(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
I feel the Lord continues to direct me to the scriptures in Galatians 5. There is something that is drawing me here. Today, it is temperance, self control.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
The fruit of the Spirit. And I, who am not prone to pursue programs or teach messages with cute little titles, or multiple weeks of similar teachings, feel a change in myself as I pursue this small group of scriptures.
For how many know that one of the exercises we go through as Christians is to check the fruit? In our lives and others. When asked by others regarding situations, I look for the fruit. This is the list I use so frequently. (I also use a little checklist regarding situations that has four items: is it biblical?, is it wise?, is it timely?, and is it good?) For instance, when someone tells me that they are buying something (ie: car-and have 2, tractor-having no lawn, or computers-when bills are not paid), I look to these lists and check the fruit.Jesus said, "you will know them by their fruit."
The dictionary defines temperance with two sentences:
The Bible only uses the word three times, all in the New Testament, and uses the word temperate twice. It is the Greek word for self-control.
And here is 2 Peter 1, showing us the involvement of temperance in our walk. (This is, the same Peter who exercised considerable self control, throughout his walk with Jesus!!! An ear here, a walk on the water, you know the type, open mouth-insert foot)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
In the last few weeks, I see self-control as more of an issue than it seems at first glance. These situations are real life, with relatively mature Christians.
In just the past few weeks, I have been called regarding profanity, violence, threats of divorce, turning backs on the Lord, etc.. Because of the type of ministry we have (store front) , I have learned to expect this, and yet there seems to be a critical factor missing here. Discipline. Please do not think I have turned into a legalistic, brow-beating preacher. I am simply concerned because of the apparent winking at sin. The circumstances for the chance to exercise self control, are more frequent I agree, and yet this is one of the fruits of maturity, enough so that Paul gave a job description to elders of the church, that included; be not violent, over indulgent in wine, and not profane(I realize there are others).
And in the Old Testament, the second definition of temperance was mentioned numerous times with regard to over indulging in food and drink. And yet we as the church continue to have so many problems with this. I myself in the last few weeks have found it harder to fast, and yet, I know that the Lord has called us to fasting and prayer.
Self control. What are the byproducts of self control? When I hear non-believers comment on the church and the apparent loss of discipline and self control, my heart hurts for the Lord Jesus. When I read statistics of over 50% divorce rate among Christians, I wonder. What does the world think.When I recall my early Christianity, every mistake I made, and they were many, was a result of no or low self control. Words that destroyed, actions that did not glorify the Lord, no control. It is always easier to run rampant and think that we can pick up the pieces(assuming they exist!!!), and yet if self control is what God wants, we should not desire less.
I know this has been longer than most, I hope you will forgive me. As I wrote this my own heart broke as I reflected on the many cirucmstances where I had the opportunity to remain in control and didn't. (Thank God for GRACE!) And of the countless victims of my own full steam ahead, who were pushed further from the Lord in my zeal. I was Peter. Trust me. Sold out for the Lord and a train on the loose. That was me.
At my ordination a few weeks ago, Keith reflected on my original ways of wanting to deal with people. And he told of some of our conversations, that would be answered by him, "I don't think so, not that, NO!") Self control has slowly begun to fill this vessel.
Today, there will be situations where you will have a choice as to wheher or not to exercise self control. Choose life.
Dear Friends:
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
1. Moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression.
moderation in action,thought or feeling, restraint.
2. Habitual restraint in appetite or drinking.
6 And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness;
7 And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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