Each Lord’s day we will be bringing you a daily devotional for singles from Pastor David Gremban of Calvary Chapel Ann Arbor, located in Ann Arbor (MI) Michigan. Since many single Christians live such busy lives, daily devotional and Bible study guides as found on the web can save us time and be spiritually uplifting.
Even for those Christian singles who have a daily devotional, living a godly single life in Christ is a difficult, if not impossible thing to do. Our world, Satan and even our own flesh tempt us with sexual impurity, stress, anxiety and depression. Having problems with any of these can influence us toward making poor decisions in our lives, including our dating relationship choices.
Fortunately, the great news as believers is that we have the Holy Spirit who can help us with our thoughts, words and actions in order to live victoriously in Jesus. May you be encouraged through our daily devotional.
Daily Devotional for Today
In Ephesians 4:29-32, we’re instructed to “put off” old practices and to “put on” new practices. We are particularly challenged in the following three areas.
First, we are challenged in regard to our words (v. 29), to speak words of life, words that edify others, and words that impart grace to the hearer.
Second, we are challenged in regard to our spiritual sensitivity (v. 30), to not grieve the Holy Spirit, but to respond to His correction and to His promptings.
Third, we are challenged in regard to our attitudes (v. 31-32), to put away bitterness and festering anger, and to instead walk in forgiveness, following God’s example. A believer in Christ has been made into a new creation… let’s adopt practices that reflect the wonderful work of God’s grace in our lives.
Bible Verse of Day
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29-32
If you’re part of a Christian singles group ministry or church, and would like to share a daily devotional with thousands of singles worldwide, please feel free to contact us.
Posted: 50-Somethings, Anger, Bible Study Guide, Daily Devotional, 40-Somethings, 30-Somethings, Single Dads, 20-Somethings, Single Parents, Singles Ministry, Bible Verse of Day Tags: none
They’re fighting a war in Iraq, and most of the soldiers are single guys and single gals. Did you ever think about that? In fact, it’s not just in Iraq: All countries of the world employ their young single adults to fight their battles. What a waste!
The sad thing is, some of these “Iraqi war singles” will NEVER come home from Iraq, let alone enjoy a long lasting dating relationship or marriage. While most singles are planning and praying about how to meet a dating match, these Iraq singles are hoping to just stay alive for another day. Talk about perspective. According to a recent Associated Baptist Press article, many soldiers in Iraq are reading the Bible to gain strength and hope.
The Iraq War Gives Perspective
I believe the Lord allows certain hard circumstances in our lives in order to bring us back to what’s really important in life. Ok, maybe you’re not in a real war like the “Iraq war singles”, but there may be other issues in your life, like a broken heart from a sour dating relationship, sickness or job loss that serves the same purpose.
I suppose learning how to find contentment in all of life’s wild turns is key to abundant living in this life. So, how are you doing in this area? Don’t be discouraged if you’re not feeling victorious. There’s a learning curve even for the most famous single Christian of all time:
Bible Verse of Day
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phillipians 4:11
In the meantime, let’s take our minds off our own needs and pray for Iraq, and that justice be done there. Pray for all the singles that are living, fighting and dying there. Pray for their contentment and salvation. Finally, let’s all pray that they may return home soon. Amen.
Posted: 30-Somethings, Iraq War, Singles Ministry, 20-Somethings, Christian Singles, Bible Verse of Day Tags: Iraq, war, singles, dating, Iraqi war, single Christian, dating relationship, Bible verse of day, Phillipians 4
The emerging or emergent church “conversation” is changing the way many Christians think about reaching singles, who are by far the most unchurched group in places like the US and UK. As some emerging church propenents rightly remind us, the vast majority of the 90 million American single adults avoid traditional church at all costs, and something must be done to reach them
While I’m not part of the emerging church movement because I do believe in propositional truths as found in the Scriptures, I certainly appreciate some of it’s aspects.
The Emerging Church and Missional Living
One emerging church view I agree with is that all believers should be missionaries, lovingly engaging the unchurched around them. Sadly, most people in the Evangelical Church feel that Jesus left us on earth primarily to fellowship with each other instead of reaching lost, poor souls. Ouch!
The emerging church issue aside, as a single Christian who has experienced His love and forgiveness, how are you living and dating to effect the other singles in your midst who are in need of a Saviour? Does it really matter to you? To your church?
Bible Verse of Day
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1 Corinthians 9:22,23
Posted: Emerging Church, Singles Ministry, 20-Somethings, Bible Verse of Day Tags: emerging church, emergent, missional, single adults, single Christian, Evangelical, church, bible verse of day, 1 corinthians 9
