young sister.

Don't be so naive, those thoughts in your head about being worthless, alone, ugly...those aren't your thoughts!! That's Satan using one of his "Schemes" on you so that you can't do God's work he has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10.)

I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it again: Singleness is a precious gift from God that should be cherished at all costs. Ladies stand firm in God's grace and look directly in his eyes so that he can use you in this time. Don't let the world push you over and tell you your not good enough because you don't have a boo. Those are lies straight from the mouth of Satan.

2 Corinthians 10:5--take captive every single thought and make it obedient to Christ. When you hear these thoughts in your head, shut 'em up! Confront that devil and stick it to him! Quote scripture, say the name of Jesus, or pray--Satan hates those things and he will undoubtedly shutter when you do this.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take our stand against the devil's schemes. for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then..."

Ephesians 6:10-14

If it Causes You to Stumble..

I LOVE me some country music! Last night I went to the Miranda Lambert concert here in town and I had a blast! I love the beat, the words, the people, everything about country music except for one thing...the message. Now I'm not talkin' about every country song, but most of them. Most of them have underlying messages that are not biblical, such as drinkin, cheatin', and sleepin' around.

I say this not to give you my opinion on country music, because that was an older post. lol I say this to bring up something else...self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

As much as I enjoy country music, I strictly limit the amount of time I spend listening to it. Why in the world would I do that? Because it causes me to stumble. When I hear about drinkin over and over again, I want to go drink. When I hear about romance, I want romance. When I hear about the red dirt roads, I get homesick and forget my purpose here in the city.

2 Timothy 2:22 says "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." It says FLEE, not fight it or pray about it, but FLEE the evil desires of youth.

This isn't a bash against country music, I also love rap music, but it causes me to lust. I love romance movies-but they cause me to have impure thoughts. I've heard it said that in your walk with Christ you are either moving towards God or away from God, you are never standing still. What do you love that causes you to fall away from God?

I have several good friends who struggle with contentment in being single...yet they watch romance movies, read the love stories, and listen to music that suggests everyone have someone special. Girls, as long as you surround yourself with that you WILL struggle. Trust me, I tried fighting it for a long time. In order to live a life fully devoted to God, you have to surround yourself as much as possible with things that honor God and cause you to reflect on Him.

I also have friends who struggle with going too far physically with the opposite sex. Can you guess why? If it's not the stuff causing their thoughts to sway, then its the situations they put themselves in. If you hang out alone with a guy repetitively YOU WILL HAVE SEX. I don't care if you promised your family and your preacher that you were going to wait until marriage, if you put yourself in that situation it WILL happen. You are human, and not one of us is strong enough to resist that temptation after a long period of time. Don't be alone with your boyfriend. I don't care if your 16, you don't need to put yourself in that situation. (Which, by the way, I will be blogging about dating boundaries in the near future so keep an eye out for that.)

So is it a movie? A TV show? A boy? A game? A habit? A hobby? What is it that causes you to stumble?

Examine your life and see what causes you to stumble. Pray about it, then FLEE from it. Run towards God with all your energy and will. No one can make the choice for you though, it's up to you.