Prophet’s Reading Plan: Jeremiah 19-22
And the fruit of the Spirit is… self-control.
1 Thessalonians 5:6; So then, let us not be like others, who are
asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
The world is like a place of nighttime where we await the
dawn of our coming King. The longer the night – the longer it takes for Jesus
to return – the more we yearn for the dawn when He will make the earth His
kingdom.
Christians are people of the day, people whose hope is in
the coming of Christ, people who know that life on earth is a mere shadow and
life with Christ is the real deal. Unlike the world, which is full of people
who are spiritually and morally unaware and without conscience, we are to be alert
and self-controlled while we wait for Jesus’ return.
This
means that we are to be aware of what we do and why we do it. We must be
conscious of our spiritual growth and our love for others. We are to be
sensitive to Jesus’ voice as He corrects or commends us. If we are
self-controlled, we will be able to keep in step with the Spirit, as Paul
commands in Galatians, because we will be attuned to Him.
Paul
continues in Thessalonians, “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting
on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” As children of light, we are to live self-controlled lives focused
on faith, love and the hope of our eternal salvation. These are things the dark
world needs and we must discipline ourselves to bring these things into each
relationship, that we might lead others to the King. And one day we will see
Him face-to-face and receive that glorious crown of life promised to us!
PRAYER AND
MEDITATION
1. Make
a list of things you have to look forward to in the life to come when Jesus
will rule as king. What are some real,
tangible things you look forward to? Ask God to build a joy and excitement
for the day when these things are fulfilled!
2. Ask
Jesus what it means for you to be self-controlled and alert as you wait for His
return. How does this apply to your day today?
3. Focus
on these three things: faith, love and the hope of eternal salvation. How can
you bring these things into your relationships today?
