Conference - Night One

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful."

James 5:16

Dr. Paige Patterson, President of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, brought forth a powerful word this evening at the Fourth Annual Prayer and Discipleship Conference at Spring Baptist Church.  He spoke to us from James, as referenced above.  The points he brought forward were a blessing, to say the very least.

Dr. Patterson asked several questions about healing, and whether it is okay to ask for healing in all circumstances.  Of course, we know that it is not only acceptable to ask, but encouraged and commanded that we pray in all occasions with all kinds of requests in the Spirit.  We should always be in prayer as a natural and autonomic response to any and every situation, whether good or bad, right or wrong.  We should always pray... ALWAYS!

He also pointed out that the other thing about seeking healing is that sometimes it is not God's plan for us to be healed right at that moment.  We have to understand that sometimes, even in our distress, we are exactly and precisely where God needs us, as God needs us, in front of who God needs us to be in front of.  And Dr. Patterson brought out a staggering statement that most of the lost don't relate well to a perfectly "healthy and wealthy Christian."  Rather, they are more impressed by a Christian dealing with and overcoming their difficulties, all to the glory of the Father!

We also had a powerful and magnificent worship experience with SBC's Worship Pastor, Buck Moore, as well as a guest Worship Leader from Houston's First Baptist Church, John Bolin.  We prayed, we sang, we cried, we worshipped... and God was present!  We all felt Him there, and it was amazing.  I pray you'll join us tomorrow beginning at 3:30 p.m.

God bless you all!!!

4th Annual Prayer and Discipleship Conference

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

"It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer.'"

Matthew 21:13a

For those of you keeping up with the current study, there wil be intermittent posts in the next few days that are unrelated.  They will come from the reflections God lays upon me at the 4th Annual Prayer and Discipleship Conference at Spring Baptist Church in Spring, Texas. 

This conference has brought forward powerful concepts for those who attend, and if you are in the Spring area and have the availability to go, I would whole-heartedly encourage it.  If not, I will be visiting all the sessions, and I will bring back notes and thoughts from which I can blog about the value of what was delivered to us all from God in this three-day event. 

And be aware, this is the largest registration the Conference has seen since inception, with people from all over the country and the world coming to attend.  It is worth the time and effort, I promise you.  I pasted the link below so that you can see what topics are going to be discussed, as well as who this year's speakers will be.  And, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours, blessed friends!

www.prayerconference.org

God bless you all!!! 

The belt... in closing...

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..."

Ephesians 6:14a

We will move into the next piece of armor tomorrow, but I have to end by pointing out to you that this was not a suggestion offered lightly by Paul.  This was not something that was thrown out as a possibility for a means to success.  This was not a random idea that suddenly popped up and was a decent approach.

Paul says to do it.  DO IT!  It is not optional, as it is spoken here.  It is not up for our own interpretation.  It says to have it buckled at your waist, and it says nothing further about it.  It says to stand firm, not to try and stand firm.  It is a truly pointed directive.  And it comes from the greatest conversion in the Bible... Paul.

Take time today to look into this portion of this verse in your translation, and focus on how serious a matter it is to begin with a belt firmly buckled at your waist.  Make certain that there is no doubt about the placement of it, or the security of it, and understand that it is not up to us to decide whether or not to put it on.  Go forth and encourage others with your boldness to follow you in this practice, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

The belt... part 3...

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..."

Ephesians 6:14a

"Buckled" probably isn't so literal a term as you may think.  I would imagine that tied would work, as well, as long as the belt were secure and in no danger of falling off.  No matter what, I believe that the belt is a relative and subjective piece of armor, in that not all belts will be the same in fashion or form... but they all DO reflect the same meaning!

Belts have great significance to some cultures, the most notable of which for me would be in the realm of martial arts.  When my friends and I tested for our black belts and passed, we were so excited.  That was a belt that signified achievement.  It was a symbol, just as each one before it was a symbol, of the level to which we had grown.  But there was something different about the black ones... there was nothing beyond it!

Black belts were worn by all the visiting masters, and no color existed above black in the scheme.  The only thing that changed after the black belt was the number of stitched-on degrees to which you took it.  I only went to the 1st degree, but I have many friends who went further.  The point with any of us, though, is that this belt was worn and displayed with pride and confidence in our abilities.  We earned this belt, and we wore it with our heads held high... always.

The belt of Truth, though, is not one that is earned.  It is one that comes with the gift of salvation, one that is a blessing into our wardrobe.  We could not ever hope to purchase it or discover it or attain it on our own.  It was given to us all, the moment we accepted Christ as Savior, and we must put it on.  And this one shows a level of achievement, too, but it's not quite the same as the black belts mentioned above.  This belt that we now wear shows that we know how to bow down before God and accept His love for us in the form of His Son, Christ.  This belt shows us as servants to the Throne of God, slaves in Christ (as Paul would say).  This belt... it is filled with the Truth that comes only from knowing Jesus. 

Most importantly, though, is that this belt is NOT to be worn with pride.  Make no mistake, I am proud to be a Christian.  However, I am not prideful about my placement in eternity, and I do not lord it over anyone that I have been saved.  I am not arrogant about the fact that Christ loves me and has saved me from myself for all time, but rather I do my best to display a servant-minded approach to the slow and arduous process that is the expunging of sin.  So, in a way, my head is held higher than ever before as I bow it down lower than ever before.

Take time today to examine how you approach the adornment of your Spiritual belt.  I keep saying to make sure it's buckled tightly, but today I would ask that you make certain it is fastened about your waist in whatever fashion is needed for complete security.  It may tie in a bow or a square knot, it may buckle, it may clasp... but it needs to stay at your waist.  Encourage someone else in this task today, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!    

Friday's Proverb...

"He who loves knowledge loves discipline, but he who hates correction is stupid."

Proverbs 12:1

QBQ - By this definition, am I stupid?

Am I?  Are you?  There's not a lot of extrapolation needed for a verse this pointed, but I would encourage that you ask yourself, based upon this wise definition, if you fall into that category or not.  If you do, then tighten your belt!

May He bless you!!!

The belt... part 2...

"He who loves knowledge loves discipline, but he who hates correction is stupid."

Proverbs 12:1

The second part of the discussion revolving around the belt may also bring up some laughter, even if it's not intentional.  But the memories we all have of certain belts can definitely make us giggle about days of yor.

I vividly remember hearing my parents tell me to go get a belt at times.  I also remember the spanking that followed, and I recall that is was not a pleasant experience.  At the time, I had a blind spot for why I was getting punishment, but I look back now and see through eyes of honest accountability that I most likely deserved every single moment of it.  In truth, I probably deserved a little more than I got. 

I can also admit, now as an adult, that I needed the correction.  And whether you agree with the method of delivery or not, whether you have ever been in that specific situation or not, the truth is that we all need a little correcting, now and again.  It isn't always fun, because (and hang on for this new-making statement) it's not supposed to be!  Correction is supposed to sting.  And even if it isn't punitive, the sting can be against our pride, internal and invisible... but still just as painful.

As we discuss the belt and it's ability to keep us guarded in truth (real Truth), we must know that the Truth sometimes comes flying back to kick us in the rear.  When we stray, the truth stays on a straight and narrow, perfect path.  People talk all the time about being honest and having accountability partners, but have you ever considered what it means to be accountable to the Truth?  Have you given thought to what it means to be accountable to an intangible, unswayable, perfect thing like the truth?  The truth either is or is not, and no amount of justification or explanation can change it... ever.

Take time today to ponder on whether or not your belt is currently holding you honest or pulling you back into line.  The Word says to keep it "buckled at your waist," and to do that you would have to remain honest... even when it hurts.  Otherwise, the Truth will unbuckle and come remind you of where you should be.  Be certain of your path and placement today, encourage others to do the same, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

199 Proverbs On The Wall

Friends and readers:

I have waited a few days, but I wanted to share with those of you who may not yet know, my book 199 Proverbs On The Wall: Take One Down, Text It Around is available now online for your Kindle and/or your Nook, as well as eBook copies for your PC and paperback copies.  Any of the links below will aid you in securing yours today. 

As we move forward together in our respective walks, I pray that my journey through Proverbs will help you in whatever way God has orchestrated.  I count you as a blessing, and I look forward to any thoughts you may have on it.

And, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours, blessed friends!

http://www.totalrecallpress.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=9781590957868
Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/199-Proverbs-Wall-Around-ebook/dp/B005DF7AF0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311868249&sr=8-1
Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/199-proverbs-on-the-wall-dylan-stopher/1104331517?ean=2940012754356&itm=1&usri=199%2bproverbs

The belt...

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..."

Ephesians 6:14a

You know, this is going to probably incite a little laughter.  But I have to tell you that the only thing that comes to mind from a modern-day example of this particular verse is the gentleman who went a popular reality show and began to sing/rap about how foolish people appear when their pants are "on the ground."  I don't recall whether or not he made the statement that people need a belt, but the obvious implication is that they do... otherwise, their pants would remain at the waist, where they belong.

To add to that, I know that everyone has seen the dream sequence within almost any show or movie you could name where someone goes to school or work (in the dream) either missing clothing of some sort or not wearing the proper clothing to cover certain areas.  The common theme is embarrassment, and we all awaken to the gratitude of being only in our beds, not in front of anyone, and then we double and triple check our clothes before we leave the house.  Walking around with our "pants on the ground" is viewed as a bad thing in these dreams and thoughts, just as it was for the aforementioned gentleman.

So if we get real and dig down deep into this concept, why would you not just put the belt on, and buckle it tightly?  Why would you leave anything to chance?  When I was in high school, a popular prank was to "pants" someone, wherein you would yank their pants downward in a sudden and surprise fashion, exposing their undergarments for all to see.  The only way to avoid this was a belt, and we all learned to wear it.  Granted, these are just childhood pranks, but the application is real.

If you are struggling with something, the enemy may decide that a good idea for throwing you off kilter would be to "pants" you, forcing you to react.  The almost certain response is one of anger and loss of self-control, which then reduces or removes your witness and wisdom in the eyes of others.  How we handle the bad things in life determines for others who we really are, you know... so you have to be prepared, more than anything else, to be calm and collected and ready for any assault.  That means you probably need a belt, just in case.

Take a moment to check your belt today.  Is it firmly buckled and at your waist, where it should be?  Is it lifting and holding your clothing up as it should be?  Are you even wearing one at all today?  (And for those of you who do not wear a belt everyday, please extrapolate the metaphorical meaning here.)  Run your belt through every loop, and tighten it properly... this added security willl further embolden you against one small measure of attack, and you will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

Put it on... in closing...

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

Ephesians 6:13

We have covered the main reasons for putting on the armor, as well as who it is that assails us.  Today, I wish to briefly explain the biggest point to why we should so readily and completely arm ourselves against the enemy.  And I want to make clear how often we should wear it.

Be clear on one thing first, though... it AGAIN says to put on "the full armor of God," with no exceptions or exclusions or reasons for not picking a certain piece.  All of it, without question, because you never know where the attack will come to or with how much force.

Honestly, it should never come off.  I'll say that again: it should NEVER come off.  Never.  Ever.  The reason for the heavy emphasis is that the Word says "when the day of evil comes," but it is not clear as to a specific time.  Many people believe we are in the end times now... but people have been saying that for a little over 2,000 years now, and it hasn't yet come.  The moral of that story from those faithful Christians who warn us and guide us to better and straighter paths is that vigilance is of the utmost importance in our walk.  We must be ready, because it could come today or tomorrow, or it could wait another 1,000 years.  We simply do not know, but I wouldn't want to be the guy racing to find the suit of armor that had so long been forsaken when the day of evil pops up on us.

And the Word also tells us that we should make certain that we are able "to stand" after it is all said and done.  The blessing we have in the strength of Christ allows us that freedom and privilege to remain on our feet after all that comes against us, no matter how much or for how long.  But the only way we remain standing and watch the enemy fall is in the armor.  If we fail to adorn the items we will discuss in the coming days and weeks, we will fall under the pressure of it all... be CERTAIN of that.  But in the armor, we will stand, and we will watch our enemy kneel before our Lord and Savior as the battle is won (which we already know to be the outcome).

And that leads me to the greatest point of the opening of this study: we know what happens, and we know the exact play-by-play of Who wins and who loses.  We know that things will get worse than we can imagine before they get even the slightest bit better, and we know that the armor provided for us is more powerful than anything the enemy can throw against it or us.  Therefore, why would anyone who is a Christian ever hesitate for even an instant to put it on?  Pick it up and put it on and never, ever take it off.  And then, after that horrid day passes, you will be among those who are able to stand and see the Victory that we so longingly await!

Take time today to reflect over the armor and the reasons for wearing it.  Realize that as a husband and father, this armor allows you to better protect your family.  As a wife and mother, this armor allows you to better protect yourself and your prayers for your husband's strength and fortitude.  As a single man or woman, the armor allows you to better watch for those things that would detract from your witness in the world, and therefore you will be a more powerful example for those who follow you... just as the husband and wife will, also. 

Pray for yourselves and each other and all Christians today.  Pray that the armor we wear is present, just as it was when the Israelites rebuilt the walls in the days of Nehemiah.  Pray that it will always be present, and that complacency will be no kinsman of ours, regardless of any circumstance.  Do all these things with an open heart today, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

The opposition... part 4...

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

1 Peter 5:8

I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing one's enemy.  Regardless of the type of enemy, it has been wisely stated that the only way to defeat your enemy is to understand him/her.  And to understand, you must be ready to dig deep and look at what the enemy really is.  This is a scary prospect, but no one wins a battle with their head in the sand.

This will be the last post on this particular topic, so don't think we're going to dwell too much on who it is that assails us.  But it can never be said too much that we must know our enemy and understand how to defeat him.  And the first key to this is to be alert, as discussed in the fruit of the Spirit.  We must be prepared and calm and sober-minded.  Clarity of purpose and thought is paramount to the success of this task, and we cannot afford to ever wander away from this.  (We know we'll wander, because we're human, but raised awareness increases capability for success in less wandering and not wandering as far.)

The second kicker here, though, is the descriptor of the enemy as a prowling lion "ready to devour" us.  Imagine a beast of that size and power, looking right into your eyes, right in front of you... and he's hungry.  Will you respect it?  Will you be wary of it?  Will you seriously take the time to focus on how to overcome this particular predicament?  Or will you fail to recognize the severity of the situation, ignoring the power of evil that is staring into your very being?  Will you assume in arrogance that you are smarter, faster and good enough to overcome it all on your own?  Will you believe that you are capable, due to the growth you have experienced so far?  The bigger problem is that the lion appears at first to be a sweet and innocent little kitten, and only grows to full size because of our own impudence.  Then it becomes clear to us what the enemy really is, and I have to ask: in that moment, am I that good?

Let me explain something for you: I'm not that good.  You're not that good.  None of us are.  Only through Christ are we able to withstand and surmount the evil that assails us.  Only Christ empowers us to be able to win that contest.  And when we assume in arrogance that we can handle it without prayer, we usually get kicked right in the trachea with a steel-soled boot and no remorse.  And as we gasp for breath, we recognize our failing in not praying before we tackle a task of this magnitude.  It happens to me... I bet if you're honest, you'll admit it happens to you... it happens to everyone at different times. 

Pray, folks.  Pray with all your heart, mind and soul for Christ to fill you with the power needed to look right in the face of that lion and turn away, guarded by the very power of Heaven.  But understand that it is only when you feel confident that the lion will strike.  That lion looks all nice and calm until you get arrogant... and then it kills you.  This is the enemy we face.  We must know it and be aware of it.

Take time today to spend in prayer over your own level of awareness in Christ.  Pray for added awareness of where the lion prowls in your life, and which corners he hides behind.  Pray for the sobriety of mind that allows you to recognize all of those places the instant you encounter them.  And then encourage someone, and spread forward the Truth that the enemy has already been defeated for all eternity, and that we are only adding to that defeat by honoring the Lord in all our ways!

God bless you all!!!

The opposition... part 3...

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Ephesians 6:12

A dear friend and mentor just reminded me that a fairly well-known teacher and pastor says (paraphrasing) that if you are not in the middle of a trial, you probably aren't where you need to be.  He makes this statement to encourage those who are in times of distress, looking for the "silver lining" around the seemingly ever-growing dark cloud that looms in life.  I am grateful for this reminder.

And for the rest of the people who, unlike myself, are not in a trial right now, I would ask openly where they stand?  Are you openly opposed to the enemy with no fear of anything earthly that he can bring to you?  Or are you capitulating to the whims of the world, and trying to play both ends against the middle? 

And for those of us in trials, I would point out that we may not ever know another person's hardships.  They can range from all kinds of possiblities, going through money and family and friends and church.  We may not see it, but that doesn't mean it does not exist.  And as the Bible teaches us not to covet, we must remain careful not to assume another person has a "better life" than we have.  Technically, they have the same life... exactly the same life.  Heart beating, blood pumping, brain working (regardless of IQ or capacity), lungs breathing: it is the same for all living people.  Their life is no better then yours or mine.  It is simply different.

Take time today to pray about how you are withstanding the forces of evil in the spiritual realms.  Remember that you are alive, first and foremost, and that is all you can ask for.  Further, you are saved for eternity, and that is more than you can ever understand.  So what else is needed, honestly?  Nothing.  I submit that nothing else is needed at all.  And the opposing forces will one day cower before the Throne and be washed away!  Encourage others and yourself in this, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

The opposition... continued...

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Ephesians 6:12

It can sometimes seem like our problem is with someone flesh and blood, can't it?  Just this weekend, as my family gathered to have a mini-vacation away from it all, circumstances occurred that brought out the worst in all of us.  For my part in it, I can never apologize enough... but I am thankful that the grace which covers my family also covers me.  There is nothing I can do to repay the forgiveness that was granted to me, and there is no way I can ever explain the broad-reaching qualities of that forgiveness.  I am truly blessed.

However, given all that happened, it became clear to me that what the enemy uses varies in size and scope.  It is not always a grand assault on our beliefs and core values.  Sometimes, it is as simple as a thought that arises, telling us something that we know isn't true (if we look deeply enough to really see it), which we assume to be an insult.  From that assumption, we need an analogy.  This seed of doubt gets planted into radioactive soil, which we have been sold as being the best thing for the seed.  That soil then causes rapid growth, one which replaces normal patterns that take more time.  And since it grows exponentially, it also grows out of control (as we are not capable of growing with it).  And yet we feed it still, and try and foster it.  We are not wise enough, in these moments, to just put it in the trash and throw it away.  We believe ourselves to be wise enough to take care of it without assistance... this is folly, through and through.

Today, more than any other day, I would emphasize that we need to take a moment to realize those moments when we must take the plant and throw it into the trash.  We must throw it into the trash and light that can on fire, sending the enemy back from whence he came, into the heat and flames that he has attempted to bring into our lives.  We must stand against it, regardless of where the assault comes from, and we must stand in commanding stature, with the full and complete power of Heaven behind us.  And with said stance, the enemy has no choice but to back down and cower in the corner, right where he belongs... and we will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

The opposition...

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Ephesians 6:11-12

We have discussed at length the reasons for picking up the armor and putting it on.  We have covered that we must put on all of the armor, because we need to make certain that there are more strong places than weak places.  And the big kicker that we are going into today is who we are armoring against.

Some people are going to read this and say to themselves that they already knew all of what I am about to type.  Others will see this in a new light, and hopefully have an added awareness (like I did, upon closer inspection), which will better equip them to see what dangers lurk around each corner.  Either way, the enemy knows I'm talking about him and I imagine he doesn't like it... but with my armor on, I move forward to expose him for the fraud he is, in the Name of Jesus!

We stand against the schemes of the devil.  And the key to this deep understanding is in the second part of the passage chosen for today.  We are not fighting other people.  We are fighting that which influences those people to go down dark paths.  Those people, sadly, are being used as puppets in an awful play, and we are here to aid (through prayer) in the cutting of the strings.  Tyrannical marionettes, after all, are still just marionettes... and their controller is the offender.

On a side note, it should be noted that those of who are Christians do still make bad choices and follow wrong patterns of thought and action.  But it is not the devil we can blame for this.  When Christ became a part of us, the devil lost control of us... that means that we are accountable for those decisions, 100%.  It is a painful admission, but one that must be realized.

There are forces of evil alive in the world, for certain, and there are times when we must stand opposed to other people.  Please understand that I am not saying we shouldn't fight for what is right.  But what I am saying is that we need to ensure we know who and what we are really fighting, and not go at the cause with blinders on.  The spiritual forces at work in the very real spiritual warfare that we all endure each day are powerful.  The devil is alive in the world, and to deny that would be flat-out stupid.  But we have a more powerful stance, and the greatest posturing possible through Him which has already conquered death and the devil, and we must realize that before we attempt to fight.  Jesus is alive in the world, too... and more alive than anyone could ever comprehend, this side of Heaven!

We must also concede that some of the people who stand on the wrong side of the argument are led by these opposing forces, and that they may simply need to be shown the light.  We must ready ourselves to stand for that purpose.  And with the armor on, we will be better prepared.

But it is a failing that we can get wrapped up in political movements and think that a certain leader or position is the enemy.  It is the devil who is the enemy, and he attempts to orchestrate all things for the slowing of the advancement of God's kingdom.  Prayer is our greatest and most powerful weapon against this.

Take a moment this morning to pray... really pray... for a deeper understanding of what it is you fight.  Whether it is political or religious or simply the urge to say things that you know you shouldn't, thank God that you are no longer in the position to be puppeteered, and pray that you will have the strength to cut the strings of others you meet.  I promise, you will honor the Lord in doing these things!

God bless you all!!!   

Put it on... part 3...

"Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them.  For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

I mentioned in the first segment that being "strong in the Lord" is an important aspect of our walk, and that is true.  But for the purpose of further expanding it, I need some Old Testament wisdom to explain a little more deeply.

To be "strong in the Lord" is to make full use of His strength instead of our own.  Many things can be accomplished by our power, certainly, and we are capable of accomplishing great feats on our own.  But those feats of greatness only apply to the earthly realm, and that is not where we aspire to be.  

We are in this world, but not to be of this world, and that means we need to show an example of Christ in all that we do.  And therefore, when we are weak, He is strong.  Even the children sing of this, and we know it is true.  And just as Joshua encouraged the people, I would encourage you, as well.  Nothing can terrify God, and if His strength is what we are blessed to use, then we have no reason to fear.

And the Word is true: He will not leave you or forsake you.  He will be present forever and always, and nothing can separate us from that truth.  Nothing.  But as we have to put on the armor and put on His strength, it is still our choice to make.  So put it on, and then have no fear about anything!

Take a moment today to think about the strength you use.  Is it only your own strength?  Or do you employ the strength of God in your times of distress?  If you don't I heavily suggest that you begin to pray for it... you'll find it quite a powerful experience, and you will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!! 

Put it on... part 2...

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Proverbs 16:18

Yesterday we began into the Armor of God, and I explained the need to choose to put it on.  I will expand on that slightly today, because I believe that the act of dressing in it is more important than we are aware.

This verse from Proverbs is one of my favorites, and as I apply it to this context in this study, I picture a man walking onto a field, ready to play a game (we'll use football, for simplicity sake).  But he refuses, even though he is the quarterback and has a mild pain in his wrist, to put on a brace.  He makes statements about how he has never done that before, and he doesn't want the team to think he is weak, and so he walks onto the field, head held high, no protection for his wrist. 

And then comes the snap.  The ball comes into hand, and the throw is made.  And as the ball leaves his hand, there is a small crack that no one hears... no one but the man whose wrist just broke.  The quarterback is unable to complete the proper posture to have the perfect pass, and the throw fishtails.  The receiver obviously does not catch it, and the game is lost.  All because of pride.  Now the team finds out about the wrist, and they ridicule the quarterback for his failure to think of the team first and his own pride second.

The armor must be worn.  It must be worn completely.  It is not something you can pick and choose, but rather an all-encompassing thing.  There is no discussion about it, and our thoughts on it are irrelevant.  I know that hurts to read, because it hurts to type, but it is the truth.

Take time today, again, to focus on where your armor might be weakest, and whether or not you are willing to put on more to compensate for that weakness.  Make certain that you are not the one your team looks down upon for prideful thoughts and plans.  Be the leader by being willing to accept your own limitations, and then lead through them, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

Put it on!!!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

Ephesians 6:10-11

I guess I just couldn't wait to get into this one, because it is so powerful and so important a message that I must share it as it comes to me.  I have titled it appropriately, as I'm certain you'll see, because it is necessary for us to make the CHOICE to put on this armor.  And these first two verses of this passage are so very, very clear on that point.

To be "strong in the Lord" is a big deal.  God gives us everything, including and especially our strength.  Being strong in Him means that we have, to use a common phrase, "let go and let God" in our present situation.  Countless times throughout Scripture, whether it was a prophet or a child or even Jesus Christ in person, it is often mentioned that God gives that person the strength to continue.  Major athletes have said, at one time or another, that when they feel like they have nothing left, "something" kicks in after they pray.  My oldest and closest friend, when in the Marines, told me that in a swimming exercise, he thought he would drown... until "something" enabled him to continue after a prayer.  This "something" is an added measure of strength from the Lord to finish the task you are given.  And it comes to those who seek it, as many will attest. 

You'll say, "but then why doesn't everyone seek it?"  True enough; I wish they all would.  But there are some who actually believe they don't need it.  And, therefore, they stop when THEY stop, and fail to allow Him to continue in them.  I had this problem for years, in that I would start a study or a project, grow bored, and just give up.  But now, even when my flesh tells me that I could wait or stop or slow down, a powerful thought overcomes me, and I must put it on paper (or LCD, as it were) before I lose it.  That is what it means in my life to be "strong in the Lord."

And God's armor is probably heavy... which means we could not possibly lift it ourselves, without His assistance... just sayin...

It is in that moment that we must choose to put on the "full armor of God."  Please notice, beloved ones, it does not say to pick and choose the fashionable pieces.  Nor does it ask that we pick up only that which we feel we need.  It also does not invite us to seek sizes that fit "better" or differing colors of the armor to better reflect our personality or eye color or mood.  (I'm not digging at fashion, just expanding an example.)  It says to put on "the full armor," without reservation.  We'll get to the individual components later, don't worry.

And with this full armor, we are able to "stand against the Devil's schemes," as they assail us.  I've said it before, and I'll say it many times more: Spiritual warfare is a REAL thing.  The attacks against us are present and they are many, and some are so small and seemingly insignificant that we fail to give them proper credence.  But just imagine for me what the verse would say if you were able to pick and choose your armor.  Something like, "Put on the pieces of armor that you feel are necessary, because you only need to be guarded against this one specific type of attack, and the rest you can leave, because you're too smart to fall for trickery in those other areas."  Yeah.  Right.  We are all susceptible in every way, to every possible failing, at any given time, in any place.  We are human: flesh, flawed, failing, fickle, forgetful creatures who have no capacity for sustaining goodness in ourselves, apart from the Father.

Take time today to think about where you believe the proverbial chink in your armor exists.  Focus then on how important having all the armor on will be if there is definitely a weaker section (and there is, by the way, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not).  Say a prayer today, right now, for the armor of God to envelop you fully, so that you will be able to stand against the enemy, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!   

In between...

There is no specific verse attached to this post, but I wanted to take a minute to discuss where we're going now.  We have spent countless weeks in the Galatians passage, and I believe that there has been growth in both understanding and application from this experience.  But now, we are going to love into another realm, and relate it back to the fruit that we are to show to others.  We are going to learn how to protect the fruit, and what to use to do so.

In that vein, at the request of a dear friend, I will begin a study into the Ephesians 6 section on the armor of God, and how we should use and implement it.  This section of our study will certainly not be as long as the fruit was, but it will provide great insight into how we are to weild certain items at certain times, and what this practice can bring forth.  It will aslo discuss the opposite, and what happens when we failto "raise shields," as a favorite TV Captain of mine would suggest we do.

No matter what, before we begin I would like to thank you for continuing on this journey with me.  I count you among my greatest blessings, and look forward to each time I post.  I have not yet decided whether or not I'll begin today or tomorrow, but when it starts, I pray that you will follow along and be blessed by it, as I know I am blessed by you.

And, as always, grace and peace to you and yours, blessed friends!

Self Control... in closing...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law."

Galatians 5:22-23

To close out this section, I have chosen to end where it all began.  Ironically, in using these many, many verses I have found to describe the Fruit of the Spirit, I have not once used the very verse where they are all listed together.  I would say that takes some measure of self control, wouldn't you?  Sorry, I just can't help myself with certain types of humor...

In seriousness, though, the more important part of this verse, I believe, is after the fruit is all listed.  "Against such things, there is no law."  This is one of those statements where we all think, "Well, of course there's no law against that.  That would just be silly!"  But if we have so vast an understanding of the truth that there is no law against being (basically) a good and kind person, showing the best of yourself to all you encounter, why don't we do it?

That one probably stings for you a little, just as it does for me, but it is a valid and necessary question to ask.  Why do we not just do what we know we should, and what we know we could?  The answer is frighteningly simple: we are involved in the decision, which flaws the reasoning and the response with reckless abandon.

In all of history, there are accounts of people who have "discovered" something new about life and about history and about faith, and they have decided that they no longer need God or Jesus, because their own wisdom has now been enhanced beyond that "socially acceptable norm."  They decide that they, out of all the trillions upon trillions of people who have come and gone, all of a sudden "know better."  Statistically, from a mathematical standpoint, it doesn't make a lot of sense.  Scientifically, from a point of pure logic, it doesn't make a lot of sense.  And if you can't become of the world with proof from the world, then what are you really trying to prove?  Who is it that you intend to impress?  Something to think about...

There is no law against being a good person, because we're supposed to be good people.  However, as we are awful and wretched things that occassionally stumble into a good deed, we are not capable of sustaining the goodness we are supposed to show.  This is where self control becomes as paramount as it possibly can be, in the governance of one's own temper.  We have to keep from being reactive when we are wronged.  And I know, there are some who will say that they have been wronged and must repay the injustice.  Perhaps so, but if we are to have goodness and the showing of it as a way of life, it has to start somewhere... why not with you?  Why not with me?  I'll admit, I have a tough time governing my temper.  But I'm getting better, and you should be, too!

This first portion of our study is closing, and I have yet to mention how any of it impacts our marriages.  Over 70 different posts, and I haven't mentioned it once.  But I waited, purposefully, because there is no one single component of this verse that screams "marriage talk" by itself: it is, like marriage, an all-or-nothing deal!  All of these components must (MUST) be shown to your spouse in countless abundnace, before they are shown to anyone else on the planet, ever.  This will build the foundation for showing them to others.  Never forget or doubt, being called to be a husband or a wife is the single greatest responsibility any person will ever have, above all professions and other callings and ministries and vocations... all of them come second to marriage, always.  Now, I know we're not all perfect in this, and there will be moments when we fall backwards, but that's okay.  The self control part is what keeps us from falling too far... it allows us to see the mistakes and overcome them and get back to the basics and show the fruit directly to the one we chose to spend our life with.

Take time today to read this verse as a couple.  Find a quiet moment and describe for your spouse how you show them the fruit of the Spirit, specifically, and tell them how grateful you are for what they show you in return.  Lift your spouse in prayer immediately following this, and then have a blessed day!  Go forth, showing the love you should show to all who encounter you, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!! 

Self Control... in spirit...

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

The very core of our self control is described in this verse.  Because God did not want us to cower and hide, He blessed us with the power to overcome.  But He also designed us to have self control and to use it to keep that power in check.

I chose the Amplified version for this verse, because it so clearly expounds all the facets of this concept.  "Calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control," is not a fleeting statement.  It is a powerful thought, placing the need for all people who call themselves Christian to be in control of their faculties, with respect to decisions that separate us from being "of the world."  We have been set apart, wholly (and Holy) and completely, by the acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord, and we must honor that decision through action.

And make no mistake, there are moments in life when we think about the spirit of power that we were given, and we run the risk of arrogance in our own abilities.  It is in these moments, more than any other, that we MUST allow our self control to shine like the sun.  It must be the kick in our complacency that drives us to the realization that we achieve nothing apart from God, and achieve all things through His presence in our lives.  Without that truth, without that knowledge, without that discipline in thought and speech and action, we become blaspheming heretical sycophants incapable of true witness.  (And, before you ask, yes I wrestle with this on a basis far more often than I would like to admit in open company.)

Take time today, hopefully before your worship experience, to think about how you employ the self control God has blessed you with.  Ponder on whether or not it is you that uses it to its fullest, or your giving over to God the need to show it that allows it to flourish.  Interesting conundrum, is it not?  I believe you'll find, like I have, that in giving your self control to God, you will be more controlled and able to speak truth into people and circumstances in your life, and you will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

Self Control... in response...

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

1 Peter 3:15

People of all kinds will ask constantly why we are "different," with respect to our faith and walk and witness.  Peter admonishes us, as I would admonish all I know, that we must be ready for those moments when they come.  However, please notice that it does not say that we are to press it onto people without regard to their level of readiness... it says they will ask, and we will answer.

There are those who witness in a pushy fashion, placing their beliefs into and onto others without asking first.  These people are rarely successful, and they lack the truth that we all have the CHOICE to make of whether or not to follow the One Way to the Father.  We can freely choose not to... the Bible tells us that to choose against God and Jesus is an error, so I will say that I did not make that error.  I choose Jesus.

Self control keeps me from pushing it onto others.  I am, however, ready to answer when asked.  So if you have questions, by all means ask them.  You will find that I have no issues answering and speaking from a place of honesty and experience (my own experiences), and that I will not lie to you about things I have done and said, or how I overcame the person I was... but I won't push that on you, either, until you ask.

Focus today on how you witness to others.  Do you meet them where they are?  Or do you expect them to make a leap of faith equivalent to jumping TO the top of the Sears Tower?  Most folks won't make that leap... not if they doubt or have questions.  So offer them the elevator, and meet them on the ground floor and ride up together.  I promise, you will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

Self Control... for prayer...

"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."

1 Peter 4:7

One thing we have yet to mention is that our level of mental control speaks to the direct line of communication we have with God: prayer.  Our ability to pray directly to the Father cannot be allowed to be interrupted by our own humanity, and we must maintain control.

This is not an easy process, however, and we must realize that we are susceptible to the assaults of the enemy during times of prayer.  The reason for this is simple, and we have spoken on it before in this section.  In order to truly hear God respond to us, we must let down barriers and give ourselves over to Him.  In the moment when we lower our guard and begin to let go of our own control, there is a window during which the enemy sneaks in and tries to distract the process.  The enemy will attempt to drag our thoughts to another place, or make us feel as though we have the placebo effect in prayer, in that it could just be for show.  Our prayers become hindered, because we forget what to ask, how to ask, what to confess, what to say, what we should say, what we need to say.  Our prayers are rendered ineffective by our wandering in the mind, and we disrespect the Creator by not showing Him complete attention and focus.

But the real assault comes after this...

After the small and often unnoticed invasion, when we feel like we are not capable of that communion with God that others say they have, we feel like we have failed.  And it is here, in this moment, that the enemy is at his best.  When we feel like we are not worthy, or we didn't "do it right," or we simply cannot have that, or we begin to believe that it is false... the enemy loves this and uses it to move forward his purpose, which is anything that distracts from God's purpose.  But know this, dear friend: you are not a failure.  You never have been, in that regard.  What you are is human.  And just like a sprinter who decides he wants to run cross country, different muscles and disciplines MUST be employed.  Different things must be practiced.  It takes time, but the time is always well-spent.

Take a moment today to think powerfully on God... on Christ... on the Spirit.  Think and focus with all you have on the Trinity.  If you have been following this study from the beginning, move on to think on the growth you have discovered in your own forbearance of fruit of the Spirit.  The end of this study is near, and we must prepare for the next one by remembering where we came from and how we grew along the way... but we must remain focused and clear-minded about it, so that we can honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

Self Control... in practice...

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

Proverbs 19:11

Wisdom comes from experience.  Patience comes from the same.  And offenses come from all kinds of places and people, even ones you may not know.  But your level of control will determine how well you respond... or how poorly you react.

A recent experience brought this verse to mind.  I am blessed to have not returned or exchanged any insults with anyone, even though I did receive one.  But as I thought about how I was remaining in control of my emotions and pride, I thought more on something so powerful in that specific example: the third party. 

A man, younger than myself, and already Spiritually stronger than I was at his age.  A man, focused on his goal of spreading the Kingdom and the love God and Christ have for us, regardless of what people may think of him.  A man... a man I hope to emulate one day.  His level of control humbles me, as he associates with far more people than I who are lost and in dire need of Christ, even thought they do not see it or know it to be true.  I admire this man greatly... and his brother, too.

Take time today to think about how you either react or respond when offended.  If you are willing to be introspective on this point, a growth in your walk will occur.  If you see that you are more reactive than you should be, have no fear: we all are.  It takes time and wisdom to become patient and understanding.  But as we all grow in these areas, we will bring honor and glory to the Lord!

God bless you all!!! 

Self Control... the mantra...

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference."

The Serenity Prayer

If you have any affiliation with someone who has ever entered any program for substance abuse, this prayer is something you are familiar with.  It helped many in my family, and many friends of mine.  It is one of those prayers that we associate with certain things, like recovery.  But the key is that it is not just a few people who should be carrying this prayer around with them... we all should.  Because, at times, we all need to recover from our own words.

Accepting things that you cannot do anything about means that you focus on the right things only.  That speaks to the control over the mind that is needed to govern thought, and remain "sober" as you approach any possible situation.  That level of mental sobriety allows for the Spirit to be all that we need, and brings forth great rewards in faith and blessing.  As my wife pointed out the other day, it is not about what we can do, but rather about what God can do through us.  (She is a wise woman.)

Changing what you can also refers to a level of control in the mind, because you have to make the decision to do something different, and then follow through!  That process is often a painful one, as it can be quite difficult to adjust and restructure the things that need to change in life.  However, if you know it must be done and you move forward with God first in your life, it can be accomplished!

Wisdom to know the difference speaks to the slowing of reactions, which takes an ENORMOUS amount of self control.  Being able to look past the emotion of the moment and see into the truth of what decisions need to be made is one of the most difficult things in life (in my opinion).  I have the tendency to lash out in emotion, in the moment, without thinking about the repercussions and the people around me.  It's definitely not the best habit, in case you were wondering.

This prayer is a mantra for many, but it should be for all.  Anyone who needs control, and we all do to varying degrees, should be praying this powerful set of words daily.  The challenge I will issue, and take part in myself, is to do so for thirty days without ceasing, whenever necessary during a day, and see what difference it makes.  I have a feeling that anyone who does it with me will see a change, and we will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!  

Friday's Proverb...

"Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. "

Proverbs 16:32

QBQ - Am I in enough control of my own humanity that I can slow my anger?  Do I have the means to focus and let God speak through me?

Our focus determines our reality most of the time, as we can focus on either the right thing, the wrong thing or the completely irrelevant-to-the-issue thing.  I know that mine needs some adjustment, and I am praying (even as I type these words) that I will begin to allow myself to control... well, me.  The great news on all this is, though, that we do have the means and we do have the blessing to do it.  However, we must make use of the tools at hand, and bring honor and glory to the Lord in doing so!

May He bless you!!!

Self Control... a shield...

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2

Self control can be used to keep us from becoming "of the world," and we can always remember that we are capable of keeping that conformity from overtaking us.  It is the realization that we do HAVE that control that is the key to all of this.  And while we do, indeed, have the control necessary, it may not be in the amount that is necessary to keep balance.

Self control, like any other Spiritual Discipline, is there for the using, but it must be mastered.  Just as one begins a prayer life simply and then grows into a constant a communicative relationship with the Father, one must realize that the control can be tested and built and expanded and allowed to shine brighter and brighter, each and every day.  But we run the risk of being conformed every day, every time we leave the confines of sleep: TV, radio, newspapers, books, blogs, the internet itself, other people, etc. are all out there just waiting to turn your other cheek for you, giving you a great big kiss (to make you feel like it's an okay thing).  What we miss is that we come home with proverbial bright red lipstick on the cheek, and we are caught for fraternizing with the world (figuratively speaking, of course).  Our relationship with God and Christ is tested by this temptation, and we must remember that we can overcome the pull to conformity.

And, to use a slogan from an old cartoon favorite, there should always be more than meets the eye, with respect to Christians.  We absolutely should be transformed into new and amazing beings through the use of discipline, and the blessing of grace bestowed by Christ!  And while we may not become a Camaro or a Corvette, we will be seen just as differently... thanks to Christ!

Take a minute right now to think about how you fall on the scale of either conforming or transforming.  I would admonish that you be extremely open with yourself about the topic, and really look at whether you are controlled enough to remain above the fray.  If you are, please pray for those who are not.  If you are not, then please pray to grow stronger, as well as for those who need it more than you and those who pray for you and teach you now.  The circle of prayer, when unbroken, is impenetrable!  Participate, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

Self Control... lacking it...

"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls."

Proverbs 25:28

I have admitted to all of you that I lack the measure of self control I would like to have.  I pray that through my openness and accountability I am gaining some level of that control, and that it will bless my family.  I wish that I could teach and speak on this point from a place of wisdom, but all I have is my own experience to draw upon.  And my experiences are mostly not wins...

But the underlying truth of this is that the city is broken into, and without walls, and something else happens that is not directly stated: that city is undoubtedly looted.  And the prizes and possessions and riches and belongings of that city are removed completely and forcibly.  And it never speaks about the replacement of those things, does it?

It does not.  And this pillaging is true in us, as well.  The enemy, when watching us tear down our own walls for him, plans on theft and destruction, but takes more important things than gold and silver and precious jewels.  He takes our character; our respect; our demeanor; our image.  And while image should not be a concern of note, it is important to be seen properly, as witnesses, and to be seen in control.

Take a moment today to examine your "city" and the walls that surround it.  Focus greatly on the strength of those walls (as is my main ministry focus with marriage and anything else), and be certain you are willing and prepared to reinforce them, rather than tear them down.  Further, be certain you are ready to use and enhance your own awareness about this topic... and it will be an awkward thing to face if you have never done so, trust me.  But face it, and be ready to confront and overcome and then strengthen, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!! 

Self Control... in awareness...

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

I said I'd get to this topic in a later post, and I'm certain even I didn't think that meant I'd be typing it already this morning, but I feel in my heart that I must complete this thought.  It is a powerful realization that all Christians come to, when and where they arrive at it, and it always begins the same way.  It always starts with a statement that is similar to, but not exactly, "You know, I knew that... I just never relied on it."

Let me be crystal clear on this point, dear friends.  God is faithful.  We have been through several portions of this Scripture, specifically, which demonstrate the amazing character that God displays, and we have discussed how it cannot change.  His is a love of perfecting and patient holiness, one that will never leave us and never forsake us and never get smaller or thinner or shallower... never, ever.  He does provide a way out of all things, and I'll explain in a second.

The second point we must focus on is that all temptations are ABSOLUTELY common to mankind.  Every one of us goes through the same mud, spilling the same blood, regardless of where we live, how much money we have, what career we choose, what lifestyle we lead, etc.  We are all human, and we all wrestle with sin.  All of us.  Every single one.  It includes you, and it includes me.  And the way of escape mentioned briefly above is there every single time, but sometimes we choose not to look to it for relief and reprieve.  Let me repeat that: we CHOOSE not to look to it for relief and reprieve.

The way of escape is something we must also focus on.  Some people will think that this means that the impending execution for crimes committed over a life of lawlessness has a way of escape.  No.  The way of escape was present many, many times before that one, each time the sin was committed.  The execution is deemed punishment by a lawful system that was ordained by God, as God ordains all authority, and it has been rendered as punishment for a multitude of reasons.  (Knowing how difficult it is to reach that point in this day and age, there had to be many opportunities to turn away from that life available... but none were taken.)  We all fail to realize that the ripple effect is a powerful force, and one small sin can have massive repercussions in the lives of many people.  It is in that first sin, the one "small" thing, that the way of escape is present.  And God is faithful to place it there each time, but it gets harder and harder to see as we grow blind by the pleasures of the world.  We lose control.

The greatest principle here is that we are to maintain control by releasing control.  It is a part of the great reversal that exists onlt in Christianity: we die to live, the last becomes the first, the servant is the leader, and so on.  If we release ourselves to God and give it all over to Him, He will further enable us, through the Spirit, to maintain better self control.  We give it up to get it better.  

Take a moment today and think back to the chain reactions that have happened in your life.  I am thinking on mine, and I can tell you I need about three straight years of prostrate prayer just to go through a few of them.  Recognize where the hand of God caused you to turn and where He caused you to stop altogether, and say a prayer of thanks for each time you realized your way of escape.  Look more closely into each situation from now on, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!! 

Self Control... in defense...

"Be sober!  Be on the alert!  Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour."

1 Peter 5:8

Many people will assume that this verse speaks to the consumption of alcohol, and it can be interpreted that way.  Moreover, though, it refers to a sobriety of thought.  To be sober is to be in control.  It is defined as both being not intoxicated (drunk) and as being sedate in demeanor, which is to say that one is calm and collected.  A calm person can more readily see the assailant coming for him, and more readily defend against the assault.

And for those of you who doubt, please know that Spiritual warfare is very, very real.  It is going on right now, inside all of us.  Which side is winning is up to the individual and the level of self control that is employed.  As I pointed out yesterday, it is not okay to simply excuse uncontrolled thoughts by saying that you "are just that way" and nothing can change it.  You can change it, and you can think about something else.  But I'll get to that in a different posting.

Without control, the enemy sees you bending to whatever whim overtakes you.  The enemy looks upon that and sends another temptation, one slightly greater than the last.  A video game I own and enjoy contains a line about falling from the path of the righteous to the path of evil, and I find it particularly accurate.  It says, "It is such a quiet thing, to fall."  It goes on (and I cannot quote the whole thing, so I'll paraphrase) to explain that there is no massive explosion that causes it, but rather a slow and steady change in the mind and heart, which then alters the course of one's chosen path.  And if you can be led onto that wide open path, the one that far too many people walk already, the one that does not lead to a better and more full life in Christ, then the enemy has won.

Guard your mind today.  Guard your heart, as well.  Control your thoughts and whims in your time at work or at home or wherever you may be, and make certain that you are still making noise for the Kingdom!  It is through this noise that the enemy knows we are immovable, and we can honor the Lord by being so!

God bless you all!!! 

Self Control... in readiness...

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."

1 Peter 1:13

Self control has many aspects, and while this morning's post was the first, let's consider this one the actual introduction.  I felt a need to be accountable this morning, and jumped right past this one and into something very real.  It was necessary, but this one is, too.

Control of the mind is a difficult thing.  Some people view it as almost impossible.  We excuse and ignore and (yes, this one is true) accept ourselves and each other for the "random" thoughts that come into our minds.  And we say things like, "I'm just built that way" to make it okay that we are not focused on what we should be... Jesus.  We focus on sinful things, because they are more fun.  Don't try to deny it, because every person on the planet knows it's the truth, and whether you admit it to me or not, you have to eventually admit it to yourself and then be accountable for it to God.  Recognition of that truth is the first step.

Imagine if you could actively focus for just 10 minutes on what you thought about and how you thought about it.  Wanna try???  I do.  Take ten minutes; set a timer; find a quiet spot (if you can) and just focus on Jesus intensely.  There will be moments during this time when your mind will wander.  Please know that it is not your mind that wanders, but you that ALLOWS your mind to wander.  YOU do that, not your brain.  YOU have the option and ability to control it... but will you?  Try it - it's quite the humbling experience.

And then think about how you can repeat the exercise.  It is a necessary one, whether you are currently aware of it or not.  Figure out how to do it at least twice a week... then build to four times... then build to every day... then extend the time.  I promise, your eyes will be so well-closed that they will finally be opened, and you will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

Self Control...

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."

Proverbs 29:11

I am a fool.  I must be.  I gave full vent just this morning, and I'm the one thinking and teaching about being controlled and wise and calm all the time.  Yet I am a fool, and I have proved it to myself today.  Please accept my apologies in this regard.

But know that this event only proves what each of us know, but few care to admit: we're all just human.  We, no matter how well educated or planned out, no matter how detailed and calculated our responses, are still human and capable of error in grand ways.  Therefore, this event gives me great hope and encouragement, in that there is something I can work towards... something I can improve upon.  And this is not to say that I fancied myself free of such a need, but rather to say that I am excited that I get to dedicate something amazing to the Lord in the quest to better my approach to situations which may anger me.

And I am not exactly perfect in other aspects, either.  I, like many, grow angry with my children and fail to show the level of loving control that I should.  I speak rashly to them and my entire family about all manner of things.  But this, too, offers encouragement in the task of gaining further control.  (Ironically, my book is all about this topic, and about how difficult a journey it can be.  That difficulty now glares at me, but I am willing to take on the task.)

Self control is one of those things that we all think is just a given, but it is difficult.  It requires focus.  It requires prayer.  And, more than anything, it requires accountability to admit when it has been lost.  I lost control this morning, and allowed my anger to shine.  I have governed it down now, and am presenting myself as an object lesson to all on this topic. 

Think about your own level of control today.  Realize that for each of us, it is possible to lose that grip when the wrong chain of events takes place, and focus all your energy on remembering that your joy is not situational, but eternal.  And as you focus on the gifts and blessings God has given you (as I am doing now), you will honor the Lord and exalt His Name!

God bless you all!!! 

Gentleness... in closing...

"You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great."

Psalm 18:35

As we close this section of our study in gentleness, I have to inform all of you that the truth mentioned here is a powerful one.  We are not capable of being great in any fashion on our own, but God's love and gentleness makes us so.  And, as with all things, it is done so for the glory and blessing of the name of the Lord God, and for that purpose alone.

So many people think about how they can become great and how they can get better at all kinds of things, but they fail to realize that they need the gentle breeze from God to make them great.  God makes us great... we never get there on our own.  Please don't misunderstand that point.  God makes us great... we can not achieve that on our own.

To be clear: nothing we can say, nothing we can do, nothing we can think, no way we could live, no information we could ever share, no discovery we could ever make, no possible moment or combination of moments in our lives, whether individual or combined all together, even if we took every person from every place from all time and combined them all together in one single amazing moment of dedicated and focused, right-minded prayer with the proper heart attitude... there STILL would not be enough goodness (let alone greatness) for even the smallest portion of the smallest person (yes, I am only talking about one person in this group of trillions) to actually be considered "great" unless God is in it. 

Take a moment today to reflect on all the gentleness references, and ponder on how God has bestowed gentleness in your life.  I imagine, if you are like me, you will discover that God has blessed you with gentleness beyond measure, and you will be humbled right down to your face in grateful appreciation and worship, and you will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!

Gentleness.. a practice...

"My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness."

James 1:19-20

Man's anger is a many colored thing.  There was a discussion last night about the anger that has arisen due to a certain legal verdict of late, and there is plenty of anger to go around.  Please understand this, though: I will not discuss that case or how/if it affects me.

But the anger we spoke of was real, nonetheless.  Those that felt it on one side were believing themselves righteous to do so, just as those on the oppostie side.  It is no surprise that we all fall on one side or the other from time to time.  But it is how we handle our landing on whichever side that determines whether or not the fruit shows in this regard.

Man is a wretched thing, to be sure.  We all are unclean and awful and horrid and only God is able to help us, through Christ's Atonement.  We are also very fond of opinions... especially our own.  But do we scream about our anger, or do we act through eyes of gentleness and enable our faith to think for us?  Do we line up behind causes and raise banners high only when people are watching, or do we have this anger all the time about all things that are contrary to the Bible?  We certainly should react the same way for all things, no matter what.  However, our eyes should be guarded in gentleness, and we should approach the Throne, rather than the offender.

Take time today, right now, in this moment, to reflect upon your own level of gentleness to others in the world.  Regardless of whether you see them face-to-face, regardless of whether these events impact you directly, regardless of how you may personally feel... we are charged to pray.  That is all.  And so I ask you to do just that, with a gentle heart: PRAY!  The time you spend in prayer and petition with gentleness as your companion will show you to be a believer, and you will honor the Lord in this!

God bless you all!!!

Gentleness... the wisdom of it all...

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy."

James 3:17

Gentleness is a wise attitude to carry, is it not?  This passage tells us that the wisdom from above (from God) is a gentle wisdom.  To be gentle enough to avoid drama and see the best in any situation is an awesome gift, indeed.

But do you show that wisdom?  Do I?  Often we are all given the opportunity in various situations to ignore gentle wisdom and engage in gossip.  I know I fall to this far too often.  But what if we all decided for one day that we would not give in?  What if we decided to let our gentleness shine as wisdom in speech, and we spoke kindly with peace and mercy to everyone in all situations?  That day would be amazing!

Take a moment today to reflect on the possibility of mirroring God's wisdom by being as gentle as He can be.  Find a moment today that normally would allow you to be fleshly, and choose gentleness instead, and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!