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More About Self-Control
0 CommentsHere are more responses I received when I e-mailed church members last week asking how they were being affected by our recent messages from Proverbs. People responded to three questions (names have been removed from the responses): 1) Where is God calling you to exercise self-control? What do you feel he’s calling you to say “no” to?
2) Express how God has been speaking to you. 3) What do you think he’s calling you to do instead with your time? Is there an attitude, activity or behavior you’d like to “put on”? (see Ephesians 4: 24)
Thanks to everyone who responded! I hope you’re encouraged (as I was) to see how God is at work.
1) My tongue and my reckless words!
2) Proverbs 12:18 was read and I was convicted of how my reckless words said in anger contributed to a conflict with my daughter.
3) Encourage my daughter with Scripture for where God is at work in her life and hold my tongue.1) Media. E-mail, Facebook, and text messaging I need to put down…
2) I believe that God has been reminding me that I have an eternal purpose. It is eye-opening to think how much I lose when I waste my time with media. I make God so small and not important and NOT the main focus in my heart.
3) I think he is calling me to spend time with people in person and pursue their hearts.1) Playing on the computer, sweets, doing my work, etc.
2) God has spoken to me about being a sluggard. Since my bout with Lyme’s disease, I’ve gotten used to being lazy. Now that I’m better, though, I need to start working.
3) I’d like to serve more.1) No to martha-isms - distractions of the home.
2) Conviction that my heart and mind are not fully engaged in my quiet times.
3) Be still.1) Show kindness in my interactions with my children and husband, and not be so quick to anger.
2) Show love, patience; enjoy time now because children grow up quickly.
3) Spend more time in prayer for my family, also, quality time in God’s Word.1) No to the busy schedules. Slow down and spend more time for the Lord.
2) God gave me a very specific command about a week a go: he said: “Worship me!” I have been, and the Holy Spirit has renewed my heart.
3) To praise him, to be humble before him, adore him for the wonders he does in our life. Soak in the Spirit.1) Food as an idol and web-surfing during my time at home with my kids during the day.
2) I am sensing that God wants to deepen my relationships with my children individually through my prayer time with HImself.
3) Praying for and with my children as their needs are brought to my attention.1) No to: negative thought patterns that lead to dissatisfaction with the life God has chosen for me.
2) Especially thru Ben Wikner’s class on The Book of Ruth (“He is actively plotting for my good”) and Charles Spurgeon’s books: The Suffering Lettersand The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith
(I’ve had severe, long-term health problems for almost 20 years).
3) Spend more time in His presence: the Word, worship, prayer, service to others and biblical fellowship1) With my thoughts, I have a tendency to let my mind run with too much concern, worry, lack of faith.
2) Self-control should apply to even how we use our mind.
3) Philippians 4:81) Less time wasted on the computer, be it editing pictures, checking e-mail, or watching movies.
2) I became aware of how I was wasting my time a few weeks ago, and Joshua Harris’ message helped confirm that I was not spending my time wisely. I have had the desire to spend my time better, but have lacked the motivation, even though I know every moment counts.
3) Open the Bible and read, work on cross-centered friendships, and involve others in all that I do.1) I’m a very aggressive and judgmental person. I need to show the same grace Christ has shown me to others.
2) Mainly God has been working on how I need to depend on him and “look before I leap,” so to say. Show compassion and grace for others before judgment. It may take some time, but I’m just going to keep coming before him in prayer and reading his Word.
3) Less “me” time and more time helping others who may need it more then I need my time to relax.1) Free time; spending more time with God rather than personal pleasure.
2) He’s been telling me to spend less time on the computer.
3) Rather than going on the computer for games, bring up the Bible on the computer to study.1) Self-control for me is connected to faith and humility.
2) It takes faith to let go of those not-obviously-sinful impulses to do things which often seem much less interesting.
3) It takes humility to let go of my own ideas and desires because of my overrated view of myself.1) Not eating unhealthy foods or over eating, and having the self-control to exercise.
2) As I pray the Lord’s prayer every day, the Lord has been speaking to me about having “no other Gods before him” and “do not fear.” When I am afraid, I often get a snack. I do not exercise self-control nor trust in the Lord in my eating.
3) I need to be aware of my eating response and pray and/or exercise when I’m aware of my fear.1) Self-control in how I manage to spend my time. God is calling me to say “no” to laziness.
2) God has been speaking to me to take more initiative in planning.
3) Put on more of a servant’s heart to care for everyone I interact with in my life.
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