Good Stuff about Self-Control July 2, 2008

My cousin, Stacy, sent me these verses in reference to self-control, and I wanted to share them with you!  Thanks, Stac! 

1 Timothy 4:7-8 “Train yourselves to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both thte present life and the life to come.”  The title of the chapter (Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver) is The Flesh-Woman Diet.  The flesh woman has become my new favorite phrase – it refers to the Satan-empowered parts of each of us, yet this one was also tying back to actual flesh and control.  Another verse in the chapter is 1 Cor 10:13 – “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Self-Control by Beth Moore June 27, 2008

from Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore, Week 10, The Crucible of Self-Control

Love keeps us afloat, and self-control keeps us anchored. Love lends us liberality, and self-control provides the boundaries within which love can be unleashed.

. . . self-control is knowing when to say, ‘that’s enough for now’. Beloved, we are desparate for self-control, and in its absences, we are drowning in self-defeat.

The key to self-control is the refusal to allow our enemies (the flesh, the world, or Satan) to rule or hold us captive in any way.

We are the temple of God . . . and self-control is our wall of protection!  It fortifies all that is within. The quality of self-control is that which secures our freedom to love, to experience joy, to know peace, to respond with patience, to have a kind disposition, to act out of goodness, to step out in faithfulness, and to agree with gentleness. How? Because self-control is the ability to make choices which invite and enhance the authority and filling of the Holy Spirit.

Self-indulgence robs sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Self-indulgence saps us of much-need strength.

June 2, 2008

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:3-6

Live This!!! May 9, 2008

‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.’
2 Timothy 1:7

God Blessed Me Through a Gift Sack May 1, 2008

As I was checking out at Mardel’s today, on a shelf there was a bright, colorful, and happy gift sack that had ‘Shine’ written across it. I quickly became consumed and examined the entire bag.  Here’s what I found . . .

Shine
inner faith = outer grace
I Peter 3:4

God’s beauty will shine upon your face as your inner faith becomes your outer grace.

And that’s how God blessed me through a gift sack today!!!

Grace Rules . . . final thoughts April 8, 2008

‘We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them’ – Ephesians 2:10

‘In the spiritual reality of a grace walk, service is the natural expression of who we are.’ – Steve McVey, page 198

‘The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age.’ Titus 2:11-12

These quotes I’ve posted are more of a summary and closing thoughts to the book.  There’s lots of good stuff throughout.  Okay, I’m finished with my Grace Rules marketing campaign.

Got any questions about the book??  What do you think?? Want to read it?? 

May you all live in His grace!!!!

Grace Rules . . . still sharing :) April 7, 2008

‘Nothing is more invigorating to the life of a believer than continuously experiencing the grace of God. Religion drains a person. A religious man is a driven man. By contrast, grace doesn’t drive us, but directs us in a way that we enjoy serving God from a heart filled with gratitude.’

‘A grace-filled Christian usually won’t meet the expectations of a legalist, but at the same time he won’t become lazy in his Christian walk.’

‘Genuine grace not only delivers us from something, but also delivers us to Someone.’

‘Grace is the divine enablement for one to powerfully express the life of Jesus Christ through his lifestyle.’

- Steve McVey, pages 194 & 195

Any thoughts?

Grace Rules . . . another thought April 6, 2008

‘Are you in Christ? Then join the party. God won’t mind. In fact, He has been waiting for you to enjoy the celebration. Go ahead and let go. Believe it, live it, sing it. Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the music of His grace!’

- Steve McVey, page 189

Are you celebrating? Or is it more of a job or role?  Do we fully believe it? Live it? Sing it? Dance!!!

Grace Rules . . . again April 5, 2008

‘When a person knows God and the exceeding riches of His grace toward those of us who believe, he has entered into a lifestyle where grace rules.’

‘His new nature has become one witht the Holy Spirit so that when he is by faith walking in the spirit, God’s desires become his desires.’

-Steve McVey, page 174 & 175

Basically, quit trying so hard, focusing on obedience and perfection – just walk in His grace . . .   How are you walking??

Grace Rules . . . April 4, 2008

‘Grace is a system of living whereby God blesses us because we are in Jesus Christ, and for no other reason at all.’ 

‘God forgave us for a reason. It is so that He can place His divine life into us and then express that life through us to the world around us.’

- Steve McVey, page 146 & 167

We’ve probably heard this before, but do you and I really live it??  To be honest, it hasn’t been that simple for me . . .