You must have the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player.
 
 
  Notice:
 

None of this information is complete in and of itself. There are many other things and Scriptures that should be considered. This is just intended to get you thinking.

This and much more information can be found in a book called "Before you meet prince charming."

 
  Are You Ready For Marriage?
  Dating has it's place.

Do I have a clear conscience? Is there anything in my life that needs to be cleared
up, confessed, or corrected?

Am I "about my Father’s business"? Have I been diligent to complete the tasks the Lord has given me?

Do I have a good relationship with my parents and siblings?

Have I learned to be a servant by seeing and meeting the needs of others before my own?

Have I learned to overcome anger?

Are there people who have offended me whom I am not able to forgive?

Do I read my Bible daily?

Do I find myself often in prayer, consulting with God and enjoying close, intimate conversations with Him?

Have I been diligent to identify and develop the skills, ministry, and interests God has given me?

Have I learned basic life skills, both educational ones and practical responsibilities?

Am I able to take care of a household?

Am I ready to be a mother or father?

Have I learned to be a giver, not a taker, in relationships?

 
  What Does Mr. or Ms. Right Look Like?
  Here are just a few qualifications to consider for your list:

Do they have assurance of eternal life?

Do they faithfully share the gospel with others?

Are they always truthful? Are they committed to never being divorced?

Do they honor their parents? Have they applied diligence in spiritual disciplines such as Bible reading,
prayer, fasting, memorization, and giving?

Do they make all decisions based upon the Word of God?

Would you be excited to have them as the father/mother of your children?

Is he/she diligent in their work and wise in their use of money?

Is God calling you in the same direction of ministry? Do they ask forgiveness when they are wrong?

Is he/she humble and willing to be a servant?

Is he/she kind, thoughtful, and gracious?

Is he/she generous with others?

Does he/she respond to criticism in a Christ-like way?

Are they willing to stand alone? Do you see spiritual fruit in his/her life?

 
  What if I have a crush?
 

 Have a crush?

Don’t panic. If you find yourself noticing a guy/girl, it’s normal. You don’t need to try to convince yourself that you don’t actually have a crush, or to deceive yourself into thinking you don’t really like him/her. The problem isn’t having a crush, it’s how do we respond to it.

What not to do when you have a crush:

Don’t talk about him/her with your friends. This is critical. If you need to talk to someone, find a spiritual adult.

Don’t intentionally do things that will stir up thoughts about him/her. Don't put up pictures of them on your wall, in your locker, or anywhere else. Don't tell him/her how you feel or give any indication that you might be interested. Don't dwell on thoughts of him/her or let yourself get carried awaywith your dreamy imaginations. Choose an unsaved friend to pray for every time these thoughts invade your mind.

Remember, your life is really not your story, it’s God’s story. You belong to Him. You represent Him. He is the one who gets the credit and the glory for your life. So resist the urge to pray for your own desires. Instead, pray for ultimate glory to be given to Jesus Christ, and remember, ultimate glory for Jesus means ultimate joy for you.

 
  When It Seems To Hard
 

When it Seems Too Hard
Testimony by a Young Lady

It was a huge crush. He was so handsome and so nice. I was in my senior year of high school and had recently become acquainted with a good-looking, intelligent young man who was an incredible pianist. Our piano teacher had us play a duet together, and I soon found myself very attracted to him.

He was not a believer, but he seemed like such a nice guy. We saw each other at various piano competitions and events throughout my senior year and became casual friends.

I really liked him a lot----so much so, that I started daydreaming about him all of the time. He became the idol in my heart, and I felt like I was constantly struggling with my thoughts and desires.

Soon I had become extremely discontent. I determined that if this young man asked me to date him, I would readily accept, even though I would be disobeying God and my parents, damaging my testimony, and endangering my purity. I began to be bitter toward the Lord because the Christian life seemed too hard. I doubted that the Lord was actually being good to me.

Thankfully, God protected me and this young man never asked me to date him. I finally repented of my sin to the Lord and gradually this crush died away.

The Lord has been showing me that even more importantly than guarding my mind from crushed, I need to guard my mind from lies. Satan wants me to think that God doesn’t really know what is best for me. It requires faith to believe that the Lord is completely good and absolutely trustworthy. The Lord often reminds me of Psalm 84:11, reassuring me that He only has the very best in store for His servants. "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Even though I sometimes think that a boyfriend would be a "good thing" for me. I still struggle with being discontent and wanting a boyfriend, especially when friends around me are pairing up, but I have learned that the Lord is everything I need. When I allow myself to become discontent, I simply get more and more depressed, and am useless to the Lord. But when I trust in His faithfulness and power, I find peace and joy. I’m excited to see how the Lord is daily teaching me what it means to guard my heart and mind, and to delight fully in Him.