CRAVING CONTROL!!!

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY:

 For whatever a person succumbs to, to that they are enslaved.  - 2 Peter 2:19

– Whatever you can’t control, will control you!

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but I think the topic of self-control is worthy of more than the limited  FB characters…

So I don’t know about you, but the lack of self – control has and quite often still is an issue in my life. Currently, I feel a little ill trying to keep myself from feeding my craving and eat everything that isn’t included on my diet. In need of help and scared to open my mouth to even pray (because I might accidently drop some food in it), I googled “self-control + Bible verse” and 2 Peter 2:19 came up. Now I admit it hasn’t curb my appetite. However, after reading it, I’m lead to reflect on all the times I thought I was going to die if I didn’t eat, and how those times lead to me currently being on a diet.


(Just an FYI: I am not craving something merely to chew on after 6; I’m thinking of the food I had passed up when I was down in Atlanta last week. You know!...things that can’t make your heart stop…lol)


For you it may be simply a poor diet or a tendency to overeat at Thanksgiving, or to talking too much…OR something more severe like chain smoking, drunkenness, drug abuse, sexual sins (pornography and adultery), a quick temper, a pattern of exaggerating or lying, etc. Whatever it may be… WARNING! Don’t succumb to the impulses!!!

The lack of self - control can yield devastating results.

See, the areas were we lack self-control are our weak spots (can be due to passion, pleasure, pride). It is through these points that we are enticed to live a life that exist apart God. (S/N - I won’t go into depth about the consequences of living a life separate from God. But please remember sin is only temporarily appealing and enjoying.) See, there has been dinner invites that I have accepted ( b/c I just wanted to eat and be greedy), that served as an invite for other people/ things to come into my life.


The take home message is this: Whenever we give into intense desires of the flesh, we are attempting to handle life (find happiness, significance, security, etc.) by our own resources apart from God. Self – control is brought about through good judgment. Good judgment through seeking God! The Bible is full of insight and warnings. Utilize the greatest resource!

PRAISE GOD!  I'M NOT HUNGRY ANYMORE!!!



The Greatest Resource!

Have you ever heard someone speak and been motivated to take over the world, or at least reach your dream…but have that feeling quickly die?  I have!  And that is exactly why I value verses like  “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”  - Philippians 4:13, that are available to me outside of Sundays!  

The worst thing we can do is not utilize are resources.  The minute you realize that God has your back and left you a guide covering everything,… no situation will be too scary to face.  

God has answers and we have questions and God has solutions and we have problems.  So, get motivated by let God be your personal life coach!

Dependability

BIBLE VERSE OF DAY!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16


Many people will disappoint you and very few would sacrifice themselves, but the God of yesterday, today and the day to come, never changes and loves us with a sacrificial, dependable love.  Such dependability brings much needed peace, when dealing with the inconsistencies of this world. 


Nevertheless,  know it is our human nature to lack commitment and faithfulness, so don't take someone else's inconsistency too personal.  In addition, don't forget your countless times of failing others too.But please do, put your trust in God who will not leave you nor  forsake you.


I used to wonder why is it so hard to live according to God's commandments  and I have concluded that us as people have a BIG issue loving other's more than we love our self.  And it just so happens, that God proclaims that very act to be the greatest task.


I pray that we will love and show mercy and patience to others as God has don't for us, even when we didn't deserve it.  That we will be consistent in our walk and acknowledge and appreciate God for not forsaking us but sending us Jesus! 


Love, 
  Ashlee


Side note: Remember, that if knowing God only benefits you and not the people around you,  you lack understanding of the knowledge you hold!

Procrastination!

Bible Verse of the Day:

Proverbs 13:4  the sluggard (lazy) craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

What are you putting off?

When will your "One Day" Come!?!

There are so many Bible verses concerning procrastination ( counterproductive deferment of actions or tasks to a later time). Delaying what you know to do, only makes it harder.  Stop putting off  apologies, forgiveness, dreams, task, corrections, enjoying life, good health, saving, giving, bad habits, a relationship with God because of uncertainty, excuses and /or distractions.  The trick of the enemy is to make us think we have  so much time to accomplish something or that there is no hurry!  A trick that I fall for quite often, that brings a lot of guilt ...knowing that I have something I need to do.  Below Ecclesiastes tells us that  there are specific times for certain task and the accomplishment of doing what God has called us to do, when we are to do is very rewarding!


Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 states:
 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
2 A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.
9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.


I pray you hear this call to action and stop delaying your blessing!  May we trust God to provide us with strength and take away fear and lack of confident.  Let us be motivated by our gifts and talents and the desire of are hearts, knowing that the three are no mistake.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen


I apologize for my procrastination, concerning my blog!  Love, Ashlee

Why the Bible?

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16

Someone asked me why do I read  the bible? Simple: I tried it and it works!  I have yet to experience a moment when the Bible has not proven to be true...but have regreted taken its truth for granted!


When I needed and need to know:
What is my purpose?
What do I look for in a mate?
How can I be a good friend?
What is success and how do I achieve it?
How can I change?
What really matters in life?
How can I live so that I do not look back with regret?
How can I handle the unfair circumstances and bad events of life victoriously?

I got an answer!  Now, whether or not I did what it said, its guidance still proved true!

 

Why read and study the Bible:

• It is totally reliable and without error.
• It can be tested!
• It's relevant - God doesn't change and neither does the nature of mankind. "there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
• It is satisfying! "Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
• It helps you distinguish the truth.
• Understand how much he loves you!
• Prepared you!
• Saves you!
• Informs you!
• Changes you!
• Helps us see beyond the attractive "bait" to the painful "hook" in sinful temptations, so that we can learn from others' mistakes rather than making them ourselves. Experience is a great teacher, but when it comes to learning from sin, it is a terribly hard teacher.
• It's vital!

I pray that you find God through His word and taste and see how good He is! 

sidenote:  Would you bite into food, chew it and then spit it out before you swallowed it?  ...missing out on all the nutrients!  Well that is what happens when you hear / read God's word and failt to apply it!

Turn Off

I learned that if you truly show God's love you leave a person feeling better not worst!

...Love one another earnestly, for love covers a multitude of sin. 1Peter 4:8

God's love is not painful, not judgmental but patient, kind, longsuffering, sees no wrong...  If during the time you are telling someone about God, they begin to feel less than you!  STOP!!!  We are all saved by grace!  don't forget that you need God just as much as the next person!  Long story short, please don't turn someone off of God, in your attempt to bring them to God!...if that happens, then it is safe to assume you were not operating in the love of God.

Get Your Help!!!

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY!!!

 Mark 2:17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Would you not go to rehab because the people there needed help? Don't let hypocrites keep you from God!

There are hypocrites and more in and out of the church!  Nonetheless, I rather share the company of someone with a problem trying to change than with someone with a problem who doesn't care about changing it!