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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Self-controlled and Alert
Date Posted: February 21, 2007
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Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Self-controlled and alert.
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 NIV
Self-controlled and alert.
We are admonished in the New Testament to be "self-controlled and alert." As I have encountered the enemy as of late through a number of attacks, I have struggled to be "self-controlled and alert." When attacked, it seems like my first response is to defend myself. I just want to react. I want to yell. I want to scream.
It seems unfair. It seems undeserved.
And then I stop and listen to myself. I can only imagine Jesus must have felt this multiplied a million times over. Look at His life. He is the perfect example of someone who was "self-controlled and alert." He came to do His Father's work. He came to save the lost. He came to save you and me.
He was punished. He suffered and died in the cruelest way possible.
I can only imagine He must have wanted to defend Himself... to yell, to scream... "It's not fair, I don't deserve this."
He didn't deserve it. But we do.
We are sinners. No matter how hard we try, we will always fall short.
That's why He came. He knew without Him, we'd all die forever separated from God.
His love for us was and is greater than the pain He endured on our behalf.
When I think about that... it's easier to be "self-controlled and alert."
God's Word is a tool He has given us to help us be "self-controlled and alert."
Just today when I felt so under attack, I cried out the LORD's name. I felt peace cover me. It didn't change my situation or circumstances... but it did change how I felt and how I dealt with my situation.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
When we feel this way, He wants us to run to Him.
He also gives us some things we can do in order to overcome the attacks.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 NIV
Submit to God. Resist the devil.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
He doesn't tell us to run and hide... but to STAND.
It's not about our POWER, but it's about the POWER we have access to through HIM.
All you have to do is plug in to Him and you'll have all you need to overcome your situation - starting with being "self-controlled and alert."
Dear precious Father, thank you so much for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. Oh how quickly we forget the price that was paid for our freedom. Lord, help us to be always mindful of You and Your sacrifice. Allow this to be the hope we so desperately need. Prompt us Lord to share our hope with others. There are so many who are in need of You. Lord, show us how to be "self-controlled and alert." We love You and trust You. We know in You we have the POWER to STAND. Thank you! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Self-controlled and alert.
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 NIV
Self-controlled and alert.
We are admonished in the New Testament to be "self-controlled and alert." As I have encountered the enemy as of late through a number of attacks, I have struggled to be "self-controlled and alert." When attacked, it seems like my first response is to defend myself. I just want to react. I want to yell. I want to scream.
It seems unfair. It seems undeserved.
And then I stop and listen to myself. I can only imagine Jesus must have felt this multiplied a million times over. Look at His life. He is the perfect example of someone who was "self-controlled and alert." He came to do His Father's work. He came to save the lost. He came to save you and me.
He was punished. He suffered and died in the cruelest way possible.
I can only imagine He must have wanted to defend Himself... to yell, to scream... "It's not fair, I don't deserve this."
He didn't deserve it. But we do.
We are sinners. No matter how hard we try, we will always fall short.
That's why He came. He knew without Him, we'd all die forever separated from God.
His love for us was and is greater than the pain He endured on our behalf.
When I think about that... it's easier to be "self-controlled and alert."
God's Word is a tool He has given us to help us be "self-controlled and alert."
Just today when I felt so under attack, I cried out the LORD's name. I felt peace cover me. It didn't change my situation or circumstances... but it did change how I felt and how I dealt with my situation.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
When we feel this way, He wants us to run to Him.
He also gives us some things we can do in order to overcome the attacks.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 NIV
Submit to God. Resist the devil.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
He doesn't tell us to run and hide... but to STAND.
It's not about our POWER, but it's about the POWER we have access to through HIM.
All you have to do is plug in to Him and you'll have all you need to overcome your situation - starting with being "self-controlled and alert."
Dear precious Father, thank you so much for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. Oh how quickly we forget the price that was paid for our freedom. Lord, help us to be always mindful of You and Your sacrifice. Allow this to be the hope we so desperately need. Prompt us Lord to share our hope with others. There are so many who are in need of You. Lord, show us how to be "self-controlled and alert." We love You and trust You. We know in You we have the POWER to STAND. Thank you! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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Michelle Sanders Brinson makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Andrey, their son Jadon and their dog Rudy.
Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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