Still up tonight....posting #2. I began my last entry with the intent of outlining Clay's message. I got so consumed with my enjoyment of the UR tonight and how just the atmosphere consumed me....that I got a little sidetracked. Imagine that! :) His message deserves its own posting. So here we are. Its 1:00 am and I gotta get this down!
While I don't even presume to give it justice.....I mainly want to document it for my own reference in the future. And for that of my kiddos. Clay's series was part two of sure ways to "Wreck your Life." From my understanding, last week he opened with scripture from Ephesians regarding idolizing "things". Putting other things before God. Be it, sports, hobbies, etc. Sorry I missed that one. Darn it.
Tonight, it was Relationships. His delivery and gentle, yet firm delivery of a sermon that addressed teen romance, dating, relationships with the opposite sex, S-E-X, and what the bible says about it was spot on. He used humor, seriousness and scripture for this important lesson. God, thank you for Clay Cunningham. I am so glad that my children were there and that he placed another open door for discussion on the drive home.
Three Ways a Relationship Can "Wreck Your Life:"
1) When you are CONSUMED with that person. When your entire happiness is wrapped up in them. When you get to a point that if they leave, or something happens between you....it robs you of YOUR joy. It places unrealistic expectations on that person and basically sets them up to fail. Your focus and "consumption" should be to glorify God.
How true. Not only in kids.....but in us as adults. True happiness in all relationships will be a component of a God-based, God-followed relationship. IF we are consumed with another human, and not centered on God....it can "Wreck your Life."
2) When you compromise your values. As humans, temptation will inevitably creep in. Every relationship....be it a romantic bond, friendships, or just common acquaintances.....every relationship you choose should honor God. They should be leading you to Jesus and not leading you...or allowing you....to stray.
We all know right from wrong. When we allow others to influence our choices, actions, and decisions in a direction that does NOT honor Jesus, then it can "Wreck your Life." Period.
3) When you ignore what the Bible says about love and your body.
He shared 1 Corinthians 13:4-6:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Girls: This should be the guide of characteristics to look for in someone you want to date:
Is he patient with you?
Is he kind to you?
Does he honor you and others?
Is he envious?
Is he "SELF-SEEKING"? After his own desires? (My personal favorite)
Does he anger easily?
Does he keep a record of issues?
Does he honor God and rejoice in the Word?
Guys: The above is a guide for YOU to be the best man you can be. How do you measure up?
God made man and women to be intimate with one another. He wants you to be attracted to each other. He wants you to love one another. And enjoy one another. Inside HIS boundaries. Within the sanctity of marriage.
Clay used the metaphor of a beautiful, cozy fire in the fireplace on a winter's day. (complete with a bowl of chili and a football game on TV - ha) Inside that fireplace....where it is INTENDED to live, it is absolutely wonderful. But if you take that fire.....OUT of the fireplace, where it is NOT intended.....it is destructive. It can "Wreck Your Life."
Wow. As a parent, as a woman -- what a message. I needed those words.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Our bodies are GOD's temple. Not ours. In every circumstance.....we should honor and bring glory to God with our bodies. How we treat our bodies. How we use our bodies. How we present our bodies. In all instances....our body BELONGS to God. It is a Temple....to be used in HIS glory. And to be used as it was intended. Like the fireplace.
Every time we ignore what the bible says, it can "Wreck your Life."
He made it very clear that no matter where we are in our relationships.... Starting out in the "crush" phase. Or dating seriously with sights on a future....It is never too late to return to God's word. His promise of new beginnings and forgiveness is there. In all relationships, we are to honor God. We can take back our lives. Always.
He closed with this scripture....which now may be one of my new favorites.
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
What a truly simple guideline, not only for relationship boundaries....but a "life mission statement" of sorts. WHATEVER we do.....jobs, studies, dating, hobbies, sports, dance, everything. Whatever we do....do it to honor God.
Thank you, Clay.
In Him,
Terri
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