Month: November 2011

Posted in CONTROLLING SELF

SELF-CONTROL

Posted on by Uplifting Christ
self-control in green and black

Self is defined by Merriam-webster.com as the union of elements (as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person. Self control is controlling one’s body, emotions, thoughts and sensations. It is one of the toughest things to do on earth. Paul told us not to conform ourselves to this world. We can only do that by controlling the self.

Controlling oneself requires the person’s conscious effort and the Grace of God. 1 Thess 4:4 tells us that each of us should learn to control his or her own body in a way that is holy and honorable not in passionate lust like the heathen. We need the grace of God plus our effort. Hebrews 12:1 says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”

But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…without self control…” 2 Timothy 3:1-4.

We are living in a world where people find it hard to control themselves. It is no surprising because it is a bible prophecy. It is also a sign that we are living in the last days. Therefore, Paul said that “I beat my body and make it my slave…” knowing that if he doesn’t control the body, the body will control him (which will make it difficult for him to serve the Lord). Many people, including Christians are in jail and have suffered shame because they couldn’t control themselves.

Self Control is a Fruit of the Spirit

Self control is a fruit of the Spirit. As Christians, God expects us to walk in the Spirit so that we don’t fulfill the desires of the flesh. When a person lives after the desires of the flesh, that person can’t please God. Christians today allow their flesh to dictate for them. The body tells them what to do, how to do it and when to do it. We always want to be the first to hear the news, get the latest phone, car, house, cloth, laptop, etc without taking time to feed the spirit. Self control is a fruit that must be cultivated by every child of God. Your father is always happy when he sees you can control situations, and when you control the self.

Temptation and self-control

Satan knows that once we are able to control ourselves, nothing can come between us and God. Thus he works in ways to get us trapped in certain situations we can’t control. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. The bible refers to him as a thief. A thief can come to your house when there a chance for him; when you leave your door or window open, when security isn’t tight, etc. Satan will always attack you in the areas you find it hard to control. If you don’t drink, Satan will never use drink to tempt you. He will use something that easily entangles you. I believe you have heard people made comments like “I don’t know, I just found myself in this habit” “this behavior is part of me” “I am an addict” “Anytime I see chocolate, I am out of control” “that boy or girl…anytime I see him or her…” they make such statements as a result of their inability to control their bodies, emotions, thoughts and sensations.

A man without self-control is like a city whose walls are broken down. The enemy can attack at anytime because such person is defenseless. I have heard stories of renowned men of God who were defenseless when the enemy attacked.

 Prayer and self-control

Jesus taught us to Pray always and not give up in Luke 18:1.

“a week without prayer makes a Christian weak.” 

In these last days, prayer, among other things, is what can keep us awake as we wait for Jesus. Without self-control, we can’t pray. The scripture tells us in 1 Peter 4:7 that “the end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Let us not be like other who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

I believe Jesus is coming soon in a way and at hour we don’t expect. Jesus said there will be (weeping and gnashing…) because many people will toil in vain. We must deny the “self”, take up the cross and follow the Master’ steps. Learn how to sacrifice today’s desires for tomorrow’s reward. God bless you

Posted in FAITH, SOUL FOOD

FORGIVENESS

Posted on by Uplifting Christ
"Forgiveness" by Carlos Latuff.

Dealing with the past hurts and pains of our life, is perhaps one of the biggest obstacles we face in terms of achieving the place of peace most of us are seeking. Emotions from the past creep up invade our thoughts and hinder us from pressing forward to be all that we can be in this life. I have been to a lot places, I have met people from different continents, I have heard so many stories and one thing I have realized is that People are all the same. They are going to love you. And they are going to hurt you. It is inevitable that as we go through life people are going to hurt us. It could be your mum, dad, brother, sister, friend, pastor, teacher, husband, etc,. They can make you laugh and be the happiest person on earth. And they can make your life miserable. They can make you cry all the days of your life.

Many people have suffered as a result of other people’s actions. Some of these actions resulted in the death of a loved one, school dropout, broken heart, broken homes, wars, crisis, etc. We feel the pains, we may have our own decisions, we may decide to revenge Yet the Master says Forgive, and let it go. I know forgiveness is not easy as we profess. In fact, it is one of the toughest things to do on earth. To forgive indeed is divine. We need God’s grace to forgive with all our hearts.

Who can hurt you?

Joseph was sold by his own blood. Lucifer came against God. David had to run from his own son. Jesus was betrayed by his disciple, denied by his disciple, and his own did not receive him. Throughout history, great men and women were hurt by people they trusted, people they sacrificed for, and people they thought loved them. But the bottom line is they forgave and moved on. We are no different. People we trust will hurt us. People we love will betray us. People we sacrifice our life for will go against our will. But what we have to do is what Christ said in Mark 11:25 that when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your father in heaven may forgive you when you sin. Some friends might have hurt you, you are harboring bitterness in your heart because of what someone did yet Christ wants you to let it go. An outsider cannot hurt you. A stranger cannot make you cry.

Holding on to pain, hurt and anger does nothing but cause you stress! You are not hurting the other person by harboring these emotions. You are only hurting yourself. Give yourself the relief you deserve and forgive those who have trespassed against you.

What must be done:

People will hurt us but as God’s children we should be ready to let things go. Let us start forgiving those who have hurt us years ago. Nothing worth that the very person for whom Christ died. Remember the commandments Jesus gave; love your neighbor. Learn to love your neighbors and do good to those who hurt you. Don’t say you will do to them as they have done to you. That is not a mark of a true Child of God. I want to encourage someone today;

  • To go and talk to the very person he/she had promised never to talk to again.
  • To call the friend who betrayed him/her.
  • To see the person he/she just don’t want to see again.
  • To love the family member who hurt him/her.

Just go on and make what went wrong right. When you forgive, you bring Joy and Glory to the Father.

What happens when you find it hard to forgive?

  • It makes you a lair. You confess you love God but you can’t forgive your brother
  • It is a sign that the flesh is dominating the Spirit
  • It fights against your health.
  • It makes you weak.
  • It hinders prayer and act as a roadblock to prayer request.
  • It makes your offerings unacceptable.
  • It makes you feel God doesn’t forgive easily.

From today, let us be like Joseph and say “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…” Genesis 50:20. Let’s be like David and spare the lives of those who even want to kill us. Let’s be like Jesus and say “Father, forgive them”. Let’s be like Stephen and plead for those who are hurting us daily. Let’s be like Paul, and other great men and women of God who forgave, even at the edge of sword.

Forgiveness is not for the other person. The longer you hold on to the pains, the longer you hold yourself from being free.

Posted in GOD'S KINGDOM, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS

THIEF AT NIGHT

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

“If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house broke into. So must you be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:43)

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. 2 Peter 3:10. Peter used thief to describe the manner in which Christ second coming will be. The master will come suddenly when the world loves it’s own, and majority of God’s children have allowed the world to shift their focus.

Jesus will come at an hour when lovers are planning to go for holidays. when teenagers are busily enjoying their boyfriend – girlfriend relationships. when parents are planning for their children’s future. when University graduates make job seeking their priority. when CEOs of various businesses are planning the way forward, when World leaders make plans to combine Christianity and Islam. When you allow football game, night club, gossip, crave for latest electronics, etc dominate your heart and mind. Jesus will come on day you least expected. Thus He said “Be careful, or your heart will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.” Luke 21:34.

One thing He said “the time has been shortened” before He left about 2000 years ago and the story hasn’t changed. Jesus is coming soon.  He told us no one knows that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:36

The Night used refer to season, a period of time when people are tired of waiting, and don’t believe in the signs He told us to expect before His coming. He is coming at an hour when most believers are tired of hearing the same old news; JESUS IS COMING SOON. A season when most Christians are relaxing and dozing off (living lives that please them). Like the parable of the ten virgins, the bridegroom came when they were sleeping. It was a time they were tired of waiting. Fatigue had set in, their strengths began to faint, and nothing good was happening.

Jesus can come at the NIGHT of your life. At a time when you say “Let me just do this for today and I won’t repeat it again.” Thieves most often come at night, even as you don’t want anything to disturb your sleep. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. If he suddenly come, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!

WHAT MUST WE DO?

  • Watch! Be on guard! Be alert and self controlled

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.