And you can think about what that would be like without realizing that you have been living that life. We move to the book of Proverbs, and we hear these words. Like a city broken in two and left without a wall. So, is a person who lacks self-control. So, if we look at the uncertainty, the paralyzing fear, the diminishing resources to sustain life, the pull toward isolation to hide and hoard, the paranoia that everyone is out to get you or get what you have, the crumbling sense of leadership in order, the sense of being trapped with no way out. All the things that you can think of that a person would probably experience were they surrounded by an enemy within the city walls that were sure to fall. Proverbs tells us, that’s what the lack of self-control will bring into our existence and our lives. It’s all described nice and tidy in the book of Jeremiah; we get an actual picture of what is being described. And all of the sudden, we realize why our lives look like they do when we lack self-control. So, does that mean we just throw up our hands and surrender to the Babylonians? No, it means that we throw up our hands and surrender to God. And had those prophecies from Jeremiah been heeded from the beginning, and people had surrender to God, the Babylonians would’ve never been there in the first place. So, if we struggle with a lack of self-control, then we should acknowledge that that is simply saying we cannot control ourselves and surrender to God. And if we need a picture for what that looks like, we can find it in Paul’s closing remarks in his first letter to Timothy: pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of the everlasting life to which you were called, then you cannot be blamed for doing anything wrong. At the right time God will make this known. God is the blessed and only ruler; He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the only one who cannot die. So, what we need to learn is when we don’t practice self-control, it’s like the walls have come tumbling down and the enemy is racing in, and the mayhem is everywhere. But we cannot control ourselves without first surrendering to God, and part of that is fellowship and relationship, and part of that is embracing what He brings to us: faith, love, endurance, gentleness, a good fight of faith, that begins with the surrender to the One who cannot die and can lead us into eternal life.
Prayer:
And so, Father these vivid images from Your word today bring things very, very near and make them very poignant to us. We all know what it feels like to be out of control and usually we redouble our efforts to get control over ourselves, when actually, when we find ourselves out of control, we’re in a good place. We surrender to You in that moment, for only You can provide the kind of self-control that we actually need to navigate in this life. So, we invite Your Holy Spirit. We’re tired of living surrounded with the walls tumbling down and the enemy ranging in upon us. We’re tired of living out of control and so, we release control, we surrender to You. Come, Holy Spirit, we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
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Prayer and Encouragements:
Hi, belove family this is Prisoner of Hope, calling to lift up some of our DABers who are asking for healing. Morgan from Texas, I am lifting up your friend Donna, who’s going through the double mastectomy. It’s more complicated that your mom’s. And just that the Lord will really provide for her financially and her taking care of her disabled son. Beloved in Bakersfield, I’m continuing to lift up Almado, continued progress for him and then peace and endurance for his family. Terry the Shield of Faith from outside Chicago, your cousin John, has a virus which very, which is very debilitating. And you’re hoping for a smooth transition. You don’t believe he’s going to survive it. Cecelia from Northern California, continuing lifting up your son Shawn, who is having surgery to remove tumors. That he’ll be able to get back to his ministry full time. Also, Victorious Soldier, I am lifting up your son and his wife and your nephew and his wife. They’re both dealing with complications with their deliveries for their babies. So, praying for them and their little ones. And then, His Little Sharie in Canada, you just have a lot going on. You’re going, your body is going downhill and you have some decisions to make concerning some new, some drugs. And so, sweet sister, I am praying for you. Almighty Father God, You are the greatest source of health and healing. Please, grant to each person that I’ve mentioned here an awareness of Your presence in all pain and wiriness and anxiety. Show them how to yield themselves to Your never failing care. Knowing that Your love and Your power surround them. Trusting in your wisdom and providence. Give them good health and strength and peace in Your perfect timing. Please, Heavenly Father, provide for them financially as well, because these things can drain their finances. We ask all this in the beautiful, blessed name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Hello my DAB family. This is Jaime in New Jersey, Standing on the Word of God. I humbly ask you to please pray with me. Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for writing all of our days in Your book before any of our days existed. You have made mays where there seems to be no way and so many circumstances in our lives. And Your right hand still continues to reach out to us. And for that, we are eternally grateful. Thank You for the people we have become. We used to be many things that were not pleasing in Your eyes. But now, we have made You our God, our only reliable strong tower, therefore we can proudly boast in Your Son, Jesus, wonderful, victorious and everlasting name, that we are children of God. We are determined to please You in every situation we go through. Father, we know it’s not be our power or by our might, but by Your Holy Spirit. May the dreams that You’ve deposited to our spirits, continue to be renewed, revived and restored until the time of their fulfillment comes. As Your word directs us to ask, come from the four winds oh breath of God, Holy Spirit, and breath on these slain dreams and seeds, that they may live. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for praying along with me my brothers and sisters. Never forget that what God has placed into our hearts. He will fulfill. I love you all. Have a good night.
Hello DAB family, this is Diana from Florida and I want to pray for Israel and everything that is going on over there. Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up the nation of Israel and it’s people into Your hands. God, these are Your people, You’ve chosen them since the beginning. Since Abraham left his home by faith You have then adopted and grafted them as Your own. And dear God, we know, just based on everything that we have been reading through the scriptures how messy the growth of Your people has been due to sin and strife. And Father God, that messiness has continued, even up until the point where they’ve been returned to their own nation. And Father, now, there have been senseless attacks by a terrorist organization that will remain nameless. And dear God, only You can bring to light all that is going on. I pray, Father God, that You would comfort the families, that You would comfort the children, that You would comfort all those who are hurting, Father God, because of these attacks. Oh dear God, I pray that You would give strength to the political leaders, to first responders, to all those who are involved. Guide them, oh Lord, give them wisdom, Lord God, as to how they will proceed and what decisions they will make, whether they will counter attack, whether they will move, how they are going to operate, dear God. I pray that it will align itself with Your will, oh Father God. And Lord, I pray in the name of Jesus, that You would bless all those that are praying for Israel. In Jesus name. Amen.
Hey, this is Alta Lee Haley from Colorado Springs, Our Body in Jesus. And it’s the 16th of October and for any of you that got the message to pray for, it was kind of late, for my brother coming to visit from Texas, I mean from California. We had dinner last night and Laud and I were just a little apprehensive, the way the family has been reacting. But it was a beautiful dinner. It was just all positive, nothing negative. And my brothers not a Christian, my Laud kind of talked to him about Christian experience, well, he didn’t directly, you know what I mean, it’s hard to explain but anyway, everything went well and I just keep praying. Praying that God, that Mack will fall in love with God’s word. And someone will reach him for Christ. And we ask this in the name of Jesus. And Little Sharie, oh my goodness, I just pray for you. I always loved hearing your voice, it was just such a blessing. And so thankful for you. And just pray the Lord will answer all your prayers, according to His riches and glory. Jesus name, we give you praise, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.