Am I Serving God In Vain?

 

Photostock

Welcome to my first podcast!!! I realize that in this fast paced society that it may be easier for you to sometimes listen to my words of encouragement rather than actually read my articles. You can listen to me on your way to work or while you are doing your everyday tasks such as cleaning, cooking, etc. So I hope you enjoy today's topic "Am I Serving God In Vain?". Click on this link to listen to my podcast.  https://soundcloud.com/singlesliving-4him/am-i-lerving-god-in-vain


Your Sister In Christ,

My Top 5 Songs: September 2014

1. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) By Hillsong United- I absolutely love this song right here!!! Do you know how after a while that once you keep playing a song over and over that it becomes old and you become tired of it? I've been listening to this song since last year when it was released and I have yet to get tired of it. This song is about learning to trust God and wanting to learn how to trust Him.

2. It's Working by William Murphy- This is another one that I could never get tired of listening to. I love William Murphy's songs because they are very anointed and not just inspirational. When you listen to him, you might just start speaking in tongues because you can feel the Holy Spirit in his music.

3. Greater by MercyMe-I have always been a big fan of MercyMe and this song is another one of my favorites.  This song reminds me of old time hand-clapping, tambourine-shaking, foot-stomping church music. It is based on I John 4:4 in the Bible that says, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world".

4.Who You Are by JJ Heller- JJ Heller is a new artist that I have recently started getting into.  I remember when I first heard this song, I fell in love with it. The lyrics basically paints a picture of a 41 year old woman who wants to have a child but God has not blessed her with one yet and a man who has a dying daughter.  The essence of the message is that they don't understand why they are going through their difficult situations, but they know who God is and what He can do in the midst of their circumstances. 

5. Beautiful Day by Jamie Grace- "Beautiful Day" has been one of those pick-me up songs that gets me up in the mornings. It talks about just enjoying the day that God has made and not to worry about our current circumstances. In her song, she sings about how she's going to worship God despite whatever is going on in her life.  

If you have any spare time during your day, I want you to check out these amazing songs.

Your Sister in Christ,

Updates To My Blog: September 2014

Hey guys and gals!  I just wanted to share with you some updates on my blog!  I have recently added a "Resources" tab which is located at the top of the page next to the "Contact Me" tab which includes all books and media that are mainly geared towards singles. This page will be updated frequently, so don't be alarmed by the small amount of resources that are currently on my page. Currently, the books are woman-focused self-help books, but my plan is to have books that are for single men as well because I do know that some men read my blog as well.

I am also planning on doing a list of the top 5 songs that I am currently listening to. I think people underestimate how songs can have such a powerful impact on an individual's life whether good or bad. There have been times when I have been down in the dumps and then I hear a song on the radio that ministers to my spirit. Hopefully,  they will encourage you as they have encouraged me.

Anyway, that is enough of my ramblings. Take care. Love you much in Jesus Name!

Your Sister in Christ,

5 Important Qualities that Every Christian Woman Should Want in a Husband

Stock Images

Some women today, including myself, have the future husband list. This list consists of all the qualities and sometimes physical traits that we desire in a husband.  I began writing my list when I was in middle school, and as I became older, my list has gone through several revisions. I’ve noticed that as women we become so fixated with every single detail on this list especially when it comes to the physical traits. Some may want a man that has a six pack and is at least six-feet tall.  It’s nothing wrong with desiring these things but they should not be deal breakers. Deal breakers are things that you fail to compromise no matter what.  

Actually I think it is very imperative for a single woman to write a future-husband list because it allows us to think and write down what we will and will not accept from a man. In  Habakkuk 2:2 it says,” And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”  Write down what you desire in a mate.  I have listed five deal breakers that should be on every Christian woman’s list.  

Christian-The first item on the list is that they should be a Christian. I’ve already spoken on this topic in previous articles, so I won’t go into much explanation on this quality. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, it says,” Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” Moreover, if your boyfriend or fiancé is a practicing Buddhist or Muslim, it would be wise to end the relationship.

Godly-The second item on the list is that the person should be godly.  There are individuals today who claim they are Christians, but yet they do not live a godly lifestyle.   In other words, they claim the Christian title, but do not live according to the word of God.

Possess the Fruits of the Spirit-The third item is that the person should possess the fruits of the spirit. In Galatians 5: 22-23, it discusses nine attributes of a true Christian which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.  Why are fruits of the spirit important? I will illustrate why with this example.  When we look at an apple tree, we expect the tree to produce apples. If it doesn’t produce apples, but instead produces pears, it is no longer called an apple tree.  When a person says they are saved or a Christian, but does not produce the fruits of the spirit, then they are not who they claim to be.  Remember whatever is in you will eventually come to light.  If you claim the title of being a Christian and live according to the word, the fruits of the spirit will be evident.  Yes all of us may not be perfected or mature in all of the fruits of the spirit, but that is why we need to continue to grow in grace and perfect our faith. 

Committed or Devoted to You-The fourth item on the list is someone who is committed or devoted to you. You do not want someone who has a wondering eye or just simply acts like they do not know what they want.  Abraham was very committed to Sarah even though she could not have children. He could have thrown in the towel and said, “Forget this and forget you, Sarah. I am through.” No he was committed to God and therefore he was committed to Sarah. You do not want someone who is going to leave you when situations get rough. Joseph was another good example of a young man that was committed to Mary. At this time, it was said that he was espoused or contracted to marry Mary. In those days, a woman could have been stoned for being pregnant and not married. (Deut 22: 23) He could have worried about what others said about him and left her, but no he stood by her. In Matthew 1:19, it says, “Then Joseph her husband being a just man and not willing to make her a publik example, was minded to put her away privily.” How do you know if this person is going to be committed to you? Observe how they treat you.  Are they committed to you before you are married?            

Respect for Women-The fifth item on the list is respect for women. Listen to the way a man talks about other women. A man is not going to come out and say that he doesn’t respect a woman. This is why you have to read between the lines.  Pay attention to how he treats his mother and other females in his family. 

I would caution you not to become so caught up in the physical traits of the person because I personally feel it limits you from getting to know someone who may not be exactly what you have on that list physically. For example, you may have on your list that you want someone who is dark skin, but then if someone who is of a lighter complexion wants to get to know you, you may dismiss them as not being a potential mate. My advice is to be open when it comes to the physical traits of potential guys. I recently heard a testimony of a woman who said that she always loved dark skin men.  Those were the only types of guys that she dated. Well, the Lord sent a light skin man in her life whom she ended up falling in love with and marrying.  

If you haven’t started writing your list, these are five qualities that you can write down.  There are more deal-breakers that you can add. When making this list, be honest with yourself. For example if you want to have children in the future and that is something that is very important to you add that “they must want children”. After you have completed your list, I want you to reevaluate those traits that you want in a spouse and ask God to help you grow in those areas as well. For example, if you wrote down that you want someone who possess the fruits of the spirit, ask God to help mature you in this area.  We want the husband to be this amazing Godly person, but we have to make sure that we are ready to be that wife that God has destined us to be.

Your Sister in Christ,

 

Book Review: Love Out Loud Devotional by Joyce Meyer

I haven't always been a devotional book type of person until I started reading Joyce Meyer's Love Out Loud Devotional. Before this, I normally read passages of scripture from the Bible on most mornings. My mom started telling me about Joyce Meyer's Love Out Loud book which I bought for her a couple of years ago for Christmas and how it really encouraged her. She kept raving about it, so I decided to give it a try.  Well, I am so glad that I did because it has been a tremendous blessing to my life. This morning I prayed to God about a particular situation in my life. I nearly dropped the book from my hands because it was discussing the same situation that I was praying about.  God really uses Joyce Meyer's in this book to encourage Christians everywhere.  If you are looking for a great devotional book, click this link here Love Out Loud: 365 Devotions for Loving God, Loving Yourself, and Loving Others.

What are some of your favorite devotionals? I would love to hear from you, so reply in the comment box below.

Your Sister in Christ,