How God "Spoke" to Me This Morning

February 5, 2016
Pastor Jeff Lampl

How God "Spoke" To Me This Morning

"The fruit of the Spirit is....self-control."
Galatians 5:22, 23

I was having a bad morning, so in order to make my morning better I went to Dunkin’ Donuts.   Doing that always makes things worse of course, but only after it makes me happy for a few brief moments.  

At the same time I was thinking about the main point of Sunday’s sermon which addresses the topic of what the Bible teaches about debt and saving. It became crystal clear to me that the whole point is self-control,  a major sign that the Holy Spirit is at work.

So I finished the donut I was eating and as I did a song came onto the radio, 88.3 FM, “Hello, My Name is Regret”, which of course is exactly what I experience every time I succumb to temptation, immediate gratification, self-indulgence, and quick fixes that never fix anything.

So, as I finished off the last two donuts (they’re cheaper by the half dozen after all) and my hot chocolate, I contemplated my encounter with the Lord.  I wondered, “if I am exhibiting almost no self-control (I could have order a dozen donuts but didn’t) can I consider myself Spirit filled given the fact that the Spirit filled life results in self-control”.  I further contemplated my wallet, now almost $10.00 emptier because of my lack of self-control. 

So, there you have it.  A case study in how God communicates as well as in how it works.   God will not place a remote control mechanism in me that He can activate to prevent me from selfish, reckless indulgence.  HOWEVER, God has given me (and to every believer) the Holy Spirit, who will speak (see above) and empower, BUT only when I “prime the pump”, only when I believe, trust, act, and do so on pure faith that God is enough.  

Feeling crummy this morning I could have decided God is enough and that donuts won’t help.  I could have said no.  After having said no, having returned to work, trusting that God will help me in my need more than fresh, delicious, sumptuous (Satan is tempter!) French Crullers with the perfect blend of Hot Chocolate ever would or could,  it is at that point that the Holy Spirit kicks in with encouragement (way to go, Jeff, you’re becoming more Christlike) and with strength (I can be grateful for the yogurt and seeds that Kathy that God through Kathy provides for me)   

So, now I know what to say about debt and spending on Sunday!

“Lord, forgive me for relying on myself, my desires, my shortcuts, my immediate gratifications.  You have given me all that I need.  With the help of your Spiirt I will say no to short cuts and yes to whatever you allow to come my way as part of your training me to become a trusting Christlike follower of you.  Amen”