"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." Psalm 63:3,5 NIV

The "Living Beyond Yourself" Bible Study by Beth Moore is coming to an end.  The last fruit, self control, was awesome.  This study has truly produced much fruit in my heart.  I am very excited about what is going on in my walk with the Lord.  We will be watching some teaching sessions called "The Inheritance" by Beth. These are not a bible study with lessons but have a booklet with notes to take during the session.  I started a bible study on the book of Daniel with a group of friends.  It has been incredible thus far.  I'm actually playing catch up, and looking forward to the sessions each Thursday.  I've become so hungry for the word of God and know this is the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart.  He is truly doing a new thing.

One thing I've noticed since being in these bible studies is I haven't been watching TV at night.  J.T. doesn't really care about television at all.  He is on the computer.  That works out great and our house is blessedly quiet without the noise of the television. Working on getting some Christian music so I can sing along when everyone is at work.

The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about the lack of self control in these areas this week.  Every week He spoke about something to me. Gentleness had to do with submitting to him and I've included this in this post.

•  Start the day off with the Lord by rising early in the morning. (In order to do this must go to bed earlier.)
• Put a watch on my mouth.  What goes out of it and what goes in it would be pleasing to the Lord. Too much information is inappropriate and doesn't glorify Him. (Bottom line it.) "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." (Proverbs 17:27-28)
• Eating at certain times of the day, even when I am not hungry. This is a cultural thing. "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything."(I Cor. 6:12)
• The difference in wanting something and needing something.  Using wisdom in buying things.  In other words, don't spend money if don't need to.  (Matt. 6:32-34)
• Work on being a better housewife. Cooking, cleaning, organizing,serving family etc. ( Pro 31)
• Continue to limit the television time and spend that time with the Lord.   "My eyes are ever on the Lord,for only he will release my feet from the snare." (Ps 25:15)

I had to go get my glasses adjusted the other day. It was 2pm and I had not eaten all day so was looking for a place to grab a bite.  Then I realized that I wasn't even hungry!   I was going to spend money on food that I didn't even need.  Why?  Just because it was past time for me to eat!?  The Holy Spirit stopped me short and impressed upon me how many times have you spent money on food in the fast food chains when you really weren't that hungry? Not being a good steward of money.

In a nutshell I think what I am suppose to do is:  Rid me of self.  Humble myself before the Lord.  Seek Him on a daily basis.  Seek Him early in the morning.  Listen to what He has to say to me.  Repent of my sin and be cleansed, yield to Him and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then comes the fruit of the spirit.

Lord I pray:

• to Love
• to experience Joy
• to know Peace
• to express Patience
• to possess Kindness
• to respond in Goodness
• to be Faithful, Gentle and Submissive to His Will, restrained and under control. (Beth Moore)

This is a  prayer that I choose to pray on a daily basis.  Since starting the book of Daniel study, God's worked together with the fruit study and I am sooooo excited! Just like Daniel proved his God was the only one true God to the kings and the people while he was taken captive, so can we while we are in this world but not of this world. His way is the only way to live.  There is no turning back to Egypt so to speak.....

We are chosen to live in "Babylon" even as Daniel and his three friends were.  America is our "Babylon" and the philosophy is not so very different in many ways. We are a people that have everything at their fingertips.  We can have immediate gratification.  My point is this:  We as Christians are sent to America by the Lord, we are to be like Daniel and his three friends here. Standing up for our God.  Doing what is right consistently in His sight. (This is true, of course, wherever we live as my missionaries friends are doing.)  We are captives to America (just like Daniel) until Jesus returns, or He moves us to another country.  My brain is being stretched in this study of Daniel, because of the prophecies and we have only just begun!

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. " (John 17:16-18)