Giving up, Pursuing Jesus
- Thread starter jrccomputer
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B
No prob bro, remember dude,
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." - John 10:1-5 NASB
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." - John 10:1-5 NASB
I've never had a boyfriend. I went to a Christian university for 4 years and left without a boyfriend/fiance/husband while tons of my friends were getting engaged. "Ring by spring", that type of thing. I was pretty discouraged when I graduated. If I didn't "find someone" in the 4 years I went to a school surrounded by Christians, then surely that meant I will never get married! But really, who am I to say? No one knows how they're going to meet their future spouse.
That's not really something I should even peg all my hopes and dreams and identity on, either. I need to find my identity in Christ, and Christ ALONE. Yet, it's because I want to. Not because I want Him to be a distraction to me until someone comes along, and not because I want Him to give me things because I'm pursuing Him. But because I want HIM. It's definitely something I'm learning.
My friend, who just started a new relationship with a godly guy, knows about my struggles being single (though it's more struggles within myself that just...leak into my struggles of being single. Don't know if that makes sense, if it doesn't I can explain more), and she gave me great advice, something that you hear all the time but it really makes sense: Enjoy being single! Travel, try new things, go out with friends, do what you want (within reason...) because you have nothing tying you down! Not that a boyfriend/girlfriend is a bad thing, but things change when you're with someone. They suddenly are a big part of your schedule.
Something else to keep in mind, is to grow as a person. Often, we say "I want this and that quality in a spouse." What about ourselves? Are we challenging ourselves and growing to be loyal? Honest? Wise?
I'm preaching to myself a little bit here (okay, a lot), so don't think I have it all figured out.
That's not really something I should even peg all my hopes and dreams and identity on, either. I need to find my identity in Christ, and Christ ALONE. Yet, it's because I want to. Not because I want Him to be a distraction to me until someone comes along, and not because I want Him to give me things because I'm pursuing Him. But because I want HIM. It's definitely something I'm learning.
My friend, who just started a new relationship with a godly guy, knows about my struggles being single (though it's more struggles within myself that just...leak into my struggles of being single. Don't know if that makes sense, if it doesn't I can explain more), and she gave me great advice, something that you hear all the time but it really makes sense: Enjoy being single! Travel, try new things, go out with friends, do what you want (within reason...) because you have nothing tying you down! Not that a boyfriend/girlfriend is a bad thing, but things change when you're with someone. They suddenly are a big part of your schedule.
Something else to keep in mind, is to grow as a person. Often, we say "I want this and that quality in a spouse." What about ourselves? Are we challenging ourselves and growing to be loyal? Honest? Wise?
I'm preaching to myself a little bit here (okay, a lot), so don't think I have it all figured out.
V
I totally understand what you are saying. I am single at 19 and surrounded by Christian friends who are in long lasting relationships where both people in the relationship believe in Jesus. I found this online yesterday and it might help: Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone -- to have a deep soul-relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly, and exclusively. But God, to the Christian, says, "No, not until you are satisfied with loving me alone... I love you, my child. And until you discover that only in me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with Me -- exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any longings or desires. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan existing -- one that you cannot imagine. I want you to keep watching me, expecting the greatest things- keep experiencing that satisfaction knowing that I AM -- keep learning and listening to the things that I tell you... you must wait."
M
Hey dude,
I'm wondering whether you aren't making things more complex than they are.
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." Col. 2:6
Do you know how much our Lord loves you?? Really?
We love Him because He first loved us. And He hasn't stopped loving us! He is love.
I'd propose to simply connect with Him. Just relax, focus on Him in praise and thanksgiving. Worship songs can really be helpful here. Let His love break your heart again.
Strive to enter His rest.
I've been greatly inspired by a missionary in Mozambique called Heidi Baker. After a total burnout, she learned to yield more and deeper to the Lord. The intimacy she's experiencing with the Lord has been so challenging me.
Just connect with Him man. He's full of life, full of love, of joy, peace, patience, ...
He will make you content.
Bless you dude.
Maybe good to have a look at
fathersloveletter.com
Matthew 21:21
Mountains don't hop into seas Joshua. People go their whole lives never getting past their mountains (those things that seem immovable). People end up spending their entire lives walking around their mountains never getting to the place God has prepared for them because they doubt their mountain can move; preposterous; impossible! It just doesn't happen.
...But in this passage, the master of all is literally telling you, "you can do what seems impossible" if only you have faith. Now while I completely agree with the advice the others have given you (to make sure you're properly prepared by God to be a man worthy of one of his treasured daughters), I want to hopefully help grow your faith a little more.
----
Now faith is like a receipt after making an (online) purchase. When you have that receipt there's not a shadow of doubt in your mind that you WILL receive what you expect. You have the proof. That receipt is not a wish list where you're *hoping* to get what you want, though you may or may not get it. No! You KNOW what you want is as good as yours...it's only a matter of time before you get it. This is exactly what the following passage on faith means:
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Notice that faith is not hope but the assurance or confidence in what one hopes for. It's literally the proof before the actual thing arrives; it's the receipt of purchase. But what happens if one makes a purchase but never receives a receipt? Can they have any confidence that they'll receive what they expect? Do they have any claim to what they bought? Absolutely not.
Joshua, you have to KNOW that whatever you ask for in prayer is as good as yours as soon as you ask it, else it's like buying something online without getting a receipt. And doubt is literally like canceling the order.
Mark 11:24
Matthew 21:22
The connotation here of believing in what you pray for is "past tense"; "foregone conclusion"; "looking backwards"; "already done", as in "believe that you have received". It seems strange to think like that, maybe even a little crazy, but this is what "walk[ing] by faith and not by sight" actually means. It means you know that you know that you have it before you see it.
Now always be careful of what you ask for before it's time (this is what the others are alluding to). The scriptures are littered with examples of people who were too rash, having to suffer the consequences of impatience. But when you ask for your woman in prayer, know that you know that you have her...as sure as if she is standing right in front of you, and then "rest" (i.e. act) in that truth every single day (because "faith without works is dead"):
- Send up prayers of thanksgiving for your woman morning and night; literal "thank you's", not requests.
- Be faithful to God and her whenever you're out around other women so to keep you under control (so you don't come off as needy or as a skirt chaser...be cool).
- Be faithful to God and her whenever you're alone.
- Be faithful to God and her by preparing yourself as the spiritual leader of your house, because that's your role. Study the book of Hebrews until you understand it.
- Start preparing yourself financially to take care of the Father's daughter. Unless you've an inheritance you better start working on it now.
God gave his son a bride, but it was after some SERIOUS work on the son's part. So if you want the bride that's prepared for you it's time to get to work.
Mountains don't hop into seas Joshua. People go their whole lives never getting past their mountains (those things that seem immovable). People end up spending their entire lives walking around their mountains never getting to the place God has prepared for them because they doubt their mountain can move; preposterous; impossible! It just doesn't happen.
...But in this passage, the master of all is literally telling you, "you can do what seems impossible" if only you have faith. Now while I completely agree with the advice the others have given you (to make sure you're properly prepared by God to be a man worthy of one of his treasured daughters), I want to hopefully help grow your faith a little more.
----
Now faith is like a receipt after making an (online) purchase. When you have that receipt there's not a shadow of doubt in your mind that you WILL receive what you expect. You have the proof. That receipt is not a wish list where you're *hoping* to get what you want, though you may or may not get it. No! You KNOW what you want is as good as yours...it's only a matter of time before you get it. This is exactly what the following passage on faith means:
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Notice that faith is not hope but the assurance or confidence in what one hopes for. It's literally the proof before the actual thing arrives; it's the receipt of purchase. But what happens if one makes a purchase but never receives a receipt? Can they have any confidence that they'll receive what they expect? Do they have any claim to what they bought? Absolutely not.
Joshua, you have to KNOW that whatever you ask for in prayer is as good as yours as soon as you ask it, else it's like buying something online without getting a receipt. And doubt is literally like canceling the order.
Mark 11:24
Matthew 21:22
The connotation here of believing in what you pray for is "past tense"; "foregone conclusion"; "looking backwards"; "already done", as in "believe that you have received". It seems strange to think like that, maybe even a little crazy, but this is what "walk[ing] by faith and not by sight" actually means. It means you know that you know that you have it before you see it.
Now always be careful of what you ask for before it's time (this is what the others are alluding to). The scriptures are littered with examples of people who were too rash, having to suffer the consequences of impatience. But when you ask for your woman in prayer, know that you know that you have her...as sure as if she is standing right in front of you, and then "rest" (i.e. act) in that truth every single day (because "faith without works is dead"):
- Send up prayers of thanksgiving for your woman morning and night; literal "thank you's", not requests.
- Be faithful to God and her whenever you're out around other women so to keep you under control (so you don't come off as needy or as a skirt chaser...be cool).
- Be faithful to God and her whenever you're alone.
- Be faithful to God and her by preparing yourself as the spiritual leader of your house, because that's your role. Study the book of Hebrews until you understand it.
- Start preparing yourself financially to take care of the Father's daughter. Unless you've an inheritance you better start working on it now.
God gave his son a bride, but it was after some SERIOUS work on the son's part. So if you want the bride that's prepared for you it's time to get to work.
↓Please remember this is in the past: ↓
A girl liked me and we texted for a while she is in Montana at the air force academy. Things just fizzled out, we never talk to each other any more. But, hey its not even a relationship. I've only known her for 1 week.
She says I'm too good for her cause she's not a virgin (I am), she smoked, she drank, and she has cursed. She is a Christian and does love Jesus and God.
I told her that does not change things between us. But, you can tell it did. Its really sad this kind of person would be well suited for the kind of man God made me to be.
Just breaks your heart when people don't want whats good for them.
A girl liked me and we texted for a while she is in Montana at the air force academy. Things just fizzled out, we never talk to each other any more. But, hey its not even a relationship. I've only known her for 1 week.
She says I'm too good for her cause she's not a virgin (I am), she smoked, she drank, and she has cursed. She is a Christian and does love Jesus and God.
I told her that does not change things between us. But, you can tell it did. Its really sad this kind of person would be well suited for the kind of man God made me to be.
Just breaks your heart when people don't want whats good for them.
Jr, did you mean to say it like this?:
Its really sad; this kind of person would be well suited for the kind of man God made me to be.
A comma or semi colon can really make a huge difference to a sentence's meaning.
Its really sad; this kind of person would be well suited for the kind of man God made me to be.
A comma or semi colon can really make a huge difference to a sentence's meaning
.
Your funny. As I'm pouring my emotions out you are correcting my english.
Its all good though, and you know your right it does look better.
