Cant control others

November 10, 2011

“Give strong drink to him who is perishing and wine to him whose life is bitter.”

Proverbs 31:6

     We all know that an overuse of alcohol ruins lives. Nobody is supposed to ever get drunk, that’s a given. It says give it to those who are perishing. Perish is another word for destroy. I personally don’t understand why we should give alcohol to someone already on the verge of death. But I think Lemuel’s mother is just trying to make the point that he is a king, he must not drink alcohol, and let someone else drink if they want to. I believe it’s the same for us. We can’t control other people; we can only control ourselves and make our own decisions. We should never hand a bitter person a bottle of vodka, but we have to be ok with letting them have it if they choose, and make sure we don’t make the same mistake.

Application:

     I know people who are close to me that waste their lives with alcohol, and they know in their hearts that it’s wrong. I will never encourage it, nor judge them for it. I will only speak into their lives about it when God provides an opportunity.

November 9, 2011

“For they will drink and forget what is decreed and pervert the rights of the afflicted.”

Proverbs 31:5

     This verse seems like a warning for those under the authority of someone who drinks. The word decreed means decided, or determined. People get drunk, but don’t realize what the result of it is. It gives me a picture that looks like this: A pastor, or someone in leadership, is at a get together with some people and decides to have a few beers. As he gets a little drunk, he forgets that what he is doing is wrong and is causing other people to stumble. If they see their leader doing it, then they’ll get the impression that it’s ok. Getting wasted can cause people to do really stupid things that can get themselves or even someone else killed. This causes me to be more aware that things like this can and do happen, even to those who are higher in position. “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.” (Psalm 1:1)

Application  

In applying this I will be more observant of people who have spiritual authority over me, and I will also keep this in mind for myself and know that when I have a position of leadership, people will be watching me. Therefore I will do my best to set a good example in everything I do.

alcohol

                       November 8, 2011  

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink.”

Proverbs 31:4

     When I was a lot younger I always got super hyper and excited whenever we went out to eat and my parents would have wine, because it meant that I could have a sip. I remember everybody jokingly said I would become the drinker of the family. I just had a desire to have alcohol; it was out of pure innocence from a child who didn’t know any better. Now that I’ve grown up, I know how dangerous it can be when overused, and I’ve seen with my own eyes what it does to someone, especially those who I am close to. However, I personally believe that having a drink every now and then is ok if the person can be mature about it and not get drunk. If it’s even a temptation to get drunk, then it would probably be wise to not even have any in the house. Even though I find no hard having some every once in a while; I would never have any in front of someone else if it caused them to stumble in any way.  “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18).

Application:

     I promise to never get drunk, nor cause anyone else to get drunk, even if it means me not having any.

Send me, I'll go

November 4, 2011

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

1 Corinthians 13:7

     I have been here for two months now and it feels like I just got here last week. Time goes by so fast! Well, todays the day that I find out where I’m going to spend six long crucial months of my life. I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time with great anticipation and it’s finally here. In relating that to this verse, I see that it says “love believes all things.” That part catches my eye. The reason is because for a while I had a preference of where I wanted to go, and I have had to give that up to the Lord through this process, which is not an easy thing to do. But I didn’t sign up for easy. “And again, I have put my trust in Him.” (Hebrews 2:13).

Application:

     I trusted God to get me here, and He did. I will also trust God with this and know that wherever I go is the right place.

“O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; for You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1

Truth

November 3, 2011

“Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in truth.”

1 Corinthians 13:6

     Sometimes, the truth hurts, in can be very painful. Sometimes, it can be refreshing and a relief. We often don’t want to admit to things that are true, because it brings about in us a deep conviction that we don’t want to reveal. I personally can find it difficult to speak the truth to people around me especially when they are talking falsely about Jesus. I’m not a person who likes conflict. But it says “rejoice” in truth. I think of Jesus and how He always stood up for what was right, what was true. Even though the Pharisees and everyone else hated his guts for it, He rejoiced in it. “But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.” (Galatians 2:5)

Application:

     I’m going to pray for the Lord to give me boldness and strength to stand firm in His word, because it also took Jesus boldness and strength to endure all that He went through, from the beginning of His ministry to the end.

Do your best

November 2, 2011

“Love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered.”

1 Corinthians 13:5

     These verses are very humbling, especially when I ask the question “Do I not do these things also?” There is one area of this verse where God has been really working on my heart; which is taking into account a wrong suffered. As you all know I used to be a grudge holder and would never forget anything bad that someone did to. This was a very week area of my life and I am thankful that God pointed it out to me. That being said, there is much more. “Love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek is own, and is not provoked.” I read this and get kind of overwhelmed because I feel like I have such high expectations to reach. But in reality what I’m doing is trying my best to be like Christ. There’s no reason to feel pressure about this.

Application:

This verse contains a lot. So I’m going to spend my alone time breaking it down word by word, and thinking about how I can improve in these areas.

I want to say thanks to everyone who has been praying for me throughout every week. God is showing me so much about myself that I never even realized. This experience has been life changing. Please continue to keep me in your prayers, they mean more than you know. These are my prayer requests:

1.  That God will continue to mold my heart and change me according to His will and purpose. (Phillipians 2:13)

2.  For my friends who have already deployed into the field, that they will be safe and God will use them mightily.

3.  That I will poor myself out to the Lord even more in this last month that I am here.

Is there anything that you need prayer for?

“Give ear to my prayer, O God; and do not hide Yourself from my supplication.” Psalm 55:1

patience

October 31, 2011

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant.”

1 Corinthians 13:4

     After reading this I immediately think of 1 John 4:8 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” When we’re talking about the love that is mentioned in this verse, we’re talking about God. I’m not very good at being patient. I’m always in a rush for something that I want, which is very selfish. It’s probably one of my major weaknesses. When we took the personality tests I read about my results, it said I get annoyed with the inconsistencies of other people. And Part of being patient is tolerance of other people. I need to be better about accepting people for who they are and meeting them where they are at, because God made them that way for a reason.

Application:

     The next time somebody does something that makes me mad, I’m going to just pray for them right then and there, and work on making that a habit of mine.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9