put on the full armor of God

Ephesians 6:12-13
“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.”

God, your word tells me trouble is coming. i pray that you will give me the courage not to cower but to put on the full armor you have provided me. give me the courage to stand on solid ground, not on sinking sand. i pray you will be glorified in each and every trial i face. you are an amazing God.

ask God for wisdom

James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Father, thank you for not finding fault in me when i continuously ask for wisdom. sometimes i feel like i have the wisdom i seek from you but not always the courage to follow through. please give me not only wisdom today, but courage to do what you ask of me. thank you.

ask.seek.knock.

Matthew 7:7-8
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

do i ask, seek, and knock?

Jesus, i know you know what i want but i love that you want me to ask you anyway. i will never stop seeking you or knocking on your door. thank you for caring about every little detail of my life, for wanting to be a part of my growth.

i reap what i sow

Galatians 6:7-8
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

do i sow to please my sinful nature or to please the Spirit?

God, i know you cannot be mocked. i have seen the destruction that happens when i please my sinful nature. i want to please YOU and you alone. thank you that the eternal life i have, is because of what YOU'VE done, not because of what i have or haven't done. give me the wisdom to know the difference between pleasing myself and You and then give me the courage to choose your way.

tested faith develops perseverance

James 1:2-3
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

do i consider it PURE JOY whenever i face trials of many kinds? have i developed perseverance when my faith has been tested in the past?

Heavenly Father, when i am facing trials, help me to remember to consider those trials with pure joy. i believe that your Word is true and i have experienced true perseverance when my faith has been tested. i know that this perseverance comes from You. thank you.

do to others what you would have them to do to you

Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

do i treat others the way i want to be treated? at all times???

Lord, please give me a heart that has the desire to do unto others what i would have them do to me. often times i do have that desire but not necessarily the follow-through. when i don't have it in me, please do it in and through me. thank you.

i'm never tempted beyond what i can bear

1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you 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.”

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. when i am tempted with sin, thank you for always providing a way out. please give me courage to take that way out every time.

more pics from christmas

don't complain or argue

Philippians 2:14-16
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”

do i go through life complaining or arguing? do i want to be blameless and pure? do i want to shine like the stars in the universe? am i running or laboring for nothing or for something?

Lord, please, please, please convict me when i start complaining or arguing with you or with anyone else. i want to be without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. i want to boast one day that i did not run or labor for nothing. help me be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. thank you for this reminder today.

the truth will set me free

John 8:31-32
“[The Children of Abraham] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

do i hold to Jesus' teachings? do i know the truth and does it set me free?

Lord, help me to never stray from your teaching. i want to know Your truth and i want to be set free from all lies.

love others

1 John 4:20-21
“If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

is there anyone in my life whom i hate?

Lord, thank you for commanding me to love. i want to love like you do. help me to remember when someone in my life seems unlovable, that i am the same way sometimes... yet you continue to love me. i pray that you will love others through me and that they will see you in me. thank you for your unconditional love for me.

i am Christ's ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:19-20
“...that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

am i reconciled (restoration of friendly relations between) to God?

Father, thank you for sending your son to reconcile the world to yourself. thank you for not counting my sin against me. never let me forget that i am your ambassador. i represent YOU. whenever i stray, Lord, give me the wisdom and the courage to reconcile myself to you. thank you for second, third, and one millionth chances...

i have clothed myself with Christ

Galatians 3:26-28
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing me as Your daughter. thank You for the privilege and honor to be one with You.

the Lord is with me

Psalm 118:5-6
“In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Lord, when i am in anguish (severe mental or physical pain or suffering), help me to remember not to keep it inside, but to scream it out to You. You always know how i feel but i love that You want me to tell You anyways. thank You for the freedom that can only be found in You. never let me forget that You are with me. will You show me in a way that i can feel Your presence today? i choose not to be afraid in my anguish. Lord, Meredith Emerson has been on my heart and in my prayers all week. i cannot imagine the torture she went through in her time with that man. i pray that nothing like that ever happens to me or one of my loved ones but if it were Your will, i know You would be with me. i know You were with Meredith. i pray that she knew You and cried out to You. i pray You set her free from her anguish. i pray that as her family and friends gather to celebrate her life today, that anyone there who does not know You as their Lord and Savior, will be rescued by You today. please wrap Your loving arms around her family in a way that they KNOW You're there. let them know that You hear them. let them know Your touch. let them know that You love them. let that be enough.

be holy because He is holy

1 Peter 1:15-16
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.”

am i holy (devoted to the service of God; morally and spiritually excellent?) in all i do?

Lord, You have called me to be holy because You are holy. help me not to stray from being devoted to Your service, from being morally and spiritually excellent in all i say and do. i want to honor You in that way today. i praise Your holy name.

your heart is where your treasure is

- Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

where am i storing my treasures?

Lord, help me not to care so much about material things. help me to remember everything i own is Yours anyway. help me to be a good steward of what You have entrusted to me. please bring opportunities into my life to allow me to invest in heavenly treasures. thank You for this reminder today.

my new dating standards (thanks to wisdomhunters.com)

Foundation

Colossians 3:1-17
Christ commands for our sinful self to be put to death, “Put to death therefore, whatever belongs to the earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed” (Colossians 3:5). Once we surrender and allow Christ to put to death the old self we are to be consumed by the new self Christ has for us, “Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge and in the image of its Creator” (Col. 3:9). This new self is a life characterized by “Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Col. 3:12,13) Ultimately our mind should be so consumed with Christ that it naturally filters out what is not honoring to Him.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Our bodies are the temple of God. They are special and bought with the ultimate act of love… the death of Christ. We are to honor Him by preserving what He died by abstaining from sexual immorality. “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Philippians 4:8
We are called to be consumed by the thoughts of Christ and are to dictate our lives.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Inevitably a life characterized by these traits will lead to a life of peace.

Mission

Our mission is to glorify God in everything that we do. We seek to specifically honor and glorify Him in relating to each other throughout the process of our relationship.

Purpose

Our purpose is to strive to serve and honor each other while seeking God’s best for the relationship. Throughout this process we will continue to grow to a deeper level with each other.

Strategy

Our strategy is to honor and protect each other’s whole person (emotions and body) while seeking God’s best for our lives.

Tactics

• Spiritual

“We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power in according to his glorious might so you may have great endurance.” Colossians 1:10,11

Commit to spending time in the Word daily and working on our personal relationship with God
Commit to specifically praying for the relationship and each other
Commit to memorize scripture together, starting at one verse a week

• Time

“May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful.” 1 Thessalonians 1:23

Weekday Time: Set a ending time at the beginning of the evening
Commit to never stay out together past 12:00 AM
Weekend Time: Set an ending time at the beginning of the evening
Commit never to stay out together past 2:00 AM
Group Function: Commit to only spend 30 minute alone after the function
Plan: Have a specific plan on how we are going to spend our time together

• Space

“Flee the evil desire of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” 2 Timothy 2:2

Commit to never be in a house or apartment alone
Commit to never be alone in a bedroom
If alone in another room, leave door open
Commit to never lie down together
Commit to have a light on in a movie

• Emotional

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life…let your eyes look straight ahead and fix your gaze directly before you” Proverbs 4:23, 24

Protect each others emotions by being cautious and thoughtful in our words and actions
Commit to not refer to the far future too soon
Commit to being conscious and purposeful in encouragement and expression of love languages
Commit to not talk about anything sexual or suggestive
Commit to not be sole confidant on deep issues, with others (accountability partners, parents) not being confided in as well
Commit to limiting prayer time alone together

• Physical

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship” Romans 12:1

Commit to no French kissing or kissing for long periods of time
Commit to no kissing on a couch or secluded places
No kissing in a car
Commit to keeping hands in proper places
Limit hugging for extended periods of time

• Accountability

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out”
Proverbs 18:15

Seek accountability from peers and older mentors
Give accountability partners a copy this document
Openly communicate about the relationship:
Have them ask specific questions
Keep them informed on what will happen during time together

We agree to the above written document.

seek good, not evil

amos 5:14-15

"seek good, not evil, that you may live. then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is. hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph."

do i seek good over evil?

Father, help me to hate evil and love good. give me eyes to see the good in other people and not the evil. never let me forget that You love each person i encounter; You created them and have a purpose for them. i know, Lord, that You don't make mistakes. thank You for never letting go of me.

be imitators of God; live a life of love

ephesians 5:1-2

"be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

do i try to imitate God? do i live a life of love? am i willing to give myself up, offer myself as a sacrifice to God?

Lord, more than anything else i want to be known as, i want to be known and remembered as an amazing lover. give me the courage to imitate You and not just following my feelings. thank You for loving me enough to send your Son so that He could show me what love really means...sacrifice. never let me forget that true love means sacrifice. not my will, but Your will be done. 

scenes from christmas 2007

be self-controlled

1 peter 1:13

"[be holy] therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully in the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."

am i being holy? am i preparing my mind for action? am i self-controlled? am i setting my hope fully in God's grace?

Lord, i have a hard time controlling myself sometimes. sometimes i confuse being self-controlled with BEING in control and i don't want to be in control. i want You to be in control. when the reigns of life are in my hands, i screw everything up. please help me be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. please help me to think BEFORE i speak. i'm sorry that i sometimes put my hope in other things and people besides You. You are my one and only true hope. i love You.