Power Series Part 103: Power of Control

Play for the Audio Version

Let me give a shout out to Megan again. Love it when she stops by and says hi! Also, shout out to Megan's friend, Bridget. Bridget, I pray you will be encouraged by my writings and other things on my card!

Shout out to a Starbucks worker Zack. Shout out to Detectives Irvin, Detective Andras, and Detective White. They were three nice policemen sitting at the end of the meeting table at Starbucks! I pray you four men will be encouraged by the writings. Have a wonderful day! "

"Although you have been saved from the penalty of sin and you are being saved from the power of sin, you are still anticipating an even greater future freedom from the presence of sin – from the struggles of this life." 

Didn't that sound clever? Yeah, I thought so too. Too bad I didn't write it. Nope. That was a quote I got from my one year Bible.

Let me start this morning's writing with a personal question. Not like I can actually hear the answer, so it's more of a rhetorical. So, really I don't care if you go to town with your answer, so to speak. That question is do you think that you are saved? Then, let me continue with a follow-up question I'm thinking you guys might have. And, that is this. " Saved from what Sam?" Now, it's my turn to talk and say, from the fires of hell, after you die. Dun dun dun! Well, I have my thoughts, my deep thoughts about the subject. Just wanted to add that question in today's reading. Again, just so you guys have something to ponder over. :)

Now, for some deep thoughts regarding this morning's title. Control. See, that is really a pretty good thing about God. He doesn't force us to believe in him. In other words, he does not have control over that. It's kind of a puzzle to me sometimes. I mean, he is God so, he could do something like make everyone believe in him. I mean that would save a lot of people from going to hell. And, my thoughts are, that would save God from having his constant headaches he probably gets from seeing his disobedient and flawed creation of humans.

Anyway, that's beside the point. The point in the writing for today again is control. And, how I totally believe there is power in control. We have a smart and loving, oh so loving God. He doesn't like to force us to believe in him. I'm pretty sure God would not want the same thing when it came to parents forcing their children to believe in God, go to church, and learn about God or participate in any extracurricular activities pertaining to anything about God. You guys get where I'm getting at?

When I first got saved, I was getting deep into reading my Bible and deep with meeting with more mature Christian believers. A topic that would be addressed in conversations or read about in the Bible was the topic of baptism. It makes perfect sense. Of course, people should wait until they have the mind to understand whether or not they would like to believe in Jesus. Then they can decide whether or not, they would like to make a public affirmation of their faith by participating in believer's baptism. Does that make sense? Totally makes sense to me.

Please think about this before you delve into your next endeavor. :)

TBC.....

2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control

Proverbs 16:9

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 3 5 - 6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

Hillsong Worship: In Control