My Valentine's Gift from God :)

My heart was overjoyed yesterday because I received a belated Valentine's present from God! :)

I attend a bible study with a few girls at the dorms on Tuesday nights and we are going through the book of Philippians, one chapter at a time. Last night we studied chapter 2. When discussing what we verse we would meditate on this week, 2 specific verses stood out to me. Verses 14 and 15. This passage promises if we stop complaining and arguing, God will make us pure so we can shine like stars in the universe. :) Just reading it makes me smile! I mean the stars are BEAUTIFUL, and to be able to shine like that..um, wow. That just makes me feel so pretty and special! It should make you feel that way too! But the catch is, in order to shine we must quit complaining and arguing. Ouch. That's the tough part! I have been doing my share of complaining this week over Spanish homework and other things, I guess this was God's sweet way of convicting me.

So I then prayed this back to God and promised to try my hardest this week not to complain, so I can shine like a star! :D After we finished I was walking home thinking about the wonderful passage God had given me, when I realized it was February 15, the day after Valentine's Day. Then I noticed the reference to my verses was 2:14-14 like 2/14 and 2/15 the dates...get it? 2/14 is Valentine's Day! God totally put that together to show me his love for me :) And to top it all off I got to stare at the stars the whole way home and admire their beauty.

So if you hear me complain this week, please confront me. And also consider if this is your Valentine too, or if God might have something different for you. :)

Lust vs. Love.2

Hope you can see this chart, I couldn't make it any bigger. Anyways if not save it as a picture and zoom in on it. Also, feel free to comment or post question!! :)

o 1 John 2:16 “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”

o 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; “

o 1 Peter 4:3-8 “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

o Proverbs 27:20 “ Death and Destruction^[a] are never satisfied,
and neither are human eyes.”

o 1 John 4: 18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

o 1 John 4:7-8 “ ⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Part 2: Homework

Divine Dating- Part 2

“How to be single”

December 27, 2010

Memory Verses:

1 Corinthians 7:34, Song of Songs 8:4

Extra: Philippians 4:12

Homework:

Proverbs 31- Study and add to your list of Godly characteristics you want as a wife.

Long Term: Work on your list a little bit at a time, gradually becoming who you want to be. Pray continuously that God’s will would be above yours in your dating life. Trust him.

Extra: Check out the rest of Song of Songs!

Part 1: Homework

Divine Dating- Part 1

“Before you start Dating”

December 20, 2010

Memory Verses:

Proverbs 4:23, Hebrews 13:4

Homework:

Review what God says about physical purity using these verses: 1 Corinthians 6:13, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Hebrews 13:4, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, Colossians 3:5

Add to your list of standards: Collossians 3:18-19, Song Of Songs 5:16, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:33,

Extra: Check out these verses and remind yourself why you should accept your parents’ dating rules: Proverbs 19:20, Proverbs 15:22, Proverbs 13:10, Exodus 20:12

For fun: Write a letter to your husband, seal it up, and put it somewhere safe so you can give it to him on your wedding day. J