How to Develop "YOU" Before There Is "US"

Mount Ararat Church

How to Develop "YOU" Before There Is "US"

Matthew 6:33

Sometimes when it comes to relationships, we always want to ask God to bless us with someone who possess certain qualities and/or abilities, but sometimes we refuse to work on ourselves between the prayer being prayed and the prayer being answered. The truth is that God may already have the person you are praying for, but will not introduce them to you until you begin to work on yourself. Therefore, I want to share with you some ways you can work on yourself while waiting for your love connection.

BREAKDOWN OF MATTHEW 6:33
1. SEEKING God Must Be Your Priority
2. TRUSTING God Must Be Your Priority
3. OBEYING God Must Be Your Priority
4. DEPENDING Upon God Must Be Your Priority

10 WAYS TO DEVELOP YOURSELF
1. LOVING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

2. DISCIPLING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
1st Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

3. IMPROVING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
2nd Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

4. SHARING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
1st Peter 1:22 "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another and earnestly from a pure heart."

5. CONSECRATING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
1st Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."

6. MANAGING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
1st Corinthians 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, who you have from God? You are not your own..."

7. FORGIVING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
John 8:36 "He who the Son sets free, is free indeed."

8. COMMITTING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

9.HUMBLING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus told HIs disciples, if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me."

10. EXAMINING Yourself Is a Way to Develop You
2nd Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test."

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
What are three areas I need to work on immediately?
What are two bad habits I need to quit if I ever expect God to bless my relationships?
What are three great qualities I need to continue and enhance?

Six Common Problems in Dating

FIVE THINGS TO WORK ON AS A CHRISTIAN PRIOR TO AND DURING DATING 1. Work on Yourself SPIRITUALLY 2. Work on Yourself MENTALLY 3. Work on Yourself SOCIALLY 4. Work on Yourself EMOTIONALLY 5. Work on Yourself FINANCIALLY HERE ARE 7 COMMON PROBLEMS WHEN DATING 1. PRAYING Earnestly Is a Common Problem in Dating (Matthew 26:41) 2. LISTENING Attentively Is a Common Problem in Dating (James 1:19) 3. JUDGING Consistently Is a Common Problem in Dating (Romans 2:3) 4. RUSHING Passionately Is a Common Problem in Dating (1st Corinthians 6:18) 5. LYING Perpetually Is a Common Problem in Dating (2nd Corinthians 8:21) 6. GROWING Spiritually Is a Common Problem in Dating (1st Corinthians 13:11) 7. EXITING Wisely Is a Common Problem in Dating (Romans 12:18) Although all of these may not apply to you, there are elements of this lesson that applies to everyone whether single, dating, married, divorced or widowed. I pray that these were helpful as you remember that you are Empowered to Live Beyond Life Limitations.

What Women Look for in Men

Men and women are TOTALLY different. Designed differently! Reacts differently! Thinks differently! Someone can admit that a woman's mind in impossible to figure out. Sister, before you go posting about me, you KNOW I am telling the truth. However, I will say that there are things that women of purpose look for in men that we should take notice of and seek to make sure that we can deliver upon our promises. Below, I want to share with you some principles that I believe women look for. Don't take my word for it, but share this with a sister you know and see what she says. 1. Women Look for HONEST in Men (Proverbs 12:22) 2. Women Look for CONSISTENCY in Men (Matthew 5:37) 3. Women Look for DEPENDABILITY in Men (1st Corinthians 4:2) 4. Women Look for VULNERABILITY in Men (James 5:6) 5. Women Look for SAFETY in Men (Colossians 3:19) 6. Women Look for STABILITY in Men (Proverbs 37:31) 7. Women Look for LOYALTY in Men (Proverbs 17:17) 8. Women Look for HUMOR in Men (Proverbs 17:22) 9. Women Look for DESIRE in Men (Galatians 5:22-23) 10. Women Look for LEADERSHIP in Men (Philippians 2:4) QUESTIONS FOR THE WOMEN When it comes to look for a man, who are your role models? Are your expectations realistic? Do you find yourself expecting a brother to be a carbon-copy of your father? If you did not have a present and active father in your life, do you struggle with daddy issues? What are three qualities you bring to a relationship as a woman? What do you wish men understood about YOU?

What Men Look for in Women

Hey brothers, let me ask you a question. What kind of woman are you looking for? I think this is an important question because as we are seeking to become our best, the woman we choose can either hinder us or propel us to our purpose. The saying is true, "behind every great man is a greater woman." It goes without saying, the creation of women is God's favor to us as men. I want to submit to you some qualities that I believe men should look for when seeking a woman as his mate. Before I continue, allow me to share the different kinds of women according to a recent study. 10 KIND OF WOMEN 1. The INDEPENDENT Woman 2. The DEPENDENT Woman 3. The CONFUSED Woman 4. The CONTROLLING Woman 5. The SUPPORTIVE Woman 6. The COMBATIVE Woman 7. The CRAZY Woman 8. The LOVING Woman 9. The CHRIST-LIKE Woman 10. The __________________ Woman (You fill in the blank) WHAT MEN LOOK FOR 1. Men Look for RESPECT from Women (Matthew 7:12) 2. Men Look for ATTRACTION from Women (Song of Solomon 4:7) 3. Men Look for AFFECTION from Women (1st Peter 4:8) 4. Men Look for ENCOURAGEMENT from Women (James 1:19) 5. Men Look for AFFIRMATION from Women (Ephesians 4:29) 6. Men Look for ATTENTION from Women (Proverbs 12:4a) 7. Men Look for PATIENCE from Women (Romans 12:12) 8. Men Look for PEACE from Women (Romans 12:18) 9. Men Look for SUPPORT from Women (Ecclesiastes 4:12) 10. Men Look for TRUST and PRAYERS from Women (1st Corinthians 13:7) 11. Married Men Look for SEX from Wives (Hebrews 13:4)