Stop Self Control
Who controls you? Some people are controlled by a relative like a spouse or a parent or a child, etc. Others are controlled by a friend or a boss or a teacher, etc. Most people are controlled by themselves with varying control influence from others. We normally consider self control a good thing. Jesus, our human example, makes an effort to be controlled by God about whom He stated, "THE FATHER WHO SENT ME TOLD ME WHAT TO SAY AND WHAT TO TEACH". Jesus also tells us because of His love for God "I DO EXACTLY WHAT THE FATHER TOLD ME TO DO". Do you have so much love for God that you will do everything He tells you to do? We are privileged to have access to one of Jesus' conversations with God when Jesus had been trying to talk God into making a change in plans, He said, "IF IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THIS PAINFUL THING TO BE TAKEN FROM ME, AND IF I MUST DO IT, THEN I PRAY THAT WHAT YOU WANT WILL BE DONE". Apparently, Jesus then tried a third time to see if God would let Him avoid the "PAINFUL THING", which appears to be His upcoming arrest, beating and crucifixion. We do not know when God and Jesus begin developing this communication relationship but we do know that at the age of twelve Jesus was learning from the teachers in the temple and referred to what He was doing as being about His "FATHER'S WORK". Apparently Jesus was not relying on God's guidance to avoid education. Judging from His mother's reaction, it appears she was not aware how close Jesus was to His heavenly father. Some may think allowing God to control them is only for Jesus but Jesus tells us that the person "WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL DO THE SAME THINGS THAT I DO". One example of God's guidance is when Jesus gives us comfort in advance that when we are sharing the Good News and we are persecuted or arrested that we are to "SAY THE THINGS GOD GIVES YOU TO SAY AT THAT TIME". In addition to Jesus example of an arrest, there may be serious times or times of sin risks or times of witnessing opportunities when we realize we are saying things that we would not normally say or quoting scriptures we do not normally know because God's spirit is putting words in our mouths. 1
Not everyone is willing to make the effort to allow God to control them. Often new followers of Jesus are more concerned about self control and self discipline. Many are too use to having their own way to obey Jesus who tells us to "DENY" ourselves. Many are willing to pray every day as Jesus told us to pray "THY WILL BE DONE …" as long as God's will does not conflict with their will. Many who say they follow Jesus are like the people in the days of the judges when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes". To submit to God's control we need to talk to Him and ask Him frequently what to do next. Perhaps this is why Jesus spent so much time in prayer with God. Unfortunately, we do not always have time to be alone and pray when we need God's guidance. We need to develop a relationship where we can ask God what to say during a conversation or what to do next as we are doing something. If a person is willing to deny themselves and wants to submit to God's control, we may want to start with easy areas like; "what should I wear today"? Some basic decisions are daily like "when should I eat" and "what should I eat"? If you watch TV, a question of "when and what should I watch"? Regarding others might be the question "what should I share with them"? Make an effort to determine what God wants and then do it. 2
Yes, when we first start following Jesus, we need self control to resist sins. As we grow we learn how to use Jesus "NAME" in spiritual warfare and some become more blessed to whom Jesus "CHOOSES TO REVEAL" His Father. We find that the control of God is more effective in resisting sin than our self control. We discover that if Jesus "SETS YOU FREE, THEN YOU WILL BE REALLY FREE" of all sins. When we "DENY" our self control and submit to God's control we are doing what God wants us to do. 3
1. Jn 12:49; 14:31; Mt 26:39-44; Lk 2:46-50; Jn 14:12; Mk 13:11 (IC)
2. Lk 9:23; Mt 6:10 (KJ); Jdg 21:25 (NAS)
3. Mk 16:17; Lk 10:22; Jn 8:36 (GN); Lk 9:23
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A Psalm for reflection "I have asked the LORD for one thing… to live in the LORD's house all my life, … and to ask for His guidance." Ps 27:4 (GN)
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Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
Why work on your marriage?
1. Most people want enjoyable, lasting marriages.
2. Jesus quoted (Mt 19:5 TE) God (Ge 2:24) when He said "…two will become one…". Being one doesn't happen automatically, you have to work at being one and learning how to work together as a team.
3. God said in Mal 2:16 (NI) "I hate divorce…" Being obedient to God is important to your eternal life. Take no pleasure in getting divorced and then telling your ex they are going to hell.
One time, a high profile Christian, who once shared with a group of pastors including me about what a strong Christian his wife was, made the news that they filed for divorce after over 30 years of marriage. My wife and I had been married over 30 years when we went through the marriage workshop together. In our first workshop we agreed that if we saw any one we knew we would just say we were learning how to help others. The truth is our marriage needed help and we benefited from the workshop. Subsequently I was trained to conduct workshops and I did learn how to help others. Today, I can tell you that our marriage is better than it has been in years and it continues to get better every week. Some people seem to have so much pride they would rather get divorced than work on their marriage. Our workshop at Jesus Center is better than counseling because we help you learn how to work together as a team and resolve your own problems.
Also it is good to know that from a study in 2009 of over 3 million households, 76 % have married only once. Over 19% have been married twice; and only 5% have been married three or more times.(7.25% in Oklahoma). Often to try to encourage people to work on their marriages people manipulate statistics to make people feel like everyone is divorced. Actually the exact opposite is true. Join the majority and stay married. Our workshop can help every marriage be better. We don't want you to say we have been married for 25 years and haven't talked to each other in 5 years. We want you to say that your marriage is better and more enjoyable every week.
The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage ("all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). Also you can treat your spouse like you want to be treated as Jesus teaches us to Lk 6:31 (TE) "Do for others just what you want them to do for you."
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Hearing God's Voice - Greek Miracle - We Center on Jesus - Honoring God Physically
Eye Healing Miracle * The Alphabet is from God * Family Prayer Outline * Jesus Knows the Bible and Spoke Hebrew *