Living A Life of Self-Control

GALATIAN 5:22-23- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control, against such there is no law.

                                 HELP ME TO REACT BEFORE I ACT

Reacting is responding To a situation

Acting is Performing

WHEN LOTS WIFE LOOKED BACK SHE WAS CONTROLLED BY A LACK OF SELF CONTROLLED WHICH CAUSED HER TO ACT RATHER THEN TO REACT WITH SPRITUAL DISCIPLINE.  WHEN WE ACT WITHOUT THINKING WE TOO CAN BECOME CAUGHT UP IN A NEGATIVE SITUATION

³Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

 ⁴Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Malign -criticize somebody spitefully: to criticize somebody or something in a spiteful and false or misleading way.

The meaning of self-control  is that we can say no to ungodly  enticements and yes to God’s will for  our lives.

THE SPIRIT OF SELF CONTROL – Galatian 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

THIS IS WHAT TRUE SELF CONTROL CAN DO FOR US.

Gives us the strength to keep our mouths shut when appropriate and to keep our attitudes in check.

To take a stand for Jesus even if we must stand alone.

We can listen to the Holy Spirit and allow him to guide our lives.

We must relinquish our own limited control and yield ourselves to God’s enabling Spirit.

True self-control  means allowing God to control

I    I Peter 1:3-9

³His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

⁴Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 

 ⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

⁷and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

 ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

 ¹⁰Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,

¹¹and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God Holds our Future

Ephesians 1:11 -In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. 

Jeremiah 29:11 -For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 
We don’t know what the future holds-but we do know
the one who holds the future! 

We have all been disappointed at some time. It would be surprising if we went through the week without encountering some kind of disappointment. We are appointed (set in a certain direction) for something to happen a certain way, and when it doesn’t happen that way, we become disappointed.
 

 Phillippians 4:6-7  Interpret -6 Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.  Because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Interpret- With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.

WHAT IS TRUST -Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. One in which confidence is placed.

 
Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

John 14:27 -Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Interpret -God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us

Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Phil 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

There is Power and Might IN the BLOOD OF JESUS.

There is Power and Might in the Blood of Jesus

 

What can the Blood of Jesus do for you?

 

 

-His Blood remits sins (Matt. 26:28).



-His Blood gives life to those who consume it (John

 6:53).



-His Blood causes us to dwell in Christ and He in us 

(John 6:56).




-His Blood is the means by which Jesus purchased the

 church (Acts 20:28)




-His Blood is the means by which Jesus becomes our

 atonement through faith (Rom. 3:25).




-His Blood justifies us and saves us from wrath (Rom. 

5:9).




-His Blood redeems us (Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 

5:9).



-His Blood brings those who were far away from God 

near to Him (Eph. 2:13).



-His Blood grants us the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14).



-His Blood brings peace and reconciliation to God (Col. 

1:20).



-His Blood has obtained eternal redemption for us (Heb. 

9:12).



-His Blood cleanses our conscience from dead works to 

serve the living God (Heb. 9:14).



-His Blood is the means by which we enter the most holy 

place with boldness (Heb. 10:19).-



-His Blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel 

(Heb. 12:24, NIV).-


-His Blood sanctifies us (Heb. 13:12).-


-His Blood makes us complete for every good work (Heb. 

13:20-21, NKJV)



-His Blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).



-His Blood bears witness in the earth along with the 

Spirit and the water (1 John 5:8, KJV



His Blood is the means by which Jesus washes us (Rev. 

1:5; 7:14).



-His Blood is the means by which we overcome the 

accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:11)
 



Reasons to Always Praise and Worship God for the 

Blood of Jesus Christ because

a. It is the 'Precious' blood of Christ

b. It is the 'Sprinkled' blood of Christ 

c. It is the blood of 'The new covenant'

d. It is the blood of 'The eternal covenant'



Read More on the MYSTERY OF THE BLOOD OF 

JESUS:(1 Pet. 1:19; Heb. 12:24;   Luke  22:20; Heb. 

13:20).




I COVER YOU IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST!


Amen

Finding the Strength to Rise Above Your Situation

Proverbs 24:16 For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

Message:  Finding the Strength to Rise Above Your Situation

When things crumble and come crashing down, God’s people can find new strength to rise above rather than living life beneath the rubble.  Rubble defined (fragments of broken buildings: broken stones, bricks, and other materials from buildings that have fallen down or been demolished). 

The bible has many examples of those who had to rise above their circumstance. Moses was disinherited by Pharaoh- Ex 7:14-  Pharoah’s heart is hardened and he refuses to let the people go. (Moses received deliverance from God).

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. Genesis 37:20  Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, some evil beast hath devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams. (Joseph received deliverance from God and was promoted).

The Apostle Paul was convicted as a serial killer.  Acts 9:13 – Then Ananiah answered Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. (Saul was delivered by God and promoted).

David sinned with Bathsheba and murdered her husband. (II Samuel 12:14 – Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die   Bathsheba’s baby by David).  However David repented by fasting and praying and God forgave Him-and he went forward.

Mary Magdalene was a woman with personal demons. (Luke 8:2 And certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene out of whom went seven devils).  Mary was set free from God and she served him.

God’s strength caused each of these individuals to defy the odds and rise above their adverse situations. 

Finding strength to RISE ABOVE my situation means that I need to:

Make Peace with God – Proverbs 16:7  - When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.   Psalm 139:23-24-Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Romans 8:28 – All things work together for the good of them that love God.  Matthew 6:33 Seek you first the Kingdom of God and all of his righteousness and all of these things shall be added..

The goal of our heart should be to please God.

 Sometimes people attempt to make a deal with God in order to get him to do what they require.  Lord, if you bless me with this request, I will be a tither.  These persons are looking for help – not God.

 II Cor 5: 17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away behold all things are become new. When a person is seeking help from God but not a relationship with God – once the help is obtained - they will not change.  

AS YOU SEEK TO RISE - BE OBEDIENCE ORIENTED, NOT RESULTS ORIENTED – Mark 13:33 – Take ye heed, watch and pray for ye know not when the time is.  (watch- observe: to look at and keep your attention on something or somebody over a period of time).

   Results Oriented-  We begin looking for immediate outcomes.  We tend to take shortcuts and justify compromise.  We start to match God’s performance against our expectations. James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. 24 – For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  Carnal Watchman-Seeking Rewards from God without repentance.

   Obedience Oriented –  James 1:22 – But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. We see every event as an opportunity to grow.  Obedience does not require explanations to satisfy the demands which we all struggle in times of calamity.   Instead we focus on how can I better serve you. Spiritual watchman – Seeking rewards from God while living Holy!

MOST OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN THE WORLD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE KEPT ON TRYING WHEN THERE SEEMED TO BE NO HOPE.

Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you.  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go!

Courage is not a feeling you have to stir up.  It is not an emotion that you wait for.  COURAGE IS A COMMAND.  IT IS AN ACTION THAT YOU TAKE BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN COMMANDED TO DO SO, REGARDLESS OF WHERE EVER YOUR KNEES ARE KNOCKING  IT IS A CHOICE YOU DO MAKE, NOT A FEELING YOU WAIT FOR.  Courage is not the absence of fear.  Rather, courage is moving forward in spite of fear.  A GOOD SOLDIER UNDERSTANDS COMMANDS.  If he is ordered to stand up, then regardless of how he feels, he stands up.  God says, I command you to be courageous.  Our reply needs to be, Yes, Lord!

A DOUBTFUL AND UNBELIEVING MIND

St. Matthew 14:31  O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

St. Mark 6:6 – And he marveled because of their unbelief.

Topic:  Are we dealing with doubt or unbelief?

Subtopic:  A doubtful and unbelieving mind

We usually speak of doubt and unbelief  together as if they are one and the same.  Doubt and Unbelief have different meanings. 

Doubt –1 Kings 18:21 – How long will you halt and limp between two opinions?

To stand in two ways, implying uncertainty, being anxious, through a distracted state of mind, of wavering between hope and fear. Doubt causes a person to waver between two opinions. Doubt is not something that God put in us. Romans 12:3 –God gives every man a measure of faith.      God has placed faith in our heart, but the devil tries to negate our faith by attacking us with doubt.

Unbelief - is always rendered as disobedience.

Matthew 17:14-20¹⁴And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,  ¹⁵Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for oft times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.  ¹⁶And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.  ¹⁷Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.  ¹⁸And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.  ¹⁹Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? ²⁰And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Jesus said, How long shall I be with you, and how long shall I suffer you.  In other words,How long do I have to teach, train and transition you to react and respond and reproduce according to your faith in ME!  Because they were not  stepping out on what they were taught and what they heard, they were unable to produce the spiritual fruit that Christ expected of them!   

Romans 10:17 For FAITH cometh by HEARING and HEARING by The Word of God.

Giving Christ First Place

St. Mathew 6:33 – But seek ye first the kingdom  of God and all of his righteousness, and all of these things will be added unto you.

St. Matthew 22:37 -Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Topic:  Giving Christ First Place

Subtopic:  If Christ is not first place in your life- what is?

We must Never be too busy to Put God first.

God must be the Priority Everyday and Before Everything!

Mat 6:25 ²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

There are so many things in our lives that divert our attention from putting Christ first. Jesus was not saying that what we eat drink or wear is not important.  He simply stressed that we need not worry about them.  These concerns must not have first place in our lives.

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^{Mat 6:26-27} Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[a]?

GOD’S PROMISE is OUR CHOICE- ST. MATTHEW 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, (HIS WORD)  and all these things will be given to you as well.

THESE THINGS – VS 25- food, drink, clothing – and what it will take to obtain these THINGS.

Jesus teaches us not to worry about the things of life.  Worry is different from being concerned.  God wants us to be concerned about others, situations, what is happening in your life and your relationships with others.  Pray about those things, but don’t worry and fret over them.  If the situation is one over which you have no control give it to God- He does have control.

God wants us to invest our emotional energies on spiritual priorities, rather then wasting it on worrying.  Instead of worrying we can be praying, reading the bible, exercising witnessing or serving Him!

God’s Kingdom is manifested on earth when HIS WILL is being executed in our lives!  Our motto ought to be BRING DOWN THE KINGDOM THROUGH MY LIFE! 

This, then, is how you should pray:
   " 'Our Father in heaven,
   hallowed be your name,
 ¹⁰your kingdom come,
   your will be done
      on earth as it is in heaven.
 ¹¹Give us today our daily bread.
 ¹²Forgive us our debts,
      as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 ¹³And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one.^[a]'