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 8/5/98 Good morning.... +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ You've had setbacks, and you'll
have others. It's not important how many times you've
fallen. It's how many times you let God pick you up that
matters. +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ Hi Brethren!! Boy I sure missed you guys! The retreat went well and I greatly appreciate your prayers! It felt good to come back and do a fresh devo! I pray it ministers to you. Now, be sure to "control yourself" as you read it... ( smile ) See ya at the end!! And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal 5:24 We must realize that the battle for self-control is fought primarily within our own minds; it is a battle with our passions, thoughts, and desires. In those areas where we have failed to curb our appetites and emotions, we seem to have invisible antennae sensitively attuned to the corresponding temptations. The proverbial "chip on his shoulder" describes the person whose antennae is constantly searching for the minor incident that he can magnify into an occasion for losing his temper. The person who habitually yields to some bodily appetite or lust is constantly alert for opportunities to indulge that carnal desire. We must learn to say no to those passions when they first enter our minds. Above all, we must pray for the inner strength of will necessary to curb our passions and desires. It is God who works in us to will and to act. Our own particular areas of vulnerability must be made the subject of earnest, beseeching prayer for God's grace to work in our wills. At the same time we must realize that the will is strengthened by obedience. The more we say no to sinful desires, the more we will be able to say no. But to experience this, we must persevere through many failures. A large part of learning self- control is breaking bad habits and replacing them with good ones... As we grow in the grace of self-control, we will experience the liberation of those who, under the guidance and grace of the Holy Spirit, are freed from the shackles of self-indulgence and are brought into the freedom of true spiritual discipline. -From: The Practice of Godliness- <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<> Are you disciplined even under difficult
circumstances? Say no to the temptation to indulge every
appetite. Substitute an old habit with a new one: praise,
don't complain; support,don't argue; encourage, don't
brag. <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<> SUCCULENT FRUITS It is often said that people <>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<><JE§U§><<>@<> Me again, Brethren!! I am sitting here, taking a deep breath...wondering what "fruit" will be produced from this keyboard today. I was considering the theme of today's devotional, and how the thrust seems to lean toward the direction of a particular fruit of the Spirit called "self-control." Indulgence can reek havoc in our lives when that juicy tidbit can't be found in the fruit bowl of our lives. It's funny how we may seem to conquer self- control in one area, only to realize that we have simply transferred it to something else. I remember once, I made the statement: "I don't watch TV much anymore." Well, that was true...but the thing was...that excessive time that I USED to spend on the TV was simply shifted over to the computer. Or there were times, that I patted myself on the back because I didn't sleep as much as I used to, but I sure was able to pack away some groceries! I would like to submit an analogy that I recently heard a pastor give during a sermon. I thought it was awesome. He said that he and a member of his congregation went out to a restaurant, and they ate until they were full. They couldn't eat another bite. Then the waitress comes along with that question that every restaurant goer anticipates: "Would you like some dessert?" The pastor and his friend waved their hands and gave a resounding "No!" because they were so full. Then he inserted this statement in his sermon: "You cannot tempt a full man." Liken that statement to the spiritual aspect, and you have an answer for what seems to be an age old question in the life of a Christian. "Why can't I exercise self-control in my life?" Now, I realize it was possible that self-control was not exercised in the actual meal...and that's why they were so full. But look at it like this: Let's say that the "appetizer" was a decision to choose Christ for that day, before it even got started. Josh 24:15 Then, the "entree" was a portion of God's Word: Ps 119:140 and a ladle of prayer was poured all over the top: Ps 109:4 ....I give myself unto prayer. And the "side dishes" were praise ( Ps 7:17 ), worship ( Ps 95:6 ), and constant focus ( Micah 7:7 ). Then, let's liken the "dessert" to something that may not necessarily be a sin...but it would be something of the world that represents indulgence. You might say at this point.."But Carol, that's the best part! You wouldn't dare be hinting that I give up my dessert?!" Would I do that? Keep in mind the context of this particular analogy, and then think about this question: Can we take it or leave it? Am I so full of God's Word, that I have the power over it, and it doesn't have the power over me? It seems so difficult NOT to be drawn in by these excesses, when they are so readily available. The word "moderation" could very easily be stripped from every dictionary in the world, and chances are, we might not miss it. When a Christian makes a decision to be "sold out" for Jesus...and really put "God first" in their lives...then all the tantalizing desserts are suddenly thrust in their face..and the devil is standing there smiling, and saying: "Would you care for some dessert?" Only when we are "full" of Christ, and His Word has become OUR Word..can we look at him with confidence, rub our bellies..and say, "No!" And BECAUSE that fruit of the Spirit called self-control has become so fine tuned in our lives...we won't miss it when it's no longer available. The only thing we will be wanting more of is Jesus! If the temporal things of this world DO have power over us...then it is time to repent, and pray to be released before we find ourselves dancing around that "golden calf" and paying homage to it. You know what's interesting to me? I find that when I am so focused on the problem..and not on the solution, I get sidetracked and backslidden. What is the solution? Jesus Christ. It's THAT simple. So, when I am focused on Jesus, I can see more clearly and His strength is made perfect in my weakness.. ( 2Cor 12:19 ) I find myself being transformed without even consciously realizing it. I don't know about you but I am tired of staring at an empty bowl. I say we wipe the dust off the fruit bowl and then "open the door" so the "produce delivery guy" can have access to deliver some fresh fruit. But first, we need to call Him. The phone book resembles a Bible, and the phone kinda looks like prayer closet. Want the number? (smile) God Bless You Guys!! In Christ!!
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