Greetings in Christ!
I'm able to come back to my sisters and share whatever comes here to write for you. We know the Lord is our focus and so there's always something edifying to share no matter how simple (or 'complex') it might be. Praise God for all that we can do!
I came across this verse today...
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs 25:28
And it got me thinking about that fact of how we are to have ourselves in control. Well we can see the affects of unbridled actions of people in the world leading to all kinds of sins and darkness. But we ought to know better and act better in the power of God who is in control in our lives as we submit to Him.
And we see the same concepts of controlling ourselves in the New Testament in the commands for sober mindedness, temperance and such like.
In fact we see in the well known chapter of Titus 2 that not only the older men are to be temperate but likewise the older women and also the younger women in the word 'discreet' and then it goes on to the younger men being sober also. So we see all are to be that way but us as women I am writing to here we must work on this control over ourselves. It goes along with crucifying our flesh as well doesn't it.
There could be many areas to think about where we need to exercise 'ruling over our spirit' so to speak couldn't there be.
The main one that we would think of is our actions and that we push ourselves to do what we should even though we don't feel like it. And we stop ourselves from doing anything we shouldn't do. And there's all kinds of specific things within that and we all can think of things we may face or our weaknesses.
And that would also be in our words wouldn't it. Women can be loud and dominating in their way of speech. But in Christ we know to watch our words and they are to be pure and not foolish or bossy and mean. As it says in Psalm also...
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3
And we know God would have us to have a quiet spirit and be meek and kind and loving and peaceable and merciful and gracious and other such characteristics. God's ways are good!
This scripture says it well as brother Paul compares what the world does to what we do in the Lord.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
That says a lot...how we are to bring our own body (with it's flesh and lusts) into subjection. And we have to keep fighting in this not giving up.
And I can think that for us if we have homes to keep that we don't allow ourselves to get carried away or obsessed with all the extra additions and fancy things but instead we focus on what is most important. But there's many ways we rule over our spirit and ultimately it's submitting to God's commands isn't it. It's something we do at all times every moment of each day. I appreciate my sisters who are striving at this every day and seeking to please the Lord!
Cute lil frog creation in the garden...
And a pretty sunset...
And another day is over for me. It was another day to serve the Lord and strive on in Him seeking the truth and standing in it!
May we all seek to be godly women of self control and not let any actions or words displease our Lord or bring reproach on His holy worthy name! Stand fast sisters! Keep pressing on!
Love in Christ,
Sister Michaela
Find the gospel explained here.