I have been thinking a lot about self-control and obedience the last couple months. It seems that many I've talked to lately are struggling with this subject as well. Whether it's "holding our tongue", staying out of the drive through, buying bigger and better "stuff", or resisting a temptation. Many Christians are challenged to be obedient and change our bad habits but it's HARD isn't it???
And what is it about the word "obedience" that makes us clench our teeth? At least it does mine! I'm a rebel...always have been. When someone tells me I can't do something, there's a part of me that says "Hmmm, why not?" or maybe "we'll see about that!" And yet when someone ELSE is breaking the rules, I'm very much the do-gooder, amazingly surprised at their actions. So don't get me wrong. I am a rule follower and take pride in doing the right thing. I don't like being in "trouble" so I usually follow the rules...unless it's a hard rule to follow or "someone else is doing it" and I might start considering the parameters of the "rule". Is it a rule that makes sense? Have we always done it this way and does it need to be changed? Does the person that set the rule really care if the rule is enforced? Is it more of a "guideline"? I'm a triangle...I want to know "what's the point?"
I think about obedience a lot because I seem to be my own worst critic when it comes to reaching a goal and "self-control" (or a lack there of!) seems to always be the biggest hurdle. And I KNOW I am not alone.
Which brings me to what I wanted to share from scripture this week...there is a point to this prequel I promise. I'm on a "detox" diet and I can't have anything fun for 11 days. That's not actually completely true...strawberries are fun...cilantro is fun. yeah, that's it. The rest is boring veggies and lean meat. I can't have caffeine, sugar, dairy, gluten or ANYTHING artificial/processed. I love food. Ask my family...I'll pretty much eat anything and love MANY things so it is not easy to have self-control this week. Sticking to the diet is hard but I am determined and I keep focusing on the fact that it is temporary torture.
Food isn't actually my biggest problem though. It's getting enough sleep and fitting in the exercise. (I'm up late writing right now because my house is quiet!) One of the other things I'm doing during the 11 days on this special diet that is supposed to be kicking up my metabolism a notch, is getting enough sleep and exercise. So how am I doing? GREAT on the diet and exercise part...just OK on the sleeping part. I have had 8+ hours of sleep 4 out of 6 days so far...tonight is not one of them. I guess that's not too bad. And if I'm really honest with myself, the problem is time management.
So with that confessional, let's take a look at what the scripture says on "self-control".
S - 2 Peter 1:3-9 (Holman Christian Standard Version/Apologetics Bible)
3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins.
O - First observation that just gives me such an amazing peace is vs. 3 which says that God gives us EVERYTHING "required" for life and godliness through His divine power. Did you catch that? EVERYTHING that is REQUIRED. Not everything we WANT. This is so important because I think our satisfaction level is such a HUGE part of living with self-control and obedience. Why is it that we convince ourselves that we "need" something, in the moment, on an impulse? We usually give in because we decide it is worth it to "enjoy" whatever it is that we think we NEED. We desire the enjoyment more than we desire to be satisfied in God and what He provides. Don't worry...I'm preaching to the mirror!
Next observation is about the promises that God gives. These are great and precious promises that allow us to SHARE in God's divine nature. We are not subordinates that He looks down on. Jesus calls us His friends and we are CHOSEN to "bear fruit". (John 15:15-16). He wants to SHARE His divine nature with us and help us escape the "corruption" that is in the world...evil desires are of the world and this is not OF God. He is not condemning US, He is condemning the evil desires, the temptations, the corruption that draws us away from Him and His promises. These promises are His protection. We have a choice to believe these promises.
The final observation I have is the progression of HOW to be useful and fruitful. The meaning behind this progression is that after we receive salvation (by grace/God's gift, not by works/what we DO) we are challenged and motivated by the Holy Spirit to seek God's path for us. This is like a path with many choices and it is in finding God's path that we find our purpose, how He will use us, and how we will produce "fruit". (see also Galatians 5:22 on the fruit of the spirit).
This is where the progression listed in this scripture is so interesting. The final step in this progression is love...I think this means it's the ultimate goal and is pretty important. We are asked to "supplement" our faith FIRST with goodness. To supplement means to complete or make an addition to. Then we are to supplement goodness with KNOWLEDGE and then it is through knowledge that we can then supplement our faith with self-control. This is not so much "smarts" as it is gaining wisdom. In other words, we must BEGIN and ACT. We must find a way to begin showing goodness and by our acts of goodness, (and I believe also with studying God's word) we will begin to find strength in showing self-control. AFTER we start working purposefully on self-control is when we can really find the ability to have endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
A - I believe this passage is saying that the key to obedience to God is self-control, which really comes from knowledge/wisdom and taking steps toward goodness. SELF-control is really putting GOD in control and a release of "self"...it's really "God-control". We must work towards finding a way to focus on God's provision and being satisfied in His blessings. If we do not open our eyes and renew our mind to see and think the things of God, then we will not be successful in our attempts at obedience. Oh yes, we will slip up, and even mess up royally. But that is also the beauty of a relationship with Christ. He advocates for us and has already covered our sin and mistakes with his own blood. God sees us for what we WILL be instead of what holds us back.
So I think I can conquer the diet thing this week without saying any 4 letter words...long term will have to come with opening my eyes and renewing my mind, to see God's provision and promises clearly. In order for me to conquer my "night owl" problem, I must focus on my satisfaction in the Lord, instead of the satisfaction I get from being in my house in the quiet late at night writing about it! Hmmmm...I'll have to work on that.
For more scripture on this topic, read David's efforts toward self-control in 1 Samuel 24:1-15;26:1-20
And read these scriptures for more encouragement:
Philippians 3:9
Galatians 5:13
James 4:2-3
2 Corinthians 3:5
1 Peter 1:13-16
Romans 8:26-28
P - Father God, you are the best Daddy because you provide ALL that we need. I am in awe that you never forget us, nor do you give up on us. You are persistent to draw us to you and remind us that your love is consistent, never-ending and readily available no matter what we have done, if we will receive it! I pray that you will show me how and where to take action to show goodness towards others and in so doing I will gain knowledge and wisdom on the path to self-control. Walking in your ways is my goal and I thank you that you see me for who I will become, not for what I have done. Give me strength and courage to be bold in my faith and not only stand up for what is right in obedience, but also to help and guide others to do the same. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. amen.
Showing posts with label Corinthians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corinthians. Show all posts
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Love and PRAY for your enemies
It's been over a month since my last entry. In case you hadn't read it, I have decided to cut back on blogging in order to make my own devotional time, as well as family commitments, the first priority. I do plan to share some thoughts periodically and so today I really wanted to share what God has been teaching me about loving my enemies.
S - Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I have been feeling some persecution lately. I am facing some challenges in my job as a teacher and I often feel unappreciated and persecuted. Also, I face ongoing struggles (along with my husband) as we go through the process of adopting our daughter and helping her fit into our family. There is not only a lot that she has to learn coming into our family later in life as a teen, but also to overcome the obstacles that ANY teenager would face. There are always the challenges of giving enough time to your family and with busy kids, there is a lot of driving and running from here to there. It is VERY easy to feel unappreciated and persecuted at home.
In addition, last Monday, I had a little fender bender. It was like the icing on an already thick "martyr cake"...just something else to add to my pity party. It was early in the morning and I had just dropped my son off at school when a man, Bernie, pulled out in front of me without much warning and I didn't have enough time to stop. It scraped up both our cars pretty good. Well, interestingly he had insurance but had a suspended license and ended up getting arrested. Initially after the accident happened, I wanted to be mad at the inconvenience. I was annoyed that this guy, although very compliant and apologetic, seemed kind of "lackadaisical" about the incident and going to jail, almost like he was just accepting of his bad lot in life. While we were waiting for the police to arrive, he revealed that he was probably going to get arrested because he has been in and out of shelters, that he doesn't have a valid license, that he is trying to get his life together, that he's on disability and doesn't have the money to pay for the fees to renew his license, that he shouldn't have been going to get cigarettes, nor should he have been driving, etc. He was going on and on with this sob story and honestly I'm thinking, "GREAT! God, why did it have to be this guy! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS! Now I have to feel sorry for him, I'm probably going to have to claim this on my own insurance AND it's going to cost me more money, just because this guy doesn't have his life together AND he went out to get cigarettes! Are you kidding me???? I don't have any more compassion to give!" And yet I'm also feeling sorry for the guy thinking, "God wants me to be compassionate and supportive and be HIS hands and feet. I need to show Bernie that God is still watching out for him and hasn't forgotten him." So even though I didn't want to, I was nice, understanding and compassionate...I listened to his sob story attentively. I tried to be a friend with my words and actions. I told the officer that he was compliant and polite, even though he said it didn't matter. I knew that was how God would have wanted me to handle it. I told Bernie when I left that I would be praying for him. I probably should have even given Bernie money, if I'd had any on me to give...that would have been even more generous. Yes, I was a little proud of myself and left gloating, just a little.
I later got mad at Bernie again, realizing that it was going to cost me a few massage therapy visits for my neck and back, as well as a $250 deductible to get my car repaired with uninsured motorist. And then I thought of this verse in Matthew. A lot of things went wrong the day I had the accident and it felt like I was surrounded by enemies. I decided to stop and pray for Bernie simply because God's word says I should and I wanted it to bring me peace in EVERY area of my life. I thought, "you know, maybe if I pray for him, he will one day be able to pay it forward." So I did. I prayed that Bernie would be blessed and that he would have the means to either repay my expenses, even though they were small, or perhaps get his life together and do something great for someone else. I decided in my heart that I wanted GOOD things for Bernie. I prayed sincerely for Bernie to KNOW God and His blessings.
And what do you know! I'm not saying that God always sends monetary blessings when you pray for your enemies, but the NEXT DAY, after I had already been dealing with my own insurance company, Bernie's insurance company called me and claimed full liability. They said that there was no need to wait for the police report because Bernie had confessed to wrong doing AND they were not only paying for my car repairs and rental, but were giving me additional compensation for massage therapy and for my "trouble". (side note: my husband says this is "hush" money so I won't sue but I still believe in God's provision any way He can!) I am so thankful that it was not a serious accident and if anything, I got the privilege to pray for Bernie. I don't know what he's up to 2 weeks after this has happened, but I believe that God is blessing him in some way. He could have lied. He could have argued and caused trouble. He could have driven away. He could have done lots of things that would have made this situation difficult, but he didn't. He was cooperative and claimed responsibility. I prayed for blessings for Bernie. I don't want a pat on the back for that but I am really excited that I did what God asked of me and He came back with blessings TRIPLE fold. It was enough money to buy my daughter a special custom doll and pay for a trip to get it from a store 4 hours away, that we didn't really have the money for. This was a BONUS I was able to provide as an added blessing for her, simply because God allowed me the means to do it.
What I saw as inconvenient and a literal pain in my neck, became a way for me to bless my daughter and THAT is why we pray for our enemies. Praying for Bernie reminded me that my little pity party, as stressful as it may genuinely be, is NOTHING at the hand of God. God can turn something around from bad to good with one breath, with one finger, or with a spoken word. God wants to bless all of us and He wants us to rely on Him for ALL things! God wants ALL of us to return to his protection and circle of fellowship. There are those that need us to pray for them, for if we do not stand in the gap to draw them to the Lord, who will?
It also says in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
If we are not praying for the lost then they will continue to remain blinded by the enemies schemes...they cannot see who God really is unless we pray for the veil of unbelief to be lifted. This includes those that believe and perhaps have not seen God at work in their life because they just need a hand up to get on the right track. Knock and the door will be opened. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Do we believe this and let it be known, or do we wallow in our self-pity?
If you're reading Bernie, God is faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you. And you have a friend. Thank you for YOUR faithfulness to God Bernie in taking responsibility for your actions and I KNOW God is going to reward you for it.
S - Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I have been feeling some persecution lately. I am facing some challenges in my job as a teacher and I often feel unappreciated and persecuted. Also, I face ongoing struggles (along with my husband) as we go through the process of adopting our daughter and helping her fit into our family. There is not only a lot that she has to learn coming into our family later in life as a teen, but also to overcome the obstacles that ANY teenager would face. There are always the challenges of giving enough time to your family and with busy kids, there is a lot of driving and running from here to there. It is VERY easy to feel unappreciated and persecuted at home.
In addition, last Monday, I had a little fender bender. It was like the icing on an already thick "martyr cake"...just something else to add to my pity party. It was early in the morning and I had just dropped my son off at school when a man, Bernie, pulled out in front of me without much warning and I didn't have enough time to stop. It scraped up both our cars pretty good. Well, interestingly he had insurance but had a suspended license and ended up getting arrested. Initially after the accident happened, I wanted to be mad at the inconvenience. I was annoyed that this guy, although very compliant and apologetic, seemed kind of "lackadaisical" about the incident and going to jail, almost like he was just accepting of his bad lot in life. While we were waiting for the police to arrive, he revealed that he was probably going to get arrested because he has been in and out of shelters, that he doesn't have a valid license, that he is trying to get his life together, that he's on disability and doesn't have the money to pay for the fees to renew his license, that he shouldn't have been going to get cigarettes, nor should he have been driving, etc. He was going on and on with this sob story and honestly I'm thinking, "GREAT! God, why did it have to be this guy! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS! Now I have to feel sorry for him, I'm probably going to have to claim this on my own insurance AND it's going to cost me more money, just because this guy doesn't have his life together AND he went out to get cigarettes! Are you kidding me???? I don't have any more compassion to give!" And yet I'm also feeling sorry for the guy thinking, "God wants me to be compassionate and supportive and be HIS hands and feet. I need to show Bernie that God is still watching out for him and hasn't forgotten him." So even though I didn't want to, I was nice, understanding and compassionate...I listened to his sob story attentively. I tried to be a friend with my words and actions. I told the officer that he was compliant and polite, even though he said it didn't matter. I knew that was how God would have wanted me to handle it. I told Bernie when I left that I would be praying for him. I probably should have even given Bernie money, if I'd had any on me to give...that would have been even more generous. Yes, I was a little proud of myself and left gloating, just a little.
I later got mad at Bernie again, realizing that it was going to cost me a few massage therapy visits for my neck and back, as well as a $250 deductible to get my car repaired with uninsured motorist. And then I thought of this verse in Matthew. A lot of things went wrong the day I had the accident and it felt like I was surrounded by enemies. I decided to stop and pray for Bernie simply because God's word says I should and I wanted it to bring me peace in EVERY area of my life. I thought, "you know, maybe if I pray for him, he will one day be able to pay it forward." So I did. I prayed that Bernie would be blessed and that he would have the means to either repay my expenses, even though they were small, or perhaps get his life together and do something great for someone else. I decided in my heart that I wanted GOOD things for Bernie. I prayed sincerely for Bernie to KNOW God and His blessings.
And what do you know! I'm not saying that God always sends monetary blessings when you pray for your enemies, but the NEXT DAY, after I had already been dealing with my own insurance company, Bernie's insurance company called me and claimed full liability. They said that there was no need to wait for the police report because Bernie had confessed to wrong doing AND they were not only paying for my car repairs and rental, but were giving me additional compensation for massage therapy and for my "trouble". (side note: my husband says this is "hush" money so I won't sue but I still believe in God's provision any way He can!) I am so thankful that it was not a serious accident and if anything, I got the privilege to pray for Bernie. I don't know what he's up to 2 weeks after this has happened, but I believe that God is blessing him in some way. He could have lied. He could have argued and caused trouble. He could have driven away. He could have done lots of things that would have made this situation difficult, but he didn't. He was cooperative and claimed responsibility. I prayed for blessings for Bernie. I don't want a pat on the back for that but I am really excited that I did what God asked of me and He came back with blessings TRIPLE fold. It was enough money to buy my daughter a special custom doll and pay for a trip to get it from a store 4 hours away, that we didn't really have the money for. This was a BONUS I was able to provide as an added blessing for her, simply because God allowed me the means to do it.
What I saw as inconvenient and a literal pain in my neck, became a way for me to bless my daughter and THAT is why we pray for our enemies. Praying for Bernie reminded me that my little pity party, as stressful as it may genuinely be, is NOTHING at the hand of God. God can turn something around from bad to good with one breath, with one finger, or with a spoken word. God wants to bless all of us and He wants us to rely on Him for ALL things! God wants ALL of us to return to his protection and circle of fellowship. There are those that need us to pray for them, for if we do not stand in the gap to draw them to the Lord, who will?
It also says in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
If we are not praying for the lost then they will continue to remain blinded by the enemies schemes...they cannot see who God really is unless we pray for the veil of unbelief to be lifted. This includes those that believe and perhaps have not seen God at work in their life because they just need a hand up to get on the right track. Knock and the door will be opened. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Do we believe this and let it be known, or do we wallow in our self-pity?
If you're reading Bernie, God is faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you. And you have a friend. Thank you for YOUR faithfulness to God Bernie in taking responsibility for your actions and I KNOW God is going to reward you for it.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
We are weak but HE is strong
Be sure to read my other devotional for this week posted today.
My SOAP devotional from March 18th
S - Matthew 26:34-35,74-75
34"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." 35But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
74Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
O - Peter made a pretty bold vow. Not only did Peter reject the idea that he would deny Jesus, but Jesus knew he would do it. When Peter was faced with a crisis situation his impulsive and human nature took over. He spoke without thinking in both situations. After he realized he had done exactly what Jesus said he would do, he was greatly troubled.
A - How often do we act and speak impulsively making promises we can't keep? I have many times. How many times do we commit to God's service and we "forget" or get "distracted" by worldly things. We lose our focus. We are not obedient when we know it's what we SHOULD do. Peter was in Jesus' inner circle and could touch him and speak to him and yet he still denied him. How much harder is it for us, who cannot physically be with Jesus, except it's not really the same thing of facing persecution and death for our faith. God asks us simply to choose faith in Jesus over the ways and temptations of the world. Why is it so hard?
P - Lord, I am weak. I have been a pretty devoted follower and yet I'm just as bad at times as someone who doesn't even know you because I confess I will hear you call to me and I put you off. "Maybe later" I say. This is just lip service I know but I earnestly pray Lord for strength and courage to be bold in my faith...to act now, not later. To be thoughtful and prayerful, and not impulsive. I am thankful for the way you made me because I know you do not make mistakes and want me to learn and grow in the ways you are teaching me. In my weakness YOU are strong! (2 Cor. 12:9) Give me the conviction to put YOU ahead of anything else on earth. Amen.
My SOAP devotional from March 18th
S - Matthew 26:34-35,74-75
34"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." 35But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
74Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
O - Peter made a pretty bold vow. Not only did Peter reject the idea that he would deny Jesus, but Jesus knew he would do it. When Peter was faced with a crisis situation his impulsive and human nature took over. He spoke without thinking in both situations. After he realized he had done exactly what Jesus said he would do, he was greatly troubled.
A - How often do we act and speak impulsively making promises we can't keep? I have many times. How many times do we commit to God's service and we "forget" or get "distracted" by worldly things. We lose our focus. We are not obedient when we know it's what we SHOULD do. Peter was in Jesus' inner circle and could touch him and speak to him and yet he still denied him. How much harder is it for us, who cannot physically be with Jesus, except it's not really the same thing of facing persecution and death for our faith. God asks us simply to choose faith in Jesus over the ways and temptations of the world. Why is it so hard?
P - Lord, I am weak. I have been a pretty devoted follower and yet I'm just as bad at times as someone who doesn't even know you because I confess I will hear you call to me and I put you off. "Maybe later" I say. This is just lip service I know but I earnestly pray Lord for strength and courage to be bold in my faith...to act now, not later. To be thoughtful and prayerful, and not impulsive. I am thankful for the way you made me because I know you do not make mistakes and want me to learn and grow in the ways you are teaching me. In my weakness YOU are strong! (2 Cor. 12:9) Give me the conviction to put YOU ahead of anything else on earth. Amen.
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