David, one of our readers, posted a comment on last week’s message “Broken Things”:
“Psalm 51:17 is one of my favorite scriptures but I had never really connected it to some of the events of my own life until I read your post. I see now how God can work through all things to mold us into the likeness of His Son. It was not till I truly had my heart broken that I finally humbly fell to my knees and asked God to take me and mold me into what He would have me be for Him. I now have a purpose and even though I am single and alone I have more joy and peace than I have ever had at any point in my life.”
Notice that David says that he has “more joy and peace” than he has had at any point in his life. He has discovered, first of all, that surrendering his life and will to God brings joy and peace. Secondly, he has accepted his singleness as a gift from God so that he can devote himself wholeheartedly to growing in Christ-likeness.
Many people view the state of singleness as a curse. On the contrary, singleness can be a great blessing in many respects. The apostle Paul lived his life as a single man and had much good to say about it in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9:
“But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. For I wish that all men were even as I myself (single). But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am (single); but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
If you can learn to control your sexual appetite and be content without the need of a husband or wife, it offers great opportunity and freedom to serve God and enjoy life unhindered. Many committed single people claim it is the ideal state to live in.
Not everyone has the gift of singleness.
But then again, the apostle Paul also said, it is better to marry than to “burn” in lust:
“but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” – 1 Cor.7:9
Not everyone has the gift of singleness. If they cannot control their sexual drive and are always lusting after the opposite sex (and sinning in the process), then it is better for them to find a Christian spouse to marry and satisfy their need for companionship and sexuality. Although, the apostle Paul adds, you will have trouble in the flesh (vs. 28). The married state brings the potential for relational problems and added responsibilities or restrictions on what you can do or can’t do with your time.
Pray and ask God to give you wisdom. He will let you know if you should remain single for the rest of your life. Or, maybe He wants you to remain single for a certain season of time until He can do the work He needs to do in you. However, If God reveals to you that you do not have the gift of singleness and that you are to pray for Him to send you a godly Christian husband or wife, then by all means do so. It’s not a sin to get married or remarried (if you are divorced), if that is the case.
“Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.” – 1 Cor. 7:1-3
- Lu Castillo
FREE INDEED MINISTRIES
Post Your Comments and prayer requests. We appreciate your feedback.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Blessed To Read Your Testimony
I was blessed to read your testimony. Praise God for His redeeming and
transforming power. I myself could relate to a lot of the torment you
experienced before my salvation about 4 years ago. And now I'm battling and
standing in the gap for my husband. I need as many spirit-filled prayer
warriors that I can find to pray for him. I know he has a mighty call on
his life, being who he is and coming from the family that he comes from.
I've been looking for people to ask prayer from, and I felt the Lord allowing
me to contact you.
God Bless!
Annel
transforming power. I myself could relate to a lot of the torment you
experienced before my salvation about 4 years ago. And now I'm battling and
standing in the gap for my husband. I need as many spirit-filled prayer
warriors that I can find to pray for him. I know he has a mighty call on
his life, being who he is and coming from the family that he comes from.
I've been looking for people to ask prayer from, and I felt the Lord allowing
me to contact you.
God Bless!
Annel
Thursday, May 3, 2007
National Day of Prayer 2007
Dear beloved in Christ:
Today, May 3, 2007, we commemorate our National Day of Prayer in America. Below is the President’s Proclamation. Please remember our nation and it’s leaders in your prayers today.
Lu Castillo
Free Indeed Ministries
****
National Day of Prayer, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
A prayerful spirit has always been an important part of our national character, and it is a force that has guided the American people, given us strength, and sustained us in moments of joy and in times of challenge. On this National Day of Prayer, we acknowledge God's grace and ask for His continued guidance in the life of our Nation.
Americans of many faiths and traditions share a common belief that God hears the prayers of His children and shows grace to those who seek Him. Following the tragedy at Virginia Tech, in towns all across America, in houses of worship from every faith, Americans have joined together to pray for the lives that were lost and for their families, friends, and loved ones. We hold the victims in our hearts and pray for those who suffer and grieve. There is a power in these prayers, and we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God.
At this important time in our history, we also pray for the brave members of our Armed Forces and their families. We pray for their safety, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace we all seek.
The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society and to respect the freedom of religion by recognizing each year a "National Day of Prayer."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2007, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Today, May 3, 2007, we commemorate our National Day of Prayer in America. Below is the President’s Proclamation. Please remember our nation and it’s leaders in your prayers today.
Lu Castillo
Free Indeed Ministries
****
National Day of Prayer, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
A prayerful spirit has always been an important part of our national character, and it is a force that has guided the American people, given us strength, and sustained us in moments of joy and in times of challenge. On this National Day of Prayer, we acknowledge God's grace and ask for His continued guidance in the life of our Nation.
Americans of many faiths and traditions share a common belief that God hears the prayers of His children and shows grace to those who seek Him. Following the tragedy at Virginia Tech, in towns all across America, in houses of worship from every faith, Americans have joined together to pray for the lives that were lost and for their families, friends, and loved ones. We hold the victims in our hearts and pray for those who suffer and grieve. There is a power in these prayers, and we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God.
At this important time in our history, we also pray for the brave members of our Armed Forces and their families. We pray for their safety, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace we all seek.
The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society and to respect the freedom of religion by recognizing each year a "National Day of Prayer."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2007, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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