Church was so timely today. The current series we're on is called "Mind Games" and this week's talk was on Dating. Pastor Ryan used the often cliche verse of Jeremiah 29:11-12 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to propser you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
So often as Christians we hear this verse and we think "if he has such a great plan for us, then why does it seem that everything in life seems to fall and not go right?" It's almost as if we're rubbing salt into open wounds by hearing this verse so often. That's where perspective comes in. We often lose sight of the plan of the Lord and decide to direct our own paths, rather than listen to His direction, insight, and love. He does indeed have plans to prosper us and not to harm us, but we let our own flesh prevent us from achieving these plans. This is why it's so intrigal, so VITAL that we invite the Lord into every part of our lives - and most importantly into our dating lives.
Ryan gave us 4 dating fairy tales:
1. Opposites attract.
*This is an absolute myth in that the more opposite you are - the more conflict arises in the future. It is so important for us to date people that are likeminded with us. That share the same morals, same value, and even the same desires for life as us. References: Prov. 15:19 and Prov. 25:4
2. If you're in love, don't wait.
*It's necessary to know someone for a duration of time to truly know them. Relationships are always changing and growing in new ways - and the more time you spend with someone, the better.
GET THIS: Ryan said the most important thing in any relationship is to be best friends with your significant other. Because there is an ebb and flow in every relationship. You're not always going to feel "in love" with someone and you have to choose to love as a commitment even when you don't have the "feeling". Infatuation comes and goes, but lasting relationship and friendship with your spouse or significant other is what carries you through Financial Crisis, Job Crisis, Emotional Crisis, Relational Crisis, and Spiritual Crisis. "In love" is a feeling that ebbs and flows, but loving someone is a tenacious commitment to be there through the thick and thin of life with that person.
Knowing that you have someone on your side, rooting for you no matter what and loving you through the most difficult times in your life is a TRUE blessing.
3. Spiritual difference don't matter.
*YES, they do matter. God tells us in II Cor. 6:14 that we should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers - this is especially true in a dating and marriage relationship.
4. Always test sexual compatablity.
*NO - God says that sex outside of marriage is a sin. Set boundaries, hold to them, have accountablity in your relationship from the beginning - someone that will ask you the tough questions. References: I Thes. 4:3-5 and Prov. 4:22
Last thoughts of the sermon: "friendship is what sustains your relationship" and "guard your heart for you will have to live with the choices you make within your relationships - good and bad"
I encourage you all to listen to this series and the other sermons available on dating, marriage, and sex found on the ECC website/stuff.
And finally, my prayer has always been that I would be the wife depicted in Proverbs 31. And even though I'm not there yet, I'm still striving to be and grow into that woman even today - simply because I want to bring my husband good and not harm all the days of my life. Respecting, valuing, and encouraing him to be a better man and thankful for being the man that the Lord has brought into my life. This is the desire of my heart Lord- please grow me in this way.
P.S. - recently I've been LOVING the Redeeming Ruth Series at Mars hill - more on this to come... but check it out in the mean time: www.marshillchurch.org/redeemingruth
No comments:
Post a Comment