Is Turning Back REALLY the Answer?

Reflecting back when the news broke out that Bishop Eddie Long was involved in a homosexual scandal, I remember thinking oh no, how can this be?  Then came such comments like:

“See, that’s why I don’t go to church because of stuff like that.”

“How can he be a pastor of a church and doing stuff like that?”

“That’s why you should just do what you want because the church ain’t living ____.”

Galatians 5:7

You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?

Let’s marinate on the scripture for a minute!  Why do we let another human being actions cause us to turn our backs on true love, peace, joy, strength, encouragement, anointing-our God?

Psalms 118:8

It is better to trust upon the Lord It than to put confidence in man.

The truth is just because a person gets saved doesn’t mean they don’t still yet need deliverance.  Our salvation is a lifelong process, not a one shot deal.  It hurts when a brother or sister cause you pain.  It can be devastating.  Yet that person is a human being, prone to make mistakes.  We have all sinned and come short to HIS glory!

Proverbs 26:11                                                                                                                 

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Marinate on that…do you really want to return back to your “vomit?”  Do you really want to give up experiencing peace in the midst of a storm, joy unspeakable, strength when weak, or encouragement when down?   What is fornication; drugs, excessive alcohol, and clubs are to you?  I call them substitutes.  They only give you a false sense of what you get from God for a short period of time.  And let me remind you, the devil substitutes aren’t cheap!

Church hurt is painful.  The wounds can be very deep!  Yet ask yourself is it really worth me turning my back on God just to return to my vomit?  What better way of the enemy than to get God’s people with church hurt?  You have to admit it’s an excellent strategy. However, instead of looking at the situation, see it as that person needing deliverance and pray for them.  So what does the word tells us to do in these situations?

Matthew 18:15-17

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if he refuses to listen to the church, treat him as you would and pagan or a tax collector.

The best thing to do is try to talk these things out and if things can’t get resolved, keep your distance and keep praying for them.  I myself at 19 didn’t do this.  Instead I caught an attitude and turn my back on God.  The peace I took for granted was gone and it felt horrible!!  It took me two years just to feel His presence again. I do not take it for granted anymore, as not everyone gets to experience HIS presence.    So the next time you may be entertaining the thoughts of backsliding ask yourself, is it really the answer???

Can We Endure Correction....

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.   Romans 7:18-20

Let’s pause for a minute on those scriptures.  Selah.  How many of us can relate to what Paul is saying here?  The battle of the spirit vs. the flesh is real!  It is a constant battle even for us in the body of Christ.

 For example, you have a disagreement with a co-worker, how many of us can say you rather cuss that person out than to still show the love of God to them?  You know you are married, but he/she looks so good that your flesh just desires to have that other person.   How about you are home alone and you know you shouldn’t be looking at porn by yourself, but you’ll sexually arouse and hey, no one will see you looking at it.

Here’s another thought: 

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.  

Yes, God sees us.  He sees us when we are in the right and He sees us when we are in the wrong!  He sees what we are doing behind those close doors!

 Revelations 3:19

I correct and discipline everyone I love.  So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 

Meditate on that for a moment….

When God is correcting our ways, why do we get mad at Him?  Why can we come up with excuses when He shows us the truth about ourselves?  For instance, I confess I have asked God why certain things have to be considered a sin.  Don’t you know this is 2011?  Yes, I have said it. 

The truth is we all want to cater to our flesh.  Catering to our spirit man crucifies the flesh, and let’s face it, it hurts when we are being dead to sin!  Yet knowing that God is only correcting because He loves, it should makes us want to do right by Him.

John 14:15

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

I come to find that we can’t just confess our love for God, but we must also show our love towards Him.  As we all have quoted “actions speak louder than words” towards each other, how much more so towards our walk in Christ!

Psalms 29:11

The Lord will give strength unto His people.  The Lord will bless His people with peace. 

Some can be prayed out, some can be word out, and some need prayer, fasting, and God’s word.  What a blessing it is to know that we can call on Him for help with our weaknesses and in return, He will give us strength.  Saints, the world need us to be powerful!  Let’s get our love walks right by confession, repentance, and then seeking His face for change.  Let’s not stay in our flesh with our weaknesses.  It will only lead to spiritual death.  I am learning there is a freedom in obedience, but the road to get there is mighty hard to follow.   Let’s appreciate His correction which is His love!  Stay encouraged.

Are We Keeping It Real....

I woke up a little late so I found myself flying to early morning church service.  It's just something about meeting God at the 6 o'clock in the morning hour. His presence is the best part of waking up :)

Yet, can we handle it when God tells us the truth about ourselves?  Pride, doubt, selfishness, rebellion...these are words describing sinners, right?  Of course these are not words you think of when you see a saint. 

We come to church and put our Sunday best on with one another. "Oh, I'm blessed and highly favored."  "Oh I'm victorious in Christ."  We are all dressing and saying the part, but are we REALLY living the part?  Let's dwell on that for a minute. 

We wonder why the world is so discourage when it comes to the church.  We wonder why the power of God isn't meeting us at our services.  We even wonder why we're not completely satisfied with our salvation.  At the end of the day, have the saints learned how to act out this thing?  Should we all be receiving academy awards for our performances?  Are we really "keeping it real" with our God?

These are questions that pounded my heart, as I was listening to the minister speak.  I haven't been "real" in everything to God.  I say Jehovah Jireh but then go into panic just over a thought of another car note, for an example.

Proverbs 22:4

Humility is the fear of the LORD,its wages are riches and honor and life.

Let's face it saints, we have to be humbled in our walk with God.  Put that "godly" pride aside, get the tissues, and be real.  It's in our weakness that He makes us strong!  It's in that honesty is where we will experience intimacy with Him.  And as the scripture says, that's when we will have true riches and honor and life.  Amen

A Thought...

There are times when I can look at my husband and know exactly what he's gonna say before he can even say it.  Sometimes we can be talking to one another in a setting without saying one word.  I sense when he can use me to give him that back rub or space from a long day. Sending me flowers cause its a Tuesday, intimacy.

As I reflect how intimate I am with my husband, I begin to wonder how intimate are we with our God? Do we truly give all to Him?  Is He the first person we think of when a problem arises.  Do we fast in a crisis or fast cause its a Tuesday?  How often to we set aside time to be alone with Him? Do we play a favorite gospel song just to think about Him?

Are we treating God like a genie in a bottle, or are we intimate with Him?  Hmmm

John 14:21

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.

Do you want God to show himself to you?  Then its time for some intimacy!

Have Women Lowered Their Standards?

Let's go back to my parent's generation of music.  "You're the greatest, my greatest inspiration." Good old Teddy. Yet now, the lyrics in what is suppose to be a love song is quite different today.  What has happened from our parent's time until now?  Upon a conversation with my Uncle, I pondered upon this question within my heart.

There was a time when men showed respect towards women.  They spoke nothing but sweetness in our ears.  They reminded us how beautiful we were, and made us feel like we were number one in their world.  Yet today, I find some men are saying things like they just want sex, not a relationship. What is more disturbing is how some women are agreeing to this, only to get their emotions hurt at the end.  Hmm, Let's see if we can dig deeper into this.

Proverbs 18:22

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

Even the Lord said we are a good thing.  Then why are we as women not acting accordingly?  Maybe it was abuse, maybe it was low self-esteem, maybe you were taught sexuality is the way to a man.  It's time to get a release from emotional pains of the past that maybe hindering our present and future!

John 4:13-26...

I am reminded of the Samaritan woman and how clever Jesus ministered to her.  She had affairs with five husbands.  Yet our God let her know they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.  He showed compassion on an adulterous woman and sent his truth, as He is truth.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

The same God that showed compassion towards the Samaritan woman is the same God that can heal your emotional wounds.  So I ask you, call on Jehovah Rophi, the Lord our healer.  He doesn't just heal physically, but emotionally.  He is here to help you release the emotional baggage you have been carrying around for years.  Sex can't do it, a man can't do it, only Jesus Christ can meet your needs.  He can restore your soul. He can help you realize your worth!

Psalms 32:5

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"--and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

You don't have to lower your standards just to feel complete with a man.  You don't have to dress lustful to get a man.  You don't have to be having sex just to feel loved.  Jesus Christ is waiting for you to give your heart to him.  So I encourage you as women to know your worth!  Let's go back to demanding respect from men by respecting ourselves!  Amen.

* For those you may not know Jesus Christ and will like to give your life to Him, click on the link below. It's a sinner prayer.  I can guarantee you He will change your life for the better!

http://www.intothelight.org/answers/sinners-prayer.asp

The Spirit of Rebellion

"No, you can't wear that to school."  Remember those words when you were a teenager?  Oh, how we would roll our eyes and tell our friends how our moms just didn't understand us.  So behind their backs, we would put that makeup or that short skirt in our book bag, calling ourselves being cute. Yet the word is not void, what's done in the dark comes to light.  So we would all eventually get caught by our mothers, and reap the punishment that was to follow due to our rebellion.

The body of Christ is acting just like the rebellious phase of our youth. "It don't take all of that."  "I'm not doing that cause I'm free."  These are statements we hear many times within the body when it comes to doing something physical to crucify our flesh.  It appears today we rather cater more to our flesh than our spirit man.

James 1:25

But whoso look into the perfect law of liberty, and continue therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Are we really being doers of the word or just hearers only?  How many times do us women rebel against dressing modestly? We rather adorn our flesh to look like a harlot, and then wonder why we have a problem with men lusting after us.  We haven't spent anytime in prayer doing the week, and then wonder why His power is not falling within our services.  We barely spend personal time in His word, and then wonder why we yo-yo in our love walk.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Saints, we are in those times.  A spirit of rebellion has been lose in the atmosphere, even amongst the saints.   There is liberty in Christ, but as a doer of the word; not as a hearer only.  The same word that says you can look to the hills which comes our help, our help comes from the Lord; is the same word that says watch as well as pray.

Let's reap the blessings of obedience, even when it hurts our flesh.  If not, God grants free will and we will reap the consequences of rebellion.  Does the children of God that was delivered from Egypt ring a bell? Think.

Appreciation Day

Remember the day you got married.  The butterflies you felt in your stomach all morning.  Being overwhelm with joy as you watched your bride comes towards you.  Your heart melting as you look upon your gorgeous groom, thanking God you finally found "the one."  It's your anniversary, a day set aside to reflect on your journey of love.

Today, I reflect on my journey of love with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Oh, how I remember that life changing event as if it was yesterday.  The year was 1983, right in my parent's kitchen is where I got saved.  I came before Him full of worry, and arose full of His glorious peace.  I remember feeling the butterflies in my stomach, the heavy burden lifted, and such joy unspeakable introduced to my heart.

Throughout this journey, He has been my Jehovah Shalom.  He has been my Jehovah Jireh.  He has been my Jehovah Nissi.  He has been my Jehovah Rapha.  He has been my Jehovah Gibbor, and the best psychologist you could ever go to!!  He has shown His unconditional love, a love I yet can comprehend.  He has been faithful, even though I have not.  His word is truth, power, and life. Jesus literally changed my life!

I love my family, some friends, and have an awesome husband; but there is no greater love than God's love. He is the only one that can fill the empty void.  He is the only one that can make a person full.  So today, I smell the roses with my God.  It's a day of reflection, a day of appreciation.

Do you remember the day you started your love journey with Him?

The Bible: Just Another Book

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

I can understand a sinner thinking the Bible is just a book, as they are spiritual dead.  Yet a saint??  Why would a child of the most High ever think the Bible is just a book?  Come, let's explore:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4

Did you catch that, the Word is God, life is in him!  Therefore the Bible is life to a saint.  It is our sword over the enemy.  Still not sure...let's explore some more:

I'm feeling weak, had a long day at work and I just need some restoration. Should I go take a pill to uplift me as a sinner, or is there something in God's word that I can relate to...oh:

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalms 28:7-  El Gibbor

Wasn't expecting the problem I encountered today.  I'm feeling vexed.  Should I go to the liquor store and buy a false sense of peace, or is there something in God's word that I can relate to...oh:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 - Jehovah Shalom

Good grief I have all these bills to pay.  We all have those "If I was only Oprah" moments.  Is it possible I can even call on God with money issues?  Sure can:

Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Psalms 118:25- Jehovah Jireh

So my dear brothers and sisters, since God is the word and there's life in Him, our Bible is not just a book.  It is life:   life to our spirit man, life to our everyday issues, and our sword against the enemy.  I don't know about you but when I pray God's word, I feel and see the results!  Don't allow satan to have you believe this lie straight from the pit.  I dare you to get into this word and watch how it will change your life for the better!  

What Do We REALLY Consider a Blessing?

You're in night service, enjoying the assembling of the saints.  The speaker of the hour says he sees a new car. A bigger house. The excitement of praise becomes so high, you can barely hear the musicians playing.  Yet what's interesting is if that same speaker said he sees peace overtaken you.  Joy overwhelming you.   The excitement is just not there like it would be for the material blessings.  Oh, you can hear the organ still playing in the background then.


So, what does the Bible say about blessings:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  

Blessed are the meek,  for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Matthew 5:3-11

Hmmm...didn't see that car or big house in there, did you?

Now,  to have those things is not a sin.  The word does say to:

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of  your heart. Psalms 37:4

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

So of course God wants us to prosper down here on earth.  Yet our hearts should not just be limited to materialistic things.  
Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our affections on things above, not on things of the earth.
  
Matthew 6:20 tells but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

 

So if we don't have that big house or the latest car or that designer outfit, does that mean we are less blessed? When we need a healing, is that car going to give it?  When we need peace, is that house going to provide it?  When we need joy for strength, can you call on that designer outfit go get it?  Blessings go beyond material things saints, let's not forget that.  


Stay encouraged

Relationship or Obligation

There he is,as you say to yourself.  Oh that gorgeous smile, that cute face, the God help me body, and that great personality.  You can't wait to talk to him and when you're no longer together, you can't wait for that text from him. You get butterflies every time you see him.  So you go out and get the dress he said he liked.  You make sure you wear that perfume he said he loved.  You find yourself just wanting to please your man for no other reason but love. Not obligation, love.


Here's a thought...


So we say we love the Lord, does our action truly show that?  He said cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for us, do we cast them?  He said seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto us, do we seek Him?  He said our sword in warfare is the word of God, do we read it?  He said come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, do we come to Him?


I don't dress modest,or try to be careful with what I am listening to, or stay away from certain things out of obligation. I do it because I'm in a relationship with God.  I do it because of love. Let's have relationship with our God saints.

What it means to be His Rib....

The sun is shining into your room, as you wake up and stare at your gorgeous wedding gown that is hanging on your door.  Your make-up is flawless. You look like a princess in your gown. Your ring sparkles in the light. The reception is just right.  It’s your day and it was perfect. But what about the next day…when the thrill of the wedding day is over, when all eyes are no longer on you, and the word I becomes us? 

Ephesians 5:31

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.

Proverbs 12:4

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

When I first got married, I was only thinking about the romance. I didn’t even think I needed to pray over the marriage. Yet as I got older, I realized not only do I have to pray, but also marriage can be a representation of God’s love.  Here are some of the things I find doing as a wife:

·         Unconditional love:   We all make mistakes from time to time. So I am to love my mate when he is looking hot as well as loving him when he is making me want to ask why I get married.  This can also include forgiveness.

 

·         Service:  Yes, we are to be his help mate.  Even on the days when you had a good day at work and feeling silly.  Yet he comes home upset. You can’t be selfish. You have to cater to his needs.  Knowing when he needs that back rub or encouragement or prudence. We have to serve our husbands. This includes wisdom.

 

 

·         Prayer warriors:  Yes, we have to stay prayed up, keeping our husbands before the Lord constantly. We are to defend the home and the marriage.  We even have to bind up demonic spirits over our marriage. Some things we can talk out but other things we must be pray out!  Here is a  reference for demonic spirit to bind over your marriage: 

http://www.demonbuster.com/marriage.html

·         Compromising:  Yes, there will be days when it’s not all about you!  The spirit of selfishness will doom your marriage straight to divorce court!

 

·         Not taking the marriage for granted:  The devil sure does seem to use this one as the years go by to attack the marriages.  The “oh where is he going” syndrome.  Yet the truth is he can go somewhere or be tempted. So listen when he says he doesn’t like something, take heed, not an attitude. In the long run, you’ll be glad you did.  This includes sound communication.

For a good reference, click to this website:

http://www.moodymanual.demonbuster.com/awauw.html

So remember women, there are a lot of behind the scenes work to being someone’s rib.  Take advantage of your single phase and use it as a time of preparation if your heart desires to be married. Stay encouraged!

 

Hems Down, Boobs Covered

Summer is coming and us women love getting our cuteness on, but be aware....

Hosea 2:13
And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the Lord.
She put on her earrings and jewelry and went to look for her lovers. This shows that we as women have the power to seduce by what we put on! As women professing godliness, We are to be aware of how we are dressing!


1 Timothy2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.
The key word is modest! I looked up the word modest on an online dictionary website and it stated things like humble in appearance or dressing decent.

Let’s think: Does a guy think God when he sees you with a tongue ring? Does a guy think church girl when you are wearing your clothes so tight, he can see the details of your underwear? When you are showing some serious cleavage, do you really think he has his mind on the Lord while looking at you?


1Corninthians 6:15
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of an harlot? God forbid.  Do we want to represent Christ in our dressing or show we represent members of a harlot?

Now, I’m all for dressing sexy for your mate when it’s husband and wife time. Nothing is wrong with that!
Yet Galatians 2:20 states I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We are representing Christ outside the privacy of our home and church!!! One of the best compliments I got from a guy that wasn’t my husband was at 7-Eleven. He said he saw God all around me. I did not know this person at all. I was just going to get my Pepsi on but what he said just made my day. Yet, if I was dressed to seduce, it would've attracted a guy to say hey baby, yo shorty…see the difference.
So as women of God, especially as the warm weather approaches, let’s still get our cute on but in a godly manner! He will beautify the meek in salvation.  Let's represent!

Fornication, Why Not?

In a world where we have shows like 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, and the high percentage of African Americans having abortions, I feel compelled to discuss this topic in the hope it will help someone to make wiser choices.

James 1:14-15 says “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceive it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished, brings forth death."

Picture it…I was alone, had to pay for it myself, and in a room full of strangers making the most personal decision of my life. Laying on a cold table, just the doctor, nurse, and me. The sound of the vacuum brought tears to my eyes as I realized I was committing murder. The thumb I heard going into a bowl was my child, walking away in a stranger’s hands. Does that sound like sex before marriage was worth it to you?

I am writing this blog for women to make wiser choices with their bodies. But I am particularly concerned with young women within the church. Ask yourself, why do they say wait until you get married?



1. When you have sex with someone, you develop a soul tie. A soul tie is when you link your soul with someone that can have positive or negative results. So if he’s sweet, easy going type of guy, it can be positive. Yet if he is full of anger or lust, that can be negative. Genesis 34:2-3 shows this. “And when Shecehm son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he seized her, lay with her, and humbled, defiled, and disgraced her. But his soul longed for and clung to Dinah, daughter of Jacob, and he loved the girl and spoke comfortingly to her young heart’s wishes.” As you can see, the act doesn’t just stay in that bed, it goes with you! You pick up that person’s spirit. You can find yourself longing for the person, knowing they are not good for you.

2. You also place a curse on yourself…the curse of shedding innocent blood . Under that curse are demons like sadness, rage, envy, hate, rebellion, greed, cursing, oppression, worship of sex, and marriage breaking spirits. Hmmm…is that five minutes worth putting a curse on life?

3. Emotional scars. Yes, it may seem like the easier solution, yet it haunts you for the rest of your life. You will find yourself thinking about that child every year, around that time…how old he/she would have been, where your life would have been if you decided pro-choice, etc. That act never fully goes away.


4. Let’s not forget there are other things that can happen besides an unwanted pregnancy. There are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Here is a link for information:   http://www.cdc.gov/std/

So I urge you to know your worth. Giving yourself to a man is the most precious gift a man can receive from you. It is an act of love that fornication turns into an act of lust. Check dude out…Is he really saved? Does he love the Lord? What is his potential? When you look into his eyes, do you see him in your future? How is he on the job front? Does he have an education beyond high school? Do you feel you can depend on him as a leader in the husband role? Does he uplift you or tear you down? Does he make you want to be a better woman, or make you want to settle out of fear of being alone? Don’t allow a man to be your main focus in life. The only man that should be in that role is Jesus Christ! Sex is wonderful when it’s in a Loving, Committed marriage. Speaking from experience I have learned that the hard way. The definition of Insanity is “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." Why allow a five minute act to cause so much damage. And let’s face it; teen boys are practicing on girls at that age seeing how many women they can get to perfect their act. Are you really enjoying the act? And to get pregnant or catch a STD, or worse, to ruin your life off of a trial run, is it really worth it?

Follow Christ’s way, which is the best way. He doesn’t tell you not to do something because he wants to hinder your fun. In reality, he is telling you so you can experience abundant life. There are many days I wish I just would’ve waited until I got married like the word said. Obedience is better than sacrifice! Yet I must add, due to free will, love yourself enough to protect yourself. And if a guy doesn’t love himself enough to want to protect himself, how much is he going to really love you. THINK!