God desires my holiness

God reminded me Sunday that in seeking his will for my life that he desires my holiness.  In whatever we go through in life, God desires us to grow and mature in holiness.  God wants to do anything necessary for his to grow in him even if he takes us through situations where we may have to struggle.  In Romans 8:28-29, it says God uses all things in our life for our good in order to grow and mature us in him.  At times we cannot see what God is doing, but we have to trust that he still has a plan through it all.

Seek him and he will provide

These past couple weeks God has been reminding me that he will provide for me in this timing.   God used a random African lady in Garland, Texas to remind me that if I "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and then these things will be added to you."  Today, it merely showed me that if I seek after him and share with others about him and then he will provide for me in his will.  God will provide for him a job and a wife I can enjoy in his timing.  I merely need to trust that God knows what is best for me and plan to provide for me in his specific timing.

A Godly wife

For two weeks I fasted and prayed for a godly future spouse.  God has been showing me that I need to give up who he wants me to marry to him.  He has been reminding me that he is molding and shaping the girl he has for me in my life.  God will use this recent break up to show me what I need to work on as I seek his will for a godly woman to love and serve with.  I need to seek out advice from others in relationships and that are married.
On a random note, God showed me that I need to have good questions about the person I am talking to.  I need good questions about them personally and about their profile.  Also, I need to think of other  out of the box ways that I can get to know them.  If I do pursue someone else,  I can move the order of the specific dates around and plan out the dates I go on better.  This will allow me to get to know the person better.
Lastly, God showed me different ways I can pray for a future wife.  God showed me specific ways I can pray for the girl he has for me.  He showed me the specific qualities that I should be looking for in a wife.  Also, he showed me what to look for and not to look for in a future spouse.  It is important that I pray for these qualities constantly and specifically.

The book Never Give Up by Kyle Idleman

The book Never Give Up by Kyle Ideleman has challenged me various struggles I have been facing the past few weeks.  It has reminded me to keep going in the midst of trials in my life.  It has reminded me to keep perspective in these times.   Also, it has shown me those faith heroes that have gone before me in Hebrews 11 are cheering me on.  These faith heroes are in heaven cheering me on to keep pressing on every day despite struggles and trials.
In the book, he reminds us that these faith heroes are with God in heaven cheering us on.  They know what it looks like to go through a trial.  These people in Hebrews 11 know it takes a lot of testing and faith.  Also, they know what true faith is: the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see.  These people did not see the bigger picture of God's plan at the time but they trusted God.
Idelman also calls on the readers to keep perspective about what they are going through.   We do this by trusting God in our fears.  When we do this, it allows us to keep fighting.   If we run away from the struggle, we may miss our on God's blessing.   When we fight through the struggle, we will find God's power and presence.

Frustrated and Confused

I have been frustrated and confused as to this relationship with this girl ending.  I thought she liked me and was interested in me.  On Sunday night, she said something she first mentioned to me a few weeks ago.  She said she did not feel like she was mine.  Ben Fuqua, the Young Adults Pastor at Christ Chapel Bible church, I should ask her if she would be willing to meet to explain what she meant by that.  He also said to ask her if there is anything that I can learn from in future dating relationships.
I was not sure if she meant by that meaning she was going to marry me.  She mentioned this about three weeks and explained it a little bit but not much.  For me, it came out of nowhere because I thought the last two previous dates went well.  The third date went really well and I thought we had chemistry.  Also, I thought the fourth date went well because she mentioned things felt natural.

Ephesians 6: Armor of God

In Ephesians Chapter 6, we are to put on the armor of God in all areas of our life.  The armor of God protects from Satan's tactics against us. The armor of God gives us the ability to withstand the ways that Satan tricks and deceives us.   God gives us tools to lead and protect his from Satan.  God knows our hearts and he will never lead us down a path that we cannot handle.
In Ephesians 6:10, we are to be remind ourselves that God is with us when Satan tempts us with evil tactics.   Verse 11 follows that in calling us to put on armor of God when we know that God is with us in these times.   In verse 12, some scholars some say this does not talk about rulers but different false gospels during that time.  While in closing verse 13, reminds that it is important we stand firm because of these false gospels and teaching.  When we stand firm in God's truth, he reminds us of the gospel.
Paul starts the next section by reminding us how important the Bible is in withstanding Satan's tactics.  He discusses how soldiers had a belt of truth they carried around in battle.  This follows into the next verse when Paul discusses how we are to have a readines given by the gospel of peace.  They means are to be vigilant when Satan attacks us.  We are to be on the offensive and defensive.  It is important we look for opportunities to share the gospel.
In the next section, Paul gives imagery of a solider and their shield protecting them in battle,  It protects them from enemies.  Faith gives us the ability to believe and trust who God says he is.  While Satan can cause us to doubt our faith.  As a Christian, when we take up the shield of faith, then we serve God's army (Joshua 5:14).
Paul transitions to the next section by explaining why we need a helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit.  The helmet protects a soldier in battle.  Our salvation is a one time eternal state.  It is important that we remind ourselves who we are in Christ.  The helmet of salvation gives us the ability to trust in God and Sword of the Spirit reminds us of specific verses when battling temptation.
Lastly, in Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul reminds us we are to pray  for God to move in various churches. It is also important we pray for boldness to share the gospel. He also prays for perseverance for him and various people that serve God.

Proverbs Intro

Today I will take a break from finishing Ephesians to start an introduction on a new series on Proverbs.  Proverbs is a book written by King David's son Solomon.  It details various saying and insight he received when he prayed for wisdom.
The first couple chapters of Proverbs talk about keeping pure then directing following it describes how to trust God in various times.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all of your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs also discusses warnings for following down paths that lead to sin.  It talks about how when we rely on God's wisdom, he keeps us from traversing down these paths.  God's wisdom also produces understanding and insight in certain situations.