Journal Week 27

- In 1 Corinthians, Paul emphasises that both marriage and celibacy are gifts. The most important thing is making the most of where I am now. As a single person, I can have ministries that a married person can’t have or I can serve in such a way as to bless married couples by taking jobs that would normally take away from their family time.

- As a single person... I need to work on being the right person (totally focused on God) than finding the right person to marry. I need to have a realistic and biblical perspective on marriage. I need to be wise concerning who I marry, desiring nothing less than God’s best. I also need to remember that marriage will become my first and most important ministry.

- Doctrine (established truths in the scripture) is extremely important. I need to make sure that any doctrine is fully supported by scripture.

- When God calls a person to ministry, it may feel as though at first they are backsliding. This is because God allows a period of testing and a period where He is preparing them for the ministry He has called them to. I therefore need to remember to serve God where I am, regardless of circumstance.

- In Paul’s description of deacons and elders in 1 Timothy, there is nothing about talent or giftedness but only with character.

- The best diet is the Word, the best exercise is righteousness! (1Timothy 4:8)

- If I am in ministry some day, I have to remember to feed on the word for myself.

- I need to flee from and get as far away as possible from any form of temptation. This includes the temptation that comes from money (1Timothy 6:6-10)

- True contentment is coming to the point where I need nothing else in addition to my relationship with Jesus in order to be satisfied and fulfilled. True contentment is independent of external circumstances. It is not freedom from the battle but peace in the midst of the battle. It has to do with perspective: whether I am looking at life through my eyes or through God’s eyes.To be content, I need to constantly build a relationship with Christ that is independent of external circumstances. And it is through the tougher circumstances that God will teach me to be content in Him. I need to learn from the past but not dwell on it. I need to make the most of today and not depend on tomorrow. And I need to surrender myself to God.