==> TODAY's DEVOTION: Ouch! Verbs Hurt!

Another thing I learned about "self-control" is that it's a verb!
AKKKK! I always knew it, but yesterday it hit me hard. I have to
control my emotions. I have to restrain my thoughts. I have to
curb my desires. If my sin-nature is going to be crucified,
nobody's going to do it for me. I must choose to live by the
Spirit. Verbs are action words, and self-control is a verb. It
demands action from me!

The Bible calls self-control a "fruit of the Spirit." Some
Christians argue that God gives us these "fruits" (Galatians 5:16-26)
like Jesus gave us the gift of salvation: He did all the work and  
handed it to us. So we pray, asking God to give us these good
gifts. My experience has shown me otherwise. I've come to believe
that He "plants" the seeds in us, because it's His very nature,
and He lives in us, but these beautiful gifts remain seeds until
we cultivate them.

I've prayed for the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
gentleness, goodness, and - eek - self-control. But what I've seen
most times is that rather than handing the gifts to me, He arranges
circumstances for me to grow these fruits. (If you've ever prayed
for patience, you've seen that He provides people and situations
around so you can cultivate that fruit.)

Well, this business of growing self-control is really not fun.
Because self-control's a verb, it's me who has to deny myself
whatever it is I'm trying to restrain. But my nature doesn't want
to restrain it, it wants to have it! So there's a war going on.
Most of the time, I get tired of the battle, or I'm too lazy to
fight, so I give up, and let my flesh win. I don't exercise; or
I eat what I shouldn't; or I skip Bible study; whatever. I just
don't fight.

The problem is that then I'm no better than the undisciplined
child. God calls parents to discipline their children, why? So
they'll bring honor to themselves, their parents and God. What
do I bring to myself and God when I don't control myself?   

The good news is that just because something is difficult doesn't
mean it's impossible. Labor is hard work, but we do it in order to
birth our children, and we live through it! Athletes work very
hard to accomplish their feats, and they'll tell you it's worth
every pain and ache they endure. Paul said he beat his body and
mind into submission to Christ. We should do no different.

Today as I'm trying to discipline myself in a certain area, I'm
repeatedly telling myself to "suck it up, Sandra," It's not easy.
It's not fun. But I'm trying to focus on the goal ahead. Many
times disciplining my kids isn't  fun or easy either, but having
them turn out good is definitely worth the effort.

Are you living like self-control is a verb?

===> A Prayer For You Today

Father God, I lift up Annabelle and thank you for
being at work in her life today and always.  I am glad
that you know her completely and love her anyways -
just like me.   In Jesus' Name. Amen.

- Sandra

Me Skills - The Common Denominator in Your Life is You!