Dating

My boyfriend and I of a year have officially broken up . . . again . . . almost 3 weeks ago. Its been rough emotionally, but the experience has been drawing me closer to God and His plan for my life. Seems immediately, guys have been coming out of the woodwork wanting to date, but I haven't been interested, at least not right now. Thinking about the events of my last relationship, I feel that I have the chance now to gain more intimacy with God, and vice versa.
Lately, God has been showing me myself and my modus operandi (method of operations) in past relationships and how/why they end. I'm beginning to understand that as a Christian, you're held to such a higher standard than everyone else, at least in God's eyes. I notice that when I do things I shouldn't, I get punished, openly, while it seems that others do what ever they want, how ever they want, with whom ever they want. Here is what God has been telling me about even the THOUGHT of being in a relationship.
Firstly:
Give not (do not give) that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest (or else) they (will) trample them (your pearls) under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matthew 7:6

So I understand the whole pearls before swine and so on; bad guys have been called "pigs" and "dogs" long before my time, but the "rending" part, is the part of major caution and concern. I looked up the term "rend" and here is what I discovered:
rend: tear (something) into two or more pieces : snapping teeth that would rend human flesh to shreds | figurative the speculation and confusion that was rending the civilized world. • [ trans. ] archaic wrench (something) violently : he rent the branch out of the tree. poetic/literary cause great emotional pain to (a person or their heart).

No wonder I was getting hurt. No wonder I was emotionally wrecked and my heart torn apart. Not to say that "Mr. Right" couldn't hurt you too, but my relationships, as of late, ended in so much emotional pain that my heart felt as though it were ripped out of my body. I realized one common denominator in each one, me, and I was giving too much; casting my pearl before swine.
God let me know that I should never give something I should only give to someone who is my husband, including my body. This was such a revelation to me. I could go on and on, but I won't, but I do plan to add more about this later.

Worrying

I tend to be a worrier. I don't like to worry . . ., I suppose no one really does, but this is apparently something I do more than I would like to admit. Sometimes, I find it hard to NOT worry as a single parent. I worry when the bill collectors call because money is tight. I worry when my daughter throws a tantrum. I worry about my health. I worry about my daughter's health . . .I think you get the picture

But God has a special word for those of us who do worry, and this is what I plan to meditate on today:

Be careful for nothing (don't be anxious about anything); but in every thing by prayer and supplication (request) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth (passes) all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through (in) Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

And the work (fruit) of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness (will be) quietness and assurance (confidence) for ever.
Isaiah 32:17

Prayer

Jesus gives us instructions on how to pray. . . And I say unto you, Ask, and it "shall" be given you; "seek," and "ye shall find;" knock, and it "shall" be opened unto you.
Luke 11:9

Jesus teaches us that we should pray in order to communicate with God. We shouldn't try and use a bunch of fancy words and attempt to impress God because those actions are vain and insincere. In 2011, God's word is the same as it was when it was first written and communicated to man. Jesus gives us a literal example to follow. Today, we would this example something like a template...

"Our Father which art (is) in heaven, Hallowed (Holy) be thy name. Thy (Your) Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen"
Matthew 6:9-13

Seeking God

Jesus teaches us to not be concerned with worldly things when he says...

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

The Lord is good unto (to) them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh (seeks) him.
Lamentations 3:25

So. . . how do we seek God? We Pray.

Salvation

Jesus said. . .
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"
John 3:16