LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Love is in the air and valentines day is just around the corner. Have you made plans for the love of your life or are you really dreading this time of the year because you are alone and without someone to share this moment with? Ok, I know there can be a ton of mixed emotions about what I’m writing right now, but I want you to know that God has you where you are with whom you’re with for a reason. We must all remember God’s plans above our own. So what do we do with this holiday? Well, if you’re MARRIED to someone, then do your best to show them (this doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money… there are plenty of other ways.) your honor and respect and love. Try to speak THEIR love language. EXAMPLE: If your spouse’s love language is gift giving then of course make sure you get out there and find the most excellent gift that shows your love for them. If their love language is personal touch and affection, then….. well, I hope if you’ve been married for over 5 years, I don’t have to give you tips but if you need a little help then get the kids out of the house (if you have them) and set up your own romantic massage room and get the oils out and give them the best massage of their life while showering them with great words of encouragement. Read the Song of Solomon together etc. etc. etc. DATING? (although I don’t necessarily agree with this, it’s obvious people will still adapt to this way of knowing each other) Be very careful about letting your feelings go too far. Always remember you can RARELY ever take steps backward in your relationship once you’ve moved forward in physical attraction. Make this a time of growing in your friendship. Use this time to match up Godly goals in your life and see what changes need to be made to be unified in your walk with Christ. I would HIGHLY suggest that you don’t do this night alone as a couple but that you find others that would like to go out together or have dinner at someone’s house as a couples night out. I would also recommend that you be very careful about your physical touch and keep it at a minimum….. REMEMBER you each need to respect each other as God’s daughters and sons. Oh, and by the way DO NOT read Song of Solomon together….Not smart BEFORE marriage. SINGLE? Ok, I know most of you at this point despise this time of the year because it seems to leave you out of the picture. I ask you one question: “where is your focus?” I mean, what or who rules and controls your life? I hope your answer is God. Always remember that He knows what you are going thru and He is ultimately the answer to your loneliness. My suggestion? Make a dinner appointment with Him as if you are preparing for a date. Bring two pieces of paper one for you and one for Him. Sit down after dinner and begin to write your goals and dreams you have in becoming complete in Him describe in detail your calling to His ministry and the steps you need to take to get where you believe He is directing you to. On the second paper begin to write negotiable and non-negotiable characteristics you want to see in your future spouse. EXAMPLE: do you want someone who is interested in full time ministry thru the church or are you called to be a missionary, then list on the paper you are looking for someone who has a complete calling to missions. REMEMBER, not just someone who gives to missions thru the church but if you are called to be a missionary then you need a person who is being trained or is trained to be a missionary too. When you are done with your dinner date with God, fold your papers up and each time you meet someone who you seem to like, take out the paper and re-read them to make sure you are staying on track with what God has called you to.

Pastor Dave