Preparing for a Future Valentine

How to Use "The Lust Dare" Day #30: New Creation “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” -2 Corinthians 5:17 So I told you a couple of times before that I had some particular struggles and fears in my intense battle with lust. Honestly, my biggest fear was that one day I would have to tell the man who wanted to court me and seek my hand in marriage that I had not stayed pure for him. That I had allowed myself to give into the sin of lust and indulged in it for a long time. That I had soiled my thoughts with impure imaginings, and that I had soiled my mind with the things that I read and reflected on.  See, I was a pastor’s daughter, and then later a youth pastor’s daughter. I had read multiple books out there about purity, I had been to all the “modest is hottest” conferences, I was holding tight to the plan not to kiss until marriage. I was clean, and pure, and inno

How to Use "The Lust Dare" Day #29: Whatever is Praiseworthy “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” -Psalm 34:1 Today, as we finish out that verse from Philippians we come to the very last word that is given to think on. After true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, and virtue, comes if there is anything praiseworthy . We are to think on that which is praiseworthy. And who is more worthy of praise, than God Himself, the Author, Perfecter, and Creator? There was a man in the old testament, a member of the genealogical line of Jesus, who wrote many, many, words on the praiseworthy attributes of God. He praised God time and time again in his writing, and thus it is his words, inspired by God, that I want to leave you with. Remember as you read these and in the days ahead to think on that which is praiseworthy. “I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the n

How to Use "The Lust Dare" Day #28: Be Merry “ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;   for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” -Luke 15:23-24 4 weeks. It has been 4 weeks since you read the first day of this challenge, and did the first dare. For the past 4 weeks, i.e. a month, you have been actively battling lust and taking steps to set that sin aside and to fight the incredibly difficult battle. You have learned how to flee temptation, how to avoid temptation, how to replace fear with courage, love, and a sound mind, and how to replace impure thoughts with many different things. This has been quite a journey, and I think it is absolutely wonderful that you have taken these steps, and that you are on this path with me. I have been there, I know how hard it is, and I still battle the lust of the flesh every single day. It is a never-ending battle unti

How to Use "The Lust Dare" Day #27: Whatever is Excellent “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue.”   -2 Peter 1:5 “Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue…” Virtue? What does that mean? Well it is often translated as that which is excellent. We are called to think on and add to our faith that which is excellent. People like to display emo guys saying things such as “dood,” and “righteous,” and “wicked, man.” But another one they use when something is just truly incredible is “excellent.” They’ll draw it out real slow to make their point, and express their appreciation. It can be kind of funny, but I also like the picture of that. What do we think on that causes to slowly and with appreciation say “excellent”? I know for me, I would be l

How to Use "The Lust Dare" Day #26: Whatever is Admirable “Listen to this…stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.”   –Job 37:14 Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report …. Some translate this word as admirable, others as of value, and still others as of good fame, commendable, honorable, respected, well spoken of, or refutable. The Greek word used is literally speaking of that which is well spoken of or refutable. And I think many of those other words back up that over all idea of “well spoken of.” When a person is well spoken of, people talk about how they are commendable, their honorable attributes, why they respect them, and how they admire or value them; essentially speaking of their good fame. (I love that “good fame.” Sounds all poetic and Shakespeare like….) So we are told to think on these things. I know that this command has been one that has cha

How to Use "The Lust Dare" Day #25: Whatever is Lovely "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." -James 1:17 I used that above verse before, but I find it very helpful to today’s dare. In the passage in Philippians, after thinking about that which is true, noble, just, and pure, we are called to think on that which is lovely. Well, there is an interesting concept. One you may have heard of before in the musical Sound of Music , where Julia Andrews sings: “When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling bad; I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.” Who knew that concept was biblical? Well, it is. The Greek word used for ‘lovely’ is only used once in the entire Bible, and it means something that is acceptable and pleasing. I love that it signifies that which is pleasing. A couple nights