The Question

If asked, “What relationship is the most important in your life?” what would you say? Mom? Dad? Grandparent? Child(ren)? Boyfriend? Be honest with yourself. Who would you think of instinctively first? If you thought of your relationship with God first, above all others, you have matured to that level and may you continue to put Him first. If you thought of someone other than God, there is some work that needs to be done. When I was posed that question a few months ago, I didn’t instinctively think of God first—I thought about my child. I was convicted, so I asked for forgiveness and immediately affirmed, “My most important relationship is with God and the most important person in my life is Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior through whom I can have that relationship.”

The first commandment as detailed in Exodus 20:3 states that we are to put no one or nothing before God. He is to be first in our lives! My mindset shifted after I began to affirm God’s place in my life. My heart opened to another level in Him. I challenge you to do the same. Affirm that He is your Number One then watch the awesome and powerful works that He will accomplish through you and in your life. With sincerity, make God your priority. Amazingly, with billions of people in the world, He has made you His priority. It may be hard to fathom His commitment to you, but when you put Him first, He is more than willing to show you!

Devotional Reading: Matthew 22:34-40 (Love God first, then each other)

Matthew 6:33 (Seek Him first)

James 2:23 (Become God’s friend)

I Give Up

What will you give up TODAY for a closer relationship with Jesus? Think back on some things you have given up or currently giving up for a relationship with a man. I thought back on past unsuccessful relationships and if I had been guilty of this. Of course I was guilty. I have given up friends, certain types of clothes, and even my dignity. Dignity loss is disparaging and that can’t be love. You don’t realize that you’ve lost your dignity until it is gone. I recall one instance when I called around to find out where my boyfriend at-the-time was and got the true story. When he retuned home and called me, I asked him where he had been; he gave me a bogus story. Can you believe I “let” him lie to me to keep the peace (and in turn keep him)? Until a few hours later he called me back fussing about me calling around looking for him. He was angry with ME!

First of all, perfect love cast out all fear so I shouldn’t have called around, but I wasn’t in right relationship with the Lord or in the Word so I didn’t know that truth. (I John 4:18) Secondly, I should not have let him lie to me, but I did not want him to leave me. The enemy had compromised my confidence with fear. I should have confronted the deception. Lastly, but most importantly, I should have cared more about myself than to be in that unhealthy relationship! God loves me and I should have loved myself enough to realize I was living below my privilege. I’m a daughter of the King!

Now that my relationship with Christ is my priority, I have given up all of my past baggage and in return I have fullness of joy. In the past, I gave up things and in return I felt less than a woman. Oh, what a wonderful testimony it is to “give up” things and gain heaven on earth and unshakable certainty that you have the victory in the name of Jesus. What will you give up to get to your destiny?
Devotional Reading: I John 4:7-21

What is Sister Joy all about?

This series of teachings and inspirational messages on this blog will help guide you through the Bible and help build your character as God deals with you to prepare you to fulfill your purpose. Your faith is the key to bringing the desires of your heart to pass. This resource is divinely inspired to help unmarried women, whether never been married, divorced, or separated.