Daily Bible Verse

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. – Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

If you have a desire to be married one day, that’s a good thing. In Genesis, we see that God created marriage and the family, so that desire is a good one. The trouble comes when we want to be married and in a relationship so much that we are unhappy being single, or we settle for a relationship that is less than God’s best for our lives.

In order to not settle for a relationship that is unhealthy, you’ve got to put a bit of thought into it. What do I mean? Well, you’ve got to spend a little time thinking about where you’re going in life.

For example, do you want a family? If so, the person you date should want that too. Do you want to make going to church a priority? If you say yes, then be sure to find a person to date that feels the same way as you do. These are just a few practical things to examine, but there are many more too.

To find a good person to date, you’ve got to know where you’re going in life. As you discover what you want in life, it will help you filter out people that are potentially unhealthy for you to date.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask God for help. He knows more than anyone whether the person you’re thinking about dating would be a good fit for your life. So go to Him. Ask His wisdom and advice. If He tells you no, then listen to Him and obey. It’s always better to be single than to nurse a broken heart.

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT)

God placed in us the desire for a relationship. However, we do have to use some caution about who we get into a relationship with.

Relationships can alter the path and trajectory of your life. If you’re dating someone who doesn’t love God, it can make it harder for you to put importance on your relationship with God.

I remember a time when I was at Bible college. There was a guy I was interested in dating who was there studying youth ministry, which was a passion of mine at the time. All things pointed to this being a great relationship. However, as I got to know him more, I realized that he didn’t really have a heart after God.

His relationship with Jesus wasn’t the biggest priority in life. Yes, he was a Christian, but he wasn’t following after God the way I wanted to. I realized that even though he was a Christian and headed down a path that was similar to one that I wanted to go down, he wasn’t a person I should seriously date. Even though it was hard, I had to stop the relationship.

Today’s Truth: Date people who love Jesus as you do.

The truth is, it’s better to be single than in a relationship with someone who isn’t following God the way you are. If their heart isn’t after the things of God, it’s going to make a marriage and family difficult because you’re going to be pulling in two different directions.

So as you go after relationships, make sure that the people you date are ones who love Jesus like you. Also, find out if they are headed in the same direction as you are. That will make things so much easier. Determine to not settle for just ok in your dating relationships. Realize how important you are to God and decide to wait for the best that He has for you.

Pray: Jesus, I ask for your help when it comes to dating. Help me find good relationships that are focused on you and that challenge me to love you more. In your name, I pray, Amen.

Questions

1. When looking for someone to date, do you look for people who have a real relationship with Jesus?
2. How can you help yourself remember to stay content when waiting for a godly relationship?

We talked a little yesterday about singleness. It’s easy if you’re single to feel like you’re all alone. You can let your mind wander and begin to feel unhappy all because you’re single. The truth is, the desire for a relationship is normal. God has wired you to want a relationship.

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” – Genesis 2:18 (NLT)

God saw that Adam was alone in the garden and created Eve to be his helper. So God created marriage and He created humans to have relationships. So, if you have a desire to be in a relationship and to be married someday, then that’s a good desire.

The trouble comes when you try to rush things or become unhappy in waiting. If you’re single, you have to learn to be content and happy in your relationship with God. Instead of spending each night crying into your pillow, wishing for a relationship, choose to get to know your heavenly father.

Talk to Him. Ask Him for help. Spending your energy seeking Him, and as you do, one day the right kind of relationship will come into your life. And because you spent time getting to know God, He can show you what that right kind of relationship will look like.

Today’s Truth: The desire to have a relationship is a good thing.

Spending time getting to know God is never wasted. God created you and knows you better than anyone else. So as you get to know Him, He will show you things about yourself. He will help you and then when the time is right, you’ll be ready to enjoy a relationship that is god-directed and focused on the right things.

Pray: God, I ask for your help. Help me to be content in my season of being single. I want to spend this time getting to know you better. I ask you to help fulfill me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions

1. Do you desire a family and marriage someday?
2. Have you ever spent time talking to God about your relationship goals?
3. What are some ways you could spend some time getting to know God better?

When you’re single it can feel like being married is all you think about. You might desire to be married more than anything else. So much, in fact, that you’re willing to compromise anything and everything to simply be in a relationship with someone else.

One of the most important things to realize is that singleness isn’t a curse word. If you’re single it doesn’t mean that your life can’t go on, or that you’re not worth anything. It might simply mean that in the place you’re at right now, and in the season you’re at right now that person that God has for you isn’t there yet with you.

Maybe you’ll meet that person at college. Perhaps you’ll find them once you’re working in your future career. Regardless, your paths haven’t crossed yet. That doesn’t mean they won’t.

Today’s Truth: Singleness is Not a Curse Word

It can be easy to feel less or unimportant because you’re not in that relationship yet. However, being in a relationship is work. Yes, it might look like fun on the outside. Relationships take energy and work. While you’re single, you can really work to find contentment and joy in the Lord.

But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. – 1 Corinthians 7:33-34 (NLT)

In today’s verse, we see that being married divides your interests. Not that marriage is wrong in any way. It’s not, and if you desire it, then keep believing that God will help you find that special person. However, marriage does take work.

Singleness is good. It leaves you more time to focus on the Lord. So don’t despise the time spent single. It’s a great time to focus your energy and attention on Jesus. Let Him become your fulfillment and joy. Then at the right time, in the right place, you’ll find that person that God has for you.

Pray: God, I come to you today. If I’m in a relationship, I’m going to choose to be happy. If I’m single, I’m going to choose to be happy. Help me to see the good things in the season of life I’m in right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions

1. What are some good things about being single?
2. How can you get to know God better regardless if you’re single or in a relationship?

But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. – Psalm 131:2 (NIV)

How often in our busy world do we have some time for quiet? If we’re bored, we reach for the remote or our phone to end our boredom. However, instead of always reaching for electronics to entertain ourselves, what would things look like if we got quiet?

What if we spend more of our time and energy getting quiet and learning to hear our creator’s voice?

If we’re honest, most of us are so busy with jobs, friends, and electronics that we don’t have any room in our lives for quiet. There’s power in taking some time to calm yourself and be content in God’s presence. It’s there that you’ll find the peace and fulfillment that you crave.

Today’s Truth: We were created for relationship with God.

We were created for a relationship with God. So today choose to prioritize quiet. Determine to take some time to spend getting to know Jesus and hearing Him speak to you.

Questions

1. When would be a good time each day I could commit to having some quiet time reading the Bible and praying?
2. What boundaries might I need in my life so that I can keep myself from being distracted during Bible reading?

This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

It’s so easy to become afraid. Whether it’s fear of the future, fear of failing your history test, or fear that your crush will reject you, everyone deals with fear. And while fear is something that we all face, if we let it, fear will stop us from doing the things God wants us to do.

The bad thing about fear is that if you give in to it, you’ll find yourself unhappy and living with lots of regrets. So instead of letting fear cripple your life, choose to be strong and courageous.

Today’s Truth: A life of fear is a life of regret. Choose to be strong and courageous!

You can stand against fear when you know that God is with you. You know that you’ll come out on the other side of every difficulty winning because God will not leave you. Today, regardless of what you’re facing, know that God has a plan for you. Don’t allow fear to stop you from doing what God has called you to do.