All of us have emotions, but not all of us know how to control them. In turn, we are either a master of our emotions or a slave to them. Since emotions are based on feelings, they are difficult to define. As a consequence, our emotions or feelings can turn a fantasy into reality, or should I say a false reality?

Have you ever met someone who has an awful temper? Their temper is a result of them never having learned to control themselves. Instead, their temper controls them and they allow themselves to act in ways that could harm them or others. It controls their lives and destroys their relationships. In order to justify their behavior, these people will place the blame on others. Unfortunately, some people are temperamental because they have never learned to control their emotions.

In comparison, the healthiest and most balanced people have learned to control their emotions. In order to control our emotions, however, we must develop self-control; without it, we will be out of control. The Bible teaches that we must practice self-control -- controlling our actions as well as our emotions. Self-control takes work and if we work at developing a spirit of self-control, we can then master our emotions and no longer be a slave to them.

Just a Thought,

PSS

How are you living? I mean really living. Are you living for the moment or are you living for an eternal reward? We are all eternal beings. When we die we will either live in heaven or in eternal darkness (also known as hell) forever. I mean forever. How you live today will determine where you spend eternity.

Most people in our culture live for the here and now; only thinking about fulfillment in the moment. “I want to be happy right now.” “I want to do whatever makes me happy.” “If it feels good, do it!” People talk like this without even a thought about eternity. No thought about what happens when I die or as long as I get what I want right now. Walking with God, serving God will require that you discipline yourself and you purpose to please God instead of pleasing your emotions, your desires. What does God say? Where are you storing your treasures, here on earth? Or in heaven? Where? Big decision. Do you put God’s ways first and His Word or are you impulsive and desire instant gratification regardless what it might cost you? Are you truly ready to meet our Maker or are you so consumed with getting what you want down here that you will do whatever it takes to possess it? These are all your decision. I personally put off some things hereto be prepared for eternity. Yes, I’ll miss out on some things here on earth, but I’m happy to do it because of what I get in return. I discipline myself so that I don’t miss out on eternal life with God. It’s that simple. Keep your life, you lose it; lose your life, you find it. Your choice.

Make the right choice: Choose God and His ways.

Just A Thought

PSS

Today we celebrate Memorial Day, a federal holiday to remember those who have died defending this country while serving in our armed forces. However, most Americans see this holiday as a day off from work or have the expectation to get paid more if they do work. Unfortunately, our nation has evolved into a self-centered, self-indulgent society with a mentality that thinks, “I’ll do what is best for me.”

Nevertheless, it would be nice to set ourselves aside for one day to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the most selfless act anyone can do. Also, let us take a moment to remember those mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, friends and family who are left to grieve and mourn the loss of their loved ones. When they died, their dreams ended, and with them the future families that will now never be.

Therefore, we should remember them with the utmost respect and gratitude. Their sacrifice is absolutely incredible. I don’t think there are any words to properly thank them. As our nation pauses to remember those young men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to this great nation, we have the privilege to remember them and be thankful.

So to all those who gave their lives, to all the families who have felt the pain of losing a loved one, and to those who continue to protect and serve this great nation, “Thank you.”

Just a Thought,

PSS

Correction usually doesn’t make us feel good or happy in the moment; but as children of God, we should be happy when God corrects us because He corrects those He loves. When you hear the Word of God and it brings conviction to your life, you can rest assured that you are His. However, if you sit in church week after week and never feel any conviction or correction, the Bible says you are not His. Meaning, you are not truly born again, you are lost and a child of darkness.

I know that most of us come from a background that didn’t include God. But, when we receive Him as our Lord and Savior by asking Him into our hearts, He immediately goes to work in our lives to reverse our thinking to line up with His. As we follow Him and learn His ways, He begins to deal with every aspect of our lives: the way we think, the way we talk, the way we treat others, and how we manage our money. Through His correction, He restores us to a right state with Him and improves our life and character. (Correction also means a change that rectifies an error or inaccuracy.)

God doesn’t punish the believer, but one day He will punish the unbeliever. I don’t say this to condemn you, but to encourage you that the reason He corrects us is because He truly loves us and wants the best for all of us. God’s correction is never to hurt us, but always to help us. He wants us to experience real life – the life He has in store for us. As good men and women of God, let’s realize He is only trying to make us better and stronger, but it is your choice to receive God’s correction or not. In order to experience all He has for us, let’s purpose to receive God’s correction.

Just a Thought,

PSS

By definition, to compromise is to accept standards that are lower than desirable. Unfortunately, so many people lower their standards by giving in to demands of others, whether a spouse, a child, or even a parent. Willing to compromise their relationship with God just to keep someone in their life, they tolerate things in their home out of a false sense of love for that person. The problem with this, however, is that whatever you compromise to get, you will have to continue to compromise to keep.

I’m enraged at the number of people who call themselves good Christians but don’t hesitate to ignore the Word of God for a loved one. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying every compromise is bad; there are times when compromise is necessary. In marriage relationships, for instance, we have to make compromises all the time. Your wife or husband might want the house to be painted blue, but you want the house to be painted white. To keep the peace, you compromise to find a place of agreement.

As you purpose to live a life of no compromise, understand that God and His ways come first and are never to be laid aside. In doing so, you will show people around you that when it comes to your beliefs there is no compromise and your standards will never change for someone else. Once this issue is settled, God will begin to go to work in your life and you will experience greater peace.

Just a Thought,

PSS

And to all you moms, I hope you had a blessed Mother’s Day.