Self-control

 

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But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 2 Timothy 3:1-3 (NKJV)

Words of Paul to Timothy. Paul knew he was going to leave this earth. This letter constitutes his parting words to Timothy.

In this passage of scripture, Paul minces no words about the condition the world will be in during the last days.

As we read these words does anything sound familiar? To me it sounds horrible. My study Bible note tells that “Paul speaks of 19 descriptors in verses 1-5 that characterizes the breakdown of society and the family.” ⁽¹⁾

One of them is self-control-the last of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Self-control is described as “the ability to restrain inappropriate passions and appetites. ⁽²⁾

Each believer must practice self-control as we serve the LORD. Each of us must watch how we respond to what another person tells us. We must keep our tongues in line with what God wants us to share with others.

Each of us may have something in our lives that we need to work on or give to the LORD and let Him straighten out.

Father God:

Please guide us as we traverse these last day. Allow us, Your spiritual children, to learn more of You and Your ways. Please guide us in all we do. We love You and desire to serve you for the rest of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN

1, Jeremiah Study Bible (page 1721)

2. Jeremiah Study Bible (page 1633)

A Great Light

 

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The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.  Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

 

The prophet Isaiah speaks of people walking in darkness. Who does he mean? Does he mean people who have not followed God? Let us think that to be true.

 

As we are in the season of Advent, awaiting the arrival of the Christ child, do we believe that there are those around us who walk in darkness? I am sorry to say that the answer to this question is, “Yes, there are.”

 

We read in our newspapers about people who are hurting, who are homeless, and those who traverse the law. We read about victims of others, and those who lead others into terrible circumstances because they themselves are caught up in horrible situations.

 

On the other hand, there are those who have overcome the pull into harsh lifestyles and can say they are on the right path. Those who have been victorious over the harsh life of our fallen world can attest to Jesus’s power and His love. They have seen that “great light” that Isaiah prophesies about.

 

As believers of Jesus, we must live our lives in such a way that we direct people to that “great light”.

March Reflections

 

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March has been an interesting month. After a few weeks of testing in February, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Some of my thoughts were not easy to share with others. I had to see two more specialists to find out and decide what I need to do. I have had a nurse navigator who has been wonderful about further explaining what the doctors have told us.

 

 Reading

 

I have been reading a book of meditations, entitled Strength Renewed by Shirley Corder. It is written especially for those going through breast cancer. She went through it in the late 1990s. She gives a scripture for each meditation and ties that scripture to a time in her journey through breast cancer. I finished reading it on March 29^th.

Some time ago, I started reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I got through the first two “books” but chose to put it down to concentrate on my review book, Flooded. I returned to A Tale of Two Cities after I preliminary-posted my book review. I found the twist toward the end of the story to be remarkably interesting.

 

 Second Covid Vaccination

 

We received our second COVDID-19 vaccinations on the first Saturday in March. I experienced intermittent chills, felt feverish, and had muscle aches. I stayed in on that Sunday. Someone told me that when we have those side effects, the vaccine is working.             

      

The Lenten Theme

 

I have learned quite a bit from exploring the theme, “God sees me.” I realize God gave me this theme because I would need to realize that He is always near to me. These past few months would have been more difficult for me, had I not known God and acknowledged His presence.           

           

Insomnia and Spring Forward

 

I, sometimes, deal with the inability to sleep at night. This is something I seem to take in spells. My husband has this same trait.

 

Several years ago, I realized I drank a lot of cola beverages. I chose to stop from having them in my home. (Root Beer does not have caffeine in it. I did not eliminate that from my diet for a while.) I had to give up chocolate and black tea (orange pekoe and pekoe). I went to herb and decaffeinated teas. I did find that a certain brand of hot chocolate mix was 99.9% caffeine-free. ( The two-word name rhymes.) I never liked coffee, when I tried to drink it early in my marriage, it bothered my stomach and robbed me of sleep.

 

When Indiana went on Daylight Savings Time, I had a difficult time getting used to it.

After a few years, I heard that we lose an hour’s sleep when our time springs forward. 

This year, I thought I would ‘beat the system’ I went to bed earlier than usual. My innards woke me after three and a half hours. I took care of that need and laid back down. I could not sleep.

 

I looked at the clock on my cellphone. It read 1:30 A.M. I had been awake for almost an hour. On a lark, I decided to see how long it took my clock to change to Daylight Savings Time. I became a clock watcher. That next half hour was slow in passing. At 1:59 A. M., the clock showed the change. It took about as long as it takes to batter an eyelash. I was amazed. For some strange reason, I was able to get back to sleep for a while.     

God Sees Me-Thomas

 

hearthymn.com

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my fingers where the nails were and put my hands into his side, I will not believe it.”

 “My Lord and my God!” John 20:25,28 (NIV)

 

The above verses are Thomas’ reactions to hearing of and then seeing the risen LORD. The context of the first quote tells us that Thomas was not present when Jesus first visited the disciples on the evening after his resurrection. On this first visit, Jesus’ first words were words of comfort, “Peace be with you.”

 

On Jesus’s second visit, a week later, Jesus repeats his greeting, and He addresses Thomas. He tells Thomas to do what he said were the conditions of his, Thomas’ believing that the others had seen the LORD. Thus, we read of Thomas’ affirmation, “My Lord and my God!”

 

God saw and heard Thomas voice his disbelief. We have scriptural proof that God saw Thomas. I do not believe we realize how important that was to both him and the others.

 

God does see us in our times of disbelief and doubt. He then chooses to meet that doubt and gives us what we need.

 

We had a relative who kept telling my husband that she would not come back to the LORD until after he brought a man into her life. I believe she came back to the LORD because He spoke to her heart and told her it was more important that He be a part of her life.

How often do we wish to have peace in our lives? How often do YOU want to have peace in YOUR life?

God Sees Me-Peter

 

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                ” You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?”  He denied it saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants. . . challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” Again, Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.  John 18:17-18, 25-27 (NIV)

 

               

Peter was scared. He had followed Jesus for three years. He had not understood what the Master had meant when He had told them of His suffering and death.

               

Earlier Peter has vowed that he would follow Jesus until the end. However, Jesus knew human nature and told Peter that Peter would deny Him three times.

               

In one version of that event, Luke’s telling of Peter’s denial, (Luke 22: 60-62, NIV) Jesus looked straight at Peter, and Peter wept. We have recorded here that Jesus did see Peter after he disowned Him. Have you ever wondered what was going through Jesus’ mind at that moment?

 

Did He think: “Peter, I thought you were my friend?” Or “Why would you do this to me?”

Or “Peter, in spite of what you have said I love you.”

 

What do you think would be the thought that Jesus would have in the event that we, his present-day followers, would deny Him.?

Welcome 2021

 

 

It is a new year! We welcome it into existence.

Bing Images-Concept Draw

 

What has God planned for this new year? Only He knows. All we can do is trust in Him and obey Him. A hymnist tells us there is no other way.

Each year, I sit at my computer and make out writing plans for the twelve months. Due to my humanity, I forget those plans. In 2020, I did search for outlets for my writing. I plan to make a better effort to be more diligent in this.

 

Word for 2021

 

In selecting my word for this year, I considered many terms. As I understand the idea behind doing this, I know the chosen word is one that I believe will guide me through the upcoming year. My word for 2021 is Abide.

 

My choice of this word is based on the thought that I will need to live close to God in this coming year. I do not know what God has in store for me and my family, but I want to remain in His will, whatever comes across my path.

 

Peace and Blessings in this New Year to each of you and your families.  

                     

Random thoughts about our Freedom

This is only a statue representing what the meaning of today is about.   I was caught when I saw the words at the base.

Uncommon
Valor
was a common
Virtue.

The men who fought for our freedom have had bravery that speaks volumes to those who love our land. We must not forget what they did for us. I wish I had more time to list what they gave up for our freedom.

They put their lives on hold for the sake of our nation.

They changed their plans for their futures.

They chose to obey the orders of their superiors.

Some gave their lives that we could have the freedom to live our lives in peace.

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