Having Self-Control EACH Day

Part of having self-control in your relationship with Christ includes having a daily quiet time. 

As Christians, we know that spending time with Jesus and time in the word is important if we want to continue to grow as believers. However, having a daily quiet time is something many people don't do. It's one of those things that we all intend to do, but it sometimes doesn't get done. As we begin a fresh year, let's work together on making sure this is a priority every single day. Let's have more self-control in this area of our life!

Why is having a quiet time so important? Let's compare our relationship with Jesus to a relationship with your significant other. If you and your sig. other spent 1 hour together each Sunday how much would you really know about one another? Would you feel like they cared about you and cared about what's going on in your life? How long do you think the two of you would last if that's the only time that was spent with one another? Not long, right?

Well, our relationship with Jesus is even more important! So many of us sit back during the week and ignore God. We go to church on Sunday and expect Him to completely fill us up for the week. Well, it doesn't work like that, just like it wouldn't work in the other scenario. Jesus demands our time and attention in order for Him to work in our lives every single day. He deserves more than our time and attention, and as His followers we are called to give it to Him.

For me, I want to do more for Jesus in 2012 than ever before! I wouldn't be able to do that if I didn't have self-control and spend time with Him every single day. If I'm not spending time with Him and allowing Him to speak to me, He won't be able to work through me to impact others around me. It all starts with us choosing to spend time with Him. 

Now, by choosing to spend time with Him every day you will probably have to make some sacrifices. You will probably have to wake up a little earlier, and you will probably have to make some changes to your normal routine.  Some people might be thinking they couldn't possibly get up any earlier, but what if you went to bed a little earlier each night? Try it people! I promise that if you choose to give Him more of your time, He will do more in your life and heart than EVER before!

Each day when you wake up you must choose to live for Him. What better way to do this than by spending the first few minutes of everyday in His word and in prayer?!?

Let this be the verse you read each morning when you wake up as a reminder to spend time with Jesus...

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

Ephesians 6:10-18

So, friends let's commit ourselves to spending more time with Jesus in 2012! Wake up earlier, get out your bible and journal, make some coffee, and let the Lord speak to your heart in amazing ways! 

A great book to read daily is "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. Each page in this little book holds amazing truths! There are many more great quiet time "helpers" but this has been my favorite! 

If any of you have further questions on how to have a quiet time please email us and we would be happy to help you!

I will be praying for each of you each morning that God speaks to you during your quiet time. My prayer will be that He teaches you amazing truths and that you become closer to Him than you've ever been. I know that if you use self-control daily and commit to doing this, you will be amazed!

Love you all, and happy New Year!

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Savannah