Intro to Reflections

God's First Chosen

The Bible depicts the sons of Israel as Gods chosen people. He made a blood covenant with them using the circumcision [Genesis 17:1-23] as a physical depiction of the blood covenant that Jesus would later consummate on Calvary. He gave them a marriage contract, which was sealed with the blood of their sacrifices, when He handed down the Law on Mount Sinai after releasing them from their bondage in Egypt.


‘And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, all that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.’ Exodus 24:4-8

Israel accepted this marriage contract, Exodus 24:3; ‘And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.’

But it was a very rocky relationship from the very beginning. This is shown by example in the life of Hosea. God told him to marry ‘…a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.’ Hosea 1:2.

Hosea’s marriage was a physical example of Israel’s relationship with God from the very beginning, only in the ‘Reader’s Digest Condensed Version’ so to speak. So God divorced Israel; Jeremiah tells us this in chapter 2:

‘Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown … Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number. Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? Therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways. Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these. Yet thou sayest, because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned. Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? Thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria. Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them. They say, if a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? Shall not that land be greatly polluted? But thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness … Jer. 2:32-3:2. ‘And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce …’ Jer. 3: 7-8a.’

After this bill of divorce was given to the Nation of Israel, God did accept the repentance of individuals and added those souls to His ‘church’ which is His kingdom family and Christ’s bride. But the Nation of Israel was no longer His ‘chosen people.’ Now those who are a part of His church are ‘the Israel of God.’ ‘For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.’ Galatians 6:15-16.

But God knew this was going to happen from the very beginning. He had a plan of redemption and Salvation for men as individuals. His name is Jesus. And men can choose to accept Him and become His bride.

In I Peter 2:9 he says of the church; ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.’ He took these titles right out of the Old Testament, in fact in Deuteronomy 14:2 it says, ‘For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.’ In Exodus 19:6 God says, ‘And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.’

These titles now fall to all believers and followers of Jesus Christ, for we have been betrothed to Christ when we became believers.

Walk with me as I show you the reflections of His Church as a Proper Jewish Bride.  Together we will go through the twelve steps of becoming a Jewish Bride and see how we, His church, ARE a Proper Jewish Bride – The Bride of Christ:

Lessons From The Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

So the Bride of this era in history would call together all of her unmarried [virgin] friends to attend her and the Bridegroom while preparing for the wedding and while they were on the way; and to enjoy the marriage supper when the marriage had been consummated. They and the Bride would bring their lamps and ‘vessels’ [usually clay jars] with spare oil for their lamps. The Bride would also have her veil near by and those things she might need during her bridal week of seclusion.

As we know, the church is the Bride of Christ. The John the Baptist tells us as much in John 3:28-29, ‘Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.’ Jesus, too, alludes to this in Matthew 9:19, ‘And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.’

Jesus likened the kingdom of God at the time of His return to 10 virgins in the passage above. The following is what He has taught me about the meaning He had for the parable given here. I will break this down into a verse by verse [more or less] layout to show the things I have learned.

Verse 1-2; Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Jesus named the number of virgins as 10, as in ancient times 10 was the number of witnesses required in Israel to make a valid quorum. [Quorum is the number of members of a group or organization required to be present to transact business legally, usually a majority.] An example of this practice is found in Ruth 4:2, ‘And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.’ These virgins may not be saved people, but are those who hang out in Christian circles, such as church members and other religious people who are companions of the Bride, the Church. They are meant to be there to attend to the Bride and Groom, to light their way to the Marriage Feast.

Verse 3; They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Jesus said that five of these virgins were wise and five were foolish. The foolish brought their lamps only, they brought no additional oil. They made no provision for the future, only brought enough oil for the present. They had not heeded the warning of Solomon in Proverbs 6:6-8, ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’

This oil is representative of several things in scripture, all of which work here; it is representative of the Holy Spirit in our lives, the truth of Christ, the Gospel message and of our salvation. This oil when it is burning and active in our lives causes the Light of His countenance to shine forth through us. We glow from within. So these foolish virgins had made a profession of faith, but they had not filled their hearts with the truth of this message nor the fullness of its salvation. Their oil would not last long; their light would soon go out. Much like the seed sown on stone ground in Mark 4:16-19. Verses 16-17 say; ‘And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.’ They had no depth of root so there was no room for growth. They withered up and died.

Verse 4; ‘But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.’

These wise virgins had their lamps filled with oil and extra oil in their jars, too. Now in Matthew Henry’s commentary these vessels represented their hearts. Not only had they professed their salvation, it was glowing from deep in their inner most beings. They had oil for today and tomorrow. Their hearts were full and overflowing with His joy.

They had provided for the future and still Jesus found fault with them and with their foolish friends.

Verse 5, ‘While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.’

The Bridegroom had been long in coming, so the virgins all ‘slumbered’ and ‘slept.’ They were not being watchful for their Bridegroom. They had forgotten their duties as attendants.

In John 14:2-3 Jesus said; ‘In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ But in Matthew 24:36 he also said, ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.’ So Jesus did intend, and still does plan to return for his bride, but only The Father knows when that return will be. He wants to be sure all is in PERFECT readiness for his Bride before He takes us home to reign with him forever.

I looked up the meaning of these two words to see what the difference was. In the Greek they are two totally different words. The meaning of Slumbered is; ‘to nod in sleep, to be oppressed with sleep, to be negligent and / or careless. The definition of Slept is; ‘to fall asleep normally, to yield to sin and/or sloth, to be indifferent to one’s salvation, to be dead.

Again I went to my Matthew Henry’s. He said that the Foolish virgins slept, while the Wise virgins only slumbered.

So looking back to the definition of these words I felt like Jesus was saying that the Wise virgins had gotten negligent in their watchfulness. They were careless about the ways of the Lord and let slip their focus on their relationship with Jesus. While the Foolish virgins were yielded to sloth and sin instead of to Jesus, they were indifferent to they salvation, they had died or were close to death when the cry came.

Verse 6; ‘And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’

It seems to men – both ancient and in this age – that Jesus has taken much too long in His return – yet God set the perfect time and date for His return. Jesus will never be too early, nor too late.

Jesus gave a parable of God’s perfect timeline in Luke 12:16-23 where He spoke of a certain rich man who had more produce than he knew what to do with. He decided to build new barns and store his wares for years to come and the Bible says, ‘And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’ He had much earthly wealth, but had nothing left with which to honor God. He lost his life because it was God’s appointed time for him.

The second coming of Jesus, unlike His first one, will be announced to us. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, ‘Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.’ Also in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 it tells us. ‘For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.’ Jesus will clearly announce His return with the shout of the archangel and the sounding of the last trumpet or shofar.

Verse 7; ‘Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.’

This verse reminds me of growing up in the country. It seems that just about every year we had heavy storms that would knock out our electricity for days at a time. When we lost power we would have to get all of the kerosene lamps out of the cupboard and prepare them to be used. We would wash the globes, trim the burnt part of the wick back so the unused portion is able to be lit, or replace them if they were too short for use. Then we would fill the lamps with oil, light the wick, replace the globes and adjust the height of the wick for maximum light with little smoking. With this illustration in mind I can see our virgins waking up at the announcement of the Bridegrooms coming, blowing out their lamps, trimming their wicks, filling them with oil and relighting them to light the way.

This symbolizes their preparing to meet the Bridegroom when he comes to fetch His bride. These virgins were actually cutting away the useless things in their lives that had polluted their relationship with Christ our Bridegroom, cleansing their lives from the sins and such that had caused them to become careless of their Salvation. Refilling their hearts and lives with the oil of the Holy Spirit. The wise virgins in our parable have taken extra oil in their vessels – their hearts. They have recommitted their lives to their Bridegroom. But the foolish do not have any oil left in their lamps, and they have not brought oil in their vessels – they have nothing with which to renew their lives. Too late they find they are lacking. Their lamps have gone out. They are dead, dead in their spirit. Dead unto the Lord God.

Verses 8 & 9, ‘And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.’

These foolish virgins lacked truth in their hearts. They lacked Gods grace and Salvation. So, they asked of the wise ones to share what they have in their vessels with them.

Remember the Strong’s definitions sited for the word ‘slept’ in this parable? Two of these strike me here as I look at the actions of our foolish virgins. First, they were indifferent to their Salvation. They gave it little or no thought whatsoever. And second, they were dead, dead in their spirits due to this indifference.

I am reminded of a lesson learned many years ago, that being that the opposite of LOVE is not hate as so many of us believe. It is actually APATHY. Hate is actually another emotion reserved for those who have wronged us in some way. When you love someone you are constantly ‘doing’ nice things for that person, acts of kindness, gifts for no reason, etc. But when you do not love a person you feel nothing, therefore you do NOTHING for them. This is the state of our foolish virgins; they felt nothing in their hearts’ for the Bridegroom. Their vessels were empty.

In their state of apathy, these virgins became selfish and asked the wise virgins to give up some of their oil. They thought to make further show of their faith while their lights fizzled out and died completely. They sought the comfort of being in the truth without actually having the truth within them. They were fearful of death and darkness. They didn’t want to live the life of the faithful, but sought to die the death thereof. So they requested the wise to share their oil with them. In their selfishness they sought to have the grace, the Salvation, of the wise, without getting it for themselves. They wanted to put the wise in the same position they found themselves in.

But the wise replied, ‘Lest there not be enough for us and you.’ In the original text the two words ‘not so’ are not there. Translators have added them for clarity to the readers. The wise didn’t out rightly tell the foolish they wouldn’t share their oil; instead they gave a reason why they could not share. Their natural instinct would always be to help those in need, but they were wise enough to know that this would be detrimental to their eternal security, so they declined. They also knew that each person needs their own oil of Salvation. This reminds me of two sayings I have frequently heard within Christian circles, the first being; ‘Jesus has no grandchildren.’ The second is, ‘You can’t get to heaven on your parents coattails.’ Each person has to have his or her own personal relationship with Jesus – our very own Salvation. And this is actually borrowed from Christ, is doesn’t originate within us at all.

The wise virgins gave the foolish the very best advice they could have if it had not already been too late; ‘but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.’ But time had run out for getting their hearts prepared for the Bridegroom, He was already in route to the Bride’s home to catch her away and take her to His home forevermore. They didn’t have time to seek out the truth and be at the ready when he appeared. Having a vessel full of oil is not quickly done. Being full of His Grace, Righteousness and Salvation is a life long process.

In Esther 2:12-13 is given an example of virgins being prepared for their presentation before the King, ‘Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.

It took much time to be prepared for their presentation before the king. In Like manner it takes us much time to be prepared to be presented to our Bridegroom when He appears. We also must be purified before we can enter into His presence as only the redeemed can enter in and be with Him forever more. For the door will be SHUT when all who are prepared have entered in.

Verse 10; ‘And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.’

Hebrews 3:12-16 says, ‘Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.’

The time for getting right with God is NOW, while it is yet day. For the night time is coming and there will be no time left to prepare to enter in as the door will be closed and you will be left standing on the outside in the dark. II Corinthians 6:2 reads, ‘(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)’

Verses 11 & 12, ‘Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.’

The Bridegroom did not know those foolish virgins, even though they dressed and spoke like their wise counterparts, they were phonies. Truth, Grace, and the Holy Spirit that comes in with Salvation did not fill their vessels – their hearts. They were empty of these important ingredients necessary for entrance with the Bridegroom.

Their hearts were not totally empty; they were full of course things. They were full of self assurance, instead of God’s assurance. They were full of self righteousness, instead of His righteousness. They were also full of backbiting and complaining instead of Love, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost. They sought to fill their hearts with His truth much too late and were not allowed to enter into the wedding feast. Jesus saw right through their façade as he could look straight into their hearts. HE saw their emptiness deep within. The appeared to Him much like Esau of old who came seeking the blessing of his father much too late, who asked of Israel his father while in a fit of crocodile tears; ‘Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?’ Jesus answered this correctly when He said, ‘Verily I say unto you, I know you not.’

Jesus repeated this denial in Luke 13:24-28, ‘Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.’

However He did give us a warning at the end of this parable …

Verse 13, ‘Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.’

Jesus warned his listeners, as well as all those of us to follow after, to be ever watchful for His return. He has told us in Matthew 24:36 that only His Father knows the perfect time for His appearing. ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.’

Mark 13:32 also says, ‘But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.’

This warning is for ALL who would hear His voice and listen to His call. Proverbs 6:9-11 also gives us warning of our sleepy nature, ‘How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.’

There is still time to awaken and prepare for His return. And He is anxious for each of us to do so.

Song of Solomon 5:2, ‘I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.’

And Ephesians 5:14-16 also encourages us to awake from our sleep and prepare to meet Him, ‘Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’

There is also still time for foolish virgins to become wise. Heb 3:15 says, ‘While it is said, today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation …’

Also in Matthew 6:33 it reads, ‘But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’

Seek to find His truth, Seek to have your vessels filled to overflowing with His Salvation. With His Grace. With His righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. When you seek Him with your whole heart, He is glad to reward you accordingly. As it says in Ephesians 3:16-19 says, ‘That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’

Matthew 5:14-16 says, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We as, wise virgins, are to hold high our lamps to shine forth to the world and lead them all into the body of Christ. So, let your vessels be full to over flowing with all that He has to offer you and shine forth your light in the darkness to draw the foolish virgins and all non believers to Him. He says in II Peter 3:8-10, ‘But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’

The End Of An Era

Do you ever get the feeling when you are at the end of a project that it is the end, I mean totally finished. This is how I am feeling today after working for many hours on compiling and editing the articles that will now become my book designed and written for Single Christian Women; the title of which is “Serving In Singleness.” Now I am not saying that this is the end of my ‘season’ of living a single life, just that this book is now complete and will soon be ready for publishing and release.

Getting to this point is something akin to the pregnancy to birth cycle that we woman experience when we have children, only without that cuddly and cute bundle of joy that you are given by God to raise and help along their path to maturity. This writing process was conceived and the ideas impregnated my mind while I went down my road toward searching for my husband. It ripened in my mind as I learned many valuable lessons about my own singleness, my position in Jesus and my role as His CHOSEN Bride. You see I wrote the chapters for this blog/book as I learned each of the lessons herein contained. Now the book is born; but not quite yet making her first public appearance. I do need to make sure she is properly ‘clothed’ which does tend to cost a bit. Hopefully she will be sitting on shelves in your local bookstore [and at a couple of websites, too] in the near future.

So now what? I have given birth to this new creation, but what am I to do now that this project is completed? What is my next great adventure? Well, at the moment I will be taking my rest in the Lord, finishing up a couple other projects and praying for God’s direction in my writing career.

Please be patient as I am in this time of transition. I will begin again here when God has given me my new topic. Otherwise you can read my other blog ‘Kid’s Korner.’ Add web addr here.

Looking forward to sharing more of my Life Lessons with you soon!

In His Service and Yours!
Sister Leigh

Final Thoughts

~ Kissed By The Beloved ~

Have you been held by the Beloved
Caressed lovingly by His hands
Wrapped up in the love He offers
Held close and listening for His commands
Jesus longs to closely hold you
Gently to caress you with His love
To share with you His deepest secrets
All the things for you He’s planned

Have you been betrothed to the Beloved
Waiting for your joining to be complete
Are you ever listening for His closeness
Sitting daily at His feet
Jesus longs for you to join Him
Wants you as His loving Bride
Seeks to seat you at His table
In the place of Honor, by His side

Have you been kissed by the Beloved
Joined in oneness, wed to Him
Have you left behind all darkness
And your former life of sin
Jesus longs to kiss you deeply
Waits to see you long the same
See Him standing in the pathway
He longs to take all guilt and pain

Were are you, oh bride of Jesus
Are you longing to know more of Him
Have you shunned all the world’s dainties
For the Best of Heaven to win
Shed your former lifestyle
Leave the past all behind
Seek the kisses of the Beloved
Seek His very heart to find

I’ve been kissed by the Beloved
I’ve been held close and felt His breath
But I’ve wandered far from His side
And felt again the strains of death
Now I am running to find my Beloved
Longing His caresses again to feel
To know again His Holy kisses
To be in the very center of His will

Never again alone will I wander
For my place is to be at His side
For I’ve learned that the greatest honor
Is to be His heavenly Bride
Beloved I am drawing closer
Coming again to seek Your face
Longing to be held by Your caresses
Waiting to be kissed and in Your embrace

Leigh
August 12, 2009
May you find in the words I have written the message that God has been whispering in your ears all along. That He alone is Lord of both the married in the flesh and the married in the spirit – married to Him. Grow closer to Jesus day by day and look forward to the multitude of kisses He longs to share with you – His Bride!

The Heart Of A Princess

In the heart of every girl lies the heart of a true princess. We all grow up wishing that we were Cinderella or Jasmine or one of the many other Disney princesses we watched. My daughter’s favorite, I think, was Ariel from the Disney movie The Little Mermaid. We all dream of the handsome prince finding us and rescuing us from the black knight or the wicked dragon who has stolen us away from our family and home to hide us in a dark cave or deep dungeon.

I, myself, had a desire to be Cinderella. To be heard by the “fairy godmother,” dressed in the most beautiful gown at the ball, and to be the most beautiful girl in the eyes of Prince Charming. Then he would sweep me off my feet and carry me away in our coach to live happily ever after in a castle in the sky. I know I’m a romantic, but a hopeful one, not hopeless!

Even little boys long to be the hero, and rescue the Princess from the fierce dark dragon, the black knight, or save her from the “Dread Pirate, Roberts.” Or they are the cowboys, saving the village from the frightful Indians or the attack of wild animals. They all have the desire to be a savior/protector, of sorts, to the princess of their choosing. And yet there those who always want to play the evil villain, dark knight or pirate who steals away the beautiful princess.

Where is all this romanticizing going? Let me explain. I feel the reason we girls all have the desire to be rescued by Prince Charming is more because of our desire to be reunited to the King of Kings, than our being caught up in the fairytales that we grew up with. We have all heard before that each of us has a God shaped hole in our hearts that only HE can fill, and yet we are always trying to fill it with everything and every body else.

It isn’t until we find Jesus that we can find this truth for ourselves. But instead of searching for Him, we run after the latest fad, be it the hippest rock star, movie idol or whatever the “flavor of the month” may be. Yet none of these things are truly meeting the needs of our hearts, we aren’t being fulfilled. So we turn to romance novels or the “Soaps” to live in a more “adult” fantasy than that of the fairytale princesses of our youth.

But God created us to be true princesses, to live in His kingdom forever. He put that heart of a princess into each and every one of us even before we were born. He also put the heart of a protector into each little boy. He built them to be the protectors of their families. To provide for the needs of their households; to give their lives for them, just as Jesus gave His life for His Bride – the church. Because He wanted us each – men and women, boys and girls – to meet His Son, Jesus. To become a part of the “Bride of Christ.”

You see Jesus is THE Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And we, as children of Adam are separated from Him because of original sin and because of our own sins, as well. And that longing to become a princess should lead us straight into His arms. To bring us to a place of repentance, seeking to be forgiven for all the sins of our past, so that we can live with Him forever in His Heavenly Kingdom. That kingdom began 2000+ years ago, when He walked the earth among men and bought Salvation by giving His life for each and every one of us by shedding His blood on the cross.

I like the way John 3: 16-21 in the KJV says it; ‘For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent NOT His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.’

What a beautiful love story this truly is! The Prince came from the Eternal Kingdom to reconcile the outcast to the King and Kingdom life by giving up His life for them. He then came back to life and wed Himself to those He died to save. How utterly romantic.

So now, we princesses can truly belong to Prince Charming, Jesus! And so can all those princes – heroes or otherwise – we knew as children. Though some days we couldn’t tell the dark knights from the good ones. Or which young ladies were princesses or evil witches. He always knew which of us would give our lives over to His keeping and be a part of His Bride forever.

Even if you have not lived a life worthy of His Bride, He still wants you to come, repent, and start anew in His Kingdom. In fact a wise person once told me, as long as a person draws breath, there is a chance for them to be a part of the Kingdom of God.

Not sure if you belong????

Are you still breathing????

Want to assure your place in the Kingdom, walking beside THE Prince????

Just ask Him right now to forgive you of your sin. Repent and determine to live your life to please Him, alone. Ask Him to come live in your heart forever!

We all have to start in the same place…. at the foot of His cross…. before we can walk the streets of gold in The Kingdom of God.

Singleness As God’s Gift

Singleness As God’s Perfect Gift

‘For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.’ I Corinthians 7:7-8

 Still Single

God gave a single lifestyle to me

He gave no ending date

If He should choose to tarry

Then I will gladly wait

When friends and loved ones marry

I will not hang my head

I will dance at every wedding

And worship God instead

God alone knows the best way

The path each one should take

He has given me much ministry

To many lives that are at stake

Being single gives me space

To serve Him every day

My only obligation

Is to trust Him and Obey

I love to work for Jesus

To fulfill His every call

But if I had a family

From this pathway I might fall

I would like a human husband

Some one with whom to talk

But my Heavenly Husband

Has chosen the road that I should walk

I serve my Lord with gladness

And will do so all my life

Even if I have no husband

No one to call me wife

For Jesus is my provider

He supplies my every need

There is no greater husband

Than He who died for me

If you find yourself living single

In this there is no disgrace

For Jesus has called you to it

And filled you with His grace

Make the Lord your Heavenly Husband

And heed His ministry call

Singleness gives you the freedom

To be the servant of all

So serve the Lord with gladness

As you gaze upon His face

And thank Him for His precious gifts

Of His singleness and His grace

Leigh

June 6, 2009

I know I have said more than once that I didn’t think that singleness was a gift; and yet I am beginning to think that I have been wrong.

While journeying through this book I have learned to accept Jesus as my husband and provider, which was previously a very foreign idea to me. But now it is just as normal as living this life He has given me for at least a second, maybe a third, chance – or more. So the next step in my growth is to not only think of singleness as a gift, but to accept it as the gift Jesus meant it to be when He gave it to me. The Bible says that EVERY word of scripture is ‘…profitable for … instruction in righteousness;’ 2 Timothy 3:15-17 KJV. So if we take God’s word at face value, we can believe that Paul was speaking the truth when he wrote the test verse I quoted at the beginning of this chapter. Let’s read it again and break down exactly what it means. Here we go:

‘For I would that all men [women] were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.’

I Corinthians 7:7-8

Paul states that he would like to see all men [and women] in the same state that he is. Paul was once a member of the Sanhedrin Court.  History tells us that at that time in history it was mandatory for all members to be married. We don’t know why he was single at the time he met Jesus in person, we are only given access into his life from the days just before his conversion to Christ and from that point to the time of his death. At this time in his life Paul was a single man in full time ministry for Jesus. He stated that he would like all people to be in this same place – single and in full time ministry. But he didn’t stop there, he went on to say that each man [woman] was given his own, proper gift of God; in this context Paul is still talking about each person’s marital and ministry positions. He calls these positions God’s proper gift for every man [woman] and that each person’s positions were ‘one after this manner, and another after that;’ or each picked especially for them by Jesus. So I have to believe that God has chosen my singleness and my ministry/calling specifically for me. He has specially prepared me for these gifts for this special time of my life. So now that I have begun to believe this, how do I fully accept and walk in this gift God has given me?

Walking in this gift is done by listening to the call of Jesus and doing all that He has placed in my hands to accomplish; but accepting it, that is a different matter. Accepting it is believing what God’s Word says, even when you doubt, and acting on that belief. We can act on our simple beliefs by sharing them with others, like I am doing with these words you are reading. We can also accept this by living in a joyfulness of spirit during this period of singleness. There may be other ways to act on these newfound beliefs, too. God will show each of us what other ways of acceptance He may have for us when the time is right. ‘Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.’ James 1:16-17, KJV. Jesus gave Salvation freely to all, but it is our choice whether or not to accept it. So to, we as singles have the choice to accept this position in our lives as God’s perfect gift to us; to pick it up, unwrap it, and keep it as our very own – to nurture, respect, hold on to and grow with as we mature in it.

OK, so we are now learning to accept singleness as God’s best gift for us, but is it going to last forever? Maybe! Yes, I said maybe. For each person’s period of singleness is designed to match his/her life’s calling – the personal ministry that God has set before him/her. I feel there are at least three different timelines of singleness, they are: for a time, a season, or for life.

Let’s break down what each of these timelines might look like. None of these periods has a specific or set number of days, months or years but the shortest of our timelines is for a TIME. A TIME may be a few days, weeks, months or maybe a year or two, God alone knows its length. A SEASON, I feel, is a period of several years. Maybe it is the time it takes to finish our schooling, raise our children (if we are single parents), make a missions trip or even write that book God has called us to write. Again, only God knows the length of time He has determined for our specific time or season.

The last of the periods I have listed is that of a LIFE, and we all know what this period looks like. My Great Aunt I with you in a previous chapter was one example that I had to look at in my life. You may have examples in your own life, too.

My journey into singleness has only just recently become a precious gift to me. But I am willing to walk this path as long as He chooses for me to do so. It gives me the freedom to write the words He has placed in my heart and to minister to those people He has placed in my path. I have finally decided to be all that He wants for my life. No matter what that life may look like to me, it is beautiful to Him; and it is a beautiful and precious GIFT that He has chosen for me and blessed me with. I know He has blessed me with it, as without Him in my life I would have died a miserable death many years ago due to choices made early in my life. Praise God, He has given me forgiveness and freedom from those early choices. Now I have the ability to share the things I have learned from my past with others I have met who find themselves traveling down the same road I had previously traveled. I try to encourage them to follow Jesus instead of that long, dark pathway to hell.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and HE shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in HIM; and HE shall bring it to pass. [Emphasis mine]

Psalms 37: 3-3, KJV: By learning to trust God and accept my singleness as His perfect gift for me, He has changed my desires so that they match His desires for my life. I only want to do all I can to make Him pleased with my life. While I don’t know if my period of singleness is for a season, or for the rest of my life, I will live it giving praise to my Heavenly Husband, for He gives only ‘good and perfect gifts!’ And I have accepted this life as His perfect gift for me!

In Matthew 19:1-11 it says; When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.

Jesus starts off speaking to the Pharisees when they asked Him about the acceptable reasons for divorcing. They thought they could trip Him up with their questions, so they asked if a man might divorce for any and every reason? But Jesus was onto their tactics. He told them bluntly that God had never planned for men and women to divorce as when they were wed God made them one they were no longer two, so how could men divide them?

So then the Pharisees asked why Moses had allowed a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away. Again Jesus answered that this was only permitted because of the hardness of men's hearts, not because of any change in God's plans of us. He wanted men to walk according to God's original plans for men and woman. Jesus gave only instances of adultery as grounds for divorcing.

After the Pharisees left the disciples went a little further in their questioning, lets read this portion in the Contempory English Version;

The disciples said, "If that's how it is between a man and a woman, it's better not to get married." Jesus told them, "Only those people who have been given the gift of staying single can accept this teaching. Some people are unable to marry because of birth defects or because of what someone has done to their bodies. Others stay single for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who can accept this teaching should do so."

I think that the disciples were just popping off like some of us did as children when we were reluctant to do what our parents had required of us. You know, pouting and stomping our feet in disgust and dismay.

But Jesus understood this and let them know that staying single was only meant for those who were given the gift of being single, were malformed in some way or had chosen a single lifestyle in order to do more work for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Most men and women are meant ot live as married couples, and they do. But there are a few of us who will never marry, or remarry, as they feel called of God to work for Him and remain married only to Jesus for the rest of their lives. This is what the apostle Paul was also saying when he spoke of in I Corinthians 7:7-10, also in the Contemporary English Version; I wish that all of you were like me, but God has given different gifts to each of us. Here is my advice for people who have never been married and for widows. You should stay single, just as I am. But if you don't have enough self-control, then go ahead and get married. After all, it is better to marry than to burn with desire. I instruct married couples to stay together, and this is exactly what the Lord himself taught. A wife who leaves her husband should either stay single or go back to her husband. And a husband should not leave his wife.

So if you are wondering if you are to stay single or get married, or remarried, ask Jesus if you were chosen to receive this gift of singleness or to prepare for a life of wedded bliss. Only He knows what gifts He has for each of us.

My current gift and my calling at this time, and I feel may last for the rest of my life, is to remain single and minister to other women who are currently in this state.

Thank you Lord, for this gift of singleness! I hope I use it well and to your glory!

P.E.A.R.L.s Walking In Singleness

On The Heavenly Highway To Purity

I read this verse, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10. And then I thought most of us more resemble a pearl; which starts it’s existence as a grain of sand that has gotten inside an oyster and irritated it’s lining causing it to coat that grain with layer upon layer of pearl-essence to create a rare stone of great beauty and much monetary value.

We, too, have caused many people to be irritated. But in other ways we are more like an onion and God is constantly peeling away our many smelly layers of sin and impurities. And so I came up with an acronym for us who are traveling this road toward purity. We are P.E.A.R.L.s: Pure and Exciting, but Always Real Ladies. And as such we are traveling the Heavenly Highway to Purity in Jesus. As P.E.A.R.L.s we need to act very differently than women of the world do. We are to follow the examples of Biblical Womanhood as follows:

MODESTY: As P.E.A.R.L.s we need to be modest in our language and actions, but most importantly in the way that we dress. The reasons for this are very clear and spelled out for us in God’s word. I Timothy 2:9-10 says: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls or costly array; But (which becometh women professing Godliness) with good works.”

God wasn’t telling ladies not to dress nicely. No this command is more pointed; He is telling Godly ladies not to dress provocatively. Not to wear their skirts and slacks so tight or short as to leave little or nothing to a man’s imagination. Not to wear our blouses so low as to expose our cleavage for them to drool over. And this with very good reason; it is because when we dress as women of the world dress we are inviting men, and more importantly our Christian brothers to participate in the sin of adultery with their eyes. But more than that, our invitation to men into this sin makes us a participant with them in their sin. We can see this participation in Matthew 5:27-28: “Ye have heard it said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery WITH HER already in his heart.” These are strong words, but very true.

As Godly ladies we are to treat every and most especially our Christian brothers, as though they are some other woman’s husband – for they really are. And so we behave in public and in private as though we are standing in the very presence of God – for so we are. Thus we are modest in dress, word and deed.

ATTITUDE: As P.E.A.R.L.s we must exude a Godly air of confidence. This confidence must pour forth from every inch of your being and must be highlighted in godly purity and holiness. As the Bible says; But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV. This attitude isn’t one of smugness or of a ‘holier than thou-ness’ of feeling better than others. No we are to exude an air of His holiness, As if He was and is the very air that we breathe the very life source of our being. Our attitude is that we are servants … servants of God and of each other. Following the very example of Jesus:

‘He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded . . . So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.’ John 13: 4, 5, 12-17 KJV.

So as P.E.A.R.L.s we are to be modest [in word, deed and apparel], confident, holy, servants of the living God, Jesus. We are to be His examples in this world all of our days, ministering to the needs of those in our families, church bodies and communities in the various jobs and duties He has placed us in. God has placed a calling on each one of us; He has given us each a job to do within the body of Christ. This job may be in the church as teachers, youth ministers, etc or in our communities as civic leaders, teachers, typists, medical positions or whatever field you are currently working. Every job – every position – is a ministry to Jesus; a calling to His service and you, and as P.E.A.R.L.s, should be His willing and obedient servant wherever He has called you to be. Not every missionary is called to a foreign field, in fact most of us are called minister for Jesus right in the cities and towns where we live and work every day. Just like the old saying, ‘grow where you are planted!’ This is exactly what Jesus has called us as P.E.A.R.L.s to do; line upon line, precept upon precept; as is stated in Isaiah 28:13

Let’s grow together in Jesus in our journey of Chosen Singleness!

Beginning WITH Jesus in Singleness

Although I am new in the chosen walk of singleness, I wanted to share the things I am learning on this pathway. I feel that is what this book is supposed to be all about; walking this new path together and sharing experiences and life lessons along the way. So let’s get started!

In church service Sunday last, I realized while we were singing the ‘same old hymns’ that they held a new meaning, well maybe new isn’t the right word. Perhaps it should be refreshed. They held a refreshing for my spirit that I hadn’t felt in quite a while. But when I began thinking about it after service I realized it wasn’t just the hymns that had been refreshed – it was my heart. Because as we sang the words of ‘Trust And Obey’ I knew that I was actually living the words that I was singing. And the words of ‘I’ll Go Where YOU Want Me TO Go’ felt fresher than the very first time I had hear them – seven years ago. And I have been more open in living these words, too.

It wasn’t that I was openly rebellious and turning away from God before; I just hadn’t heard His voice on the matters of my heart, only my own desires. But when I heard His voice I was able to TRULY lay down my heart’s desires and CHOOSE His. It was very freeing. I am listening to the voice of my Beloved with renewed faith and patience – not always easy, I assure you, but very fulfilling.

Another thing I am learning is that a friendship with Christian Brothers is possible. In fact true brothers are looking for true sisters to be FRIENDS with. They are standing back with eyes open to see which of us are looking for real friends or mates. Some of our brothers are also walking along the pathway of ‘serving in singleness’ with Jesus. And as such they are willing and wanting to be our friends. Not just the ‘acquaintances’ of their fellowship in the body, but true friendship – to be a help in times of need for those who may not have family to do [or who are willing/able] those manly repairs that need to be done. This was a very freeing and VERY new experience for me, too!

Let me explain here. I have been in the process of buying my first home. Well I have put an offer on a place that has a few repairs that need to be done that I can’t, or at least shouldn’t, do. There is a brother in our church who had come over to my apartment with our pastors to move a couple of TV’s for me. I was so thankful that I made him one of his favorite dishes, rice pudding. Sunday I mentioned that we had just made a counter offer on the house and were waiting for the bank to make a decision. This dear brother got my attention and said to me; ‘Leigh, if you get the house don’t be afraid to ask me to come to help you to make the repairs. I would like to help you, besides I can always use some rice pudding.’

I was not only blessed, but truly surprised. This man is usually so quiet, for him to offer this service to me was a great opening of my eyes. He was offering not only his help, but also his friendship. What a wonderful blessing! Thank You, Jesus! This offer of friendship could only happen when I finally laid down my life to follow Jesus in this new way.

When we have finally come to the ‘end of ourselves’ and truly chosen to live the life Jesus has called us to, we can sing the words of the hymn ‘I’ll Go Where YOU Want Me TO Go’ with a newness of heart and the faith that we can live out the words we are singing. I will share the words with you here:

It may not be on the mountain’s height, or over the stormy sea; It may not be at the battles front my Lord may have need of me; but if by a still small voice He calls to paths I do not know, I’ll answer, dear Lord with my hand in Thine, I’ll go where You want me to go.

Perhaps today there lovely words which Jesus would have me to speak; there may be now, in the paths of sin, some wanderer whom I should seek. Oh Savior if Thou wilt be my guide, though dark and rugged the way, my voice shall echo the message sweet, I’ll say what You want me to say.

There’s surely somewhere a lowly place in earth’s harvest so wide, where I may labor through life’s short day for Jesus the Crucified. So, trusting my ALL unto thy care, I know Thou lovest me! I’ll do Thy will with a heart sincere; I’ll be what You want me to be.

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain, or plain or sea; I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what You want me to be!*
*Written by Mary Brown and Carrie E. Rousefell; printed in Melodies of Praise, Gospel Publishing House, USA. 1957

Before Jesus showed me a glimpse of the why behind my singleness, I found it a heavy burden to bear. It was like some strange disease, a plague if you will, that I had to find a cure for. There just had to be a ‘man’ out there that was the answer to my prayer, the cure for all that seemed wrong in my life. I was stressed day and night; my joy level was falling and falling faster each day.

Then in stepped Jesus. He graciously showed me a picture of part of the reason why I needed to remain single – and in rushed sweet PEACE!
It was just like Jesus had said so long ago in Matthew 11:28-30, KJV:

Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. [Italics added are mine for emphasis.]


When we walk in the fullness of the yoke with Jesus, He takes up the weight of the load and lets us bear the lighter half. The Old Testament bears out this example in the natural realm in Ecclesiastes 4:11-12, NIV:

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. [Italics added are mine for emphasis.]

When I think of this verse in Ecclesiastes in light of my new chosen position in Jesus I have a picture of Him sitting on His throne with his arm open wide calling us to sit in His lap. There He can keep us warm and safe; protected from the stormy blasts that are sure to assail us along the way. And in this position we will never be alone, for we will be so wrapped up in Jesus and He in us we will truly know what it is to be ONE with Him. What a wonderful position to be in! t is a position I am looking forward to exploring more fully. Are you ready for this new and exciting journey?

A Single Woman’s Emergency Help List

As we continue on in this choice of a single lifestyle there will come times when we need special encouragement from one who has gone before; if you haven’t already experienced this, you will. Though I don’t wish any of us ill. So I have compiled a list of scriptures that will be a voice of reason in those moments of darkness.

Feelings of Inadequacy:
If living alone leaves you feeling like you are a second class citizen or that an important part of you is missing, remember …
… So you also are complete through your union with Christ … Colossians 2:10a NLT

… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 3:13

In Times of Loneliness:
When all of your friends are married, getting married, or expecting; and you ‘just can’t face one more day living alone', just remember …
…He will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

… For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. Is. 54:5

When the Paycheck is Short:
There are sometimes times when there is more month at the end of your money; but … My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

When Facing Homelessness:
When you find yourself looking at living in your car or in a shelter just remember
... And Jesus saith unto him, the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Matthew 8:20

When Facing Grief:
When you feel like you need a reason to live after a loved one has passed away you can stand with the apostle Paul who said:
… For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith. Philippians 1:21-25

Feelings of Low Self-Esteem:
We are all daughters of the King of Kings; so we can believe:The King's daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. She will be led to the King in embroidered work. Psalms 45:13-14a

Yielded and Still

I was thinking of the old hymn, ‘Have Thine Own Way,’ and the one line at the end of the first verse keeps going over and over in my mind. The line that reads ‘While I am waiting, yielded and still.’ It is the idea that I can be both Yielded and Still at the same time as I am serving Jesus in the job He has called me to.

How does this work, Yielded AND Still. Well let’s start by looking at the various meanings for these words and how they are used together in this sentence.

Yield at dictionary.com has these meanings:

To give forth a natural product; be productive.
To produce a return for effort or investment: bonds that yield well.
To give up, as in defeat; surrender or submit.
To give way to argument, persuasion, influence, or entreaty. To give up one's place, as to one that is superior: yielded to the chairperson

In Romans 6:16-23 Paul uses this word in the manner that we will be using it in this chapter. It reads:

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So According to this scripture passage, the word yielded means to give up, as in defeat; surrender or submit. In this case it is the later – to submit.

Still at dictionary.com means:

To silence or hush (sounds, voices, etc.).
To calm, appease, or allay: to still a craving.
To quiet, subdue, or cause to subside (waves, winds, commotion, tumult, passion, pain, etc.).

For our purposes we will be using all three definitions together; to silence or hush, to calm, and to quiet or subdue. These definitions working together is the attitude our hearts should be in when we are still before our Lord. We are to be calm in our minds and heart, quiet in our voices and subdued in our spirit in order that the Lord can open all of our senses to what He has for us. In this place we are ready and able to listen to, hear and receive all that He has for us.

The Psalms has a couple of places where the psalmist showed us how God did this:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalms 46

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalms 107:24-31

The meaning of the word still in both of these passages is the same; it means to be silent, quiet, still, inactive. It falls right into the combined definition we had chosen for the word Still. God not only caused the psalmist to be quiet in his mind, heart, and spirit, He did the same thing to the winds and the waves of the oceans. And he can do the same for us, too. Then we will be in the right place in our spirit to fully yield to His control of our lives.

I thought that I had this yielding to the Lord thing down. I was ‘saying’ that I had given Him complete control of my life and my heart’s desires. Yet when things didn’t go my way, I would get anxious and physically sick. I would start looking for a plan to get things back on track, back to my way of thinking. But ‘my’ plans never did work out the way I had dreamed that they should. I know I can be Yielded and Still before the Lord Jesus.

Let me just give you a recent example; I have been trying to buy a house for about three years. I looked at many that met what I told God that I wanted in my home. I had told the Lord that I wanted a home in Mound House, NV, with trees, a fenced yard for a dog, an area for a garden and at least two bedrooms. There were several that I found met my standards, yet no matter what I did I could not get any of them into escrow.

Then I prayed again and left the matter in God’s hands. I started looking at homes in the northeast section of Carson City, as well, that would meet my needs. I also engaged a different Real Estate Agent to assist me in my quest for a home. She found a home about a mile and a half from where I currently live. It met all of my prerequisites, so I asked my Pastors to come walk through it with me and give their opinion; which they did. Again we prayed and left the matter in God’s hands. But I wanted to have a word from God that I should go ahead with making an offer on it, so my friend, Sharon, and I went out to the property and walked around it praying and asking God to give me His word on the matter. After we prayed I found a child’s rope swing wrapped around one of the trees and felt this was His answer. It was a home meant for Children and Grandchildren. So I met with my realtor and we wrote up the offer.

Every step of the way has been bathed in prayer and even though there have been obstacles; each hurdle has been cleared with God’s blessings. And each new challenge has been brought before God for His answers and not my own. At this time I truly KNOW that even if I don’t get to move into this home, it will be because it will be His decision and it will be for my best interest. My whole heart desires to do His will alone, and not my own. Just like the words of this old hymn:

Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Search me and try me, Master, today!

Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,

As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Hold o’er my being, absolute sway!

Filled with Thy spirit ’till all can see

Christ only, always, living in me...

(George C. Stebbins - Adelaide A. Pollard)

Today I feel that, at least in this matter, I have found the way God has chosen for me to be Yielded and Still. I can follow His plan for me with my whole heart by practicing this position of humility before my Lord. He is my King, my God and my Husband, and I will follow Him no matter where He leads me!

Singleness as a Choice

I am so glad I have decided to take this new journey with Jesus. I am equally glad that you have decided to join me in it. It won’t always be an easy road to travel; there will be difficulties along the way, but with Jesus we will reach the end of the journey and be right where He wants us to be.

‘Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.’ Isaiah 43:18-20

This is our motto, our heart song, and the promise of Jesus as we begin this new journey. Let’s be sure to heed His words all along the way!

And God’s promise to us is found in Jeremiah 29:11; ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

Even though we have chosen to walk this road without an earthly spouse, we are still to be HIS PEARLS. If you didn’t read my last book, I will give that info again a little later in this book, with a few differences in light of this new lane we are taking on the ‘Heavenly Highway To Purity.’

We will share much in the journey ahead. Though we have chosen to ‘Serve in Singleness,’ we will never be alone. Jesus walks beside us all along the way not only as our Lord and Savior, but also as our Husband as is says in II Corinthians 11:2; ‘For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.’ I know this verse talks about the whole church, but it holds a special meaning to those of us who have no human husband. Also in Isaiah 54:5 it says: For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts: And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Who is called the God of all the earth.

Keep walking the path He has laid before you and He will be your guide.

Making The Choice For Singleness

Although I don’t feel singleness is a ‘gift,’ I do know it is a choice that some of us have made. And I am going to share with you my journey to this decision in my life. In order to do so, I must go back into what I had thought was ancient history – at least my ancient history – and long ago forgotten. So let’s take the trip back.

This tale goes back to the early 1980’s, when I was a very rebellious young adult. I was running away from everything that had been taught was right and good – I was running away from GOD! I chose a pathway of destruction. It was a path that led through alcoholism, various drugs – both legal and illegal, and sexual promiscuity. If it ‘felt good’ I did it. And I thought nothing of the consequences. I saw no consequences, so there were none!

But now, as I am looking forward to my 50th birthday this spring, I know there were – there ARE – consequences for all of these choices that we make; some are good, but many, dare I say most, are not!

The consequences of my substance abuse is that I have a liver that has poor functioning if I do not eat the right foods to keep it clean and keep my body as chemicals as possible. This is a tough new pathway I must follow to keep healthy, but I have chosen to walk it so that I can share the lessons I have learned with you.

But the consequence that has brought on my choice to serve God in a life of singleness has to do with news I just learned this week. I learned that because of one of my sexual indiscretions I have a virus that will stay with me the rest of my life and is very contagious. While it is not HIV/AIDS it is still something that weakens the immunity and causes lesions in the very most private parts of a person’s body and is sexually transmitted to others – even if you have no outward signs or symptoms.

I have learned many times over that even one sin can cause an aftereffect that will last a lifetime; and here is that lesson once again.

One encounter with a man to whom I was not married has cause an illness that will be in my body for the rest of my life. And if I were to again marry, could cause that illness to be passed to someone I love very much.

So I took this news into my prayer closet to seek God’s face. There I laid down my desire to have a husband again. I choose, with the strength of Jesus, not to seek a husband to share the rest of my life with; but too build my relationship with the Husband of all widows and the Father of all orphans – Jesus. He reminds us of this in the following passages:

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, what shall I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. I Kings 4:1-3

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. Psalms 68:4-6

For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. Isaiah 54:5

But God is full of Grace! And He spoke these very words to my heart: Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II Corinthians 12:8-10

And again: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us …
Ephesians 2:14

Then He started singing in my ears the chorus I will quote here: Peace give I to thee, Peace give I to thee. Not as the world gives, give I to thee, Peace give I to thee!

You see God is the HUSBAND to the WIDOW, literally and figuratively. He is my Husband. He is my Light and my Salvation. And MOST importantly, HE IS MY PEACE!

Thank you Jesus!

The Servant Of God’s Energy Source

John 4:34-38, NIV; "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages; even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

Before I tell you what God told me in this scripture, let me give you the background of what has been happening up to this point. Most of us have heard the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, but here I will recap a bit.

Jesus and His disciples had been traveling from Jerusalem and were now passing through a village of Samaria near Jacob’s well. They were all hungry and tired, so the disciples went into the village to get some food for them. Jesus stayed beside the well to meet with the Samaritan woman. He asked her for water, and then Jesus offered her the true water of life. They sat down and discussed her life. When they were finished she ran into town to gather a crowd to bring back to the well to meet Jesus. Enter the disciples. They are carrying several sacks full of groceries and are trying to encourage Jesus to have some lunch. But He tells them that He has food that they know nothing about. Discussing among themselves, they try to figure out where Jesus has gotten food and who could have brought it to Him. But Jesus replies; ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.’

How very profound that must have seemed to these big burly men who were thinking about the rumbling in their stomachs because they hadn’t eaten in several hours and had just walked many miles. I, too find it profound. To think that Jesus actually found energy to sustain His life from sharing the plan of salvation with a woman who had been shunned from the ‘normal’ society of her day. He got fuel to accomplish His ministry by actually performing His ministry.

I had never seen this verse in this light before, and yet this is clearly what Jesus had told His disciples in this verse. How amazing! And yet He didn’t end His message to His disciples with this, He went on to say; ‘Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages; even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.’

I feel Jesus was trying to encourage His followers to find some form of energy in their labors for the Kingdom of God, too. And not only those present with Him their, but He wants us, His disciples in this present generation, to follow this example, as well! Our greatest driving force, the source of energy for life, should be to serve others and through service to others to serve Him to the best of our ability.

Sunday December 28, 2008 Pastor John used the following scripture in his sermon; ‘Colossians 3:22-24 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.’

He took it slightly out of context and asked us to think of ourselves as the servant, the slave, of Jesus and to obey Him in all things, to do all that we do with singleness of heart; fearing God. Heartily do it unto the Lord. Because of our eternal reward that awaits us when we see Him face to face … but there is more to this than spiritual, future rewards.

Luke 6:38 says; ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.’

I don’t feel this verse is speaking about giving our money, although we should be giving of this, too. I feel this verse is speaking of giving of ourselves, in other words ministry, to others. But it goes on to say that when we give “it” shall be given back to us in the same measure that we have given to others. But it doesn’t say that God will do the giving, it says MEN will. In fact is says the men will it unto to us until it overflows the container they are pouring “it” into.

I would like to take the opportunity this year to look at what I do for Jesus in the same manner that He did when He walked among men. I would like to get to the point that I can actually derive energy from those things I do to lead others into the Kingdom of Heaven or to further them along their way down the heavenly highway! I want to hear Jesus say to me what He said to the servant in the parable in Matt 25:21; ‘His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’

Let’s begin this New Year with a singleness of Heart and Purpose in Jesus – doing all to bring honor and glory to Him . . . . Learning to gain our energy from doing the ministry He has called us to complete.