summary
ready for him todayREADY FOR HIM TODAY consists of 5 main sections:
- Authority & Relationships
- Purity
- Realistic Love
- Developing a Relationship
- Single & Content
authority and relationships
This section starts out with a mini Bible study on three things that are crucial to relationships, especially as related to a woman's role as a Christian, a daughter, and a wife: the nature of real love, the fear of the Lord, and a proper understanding of earthly authority.
Our relationships with God, spouses, family members, and others are based upon love, and a correct and Biblical view of love is foundational to all of those relationships.
The section on the fear of the Lord discusses how appropriate and holy fear impacts our relationship with God, and how it actually strengthens our understanding of love.
Finally, God relates this holy fear to our earthly authorities, especially to a woman's authorities (her father, if she is unmarried, and her husband, if she is married). This is not a legalistic viewpoint, but simply a Biblical case for proper respect for earthly authorities, from both implicit and explicit passages in Scripture.
Our relationships with God, spouses, family members, and others are based upon love, and a correct and Biblical view of love is foundational to all of those relationships.
The section on the fear of the Lord discusses how appropriate and holy fear impacts our relationship with God, and how it actually strengthens our understanding of love.
Finally, God relates this holy fear to our earthly authorities, especially to a woman's authorities (her father, if she is unmarried, and her husband, if she is married). This is not a legalistic viewpoint, but simply a Biblical case for proper respect for earthly authorities, from both implicit and explicit passages in Scripture.
purity
Since God designed sexual purity to sanctify marriage, this section discusses the purpose of and conditions attached to marriage, also examining the physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences of casual sex. Studies and surveys are cited when appropriate, to show that modern reality confirms God's Word.
Many people associate sexual temptation and sin with men. This is neither fair nor accurate, and does not address the needs of the woman who feels the natural and God-given impulse that the enemy uses as a weapon against her. How should she view and deal with her sexual feelings as a single woman? Distinguishing temptation from sin is important, because the methods of dealing with both are different; one requires vigilance, and the other requires repentance. Identifying triggers and dealing with them appropriately prevents temptation from turning to sin. But what happens when you sin? How do you deal with guilt, indifference, frustration, and repeated relapses into sinful behavior? Is victory ever possible?
Many people associate sexual temptation and sin with men. This is neither fair nor accurate, and does not address the needs of the woman who feels the natural and God-given impulse that the enemy uses as a weapon against her. How should she view and deal with her sexual feelings as a single woman? Distinguishing temptation from sin is important, because the methods of dealing with both are different; one requires vigilance, and the other requires repentance. Identifying triggers and dealing with them appropriately prevents temptation from turning to sin. But what happens when you sin? How do you deal with guilt, indifference, frustration, and repeated relapses into sinful behavior? Is victory ever possible?
realistic love
The expectations of women are rarely met in their marriages, but those expectations can be relationship time-bombs, as the ideal and the real clash. It is important to adjust our expectations and identify the differences between the mindset and behaviors of true love and false love.
How should we prepare for marriage, while remaining flexible enough to accept whatever obstacles we encounter in life? What happens if God's vision of our romance is radically different from our own desires? The romance novel, one of the most common sowing-grounds for unrealistic expectations, is specifically addressed in this section.
How should we prepare for marriage, while remaining flexible enough to accept whatever obstacles we encounter in life? What happens if God's vision of our romance is radically different from our own desires? The romance novel, one of the most common sowing-grounds for unrealistic expectations, is specifically addressed in this section.
developing a relationship
While a woman practices a lifestyle of purity and prepares herself for a wonderful (but realistic) romance, she and her family should know how to recognize whether or not a man is husband material.
Many questions surround the development of a godly relationship as it matures toward marriage. What are the qualities of a man worth marrying, how do you know God's will for a relationship, how should a relationship be developed appropriately, what role (if any) should personal preferences and attraction play in the process? What about online match-making? Is it okay to have a crush?
Many questions surround the development of a godly relationship as it matures toward marriage. What are the qualities of a man worth marrying, how do you know God's will for a relationship, how should a relationship be developed appropriately, what role (if any) should personal preferences and attraction play in the process? What about online match-making? Is it okay to have a crush?
single and content
Singleness may be for a season or for a lifetime, but one thing is clear--the time to become an excellent woman of God starts now. Knowledge, skill, and wise habits are not acquired through a magical change triggered by marriage, but through consistent practice throughout a woman's lifetime.
But is it possible to be more than productive and useful? Is it possible to actually enjoy singleness, even while longing to be a wife? Is contentment just a theory, or can it be a reality? What happens if God doesn't grant your desire? Using two real-life stories, the author paints a picture of what it looks like when God says "yes" to our desires, and when we say "yes" to His delay of our desires.
But is it possible to be more than productive and useful? Is it possible to actually enjoy singleness, even while longing to be a wife? Is contentment just a theory, or can it be a reality? What happens if God doesn't grant your desire? Using two real-life stories, the author paints a picture of what it looks like when God says "yes" to our desires, and when we say "yes" to His delay of our desires.