EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Proverbs 25:28 King James Bible)

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.(Proverbs 25:28 English Standard Version)

Self-control is the ability of someone to control his/her temperament in the face of challenges and confrontations. Many people will overact when somebody insults or offends them. Road rage is an example of the inability to control one's self. Why would somebody cause injury to another person or property just because somebody crosses them on the road. Are these people insane? Not really! They just snap and fail to exercise self-control. They act irrationally and become chaotic. They are like "a city broken into and left without walls." There is no rule of law. Anything goes attitude. They cannot suppress the self and the animalistic behavior set in. How do you control your anger, hunger, sexual appetite, thought processes, feelings, etc. ? Do you allow them to go beyond control? Are you able to suppress evil and wicked thoughts? When somebody hurts you, do you plan to repay by hurting them?
If you do, you are not exercising self-control. 

Proverbs 16:32 says, "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Patience is a virtue that has to be desired. It is a powerful weapon that can be used to defeat, oppose or overcome adverse situations. When you are patient in times of adversities, you are able to think right and to make the right judgments. Patience takes you out of troubles. Before you act, you think through the consequences of your actions. Patience is an attitude that the world has taken for granted. We look at patient people as if they are weak yet this is one of the greatest virtues that one must yearn for. We leave in the fast and drive-through world where we want instant answers and actions for everything. We act quickly and in the end, we end up with more problems to fix. I pray that you will learn to be patient as you face difficult and challenging situations. 

Learn to control your temperaments by stopping, thinking, and acting right. Give yourself time to reflection on your anticipated actions. "Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. " (Proverbs 12:16)

Whatever actions you take, ask yourself if it would bring glory to God. May you be that city that has walls that cannot be broken in times of needs and challenges. 

DELAYAL IS NOT DENIAL

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8New International Version (NIV)

Once in a while, we must remind ourselves of the fact that God is God and we cannot alter his divine time table. We cannot twist His hands to act in our designated time. He alone decides to perform what He wants in His own time according to His own will. When you pray, ask that the will of God may be done in your life. Allow God to answer your prayer in His own appointed time. Do not hasten Him to answer your prayer. By doing so, you fail to acknowledge that He knows what you need before you even ask. He is a loving God who answers all prayers. The answer to your prayer may appear to have delayed according to your calendar, but to God, it has not delayed. Delayal is not denial!  

A thousand years is like a day to God, and a day is like a thousand years to Him. Nothing is too small or too large for God. He can hasten the answer to your prayers or delay it for your own good. Why does He do that? God assesses the benefit or risk of the request that you make to Him. Fulfilling certain request at a certain time may not be the best for your at that time. It may be reserved for another time when it may be more beneficial to you or others. Some request may be for self gratification which may be contrary to what God wants so he will not honor it. God would only answer prayers that will bring glory to himself. In the John 11, we read of the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus. Jesus delayed for four days before he arrived at the house of Lazarus even though he was informed and he knew about his death ahead of time. He told his disciples that he did this so that the glory of the Lord would be seen and that all everybody will believe that he is Lord. Be patient in prayers, wait on the Lord until he comes through with the answers. 

Be assured that God answers all prayers. It may be yes, no, or wait.

GIVE THANKS TO GOD ALWAYS

Psalm 40

5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speakof them, they are more than can be numbered.

1 Thessalonians 5

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Ephesians 1

3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

What shall we say unto the Lord today? All we have to say is thank you Lord. God's blessing have been numerous and continuous over the past months of the year. Being alive and well is a gift not to be belittled. Having food and roof over your head is a privilege  one must not overlook. If you are well and you can eat, drink and sleep, thank God! Today is the day that you must pulse and show your gratitude to God. You must make a conscious effort to count your blessings everyday.  Let this be you prayer today: THANK YOU LORD FOR EVERY THING.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God has done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD!

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want."

Those that make the Lord the master of their lives will never lack anything that they need for their daily living because he has promised to provide all their needs according to his riches. When the Lord is a shepherd of your life, he guides you through all your endeavors and plans. He leads you beside the still waters in times of troubles and even lays a table before you in the presence of your enemies. The Lord ensures that you are not left in the mist of any calamity without his divine assistance. The sheep that hears the voice of his master and obeys will always find solace in unusual places. There is fullness of joy for those who rely on the Lord. He has promised that, "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31King James Version (KJV)
Jeus, the good shepherd will ensure that his children will always have the strength to face face the uncertainties in life knowing that they are always winners. His children will always fine the good things in life. They will be the heads and not the tails. They will never give up when the going become tough. They will always be tough to get going. They will have energy to do things that others cannot do or achieve all because they are being lead by the good shepherd. 

You is guiding you today? Is is yourself or a small god? Is your shepherd your money or your friend? I urge you to let Jesus be your shepherd today and he will direct your path. You will never be in lack of wisdom, knowledge, physical riches and spiritual blessings. Pray and ask him to come into your life and take control of it. Accept that he is Lord and he will come into your heart and dwell in you. 

May you experience the Lord in a new way today!