Self-control…Holy Week…How could he?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 24: SELF-CONTROL”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Matthew 26:14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
How could he?
Was 30 pieces of silver all Jesus’ was worth?
Why did he not change his mind?
Whenever we see “big” sins on the news or experience them in our lives or even commit them in our lives, we maybe ask, “How could they do that?” Or, “How could I do that?”
People don’t just wake up one day and decide to have an affair. People don’t just on a whim decide, “I’m going to rob that convenience store.” Individuals don’t just randomly take steps to kill masses of people.
When sin manifests, it is often big and ugly. It often affects people that are closest to us. It often is much bigger than we could imagine.
Self-control is about understanding how sin works.
Judas didn’t just hit a low point of desperation and found an opportunity to make a quick buck, Satan had been working on his heart for a long time.
John 12:4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Judas’ betrayal didn’t start during Holy Week. His heart was captivated by the love of money for a long time. As keeper of the purse for Jesus and his disciples, every time a gift was given he was tempted to keep some for himself. Every time he said “No” to the love of money, he practiced self-control. However, it seems that it became easier and easier for him to say “Yes” to taking some and let go of any power over his sinful nature.
An ongoing lack of self-control led to a heart that was Satan-controlled.
John 13:27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
So Judas is a sobering reminder to us of what happens when we allow our sinful nature to win the temptations that are presented to us. Every lack of self-control is a step farther down the path of the manifestation of evil.
James puts it this way:
1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Jesus put it this way:
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
And this is exactly why we need Jesus.
Because we need his forgiveness and grace to teach us to say “No” to sin and to lead self-controlled, upright and godly lives.
Because we need his strength to do as Joseph did when presented with temptation, Genesis 39:9 “No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
And so we need the strength God gives to flee from sin before a lack of self-control becomes Satan-control.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Apply: What is a temptation that Satan gets you to easily fall for? What is the promise and power of God you can memorize, rely on and throw in Satan’s face when this temptation comes again?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we praise you for walking with resoluteness to the cross. We need your grace to forgive us when we fall and we need your strength to practice self-control as you did so we never become Satan-controlled. In your mercy forgive us and strengthen us! AMEN.
Self-control…Holy Week…and being faithful!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 24: SELF-CONTROL”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Jesus told another parable on Tuesday of Holy Week…
Matthew 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Self-control is staying on task even when the master is not away. The two faithful servants in Jesus’ parable understood their role in the direction that was given to them and the consistency that was needed to take what the master had given them and to earn a return.
Again, like yesterday’s parable, the servants didn’t know when the master would return. They just knew he would. They could have taken some of the money and spent on personal pleasures. They could have waited (or never acted) expecting the master would be happy just to get his money back.
Self-control is the ability the Spirit gives us to maintain focus on the task to which we are entrusted.
Our sinful nature loves to get us to deviate from the will of God and do what we want. It takes the power of the Spirit to “say ‘No’ to ungodliness and live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” as we wait for the master to return.
Saying “yes” to the master and carrying out his direction means saying “no” to our sinful nature and all it desires.
Easy?
Not at all.
That’s why we can be so grateful that the Lord Jesus stepped into our place and was the perfect, faithful Savior. He was entrusted with the work of saving the world. He never wavered. Never deviated. Always faithful to his Father’s plan.
For this faithfulness, Lord, we ask your help!
Apply: What is the biggest temptation to consistently use your time, treasures, and talents to the glory of the Lord Jesus and the promotion of his kingdom?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being faithful in your promises and on task with your mission. As you were disciplined to stay the course, cover our lack of faithfulness and self-control with your precious blood. AMEN.
SELF-CONTROL…Holy Week…And being ready!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 24: SELF-CONTROL”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Matthew 25:1-13 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Waiting for someone or something is one thing. Usually waiting is just the passing of time for the day or event to happen. I wait for my birthday. We anticipate Christmas. We look forward to a vacation.
All of these are examples of events we KNOW when they will happen. When we know something will happen, it certainly takes discipline to be ready for the event, but often times, preparation is a few days before.
What if someone said, “We’re taking you on vacation, but we are not telling you what day”? How long could you have everything ready to go at a moment’s notice? Perhaps the first week would be good…first month? Perhaps the longer it took, the more you would doubt it would happen. Toothpaste comes out of your travel kit. The shorts you were going to take, are in the hamper. The cash you planned to take, was spent on something else.
When the timing of something is uncertain, the discipline to maintain readiness every day is tough.
But that type of self-discipline is what Jesus is inviting us to as we wait for his second coming.
We don’t know when he is coming for the second time. But he wants us to be ready.
What does that look like?
Paul in writing to Titus, put it this way:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Being prepared focuses on two things: Be secure in God’s grace and forgiveness and saying “No” to ungodliness.
This might be easy for a day or two…but for 2 months…2 years…a lifetime?
It’s why we need Jesus in our place to perfectly live a life of godliness in our place and give us his grace to forgive us and empower us to say no to sin and live for Christ.
The very waiting and preparedness Jesus teaches, is the preparedness he empowers us to have.
Apply: What challenges you to be prepared for Jesus’ second coming?
Prayer: Lord, Jesus we praise you for your work this week on our behalf. Empower us by your Spirit to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives as we wait for your return! AMEN
Peace…Enjoy its blessings!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 23: PEACE”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
What are the blessings of peace?
I don’t like conflict. It takes a lot of emotional energy. It distracts my thinking. It takes time to work through and resolve. It takes a lot of effort.
Effort that can’t be used for something else until peace is restored.
That’s why peace is such a blessing…such a blessing.
Peace frees us from the worry, anxiety, and stress that conflict creates to engage in the joy of loving God and loving people.
Here’s what I mean:
When we have peace with God…we are secure in grace.
Ephesians 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
We don’t have to worry about our spiritual standing with God. We don’t have to worry about our eternity and where we will be. We don’t have to have anxiety over our past. Why? Because Jesus lived a perfect life in our place. Jesus died to pay the punishment our sins deserved and he rose again to declare victory over sin, death and the devil…and to give me grace. Jesus restored peace with God by removing the guilt and punishment of sin. So I can relax in grace.
Which then frees me to live for God’s purpose.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
If I were spending a lifetime trying to earn God’s favor, I would miss a lifetime of doing the works of faith God planned for me to do. I would miss serving the Lord from a perspective of joy instead of fear. Instead, I get to spend my life secure in God’s grace living life to God’s glory.
And when I am secure in God’s grace and at peace with Him, I am in a much better and stronger position to live at peace with people. God’s peace gives me a renewed perspective, especially when I have a conflict with a brother or sister in Christ.
God’s grace for me teaches me that when we have peace with people…we are together in grace.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
We can deal with conflict from a starting point of grace. I know I am sinful…so there is something for which I need to apologize and repent. I know the other person is sinful…so it is not a surprise that we at times get in conflict. The solution? Repentance, forgiveness and grace. They need it…so do I.
The quicker God uses us to reestablish peace in the body of Christ, the quicker we can get back to doing the work God has called us to do.
When we have peace with people, we are together in purpose.
Colossian 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I can’t tell you how many hours over years of ministry have been spent resolving conflict…some with peace restored and some without. Every time I feel a frustration that the work we COULD have been doing together is being thwarted by Satan starting or keeping us in conflict. Working through conflict to peace is part of ministry and being part of the body of Christ, but the quicker we can get back to peace, the quicker and more effective we can get back to carrying out the purpose of the body of Christ.
So, with God’s help let’s continue to make every effort to live at peace so we might experience the blessings of peace.
And this is my prayer to end the week:
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Peace…it’s hard work! (Part 2)
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 23: PEACE”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Peace takes work…because the Scripture in yesterday’s devotion pointed that out.
Peace takes work…because I must be humble enough to admit my role in the lack of peace.
Peace takes work…because it involves other people.
Perhaps you have felt at times, “Life would be easy, if it weren’t for the people.”
To be honest, I have thought that in ministry. “Ministry would be easy, if it weren’t for the people.”
Because people get in conflict. People break peace with people.
But the easy answer is to separate from the other person. The hard and necessary work is restoring peace with the other person.
It starts with you. (See yesterday’s devotion)
But then we must have “other-awareness.”
To restore peace where it is broken, we must get to a point where we can see how this lack of peace is affecting the other person or people. Perhaps it’s asking questions such as:
- How am I affecting others?
- What do others seem to be feeling?
- What do they seem to need?
- How can I demonstrate genuine love and forgiveness?
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
While one must do some self-reflection, we must not dwell on ourselves. Finally we must be willing to see the situation from the other person’s perspective.
Most important, however, is to have God –awareness.
Every conflict has a spiritual component to it. Remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12:
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
So perhaps asking these questions helps to discern the spiritual component of the situation:
- What is God up to?
- Why did he allow this situation?
- Am I acting in faith or unbelief?
- What do I need to repent of?
- What do I need his strength for?
- What would glorify him?
The outcome of the conflict, we don’t always know. But when we take time to reflect personally, put ourselves in the other person’s shoes and allow God’s Spirit to work in our hearts and in the situation, the peace factor certainly increases. And after all this, the situation still doesn’t resolve, perhaps our conscience can rest that, with God’s help, I have done everything that is possible to live at peace.
Apply: Again think of a current or past conflict you encountered. How would you answer the questions listed above? What insights does God bring to your mind as a result? Will it help to restore peace?
Prayer: Lord, work with your power to motivate us to make every effort to live at peace with people. When peace is broken, may we be an instrument of your peace. AMEN.
NOTE: Some of the content in yesterday and today’s devotion comes from a post by Brotherhood Mutual entitled, “Six Tips for Resolving Conflict in the Church” It’s a good read. Link to it HERE.