The Source of Self-Discipline

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV)

The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control. – (2 Timothy 1:7, ERV)

You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving and disciplined spirit. – (2 Timothy 1:7, VOICE)

 

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to put His power into practice. There was an internal battle based on what I observed, and “Mama Bear Mode” kicked into high gear. I was infuriated without knowing the full extent of the circumstances surrounding what I saw, and it took every ounce of love and self-control to hold it together. Though I did not take it out on anyone, it took at least a half an hour for me to settle down internally, and let go of the anger I was holding. Love took over, and lifted me up so that I could move forward and focus on the tasks that were set before me. The Spirit of God is faithful to meet us when we are willing to ask and allow Him to move. My hope is that the next time I find myself so upset, that I stop, breathe, and give it to God immediately. May we look to the Lord to be our strength, the One who loves us through our lack and helps us exercise self-control when our instinct wants to do otherwise.

 

We need not have fear,

For that which we face;

As God’s always near,

Ready with His grace.

Grace to bring us calm,

And keep in control;

To choose His great love,

That we’re meant to hold.

When life overwhelms,

He’s faithful to hear;

Each request we make,

Answered with Him near.

All praise to the Lord,

Whose love never ends;

Embraces with grace,

In power, He sends.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your power, love and self-discipline that You grant to those who seek You. Forgive us when we allow our circumstances to overwhelm us, rather than placing them in Your hands. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would slow down and seek Your help in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us in a way that brings peace, power and calm in the midst of chaos. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we go forth in Your power, love and self-control. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples. – Psalm 77:14

Desire to Learn

To learn, you must want to be taught. – (Proverbs 12:1a, TLB)

To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. – (Proverbs 12:1, NLT)

 

Learning is a lifelong process. It requires discipline, determination and desire. For one to truly learn, it is not merely a pouring in of wisdom and knowledge, but it involves correcting and redirecting as well. If we truly long to learn and grow, we must embrace both – the pouring into, but also the discipline that involves correction, so that we may come to know the truth of God’s will in our lives. There is an internal battle between our will and desires, and that which comes from Christ. We do not intrinsically know all that He has for us, so it requires us to pursue with passion, to learn from the Lord. May we seek to learn that which the Lord has for us, embracing the discipline required and the correction given, so that we might more clearly reflect the radiance of our Redeemer.

 

In silence, we wait,

To hear from the Lord;

In spaces of need,

All grace He affords.

He grants us wisdom,

Shows us what to do;

Corrects, redirects,

Again makes us new.

As we come to learn,

And grow in His grace;

The truth shall take root,

Lead to His embrace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are willing to teach all who choose to seek You. Thank You that You do not just give us information and leave us to process it all, but rather You correct and redirect us, as You lovingly lead us wherever You are calling us to go. Forgive us for resenting redirection or cowering from correction. Please give us hearts that not only long to learn, but that embrace discipline and correction too. Thank You that such things are further evidence of the depth of your love and desire to draw us closer to You. Show us how to love others with our lives, so that they may come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we readily receive Your correction and redirection, so that we may come closer still, unto You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Listen… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. – Proverbs 23:19

Waiting in Trust

I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him. – (Isaiah 8:17)

 

The prophet Isaiah had heard many promises spoken from God, but was not seeing the fulfillment. Though he could have grown weary and tired in the wait, he chose to place his trust in God. Isaiah knew that regardless of whether or not he saw the fruit of the fulfillment, God is faithful, and worthy of all of our trust.

 

How do we respond when it seems that the Lord has hidden His face from us? Though He never leaves us nor forsakes us, there is often more time between the promise and the fulfillment than people have patience to wait out. It is impossible to wait on the Lord if we do not fully place our trust in Him. The tug-of-war between holding and handing our hope to the Lord during the wait, is an internal battle. In order to successfully navigate, we must allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts, and take captive every thought that would hinder our trail to total trust. None of it is possible without the Lord. May we place our trust in He who is truth, as we wait for the fulfillment of that which He has promised.

 

A promise spoken,

no answer in sight;

the Lord seems absent,

when all is a fright.

Regardless of how,

things seem or they feel;

His presence remains,

a truth none can steal.

So wait on the Lord,

always faithful, true;

worthy of all trust,

our safe passage through.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though there are times that we struggle to hear You, or know Your nearness, You always remain present with us. Thank You that as we wait for the fulfillment of what You have promised, You are with us, and You alone are worthy of all of our trust. Thank You that in You, we find peace and strength and hope, even in the struggle. Forgive us for not trusting completely, or for attempting to run ahead, rather than wait on You. Teach us to listen well, and obey all that You are asking, so that we might experience all that You have for us. May we love others as You love us, and may many come to know You as their Savior and King. Be glorified as we wait in total trust. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Listen… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. – Proverbs 23:19