Encouragement for Today's Christian Single

 

Whether you’re single or married, we all need hope and encouragement. Today, here’s some hope for single readers of all ages.

In addition to this blog, A NEW DAY CAFE, I also write a blog called LIVING SINGLE on the Family Talk website of Dr. James Dobson. Here are links to some recent posts.

I hope you are encouraged and find joy--and renewed hope--after reading these posts.  

6 Ways for Singles to Wait Well

5 Lies That Keep You from Real Rest

Faith, Finances and Finding Wild Hope

News about Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ recent engagement

 

Be well. Be blessed. Trust God. Find joy!

Jackie

 

 

A Love Lesson from "Sense and Sensibility"

I've always liked the movie, "Sense and Sensibility" based on the Jane Austen novel of the same name. Maybe it's because of the close relationship of the two sisters, which I am grateful to have in my own life.

Or, the beautiful English countryside. Or, the handsome men and how they break women's hearts. I can relate to that.

Today, I'm posting on a blog for single women called Girls Night In. Check out the link below and find out how two characters in this movie, Elinor and Marianne, reveal an important love lesson.

It's an interesting twist on our most important love relationship. Here's the post.

Enjoy!

Live a Life of Love

LOVE. It's one of those words... We're supposed to know what it means. I mean, mostly we do. But often our definition is lacking or skewed.

For instance, romantic love is more than holding hands or kissing, although that is nice. It's also about kindness, caring and seeking the best in the other person. It's about putting others' needs before yours. It's sacrificial for the good of the other person and the sake of the relationship.

Bottom line: If you are meeting his needs and he is meeting yours, then everyone gets their needs met!

Of course there are other kinds of love. God loves you--the best love there is! And there is the love of family, friends, people whom you serve and more.

I love The Message Bible because the wording is so down-to-earth. Here's one passage about LOVE from Ephesians 5:

"Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant...Love like that."

Extravagant love.

When we spend time with the One who loves us most, we learn to love like that.

I'm in! How about you?

After a Loss or Breakup: God's Love Changes Everything

Loss of any kind is difficult. But what can we learn from our losses? One of the best gifts we learn is how much God loves us.

Many, many years ago a man named Job suffered greatly. Through the losses, lack, physical pain, embarrassment, and more this good, honest man was being tested and refined. You can read the whole story in the Bible’s book of Job.

Just as gold is refined by intense heat, the heat was on in Job’s life. Finally, he prayed and poured out his heart and troubles to God. And God spoke, confronting Job’s ignorance with an amazing answer about God’s greatness.

Humbled and amazed, Job answered back. “Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted…My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you…(Job 42:1-6).

Bottom line? The man had heard about God, but now Job had experienced the LORD firsthand and he was never the same again.

Love changes everything.

No matter how hard life is, we need to know “the unchanging truth of who God is and what He’s accomplished for us”—the true character of the One who “reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.” (Job 12:22)

In your own personal night time—when you feel sad, lonely, or in angst over lost love or dating defeats—God provides light for the way to your new beginning. When you know more about who God is (His character), what He has done and is doing even now, then your response to Him and to your circumstances changes dramatically.

To experience God’s amazing ways on deeper levels we need to “forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:2).

Like unconditional acceptance. Despite our failures and imperfections, God accepts us. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, God’s radically good unconditional love and forgiveness reach everyone. We just need to make the choice to reach back.

Some of the other incredible characteristics about God include:

            His forgiveness (Luke 7:48)
            His mercy (Lamentations 3:22-25)
            His grace (Ephesians 2:8)

            His compassion ((Psalm 103:13)
            His comfort (Psalm 94:19)
            His wisdom (1 Corinthians 1: 20-30)
            His guidance (Psalm 43:3)

            His freedom (John 8:36)
            His healing (1 Peter 2:24)
            His goodness (Psalm 145:9)

            His holiness (Psalm 99:5)
            His majesty (Exodus 15:11)
            His hope (Psalm 62:5)

            His provision (Matthew 6:25-24)
            His protection (Psalm 4:8)
            His power and authority (Matthew 28:18, 19)
            His peace (John 14:27)

When God’s incredible love fills us first, we are not starving for love and approval from others and that helps us to make better choices in the people we date or eventually marry.