Do Not Be Unequally Yoked: Wait on God

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

- 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV)

Singles, wait on GOD & HIS TIMING to bring you the right person. As the saying goes, "Wait on the one who pushes you closer to God, NOT closer to sin. I challenge you to defy the urge to take matters into your own hands out of fear of being alone and obey Song of Solomon 3:5, "Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.". God's Timing is perfect. 

The person He has for your will help you guard your purity. Chase hard after God, and when it's the right time, He will bring "the one" into your life.

I love what Heather Lindsey said of her single days, "As I grew closer to God while I was single, I grew further away from wanting to marry someone who did not have a relationship with Him." She also said she wanted one of God's sons, not one of satan sons. Don't allow satan a foothold to interfere with who and what God wants you to be and do by marrying or even being in a relationship with someone who is not a Christian. (If you're in a relationship with them, you can fall in love and end up marrying them- being unequally yoked which is exactly what God does NOT want you to do). Marrying a non-Christian will not only hinder you, but any future children you may have.

Trust God. Wait on His Timing. He is faithful.

BE RENEWED BY THE LIVING WATER

Even a tree has more hope!
If it is cut down, it will sprout again
and grow new branches.
Though its roots have grown old in the earth
and its stump decays,
at the scent of water it will bud
and sprout again like a new seedling.
- Job 14: 7-9 (NLT)

If you've been walking with God very long, you know that sometimes dry seasons come. Times when you are doing everything you are supposed to (i.e.: Spending time with God daily, living according to His Word, etc.), yet He still feels so far away. This can also happen if we have sinned (be sure to confess your sin to God & repent & turn from it) or if we have let some sort of idol take up residence in our lives (An idol can be anything that takes your focus off of Christ. Yes, idols can be the so called "gods" of false religions, but it doesn't have to be. It can be a relationship, an addiction, or something as simple as spending too much time on facebook or watching tv. God is jealous for our time and attention. He doesn't want us to put anything before HIM). Regardless of the reason, if you are in a dry season, this is for you:

So maybe spiritually you feel like the tree described in Job 14:7-9-- cut down and decaying. DO NOT GIVE UP. Keep on seeking Him. We will seek Him and find Him when we seek Him with ALL of our hearts (Jer. 29:13). Chase after Jesus as hard and as fast as you can. At the mere SCENT OF WATER, the tree will bud and sprout again like a new seedling. Use this dry season to show God just how desperate you are for Him by continuing to relentlessly pursue Him. If a cut down, decaying tree will bud and sprout again like a new seeding at the scent of water, how much more will we blossom by drinking in the LIVING WATER (John 4:10, 13-14)? 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Father, I pray for everyone reading this. I pray for those in a dry season spiritually. I pray that they would be encouraged. May they draw near to You, and feel You drawing near to them in return. I pray they will walk by faith, not by sight until they get their spiritual breakthrough. May they blossom daily, as they seek You, The Living Water. Bring a tsunami of Your Presence into every part of their being. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In His Compassion,
Rachel Marie

THE LORD IS MY PORTION

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 

- Lamentations 3:24 (NIV)

The LORD is our portion! How wonderful is that? Jesus is more than enough for us. In Him, we have everything. Without Him, we have nothing! No purpose, no hope, no salvation, no healing, no peace. We need to seek Him to be healed, fulfilled, joyful. Any other source of these things are only temporary. The world pursues happiness in money (money is not evil; the LOVE OF MONEY is), alcohol, drugs, parties, fame, premarital sex... They pursue happiness in a variety of sinful things, never looking to JESUS. They are looking for LOVE in all the wrong places, looking EVERYWHERE except to our Creator. Psalm 43:4 teaches us that God is the source of all our joy.

There I will go to the altar of God, 

to God—the source of all my joy. 

I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! 

- Psalms 43:4 (NLT)

In HIS PRESENCE, there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).Worldly happiness is circumstantial & always leaves you empty. The joy of Jesus? -- It comes with no regrets, only benefits. We see this in Psalms 103.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

- Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV)

So today my question for you is this:

Are you allowing God to be the source of ALL your joy? Or are you still seeking happiness in sin or in idols? Remember that:

 "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."

- 1 John 3:6 (NIV)

Idols are not just other (so called) "gods" like Buddha or Muhammad. An idol can be anything. An idol is anything you put before Jesus. It can be sin or addiction, yes, but that isn't always the case. It can be a spouse or a boyfriend/girlfriend.It could even be something as simple as spending too much time on Facebook. I've said it before, and I will say it again: If you have time for social media, you have time to read your Bible. We need to spend time with Jesus daily in prayer, in His Word, & in worship. We need to renew our spirit daily just like we need to renew our bodies with sleep, food, and water. 

My prayer for you:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that everyone reading this would seek their joy in You alone. Help them allow You to fill any voids in their hearts. Help them

Hide Your Word in their hearts, that they may not sin against You. May they never be lacking in zeal, but keep their spiritual fervor, serving The Lord. Show them

If There are any idols in there lives & if so, help them give them up. Help them put You first always. May they make time with You their top priority every day. May they hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall Be filled. May they relentlessly pursue You. May they realize You are their portion. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

- Psalm 63:8 (AMP)

This is my lock screen. It reminds me daily to chase hard after Jesus! :) 

Fall In Love with Jesus,

Rachel Marie