Read Pr. 25:28
Self-control is a fruit of the spirit. In the King James Version it is mentioned as "temperance" which means continence or strong and masterful in a thing. It also means that you are self controlled in appetite, etc. One of the ways God tried to develop this in the Jews were to set up times of fasting. They had several days a year where they were to fast and choose God over their own appetites. We have that opportunity everyday to choose God over our own appetites. I love to daydream. I have to consciously make myself stop doing that and live in the present not the unreal. This Proverbs says that if we can't rule our own spirits then we are like a city that is broken down without walls. Our will and the strength of it helps us fight the enemy. If we never practice ruling over our spirits by denying ourselves then we will not be ready for the battle. Our walls of defense will be broken down and we will fall into sin. But if we practice giving up what we naturally desire, like food, then we will be ready to fight off the devil when he brings a greater temptation.
Lord, help us to be intentional in what we do today. Help us to train ourselves and deny ourselves so that when the battle comes we will be strong.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wed.'s Devo - Too Much Honey
Read Pr. 25:27
We have all been around people who toot their own horn. We have all tooted our own horn. This verse says that seeking your own glory is like eating too much honey. Honey is good in moderation but too much of it will make you sick. That is the way it is with our life. All our talents and gifts are given to us by God. We did nothing to get them but have a responsibility to use them for God's glory, not our own. We all have been given a destiny and the tools we need to fulfill it. Our destiny has two main goals: to love the Lord and to love others. Jesus came as a servant and used all his gifts and talents to help people. His stance was humility and submission to God. He never got a cent for healing anyone or for his famous sermon on the mount. He never let money or monetary gain get in the way of his mission. He lived a life of balance and sacrifice. Sounds impossible to live up to, but it is not, because the same spirit that was in Jesus is in us. Our enemy is the devil whose goal is the opposite. He tells us we are worth so much more than what we are getting. He makes the world and all its stuff look very good. He wants us to love ourselves more than we love God or anyone else. His way will only cause us pain and dissatisfaction. God's way will fulfill our soul and give us life.
Lord, set us on the path that leads to life. May we use all the talents and gifts you have given us for your glory and not seek our own glory.
We have all been around people who toot their own horn. We have all tooted our own horn. This verse says that seeking your own glory is like eating too much honey. Honey is good in moderation but too much of it will make you sick. That is the way it is with our life. All our talents and gifts are given to us by God. We did nothing to get them but have a responsibility to use them for God's glory, not our own. We all have been given a destiny and the tools we need to fulfill it. Our destiny has two main goals: to love the Lord and to love others. Jesus came as a servant and used all his gifts and talents to help people. His stance was humility and submission to God. He never got a cent for healing anyone or for his famous sermon on the mount. He never let money or monetary gain get in the way of his mission. He lived a life of balance and sacrifice. Sounds impossible to live up to, but it is not, because the same spirit that was in Jesus is in us. Our enemy is the devil whose goal is the opposite. He tells us we are worth so much more than what we are getting. He makes the world and all its stuff look very good. He wants us to love ourselves more than we love God or anyone else. His way will only cause us pain and dissatisfaction. God's way will fulfill our soul and give us life.
Lord, set us on the path that leads to life. May we use all the talents and gifts you have given us for your glory and not seek our own glory.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tues.'s Devo - No Fear!!!
Read Pr. 25: 26
God's people never need to fear the wicked. To show fear in their presence and cave to their pressure is evidence that we are not spiritually healthy. I read today in 1 Kings 22. The king of Israel, Ahab and the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat met together to fight the Syrians to recapture Ramoth in Gilead. They were planning to go to war and Ahab decided to ask his prophets whether they should go out or not. All of his prophets said to go and that they would win. Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of God in the country they could ask. Ahab said there was one but he didn't like him because this prophet never spoke anything good for him. Jehoshaphat still wanted to hear from him so they went and got Micaiah. He finally told them that Ahab would die if they went and God would not go with them into battle. This made Ahab so mad he had Micaiah taken to prison until he came back from the battle. Micaiah was taken out yelling, "if you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me. Take heed, all you people." I was struck when I read it that Micaiah had no fear of the king or his consequences. That is how we should react when threatened by the enemy. The enemy comes in disquised forms. He comes through the bad news on TV, or fear of losing our jobs, or a sick child. We are not to fear, our God goes before us and nothing is impossible with Him!
Lord, You are the Captain of the Lord's Army and you are on our side fighting for us every day. Let us stand victorious!
God's people never need to fear the wicked. To show fear in their presence and cave to their pressure is evidence that we are not spiritually healthy. I read today in 1 Kings 22. The king of Israel, Ahab and the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat met together to fight the Syrians to recapture Ramoth in Gilead. They were planning to go to war and Ahab decided to ask his prophets whether they should go out or not. All of his prophets said to go and that they would win. Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of God in the country they could ask. Ahab said there was one but he didn't like him because this prophet never spoke anything good for him. Jehoshaphat still wanted to hear from him so they went and got Micaiah. He finally told them that Ahab would die if they went and God would not go with them into battle. This made Ahab so mad he had Micaiah taken to prison until he came back from the battle. Micaiah was taken out yelling, "if you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me. Take heed, all you people." I was struck when I read it that Micaiah had no fear of the king or his consequences. That is how we should react when threatened by the enemy. The enemy comes in disquised forms. He comes through the bad news on TV, or fear of losing our jobs, or a sick child. We are not to fear, our God goes before us and nothing is impossible with Him!
Lord, You are the Captain of the Lord's Army and you are on our side fighting for us every day. Let us stand victorious!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Mon.'s Devo - Cold Water
Read Pr. 25:25
I blog about 2 weeks in advance in case my computer crashes or I go out of town, so I will still be able to offer my devotions. Yesterday, the earthquake and sunami hit Japan. I was at the gym when someone came up and told me what had happened. What a devastating blow to a nation of people that have few believers. What an opportunity for the gospel to be shared to bring hope and restoration to their hearts and their country. Today's verse has to do with hearing good news from a far country. It is like cold water to a thirsty soul. I would say that the souls of Japan have been made thirsty for answers. We could be the good news from the far away country. We could be the ones that bring them salvation and hope. We were thirsty and without hope and God sent Jesus "from a far country" to bring us salvation. Let's be that for those we work for or with and the ones of our family.
Lord, show us who is alien to God and his ways. May we bring them a cup of cold water from your Word.
I blog about 2 weeks in advance in case my computer crashes or I go out of town, so I will still be able to offer my devotions. Yesterday, the earthquake and sunami hit Japan. I was at the gym when someone came up and told me what had happened. What a devastating blow to a nation of people that have few believers. What an opportunity for the gospel to be shared to bring hope and restoration to their hearts and their country. Today's verse has to do with hearing good news from a far country. It is like cold water to a thirsty soul. I would say that the souls of Japan have been made thirsty for answers. We could be the good news from the far away country. We could be the ones that bring them salvation and hope. We were thirsty and without hope and God sent Jesus "from a far country" to bring us salvation. Let's be that for those we work for or with and the ones of our family.
Lord, show us who is alien to God and his ways. May we bring them a cup of cold water from your Word.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Fri.'s Devo - Love and Peace
Read Pr. 25: 24
We look at pictures of people in third world countries who seem so happy and content. They are an example of those living in the corner of the housetop. They have little personal space and few worldly possessions but have found peace and contentment in being satisfied with what they have. That is much better than living in a society that is full of stress and contention which is compared to the brawling woman. It is a paradox that we want people to have what we have in America. We should want what they have in Mexico. They have a strong sense of family and community. We have a strong sense of self and self. Jesus came from glory to be a pauper here on earth. God chose to have him born in a poor family in a small unimportant town. He was not even know about till he reached 30 and went out to preach to the people. He came to bring what people really want which is not "things" it is love and peace. We might not be able to give materially but we can all give love and peace to those we come in contact with. Only things of the spirit can truly minister life to someone.
Lord, let us be ministers of your life and peace to everyone we meet today.
We look at pictures of people in third world countries who seem so happy and content. They are an example of those living in the corner of the housetop. They have little personal space and few worldly possessions but have found peace and contentment in being satisfied with what they have. That is much better than living in a society that is full of stress and contention which is compared to the brawling woman. It is a paradox that we want people to have what we have in America. We should want what they have in Mexico. They have a strong sense of family and community. We have a strong sense of self and self. Jesus came from glory to be a pauper here on earth. God chose to have him born in a poor family in a small unimportant town. He was not even know about till he reached 30 and went out to preach to the people. He came to bring what people really want which is not "things" it is love and peace. We might not be able to give materially but we can all give love and peace to those we come in contact with. Only things of the spirit can truly minister life to someone.
Lord, let us be ministers of your life and peace to everyone we meet today.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Thurs.'s Devo - ???
Read Pr. 25: 23
This is one of those verses that I would like to know the context of. You wonder what was happening that made them make this statement. This is suppose to be wisdom but it is too high for me. I thought I understood that the north wind drives away the rain until I look up the meaning of north and wind. North means hidden, gloomy and unknown. Wind means breath, life, anger. Rain in scripture has to do with the timed blessings of God. So hidden anger drives away the blessing of God. The next part has me puzzled: In the same way anger drives away blessing, having an angry face drives away gossip and slander. I guess it is like your dad looking at you with that expression that makes you know not to say something you were considering saying.
Lord, I don't understand this verse totally but I pray that you will open our eyes to the wisdom of your word. I know that in Song of Solomon the man prays that the north wind will come and the south wind to blow upon his garden so that the spices will flow out. So you bring things our way that cause your aroma to flow out of us. They may look bad to us at the time and we might not understand them but they are for a far greater purpose than our comfort. We submit ourselves to your hand.
This is one of those verses that I would like to know the context of. You wonder what was happening that made them make this statement. This is suppose to be wisdom but it is too high for me. I thought I understood that the north wind drives away the rain until I look up the meaning of north and wind. North means hidden, gloomy and unknown. Wind means breath, life, anger. Rain in scripture has to do with the timed blessings of God. So hidden anger drives away the blessing of God. The next part has me puzzled: In the same way anger drives away blessing, having an angry face drives away gossip and slander. I guess it is like your dad looking at you with that expression that makes you know not to say something you were considering saying.
Lord, I don't understand this verse totally but I pray that you will open our eyes to the wisdom of your word. I know that in Song of Solomon the man prays that the north wind will come and the south wind to blow upon his garden so that the spices will flow out. So you bring things our way that cause your aroma to flow out of us. They may look bad to us at the time and we might not understand them but they are for a far greater purpose than our comfort. We submit ourselves to your hand.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wed's Devo - Feeding the Enemy
Read Pr. 25:21
I love how God takes us beyond our comfort zone and into the death-to-self-zone. If would be OK if he said to give bread to your friend or family but God says if your enemy is hungry to give him bread and if he is thirsty to give him something to drink. It is explained in the next verse why we should do this. It brings brokenness and forgiveness in us and conviction in him. I know that God's goal is that we won't be enemies anymore. God loves repentance and reconciliation. That is why God says he hates divorce. It is the evidence that one or both people chose not to forgive and be reconciled. God loves a broken and contrite heart. It is hard to hate someone that you are feeding and keeping alive. I saw a video about a Muslim man who came to the US with the intention of killing and destroying. He ended up in a car wreck where he was totally dependent and needy. His doctor took him into his home and loved him. When he finally got back to his own apartment he cried out to Allah and nothing happened. Then he cried out to God and God met him and saved him. He was changed because someone fed and took care of their enemy. Now he is their brother in the Lord.
Lord, may we feed and nourish our enemies through your love.
I love how God takes us beyond our comfort zone and into the death-to-self-zone. If would be OK if he said to give bread to your friend or family but God says if your enemy is hungry to give him bread and if he is thirsty to give him something to drink. It is explained in the next verse why we should do this. It brings brokenness and forgiveness in us and conviction in him. I know that God's goal is that we won't be enemies anymore. God loves repentance and reconciliation. That is why God says he hates divorce. It is the evidence that one or both people chose not to forgive and be reconciled. God loves a broken and contrite heart. It is hard to hate someone that you are feeding and keeping alive. I saw a video about a Muslim man who came to the US with the intention of killing and destroying. He ended up in a car wreck where he was totally dependent and needy. His doctor took him into his home and loved him. When he finally got back to his own apartment he cried out to Allah and nothing happened. Then he cried out to God and God met him and saved him. He was changed because someone fed and took care of their enemy. Now he is their brother in the Lord.
Lord, may we feed and nourish our enemies through your love.
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