May 20th
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; James 3:8-12
Are you ever tempted to allow the way you feel physically to rule you? Do you ever use ‘hormonal’ excuses for ill behavior? (Now, I know that many women have serious problems with PMS, a few close relatives in my own family, for instance.) Does fatigue make you waspish to family and friends? Or stress? These are all valid problems which most of us experience to some extent.
If these things are true of you and you want to change for the better, think of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Ask Him to sweeten your language and then your attitudes. You will feel better about yourself and God will be pleased with you too. He’ll help you all the way if you just ask Him.
CONSTRAINED AND SUSTAINED
When I a great temptation see,
The love of Christ constraineth me.
When self would mean and petty be,
When from some duty I would flee,
His love o’erflows
To fill my soul
And He bestows
Strength to control
My wayward thought.
He is for me what I can’t be;
He helps me walk with certainty;
He fails not in adversity;
His love responds to every plea,
And my heart knows
And doth extol
The love He shows
That makes me whole,
In mercy bought.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to have sweet water flowing from my fountain so that others may be refreshed in my presence no matter how I feel.