2 Timothy 2.3

As I read my devotion this morning it took me to 2 Timothy. The first thing I see is the title to Chapter 2, it says "Be strong in Grace" My first thought was "I am going to be tested today" my next thought is "oh great, what is coming now" so now I begin to read Chpt 2 in the nasb and as I am reading I come to a scripture that I have memorized in another version. This version 2 Timothy 2:3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. NASB95
This made it a little more personal. I just have to remember that whatever circumstance comes my way today I have the opportunity to allow it to mold me into a reflection of our Lord or not. Grace, Grace and Grace. I assure you, I will not be the only one that will be tested today, look forward to your test. You might not even know it until it is over. Know who you are today!

Amen

Guard your heart

I heard someone say once that worry is fear with teeth, that has always stuck in my mind. Do you ever wonder if you worry hard enough that you might actually change the outcome of some circumstance in your life? A circumstance that most likely you have absolutely no control over. Maybe you are going to have surgery …… like me on the 23^rd. Don't think for a minute that I have not worried about the outcome of this routine surgery. As I get closer to the date I find nervousness and I hear the thoughts. What if something goes wrong? What if I die? Things happen you know. Guess what I WILL BE A SLEEP! Can't do a thing. I can get prayed up. I can take that the thought captive; I know I am not in control. Philippians 4:6-7
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. The Msg.
So here is what I know, I have a choice …. I can take that thought as a warning shot across the bow of my ship and take aim and shoot back with a folly of prayer or I can worry about something I have no control over. Give it to Him because He has giving us a promise
Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.NKJV

When man makes you a promise and he breaks that promise or tries to break his promise, this is what you hear "but you promised!" We hold Man accountable and man will fail. Our Lord does not fail and his promises hold true, after all, He is wise, He is willing, and He is able.
Matthew 6:33-34 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.The Message

Amen

 

Worry or self-discipline

Is worry a sin? Hmmm…………. I think so. What does the bible say? Philippians 4.6 says don't be anxious about anything ………………. Romans 14.23 says ………………..Everything that does not come from faith is sin…… Do you ever say "I am concerned about something" "I have some issues I am working through" "I have lot on my mind right now" These phrases make you sound smart, like you're an important person with big things going on. What they don't do is make you sound like a worry wart. You are just sugar coating the fact that you are worrying. Call it what you want but the truth is this, worry is SIN! Isn't this fun! So here is where I am at, I am over weight …. About 50 lbs. Now granted I am 6'2" 255 but that extra weight is in the wrong places. I have been thinking about this for the last year
(another one of the phrases that makes me sound smart, but really it is worry) as I watched myself slowly gain the weight and not exercise. So here is where the worry sets in. I am not 30 anymore, I am 49 so I have to do something, exercise and eat better before circumstances in my life dictate that I do, and I don't want that. So what is worry? Worry is the sin of distrusting the promises and power of God. It is choosing to dwell on, to think about, the worst case scenario. It is faith in the bad things rather than faith in God (quote from the book Christian Atheist)
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.NLT
So dose self discipline and worry go hand in hand? I think so…. At least for me they do. If I had self –discipline with my eating and Dr. Peppers then I would not be overweight. So may lack of self-discipline has led to my overweight and my silent worry. My lack of self-discipline has led to numerous issues in my life that I worry about. (or really issues that I don't trust God about)
Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?NKJV
"life" is translated from the Greek word psuche (sue-kay) which also translates to the word soul. That passage takes on a whole new meaning. It actually means every aspect of your life, it means Bushido (The way of the warrior) this warrior trains every part of his body. The mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. It means yesterday, today and future life (soul). Jesus says ……. Don't worry! So, I leave you with this. He who knows what to do and does not do it, that is sin to him. I have work to do …. Do you?

Nothing like having to look at yourself to see who you are.