S.I.N.G.L.E
S. Sitting
I. In
N. Near
G. God
L. Living
E. Elite
Living a quality christian single life has it's challenges, especially in the world we live in. Today, there seems to be a growing epidemic of socialism and conformity, not only in the world but in the church. This has lead to the fact that, it is becoming increasingly intense for a single person today to live an exemplary life of Christ.
Lets look at Mary and Martha
40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Martha was blessed enough to invite Jesus into her home(heart), but what was the use of inviting him in if she was going to be distracted with all the desires of her heart. The consuming concerns of getting more and having an outward display of so called business.. robbed Martha of her true good part of life. Just sitting at the feet of Jesus. And hearing his word. Just one word from the Lord can change your whole life.
Let me encourage you today, Start living the good life at Jesus feet , there are so many different reason's why people are single today. In the kingdom of God I believe it is one of the most Prominent positions to be in. God had to show me after several years of being preoccupied and miserable, that being single this is the best seat in the house. I know for many of us who live in this "Martha"world where having a rewarding career and a growing thriving family is something to be desired and coveted. I always desired a husband and a big family and a successful career, I thought that was living at God best. But as I now grow in him I realize that Mary choose the "Best" part in life . She was his servant. God is calling us to be a maid-servant of JESUS to serve His will and His plan. God is trying to give us a "Mary" heart.
Let me explain the word elite as the dictionary describes it. It means the best ; cream of the crop; select few, choice: privileged; influential: leaders.
This is special opportunity that God has given to singles, if we would fully embrace our singleness and allow God to fulfill his will in our lives. I will give you a little bit of my testimony about my single life. When I got saved, being married was one of those things I thought came along with salvation. I always wanted children and a husband. I wrote out list of course of what I wanted my husband to be like and I prayed about it, I dated a couple guys here and there. But majority of the time I was fighting the temptations of lust and fornication. I thought God came into my life to serve me and my agenda. Such as, find me a husband, help me be successful in life and fulfill my dreams. Lets look at what our Lord Jesus Christ has to say about how He expects us to follow Him.
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Deny Myself!!! How Horrible to ask me to do such a thing! I thought at times God you are so selfish "you just want me all to yourself". Until, one day I received a divine revelation about the cross of Christ. God showed me how if it wasn't for Christ dying for my sins and shedding his blood on the cross for me I would be hell bent and without hope. Since Christ died for me, the least I can do is live for Him and not for self. He showed me how to pick up my cross embrace the cross He was giving me to carry and follow him. God had bigger plans for my life, plans to conform me into the image of Christ!! For that I am ever grateful. In my blog writing I will focus on encouraging single men and women of God to embrace, pursue a passionately fun filled life, and enjoy intimacy with Christ.
Hope this blessed you!
In Christ
Tiffany Pass
1 Corinthians 7
I. In
N. Near
G. God
L. Living
E. Elite
Living a quality christian single life has it's challenges, especially in the world we live in. Today, there seems to be a growing epidemic of socialism and conformity, not only in the world but in the church. This has lead to the fact that, it is becoming increasingly intense for a single person today to live an exemplary life of Christ.
Lets look at Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-42
38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Martha was blessed enough to invite Jesus into her home(heart), but what was the use of inviting him in if she was going to be distracted with all the desires of her heart. The consuming concerns of getting more and having an outward display of so called business.. robbed Martha of her true good part of life. Just sitting at the feet of Jesus. And hearing his word. Just one word from the Lord can change your whole life.
Let me encourage you today, Start living the good life at Jesus feet , there are so many different reason's why people are single today. In the kingdom of God I believe it is one of the most Prominent positions to be in. God had to show me after several years of being preoccupied and miserable, that being single this is the best seat in the house. I know for many of us who live in this "Martha"world where having a rewarding career and a growing thriving family is something to be desired and coveted. I always desired a husband and a big family and a successful career, I thought that was living at God best. But as I now grow in him I realize that Mary choose the "Best" part in life . She was his servant. God is calling us to be a maid-servant of JESUS to serve His will and His plan. God is trying to give us a "Mary" heart.
Let me explain the word elite as the dictionary describes it. It means the best ; cream of the crop; select few, choice: privileged; influential: leaders.
This is special opportunity that God has given to singles, if we would fully embrace our singleness and allow God to fulfill his will in our lives. I will give you a little bit of my testimony about my single life. When I got saved, being married was one of those things I thought came along with salvation. I always wanted children and a husband. I wrote out list of course of what I wanted my husband to be like and I prayed about it, I dated a couple guys here and there. But majority of the time I was fighting the temptations of lust and fornication. I thought God came into my life to serve me and my agenda. Such as, find me a husband, help me be successful in life and fulfill my dreams. Lets look at what our Lord Jesus Christ has to say about how He expects us to follow Him.
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Deny Myself!!! How Horrible to ask me to do such a thing! I thought at times God you are so selfish "you just want me all to yourself". Until, one day I received a divine revelation about the cross of Christ. God showed me how if it wasn't for Christ dying for my sins and shedding his blood on the cross for me I would be hell bent and without hope. Since Christ died for me, the least I can do is live for Him and not for self. He showed me how to pick up my cross embrace the cross He was giving me to carry and follow him. God had bigger plans for my life, plans to conform me into the image of Christ!! For that I am ever grateful. In my blog writing I will focus on encouraging single men and women of God to embrace, pursue a passionately fun filled life, and enjoy intimacy with Christ.
Hope this blessed you!
In Christ
Tiffany Pass
1 Corinthians 7
1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
25Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
26I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
25Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
26I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
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