Daily Sufficient Grace

    I have been getting into the practice of improving my prayer life.  I am learning to lay my requests at the feet of Jesus every morning.   “In the morning, O LORD you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” ~Psalm 5:3.

            I have been praying out to GOD to reveal his will for a situation that I hold very near and dear to my heart.   I want an answer.  I want to know the future.  I want to know how everything will all turn out.  I become a spoiled child and tell GOD that I don’t want to do what he is asking me to do unless I know how it will turn out.  I prayed about this situation and GOD spoke: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of it’s own”. ~Matthew 6:34.

            I don’t know how this situation will end.  I am scared, I am afraid.  I don’t want to risk the things the LORD is asking me to risk.    However, this is where TRUST is found.   “Trust in the LORD and lean not on your own understanding, in all ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3: 5-6.

            I continued to prod GOD and ask him to just give me the answer I crave so it will satisfy my curious mind.   I told him that I was feeling anxious and needed to know the answers.    The LORD said: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9.

I realized I am trying to hurry GOD along.  I am trying to force an answer instead of waiting for his timing.  I even told GOD a “NO” would be ok just as long as I get an answer so I know how to handle this situation.   This is not how GOD works.  He wants us to wait on him.   He wants us to trust him!

I guess I will continue to follow the leading of the LORD and take things “One day at a time!”

~Sunny :D

Hide & Seek

In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve ate a piece of fruit and then their eyes became opened to sin.   They heard the LORD walking in the garden and they hid from the LORD.  But the LORD called out: “Where are you?”  ~Genesis 3:1-9

            This bible passage is the essentially the first game of hide and go seek.   Times have not changed since the beginning of the Earth because we humans still play a divine game of “Hide and GO seek” with GOD.   This game exists because of sin.    When we sin, it causes a divide between the Lord and us. 

            When we sin, GOD hides from us.   “Truly you are a GOD who hides himself, O GOD and Savior of Israel.” ~Isaiah 45:15.     “Your iniquities have separated you from God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. ~ Isaiah 59:2.

When we sin, GOD does not hear our prayers until we ask for forgiveness.

            However, often we don’t want to repent.  We want to “hold onto” that sin that we cherish.   During this stage, we are just like Adam and Eve~ we try to hide from GOD.     GOD is everywhere and our feeble attempts to hide will not work.  “Nothing in all creating is hidden from GOD’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” ~Hebrews 4:13. 

            Eventually the LORD softens our hearts and we go before him with repentant hearts.  We long to be right with GOD and he desires a right relationship with us.   “Come near to GOD and he will come near to you.” ~James 4:8.   “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  ~Hebrews 4:16.    “In a surge of anger, I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you says the LORD your Redeemer.” ~Isaiah 54:8

A restored relationship with the LORD brings peace.  Repentance ends the game of hide and go seek.

~Sunny :D

Seriously!?!?!?

I have been reaching out to several single women who have been attending my church.   My goal is to meet with each one over coffee or lunch to find out who they are and what they are all about.

I am finding these women of God are not very different from my worldly friends.   They swear, they drink, they don’t read their bibles and they sleep with the guys they date.   I had a very discouraging conversation with a fellow lady.   It goes as follows:

HER: I slept with the last 2 guys I dated.    How about you?  

ME: No.  I don’t do stuff like that.

HER:  Make out sessions? Do you fool around?  How far do you go? Come on spill it!

ME: I don’t feel comfortable doing that.

HER:  Come on, you can tell me.. I won’t tell anyone.

ME:  There is nothing to tell. 

HER: So, what did you do with the last guy you dated?

ME: We went to the zoo, got frozen yogurt, went to a Skate party, and the school basketball game.

HER: Were you 14?

ME: No.  We worked together.  

HER:  So, you didn’t do anything with him?  Not even a hot make-out session?

ME: No.  I told you I don’t agree with that kind of stuff.  He and I decided to focus on building the friendship instead of being physical. 

HER:  (Rolls eyes) You are no fun!

            Seriously!?!?!? I was insulted that she would equate me to a common whore and then she made fun of me because I was following my convictions (That line up with GOD’s word).   After our conversation, two verses came to mind:

“Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them.”

~Matthew 7:15-16.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

~Matthew 10:16

 I am going to be friendly with her but keep my distance from now on.   However, women wonder why they can’t find a good Godly man.  Well, it is because of this!    GOD will not bless disobedience! 

A man will always reap what he/she sows!

~Sunny :D

Priorities for Single Christians

How are Singles supposed to spend our time?   What should our priorities be?   I have been mulling over this question for a few months and I think I found the solution.   Our priorities fall under three categories.

GOD

CAREER

EVERYTHING ELSE

GOD

            Our FIRST priority is GOD.  This is a season in our lives where we can fully engage with the LORD with zero distractions.   Work on your walk with GOD.  Study the Word of GOD, improve your prayer life, learn how to hear his voice and communicate with the creator.  Every minute you spend with the LORD is a good use of time.  This is the season we can use to really understand who GOD is.   Learn to make GOD a priority so then if (and when) you get married you will already have clear established devotional time.  “Come near to GOD and he will come near to you.” ~James 4:8. 

            Ministry also falls under the GOD category.  The season of singleness gives us an opportunity to fill the many needs found in the church.   Join the choir, become an usher, bake a casserole, help out with the kids.   Want to feel like you are part of a church family?   GET INVOLVED!    If you are not sure where you can help, talk to the pastor and he will gladly find a place for you to serve.   Jesus did not come to get served, but he came to serve others. (Mark 10:45).    Service glorifies and pleases GOD.   Service blesses others.  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering GOD’s grace in in’s various forms.” ~1 Peter 4:10.

CAREER

            After GOD, singles should spend their time focused on their careers.   You do not have the distractions of a spouse or children so use this time to invest in your occupation of choice.     Go to college, get an advanced degree or learn a trade.   Read literature written by leaders in your field.    Find a mentor or expert and discover how they became successful and try to emulate them.  Use this time wisely. “Be very careful, then how you live- not as unwise but as wise.  Making the most of every opportunity” ~Ephesians 5:15-16.

            Work hard for your employer because it pleases the LORD.    Get to work on time and don’t leave early.  Don’t cut corners when it comes to doing tasks that the boss requires.   Don’t grumble when your supervisor gives a direct order.  Go about your work and do so cheerfully.   You are doing your work for the LORD, not for man.  Diligently go about your work because it pleases the LORD.  “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the LORD and not for men.” ~Colossians 3:23. 

EVERYTHING ELSE

            Everything else falls into the last category.  Friendships, relationships, hobbies, interests, pets.   When making decisions on how to spend your time make sure you are choosing Christ honoring activities.  Find things to fill your time that have lasting value.   “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think of such things.” ~Philippians 4:8

           

            I am sure you have heard that old expression: “you have to be a friend to get a friend?”   Now is a great time to make new friends and deepen established friendships.  Serve your friends:  Invite friends over and make them dinner, send encouraging texts and pray for them.    You can give a warm smile to a new church member and invite them out to get coffee.   People are hungry to make connections, but you need to make the effort to reach out to them.   Listen to them speak.  Learn about them.  You have two ears and one mouth so you will listen twice as much as you speak.

            Now is a terrific time to develop hobbies.   Learn how to play the guitar, learn a foreign language, learn how to cook.   The LORD places these desires in your heart for a reason and you will never know how he will use your hobbies to further his kingdom.   Explore your interests.   The more interests you have, the more interesting you will become to others.   Travel to a foreign country, take a missions trip, go on a retreat.    Adopt a pet or volunteer at a homeless shelter.   

So now what?

            Our days are numbered and only the LORD knows how long we each have to be on this planet.   “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” ~Psalm 90:12.  I am going to encourage each of you to live a full life.    This season of singleness is for a reason and the LORD won’t reveal the reason for it until the appointed time.   Use your time wisely.  GODà  Careerà  Everything else.

When making decisions about my time I always ask 3 questions:

Will this help or hinder my walk with GOD.

Will this help or hurt my career

Is this something that has lasting value.

~Sunny :D

Turtle Shells

I was walking around Macy’s the other day and I saw a necklace of a turtle that had the word “Freedom” written on it.    I spent the next 20 minutes thinking about that necklace and what Turtle’s had to do with freedom.

            Turtle shells are hard and are meant to protect the turtle.  When turtles become afraid; they pull their heads, arms and feet inside of the shell.   Humans kind of do the same thing.

            We don’t have literal shells but we often stay in our “comfort” zones.    Are you afraid to share your faith with a friend?   Are you afraid to reach out to others?  Are you worried about what others will think of you?   Do you fear you are not good enough?   Satan wants us to stay inside of these shells.  He wants us to stay hidden but GOD wants something else.

            The LORD wants us to live boldly for him.    When the LORD leads you to do something, you have to do it.  I know that this is scary.  It can be terrifying to go outside of our comfort zone, outside of our shells.  You must trust GOD.    Did you know the words: “Do not be afraid” can be found in the bible 365 different times.   GOD knows we are afraid to live courageously for him but his word is telling us to trust him.    “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your GOD.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

~Isaiah 41:10.    “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for GOD is our refuge.” ~Psalm 62:8

            Taking that first step of faith is difficult but you have to believe that our GOD is very big and loves you and is worthy of our trust.   Fearlessly go about the work of the LORD and he will bless you.   This is where freedom is found.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” ~Galatians 5:1.  The yoke of slavery can be the fears you have about trusting the LORD and taking the leaps of faith he requires.  But the LORD is telling us to stand firm (live boldly).   “Who the son sets free, is free indeed!” ~John 8:36

After you take the steps of faith, after you trust the LORD, once you leave your “shell” you will find your freedom! 

~Sunny :D