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NOVEMBER

How is it possibly November already!? And how coincidental that this month's theme is
SELF-CONTROL ~
selected last year, remember!?!

I know many focus on thanksgiving/gratefulness for the month of November, and while those are amazing to focus on, I have a feeling emphasizing SELF-CONTROL this month will be especially helpful, don't you? With all the Thanksgiving festivities and family time, we will all have ample room to exercise the fruit of SELF-CONTROL, right?? I know I will and I need the Lord to help me continually with this fruit!

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SELF-CONTROL: restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions or desires. Another word for self-control - TEMPERANCE: typically described in terms of what an individual voluntarily restrains from; moderation, self-restraint

In Proverbs we see lack of self-control tied to folly, foolishness, brokenness and death. (5:23, 16:32)
GULP.



In the New Testament, we see the exercising of self-control linked to righteousness, faithfulness, godliness, worthy of respect, minds ready for action, knowledge, steadfastness and living wisely.
(Acts 24:25, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:2, 2 Peter 1:6)
Yes, please! Sign me up for that!

For Paul, self-control was not really a human achievement, but one of the manifold manifestations of the “fruit of the spirit” (Gal. 5:22–23).*
AMEN- apart from Him we are nothing and cannot control our spirit!

We EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL, SELF-RESTAINT and SELF-DISCIPLINE when we allow the Spirit to move and work through us.

He will change our desires.
He will help us quit that which separates us from fellowship Him.
He will fill us so we don't have to look elsewhere to be filled.
He will motivate us to do what is right.
He will give us power over our sin.


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Think of an area you would like more SELF-CONTROL in- ask the Lord to point out any areas where this fruit is lacking. Pray for His Spirit to help when times of temptation comes.



A prayer ~
Heavenly Father, you are so good and you love us no matter what- we praise you for that! What a gift! What a gift is your Holy Spirit, too. May we hand over our control and allow your Spirit to control us in all ways. As we focus on self-control, please guide us to know you more in our weakness and to call upon you in our temptations. May we feast first on you and be filled so that we are overflowing with all the fruits of the spirit: peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and last but not least- SELF-CONTROL. May you transform us with your grace.
In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN!
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THIS MONTH: 
~A post from our daughter- her first one! It's short but wise. I'm excited to share it with you! Can I also add that she is getting baptized this month!?! I have been praying for years for this. I've not mentioned it to her in a while but have been praying since she accepted Jesus as her Savior at age 6. The day she decided it was time, my specific prayer request for her in my Mom's In Prayer group that morning had been for her to follow through with baptism! Goodness that is an AP! AP! (Answered Prayer)
~More on SELF-CONTROL: In our thoughts, actions, time and words. How do we allow God's grace to help us with this fruit?
~My latest book reviews- gift ideas and good reading for you

If you want to read more on Gratefulness, here are a couple of past posts:

There's Always Something To Be Thankful For: A Song and Table Talk Printable | Sarah Heringer

Oh Give Thanks | Sarah Heringer

Praying we all take hold of the Lord's help as we exercise SELF-CONTROL!

PS--thank you to all of you who responded to my last email question! I appreciate your time and feedback!
 

*Jansen, J. F. (2011). self-control. In M. A. Powell (Ed.), The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) (Third Edition, p. 932). New York: HarperCollins.
 
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