CONCENTRATING ON THE POWER!

Hope you all had a great weekend. Goodness it certainly was warm enough.

Today, I am convinced that reading through the Bible every year, in one fashion or another is really THE most important thing we do. Some people have reported to me "Well, I already know what is in there, why do I have to go over it and over it again?"
After 38 years of reading some parts of it every day, I can speak to that issue this way.

II Timothy 1: 7 This is a verse I have read over the last three decades several times.
In these years I have had to deal with many convictions and ask God for help to change.

Amplified version:

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but (He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self control."

A friend made the statement yesterday "I wish I knew how to do it!" This verse came up and I noticed something new. He has already given each one of us the power, and love, a calm well-balanced mind, discipline and self control. We already have it! I emphasize this, because I notice that so many, including myself, look at the timidity, cowardice, craven and cringing fear part of ourselves. Then we ask the question, "Well, if I just knew how to do it!" "I have tried before, but it just doesn't happen for me."

One of my many glitches in life has been sweets. I have looked and looked for magic bullets. Special appetite suppressants, diet books, and exercises that will help with this issue. Ten years of looking, spending dollars on things I didn't need to. When I finally got the power and self discipline together, and stopped three weeks ago, guess what? God honored that action and has shown me the other half of that verse.
Plus Deut. 31: 8. He goes before me, He marches with me. Stop retreating out of fear and discouragement. He has already given us the power. Geesh! Concentrate on the Power, the love, the ability to exercise discipline and self control IN ALL THINGS!

Sweets are just the tip of the iceberg. I can't believe how that has changed my eating habits and perspective about Glitches.

God rules, and is awesome to respond to obedience. May we all use this for whatever part of our lives we need answers about.

Got a prayer request that seems to go unanswered. Believe in the power God has to change in His timing. Go on about your business and life. He knows, He Does, He is!