Post by TaQuilla on Mar 13, 2007 9:35:41 GMT -5
Preparing for A Permanent Relationship
A positive aspect of a period of singleness is the time for personal housekeeping and putting your life in order. This is the time for individual evaluation and growth. As you discover areas in which you need to develop discipline, seek the help of the Holy Spirit in those areas. Strive to improve your life, not just to become attractive to or prepared for a potential mate, but to please the Lord.
How do you measure up in each of the following areas?
Spiritual Life
Every Christian needs a committed devotional life. How is your personal relationship with the Lord, and the body of believers? Do you
read the Word systematically for understanding and guidance? (John 15:1-14)
commune with the Lord, regularly, offering thanks and praise, making your request known to Him? (I Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6)
faithfully attend church? (Hebrews 10:25)
fellowship with the body of believers, caring and sharing together? (Galatians 6:2)
exercise your spiritual gifts? (Ephesians 4:7-14)
memorize Scripture? (Psalms 119:11)
have the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control? (Galatians 5:22,23)
live a forgiven life? (1 John 1:9-2:3)
Home Cleanliness
The way you keep your home is a refection of your personal priorities. Do you
have a regular schedule of housekeeping?
keep your home reasonably clutter-free?
maintain the home in good repair?
keep up your yard?
drive a clean car?
Personal Hygiene And Appearance
If we as Christians truly accept the concept that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19,20), we might become better keepers of His house. Do you
eat a well-balanced, sensible diet?
exercise regularly?
keep yourself clean and well-groomed?
dress modestly and attractively?
relax frequently?
get sufficient rest?
watch your health?
treat your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit?
Finances
Financial responsibility is often a problem. Although most of those having money problems cite inadequate incomes or resources as the cause, the real culprit is usually poor management of what they do have. Unnecessary purchases, keeping up with the Joneses, and over-extended credit can create financial nightmares. Do you
have and live within a reasonable budget?
resist impulse buying, unnecessary purchases, or things you cannot afford?
save regularly?
plan and save for large purchases or investments?
have adequate insurance (car, health, dental)?
keep your checkbook balanced?
honor God with your tithes and offerings? (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)
use extra money to help needy brothers and sisters in the Lord? (2 Corinthians 8:13-15; 9:10-11)
Personal Responsibility
One of the basics of a good relationship is trust. And trust is built by making and keeping commitments.
If you want someone to trust you enough to want to spend the rest of his life with you, then you must demonstrate your trustworthiness in all of your relationships. Do you
accept responsibilities joyfully?
follow through with plan/promises on a timely basis?
take commitments seriously?
keep the confidences of others?
genuinely care about others?
maintain a servant attitude in your relationships?
find that people consider you a responsible adult?
trust others?
Family Life
Our relationship with our parents and siblings are a good indicator of how we will relate to spouse and children, for we tend to repeat familiar habit patterns. How are you disposed toward them?
available?
interested?
loving?
giving?
forgiving?
gentle?
empathetic?
honest?
uncritical and accepting?
encouraging?
helpful?
serving?
If you have discovered some areas in which you need to grow, sit down and develop goals in those areas. Then write out a detailed plan to reach each goal you have set. Assign starting and completion dates to each step of your plans. And implement your plans. Finally, periodically review your progress and celebrate your successes. You are becoming conformed to the image of Christ.
Would You Date You?
The decisive question is “would you date you?” Knowing yourself as well as you do, could you honestly say that you are everything you would look for in a date? If not, then you probably have some growing to do (along with the rest of us).
Devotion provided by singles.ag.org/
A positive aspect of a period of singleness is the time for personal housekeeping and putting your life in order. This is the time for individual evaluation and growth. As you discover areas in which you need to develop discipline, seek the help of the Holy Spirit in those areas. Strive to improve your life, not just to become attractive to or prepared for a potential mate, but to please the Lord.
How do you measure up in each of the following areas?
Spiritual Life
Every Christian needs a committed devotional life. How is your personal relationship with the Lord, and the body of believers? Do you
read the Word systematically for understanding and guidance? (John 15:1-14)
commune with the Lord, regularly, offering thanks and praise, making your request known to Him? (I Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6)
faithfully attend church? (Hebrews 10:25)
fellowship with the body of believers, caring and sharing together? (Galatians 6:2)
exercise your spiritual gifts? (Ephesians 4:7-14)
memorize Scripture? (Psalms 119:11)
have the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control? (Galatians 5:22,23)
live a forgiven life? (1 John 1:9-2:3)
Home Cleanliness
The way you keep your home is a refection of your personal priorities. Do you
have a regular schedule of housekeeping?
keep your home reasonably clutter-free?
maintain the home in good repair?
keep up your yard?
drive a clean car?
Personal Hygiene And Appearance
If we as Christians truly accept the concept that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19,20), we might become better keepers of His house. Do you
eat a well-balanced, sensible diet?
exercise regularly?
keep yourself clean and well-groomed?
dress modestly and attractively?
relax frequently?
get sufficient rest?
watch your health?
treat your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit?
Finances
Financial responsibility is often a problem. Although most of those having money problems cite inadequate incomes or resources as the cause, the real culprit is usually poor management of what they do have. Unnecessary purchases, keeping up with the Joneses, and over-extended credit can create financial nightmares. Do you
have and live within a reasonable budget?
resist impulse buying, unnecessary purchases, or things you cannot afford?
save regularly?
plan and save for large purchases or investments?
have adequate insurance (car, health, dental)?
keep your checkbook balanced?
honor God with your tithes and offerings? (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)
use extra money to help needy brothers and sisters in the Lord? (2 Corinthians 8:13-15; 9:10-11)
Personal Responsibility
One of the basics of a good relationship is trust. And trust is built by making and keeping commitments.
If you want someone to trust you enough to want to spend the rest of his life with you, then you must demonstrate your trustworthiness in all of your relationships. Do you
accept responsibilities joyfully?
follow through with plan/promises on a timely basis?
take commitments seriously?
keep the confidences of others?
genuinely care about others?
maintain a servant attitude in your relationships?
find that people consider you a responsible adult?
trust others?
Family Life
Our relationship with our parents and siblings are a good indicator of how we will relate to spouse and children, for we tend to repeat familiar habit patterns. How are you disposed toward them?
available?
interested?
loving?
giving?
forgiving?
gentle?
empathetic?
honest?
uncritical and accepting?
encouraging?
helpful?
serving?
If you have discovered some areas in which you need to grow, sit down and develop goals in those areas. Then write out a detailed plan to reach each goal you have set. Assign starting and completion dates to each step of your plans. And implement your plans. Finally, periodically review your progress and celebrate your successes. You are becoming conformed to the image of Christ.
Would You Date You?
The decisive question is “would you date you?” Knowing yourself as well as you do, could you honestly say that you are everything you would look for in a date? If not, then you probably have some growing to do (along with the rest of us).
Devotion provided by singles.ag.org/