Caution: Up To Date is designed to be read in a linear fashion, as each chapter builds on principles established in the previous chapters. For your best relationship success, begin with the introduction and progress chapter by chapter.
Chapter One
A Love Story
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Jared was completely smitten with Amy. Her long brown hair, pretty smile, dignity, warmth, and caring made her eyes dance as she glanced his way. It was evident that Amy enjoyed life. He knew he had to get to know her, but they hadn't even been introduced, and he hadn't time to even consider a relationship with his very busy work and school schedule?
While pondering this dilemma, Matt's name came to mind. Matt had always been there for him. "So, Matt, she is the most incredible thing I have ever seen," Jared regaled. "I am just so busy and a little unsure of myself. Would you do something for me?"
Needless to say, Matt was just a little uncomfortable with what he saw coming here, but in loyalty to his friend he agreed to hear him out with no promise beyond.
"Just go ask for her name and phone number. That’s all I need. If you will just do that for me, I will take it from there." Jared pleaded.
Matt considered Jared's request. How was he going to do this and escape unscathed? But . . . for his best friend, he hesitantly agreed. He took the next opportunity to speak with her and, of course, made it very clear that he was asking for his friend.
As Matt expected, Jared continued to ask Matt to interact with Amy in his stead, but Matt did understand a demanding schedule. Besides, Amy was a nice enough girl. It wouldn’t hurt to help. After all, it was to help his best friend. The pattern began: Matt would date Amy once or twice a week and report back to Jared.
Two years later, Jared was convinced that he could not live another day without her. It was finally time to connect. His stomach churned as he pulled up in front of her house. This was the most important day of his life, and he wanted it to be perfect. He knocked, waiting in nervous anticipation. As Amy slowly opened the door, she looked extremely puzzled, but he didn’t notice. For the first time, he was face to face with his beloved. He bowed on one knee as he professed his eternal love and desire for a life-long romance together. She stood on the threshold in complete bewilderment as she tried to remember ever meeting this stranger.
You may exclaim, "This is ludicrous! No one in their right mind would run a courtship this way."
Wouldn’t they?
This story isn’t about Matt, Jared, and Amy. It’s about our own personal love story. How often we attempt to know God either through someone else or from a distance and believe it’s enough! I’m guilty as charged. Apparently, others have done the same: "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.’ " (Matthew 7: 22–23). They thought they knew God, they performed miracles in His name, but God had no recollection of their meeting. Though there are thousands of books written about the Bible, those books are not the Bible just like Matt was not Jared.
You see, we often forget that we are part of a cosmic conflict, and there is another player in the field. The image of a red devil with a pitchfork waiting to get a jab in where convenient is Satan’s way of assuring that we won’t take him too seriously. In reality, he is a commanding presence with a brilliant, untiring mind for war strategies. He is intelligent and well educated with more than 6000 years of experience. The most intelligent human being or the most educated human general is no match for this great deceiver. Rather than waiting around for a convenient opportunity, he orchestrates events every day that set the stage for our failure. If that means encouraging poor choices in a marriage partner, meddling with vows, or simply encouraging incompatibility, you can be certain that he is on the war path twenty-four/seven. No other tactic affects so many generations as that of attacking marriage and the home. He is carefully planning our demise.
However, the all-knowing Christ, who precedes all generations, is the Master General on our side. He is love—love’s Author, and to have a successful and happy marriage relationship, His love must first penetrate our hearts until it flows outward to others in a natural current of Christ-like faith and action. Though He won the war at the cross, it must still be won daily in our own hearts. He wants a relationship with each of us—with you personally. There is no other who can fill the void in His heart should you reject Him, but it takes planning, energy, self-denial, and patience to claim victory, and only by disregarding all that we’ve heard from others—all the traditions, opinions, and beliefs—and personally reading His Bible every day do we learn to know and experience His love.
We can't risk choosing that lifelong companion before really getting to know Him. You see, in the real story, only you can write the ending. Reader, do you promise from this day forward to love, honor, and cherish Him for eternity; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, will you remain His forever? If you’re hesitant, get to know Him better. Only by experiencing oneness with Him can you experience the real joy of oneness with another, and both combined brings an experience that surpasses any other.
Through your dating process, keep in mind that every opportunity for love, every dilemma, trial, and decision from beginning to end is a huge part of the bigger battle. As the things of this world (good or bad) get in the way of what really counts, remember to keep this battle in perspective and your biblical war strategies on the forefront.
Since we choose to cast our vote on God's side, let's take a walk in the Garden of Eden and look behind the scenes into His dating plan.
A Love Story
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Jared was completely smitten with Amy. Her long brown hair, pretty smile, dignity, warmth, and caring made her eyes dance as she glanced his way. It was evident that Amy enjoyed life. He knew he had to get to know her, but they hadn't even been introduced, and he hadn't time to even consider a relationship with his very busy work and school schedule?
While pondering this dilemma, Matt's name came to mind. Matt had always been there for him. "So, Matt, she is the most incredible thing I have ever seen," Jared regaled. "I am just so busy and a little unsure of myself. Would you do something for me?"
Needless to say, Matt was just a little uncomfortable with what he saw coming here, but in loyalty to his friend he agreed to hear him out with no promise beyond.
"Just go ask for her name and phone number. That’s all I need. If you will just do that for me, I will take it from there." Jared pleaded.
Matt considered Jared's request. How was he going to do this and escape unscathed? But . . . for his best friend, he hesitantly agreed. He took the next opportunity to speak with her and, of course, made it very clear that he was asking for his friend.
As Matt expected, Jared continued to ask Matt to interact with Amy in his stead, but Matt did understand a demanding schedule. Besides, Amy was a nice enough girl. It wouldn’t hurt to help. After all, it was to help his best friend. The pattern began: Matt would date Amy once or twice a week and report back to Jared.
Two years later, Jared was convinced that he could not live another day without her. It was finally time to connect. His stomach churned as he pulled up in front of her house. This was the most important day of his life, and he wanted it to be perfect. He knocked, waiting in nervous anticipation. As Amy slowly opened the door, she looked extremely puzzled, but he didn’t notice. For the first time, he was face to face with his beloved. He bowed on one knee as he professed his eternal love and desire for a life-long romance together. She stood on the threshold in complete bewilderment as she tried to remember ever meeting this stranger.
You may exclaim, "This is ludicrous! No one in their right mind would run a courtship this way."
Wouldn’t they?
This story isn’t about Matt, Jared, and Amy. It’s about our own personal love story. How often we attempt to know God either through someone else or from a distance and believe it’s enough! I’m guilty as charged. Apparently, others have done the same: "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.’ " (Matthew 7: 22–23). They thought they knew God, they performed miracles in His name, but God had no recollection of their meeting. Though there are thousands of books written about the Bible, those books are not the Bible just like Matt was not Jared.
You see, we often forget that we are part of a cosmic conflict, and there is another player in the field. The image of a red devil with a pitchfork waiting to get a jab in where convenient is Satan’s way of assuring that we won’t take him too seriously. In reality, he is a commanding presence with a brilliant, untiring mind for war strategies. He is intelligent and well educated with more than 6000 years of experience. The most intelligent human being or the most educated human general is no match for this great deceiver. Rather than waiting around for a convenient opportunity, he orchestrates events every day that set the stage for our failure. If that means encouraging poor choices in a marriage partner, meddling with vows, or simply encouraging incompatibility, you can be certain that he is on the war path twenty-four/seven. No other tactic affects so many generations as that of attacking marriage and the home. He is carefully planning our demise.
However, the all-knowing Christ, who precedes all generations, is the Master General on our side. He is love—love’s Author, and to have a successful and happy marriage relationship, His love must first penetrate our hearts until it flows outward to others in a natural current of Christ-like faith and action. Though He won the war at the cross, it must still be won daily in our own hearts. He wants a relationship with each of us—with you personally. There is no other who can fill the void in His heart should you reject Him, but it takes planning, energy, self-denial, and patience to claim victory, and only by disregarding all that we’ve heard from others—all the traditions, opinions, and beliefs—and personally reading His Bible every day do we learn to know and experience His love.
We can't risk choosing that lifelong companion before really getting to know Him. You see, in the real story, only you can write the ending. Reader, do you promise from this day forward to love, honor, and cherish Him for eternity; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, will you remain His forever? If you’re hesitant, get to know Him better. Only by experiencing oneness with Him can you experience the real joy of oneness with another, and both combined brings an experience that surpasses any other.
Through your dating process, keep in mind that every opportunity for love, every dilemma, trial, and decision from beginning to end is a huge part of the bigger battle. As the things of this world (good or bad) get in the way of what really counts, remember to keep this battle in perspective and your biblical war strategies on the forefront.
Since we choose to cast our vote on God's side, let's take a walk in the Garden of Eden and look behind the scenes into His dating plan.
