Author	Thread: How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship?
Admin	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 13 May, 2012 12:14 PM I believe it is Paul who speaks of the simplicity there is in Christ and I think he�s right. We are the ones who complicate things by taking our eyes off of Christ by leaning on our own understanding. Jesus never asked Peter to figure out how to walk on water. Peter walked over water by keeping his focus on the only thing that mattered. When Peter lost sight of what mattered and leaned on his own understanding, he fell. When two people are courting, God doesn�t ask them to figure things out. All He asks is that they both keep their focus on the only thing that matters. If either person attempts to lean on their own understanding, like Peter they are going to fall. �Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.� Proverbs 3:5 Whatever God�s plan is for two people in the context of courtship, Christ is to be the Author and Perfector of it, not the people themselves. For what purpose did God initiate Biblical marriage? Wouldn�t it have to do with Christ�s commission to mankind? �Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:� Mathew 28:19 Since the following verses apply to us as individuals, they would also apply to courtship and the purpose of marriage. Luke 9:23, �And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.� For me, this verse is describing the process of courtship. Without denying yourself and taking up your cross neither person involved true courtship will be able to follow Christ�s lead through the process. Marriage as a form of the Promised Land cannot be entered except by faith. Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. This verse as well is describing both the process of courtship and marriage in that courtship is not about us or pleasing one�s self, but about God and pleasing Him. True courtship may be something that is not even initiated by us (as was the case with Adam and Eve). Instead it very well may be initiated by God for His good purpose that disciples would be made of all the nations. Luke 22:42, �nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.� This passage of scripture above all others should govern every area of our lives especially courtship and marriage. And finally Ephesians 5:25-27, �Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.� Every man considering marriage needs to honestly ask himself if he believes God would enable him to wash a woman with HIS Word. Every woman considering marriage needs to ask herself if they believe the Lord would wash them through the man they�re considering marrying. Honestly, a woman should already be able to tell if God has spoken to her through a man before she ever even marries him. Christ says He IS the Living Word of God. He also says He is the Way to Truth which results in Life. To me this means He is the Way to the Truth of whom He would have us marry in order to bring Life not only to ourselves but to the world. God is the ULTIMATE MATCH MAKER and He wants the very best for each one of us if we�ll only trust Him. Posted here on behalf of my son Cody who wrote this...since he's not old enough to post here himself ;) Post Reply
simplyme_jaz View Profile History	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 13 May, 2012 03:35 PM WOW! Great post cody:applause: I'm speechless really cant say anything Godbless you and stay strong for your Dad:glow: Post Reply
View Profile History	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 13 May, 2012 04:34 PM Thank you Jaz, Your comments are nice for him to see. He's been studying different aspects of theology for 3 years and desires to serve in ministry. He's passing me up by leaps and bounds :/ Post Reply
simplyme_jaz View Profile History	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 13 May, 2012 05:36 PM Yea i must agree LOL Theres really know age limit if we want to serve the Lord....And I'm telling that to myself too. BIG {sighed} Post Reply
simplyme_jaz View Profile History	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 13 May, 2012 05:37 PM rather no...ahaha Post Reply
View Profile History	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 14 May, 2012 11:51 AM Great Post and so true! I love the Proverbs 3:5.6 one of my favorites. Unfortunately many people do not follow God's word and it takes two to walk together. So, that is why the relationships fail. But you at least know what it takes Many out there do not have a clue. :applause: Post Reply
View Profile History	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 14 May, 2012 04:20 PM "Unfortunately many people do not follow God's word and it takes two to walk together. So, that is why the relationships fail." I agree, But I also believe that many relationships fail from the get go because they were never initiated by God to begin with. They were initiated by persons desiring to please themselves, not God. When we "seek first" the Kingdom of God in our relationships, it is the Lord who adds unto them, blesses them and causes them to grow. "A new report shows the current number of married adults has dropped to a record low of 51 percent." CBS NEWS, December 14, 2011 Cody's response posted by Mydreamtime Post Reply
View Profile History	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 15 May, 2012 09:15 AM Wow, I believe this is what God intends, for more than just the area of marriage. But if this were being practiced, men would not pick only the pretty ladies... the less attractive, fat, disabled sisters in Christ would be equal in their eyes to the model-looking sisters. Women would not only pick men who were gregarious and charming and rich, but see their quiet, shorter, balding, uni-talented brothers as a very viable gift from God. :yay: What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see... When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His Grace! When He takes me by the hand and leads me to this promised land, what a day! ... GLORIOUS DAY... that shall be!! :excited: Post Reply
View Profile History	How Do You Decide The Outcome of Courtship? Posted : 16 May, 2012 03:07 AM TrustandBelieve, You're comments are fantastic! Can you imagine if a species of animal propagated its weakest and most sickly characteristics? If a species did so, it would eventually eradicate itself, yet spiritually speaking, that's what mankind is doing and things are indeed getting worse... "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." John 3:6 Marriages brought about by men "leaning on their own understanding" together with man's focus on the physical is acting like a selective breeding program designed by Satan himself. Instead of marriages propagating the characteristics of Christ they are propagating man's fallen sinful nature, which is the exact opposite of God's intended purpose for marriage. Post Reply