Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Self-control”
Our Bible verse for today: “Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: ‘Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!” Proverbs 31:28-29 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Self-control leads to a successful life.”
As I write this Mother’s Day has just passed. Proverbs 31:10-31 is probably one of the most oft quoted Mother’s Day passages because “the Proverbs 31 woman”, as she is known, is commonly held up as the Biblical gold standard of how a successful and godly woman conducts herself. It also shows us what the end result of such conduct is.
As we read through the passage we discover that she is a woman of sterling character. Her husband trusts and praises her. Her sons respect and honor her. She is industrious, frugal, organized, smart, wise, and successful. This is a picture of a woman who is committed to living well. She has a clear vision of the kind of life she wants for herself and for her family, and she has the discipline (self-control) to do the things necessary, on a day-by-day and moment-by-moment basis, to achieve that life.
One definition of self-control is: “That quality that enables a person to do what needs to be done even when (especially when), he or she doesn’t feel like doing it.”
Much of success in life is simply a matter of having a goal and then walking it out. The primary difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people know what needs to be done and they actually do it – even if they don’t feel like doing it. Unsuccessful people usually also know what needs to be done, but then they don’t do it. They make excuses instead.
Yes, much of success in life comes from simply doing the things other people aren’t willing to do. Successful people make a decision and then tough it out, they walk it out, and they refuse to quit. And that makes them different from the average person. In life most people know what to do, but many are just too lazy or afraid or apathetic to actually do it.
This is where self-control comes in. And remember, self-control is a spiritual discipline – it’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Self-control is an attribute God wants to develop in us. That’s why the Bible is filled with exhortations for us to exercise self-control in all areas of life. Also remember that God does not command us to do anything which He doesn’t also enable us to do.
So yes, you can control yourself. You can capture a vision, set goals, make plans, and then stick to it as you walk it out moment-by-moment and day-by-day. We will talk more about this tomorrow.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 