Trust God for Your Restoration

Many times we give our hearts to people without knowing what is going to happen and experience hurt after a piece of our heart is taken away. Today, I read someone's status that asked God to heal her heart. By Holy Spirit's direction, I just commented on her status, letting her know that only God can SuperNaturally restore it. I then wanted to see why Holy Spirit inclined me to chose the word restore, and not heal. I furthered this notion by looking up the definition of those words on Webster.com: To be healed is to cause a wound to be sound or healthy again. To be restored is to bring back to its original condition. Now you may ask, what is the difference?

When I was in high school and college, I played sports. While playing, I hurt my shoulder so bad that i had to sit out, go through therapy and then become cleared to participate again. Now my injury was so extreme that even today I have pain in my shoulder while doing certain things. Upon being cleared, the doctor gave me a list of things to do so that I could continue to strengthen my shoulder as well as some activities I should take caution about.  When you are healed, there may be some side effects that may come that causes you to feel the pain again.

On the contrary, with restoration, it turns something that was perfect, then damaged, back to perfection again. It doesn't have side effects, and pain will not come if something reminds it of it's past misery If you are restored, you go back to your original condition. Your heart is full and complete. There is nothing that can bring you back to your former pain. You may remember the past and what you were involved in, but the pain is not attached to it.

I encourage you to ask God to restore your heart from what was taken or given away. I promise you, He will do that and more! Just trust and cling to His word and His promise for your life!

Abstinence vs. Purity

Has God called us as believers to a lifestyle of abstinence or purity? 

Many times, in the public school setting we hear about absentee only programs. But is that what we should look at as the standard for how we live our lifestyles? When I think of someone choosing abstinence I can come up with various reasons of why an individual may choose this route. A person may lack a mate, and therefore chooses to not have sex, it can be from "moral standards" instilled as a child, or fear of contracting a STD or HIV. 

On that same note, abstinence stops at sex. Everything else is permissible. The kissing, hugging, touching, sucking, bumping and grinding, the porn to entice..basically everything with the exception of insertion in the vaginal area. ( I say that because some would consider themselves abstinent if they participate in oral sex). On the contrary, purity encompasses abstinence, but it is so much more complex. It starts with a relationship with God through his Son Jesus Christ. People will not understand the concept of purity without a relationship with His Son. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, it states that the natural man will not understanding the things that a spiritual man does. God does not only command Christians to be abstinent in action only, but to live pure lives. (2 Timothy 2:22)

Now what is the difference? Abstinence stops at sex, and purity starts with the thoughts. We know that if you sow a thought you reap your words. We know there is life and death in the power of the tongue, so our words become our actions, actions become our habits, which leads to our character and turns into our destiny. We should strive to keep our thoughts pure so we do not place ourselves in a compromising situation. (Phil 4:8) Purity comes through direction through His word, conviction and obedience. God's word says we are to wait until marriage to have sex. That is the command. We are not waiting because we do not have anyone, out of fear, or out of convenance...we are waiting to Honor our Father's command. Abstinence, or even celibacy as some would call it, can be conditional. It can change if you fall in love or if you get tired of waiting. When you're obedient to God, you must be pure no matter how you are feeling that day. So people may ask. Is abstinence for everyone? Absolutely. We know medically this is the best way to prevent circumstances such as a disease or pregnancy. We also know emotionally, you can save yourself from someone "breaking your heart." Symbolically you can see it as a piece of your heart torn and given to that person who you became sexually intimate with. So abstinence CAN be practiced by all people, religions, sexual orientations, etc. But purity is something that only a believer can truly understand and embrace.

Now the good news: You may be reading this and say...hmm I have been practicing a abstinent lifestyle and not a pure one. How can I start with my thoughts and not be in an uncompromising position trying to stop at sex. Well my Pastor at church told us their are 4 D's. Direction, Decision, Determination and Discipline. You have to be determined and disciplined. Watch who you hang around so you do not become like them. This does not mean shelter yourself from all those who aren't Christian but make sure there is a balance. The worst thing I think are people who create holy-huddles and never allow their light to shine and their salt to give flavor as God called us to do. (Matthew5:13)  Make sure you are the leader in what is talked about in your non-Christian circle so they don't begin influencing you (1 Timothy 4:12)In addition,  monitor closely what you watch and listen to. Much of our media (TV, movies, music, and magazines) are driven by sexual themes.

Lastly, we all understand that this is an area of life that may be difficult but understand that  God is a forgiving God if you are to mess up. We have the promise of 1 John 1:9 that states "If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." By that promise you will be cleansed. But I encourage you to rely on Holy Spirit within you to keep you from falling. And when you do repent, ask God to help you in this area. Listen when wisdom cries out and be obedient to it (Proverbs 1). I guarantee you, if you surrender this area of your life to God, He will keep you. No matter what you already have done He is a God of restoration. Believe that. I encourage you to start today living a pure lifestyle.