"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26
Are you angry this morning- with someone, with a situation, with yourself? (I know I started out with a very pointed question this morning, but it is one that we need to address and get straight to the heart of the subject.)
The subject of anger is one of those things where the church seems to be divided- some teach that you should not get angry because it doesn't demonstrate Christian character; others teach that Jesus got angry so it is all right if we do.
Being angry is not a sin. The scripture above actually says to "be angry". There are times when we should be angry- over sin, when we see injustice, when we see others being abused and mistreated, when we see sacrilege in the house of God. It is a natural human emotion just like the emotion of happiness that we get when something good has happened to us. But having said that, the scripture also warns us in our anger to "sin not".
Anger that is left unchecked, that is not disciplined, that is not controlled will develop into something that is sinful. It will take root in our hearts and come out in "wrath". Jesus ruled His anger, His anger did not rule Him. Had it, when He turned over the tables of the money changers in the temple, He would not have stopped there, He would have called down the wrath of God to consume them all.
How do we keep from crossing the line from anger being a natural emotion to something that is sinful? "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath". There is our answer. When you are angry- for the right reason, not just because someone got on your last nerve or things didn't go according to your plans- then you need to make sure that you don't hold on to it and "stew" over it for days, weeks or years. At that point it is no longer anger but "wrath". So basically what the scripture is saying is, be angry but then get over it. Make sure you are over it before the sun goes down. So even while anger in some cases is not wrong, we are warned not to hold on to it but for a short time- until the sun goes down on that day.
Have a great day. Anger is not a sin, but holding on to it will lead to sin.
For further reading:
Proverbs 16:32; 15:18; 19:11; 14:17
Mark 11:15-17
Psalm 37:8
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
"Adult or Child?"
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians 13:11
God doesn't always do what we want Him to do and when we want Him to do it. Just because He is all powerful we think that He should make everything in our lives better. We think He should always intervene so that nothing bad happens. We think He should answer every prayer we pray in the affirmative. Well, we live in a world that is under a curse and we also have been given the gift of choice, so things won't always go perfectly or the way we plan. When they don't go the way you would like, had planned or hoped they would go, are you going to be an "adult" about it, or act like a "child"? Let me explain myself.
Children don't know how to accept the word "no". They always want what they want. If they don't get it, they react with a couple of responses. They pout, get angry, some resort to temper tantrums, screaming and yelling. They are also famous for trying to wear you down through the endless, "but why?", question. A spiritual "child" responds to God when they don't get what they want, the same way.
To be an "adult", on the other hand, means you don't get angry with God. You don't blame Him, you don't threaten not to have anything else to do with Him, you don't turn your back on Him and walk away. (Like children who pick up their toys and go home.) Adults may ask the question "why?", but accept the answer and continue on with God, even if they still don't understand.
Children don't understand why they didn't get their way and will continue to press the issue until you either give them what they want or take measures to deal with their attitude. Adults trust that God has their best interest at heart and that He does, allows, or withholds every thing that concerns their lives based on His great love for them and His own wise council. Children live for the moment- instant gratification, fulfilled desires- and aren't content without attaining it right away. Adults know that God sees ahead and knows everything- the outcome, the consequences and the end result of certain things if allowed- and are content to put the matter in God's hand.
Look in the mirror and ask yourself today if you are a "child", spiritually speaking, or an "adult". Do you get angry with God or accept that He is all-wise and all-knowing and that whether you understand or not He will work all things together for your good? Are you not satisfied until He gives you an answer that tells you what you want to hear, or do you trust that His ways are perfect and leave it in His hands? So where are you at in your spiritual growth? Adult or child?
Have a great day. When things either do or don't go the way you planned or desire, do you act like a child or an adult?
For further reading:
Romans 8:28
1 Corinthians 3:1,2
Ephesians 4:14
2 Peter 3:17,18
1 Peter 2:2
God doesn't always do what we want Him to do and when we want Him to do it. Just because He is all powerful we think that He should make everything in our lives better. We think He should always intervene so that nothing bad happens. We think He should answer every prayer we pray in the affirmative. Well, we live in a world that is under a curse and we also have been given the gift of choice, so things won't always go perfectly or the way we plan. When they don't go the way you would like, had planned or hoped they would go, are you going to be an "adult" about it, or act like a "child"? Let me explain myself.
Children don't know how to accept the word "no". They always want what they want. If they don't get it, they react with a couple of responses. They pout, get angry, some resort to temper tantrums, screaming and yelling. They are also famous for trying to wear you down through the endless, "but why?", question. A spiritual "child" responds to God when they don't get what they want, the same way.
To be an "adult", on the other hand, means you don't get angry with God. You don't blame Him, you don't threaten not to have anything else to do with Him, you don't turn your back on Him and walk away. (Like children who pick up their toys and go home.) Adults may ask the question "why?", but accept the answer and continue on with God, even if they still don't understand.
Children don't understand why they didn't get their way and will continue to press the issue until you either give them what they want or take measures to deal with their attitude. Adults trust that God has their best interest at heart and that He does, allows, or withholds every thing that concerns their lives based on His great love for them and His own wise council. Children live for the moment- instant gratification, fulfilled desires- and aren't content without attaining it right away. Adults know that God sees ahead and knows everything- the outcome, the consequences and the end result of certain things if allowed- and are content to put the matter in God's hand.
Look in the mirror and ask yourself today if you are a "child", spiritually speaking, or an "adult". Do you get angry with God or accept that He is all-wise and all-knowing and that whether you understand or not He will work all things together for your good? Are you not satisfied until He gives you an answer that tells you what you want to hear, or do you trust that His ways are perfect and leave it in His hands? So where are you at in your spiritual growth? Adult or child?
Have a great day. When things either do or don't go the way you planned or desire, do you act like a child or an adult?
For further reading:
Romans 8:28
1 Corinthians 3:1,2
Ephesians 4:14
2 Peter 3:17,18
1 Peter 2:2
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
"What Did You Say?"
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Ephesians 4:29
I am going to read this verse from the Amplified Bible because it correctly defines the word "corrupt"-- "Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it."
In this verse we are told to watch our words- what to say and what not to say. I wonder why it was necessary to tell Christians not to use obscene or foul words, or profanity. You would think that we would never use that sort of speech because we are following the example of Christ, have His nature in us as well as the fact that we are being transformed into His likeness. But evidently it is necessary or the Holy Spirit would not have impressed on the writer to put this verse in there. Since it is in there, there must have been a need for it to be addressed. So we will address it this morning.
What type of words do you say? What "language" do you use? Do you use profanity? Do you have "by words" that you say in place of profanity? Do you say "worthless" things that really have nothing to do with anything? (Some people just like to hear themselves talk.) Do you speak evil of others? Are you always criticizing and judgmental? What about complaining- I know people who would have nothing to say if they didn't have something to complain about? Are you always talking doom and gloom, fear and doubt? Are you always "poor mouthing"? (That means feeling sorry for yourself and talking about how bad things are for you.) Or are your words full of praise and thanksgiving? Is your mouth filled with kindness and words of faith? Do you build people up or cut them down with your words? The old adage says, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me." Wrong! Words can be harmful. Are yours? Or are they beneficial?
Have a great day. Pay attention today to what kind of words are coming out of your mouth. Are you talking like Jesus would talk?
For further reading:
Psalm 19:14; 34:1; 89:1; 109:30
Proverbs 31:26
Romans 10:8
Colossians 4:6
I am going to read this verse from the Amplified Bible because it correctly defines the word "corrupt"-- "Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it."
In this verse we are told to watch our words- what to say and what not to say. I wonder why it was necessary to tell Christians not to use obscene or foul words, or profanity. You would think that we would never use that sort of speech because we are following the example of Christ, have His nature in us as well as the fact that we are being transformed into His likeness. But evidently it is necessary or the Holy Spirit would not have impressed on the writer to put this verse in there. Since it is in there, there must have been a need for it to be addressed. So we will address it this morning.
What type of words do you say? What "language" do you use? Do you use profanity? Do you have "by words" that you say in place of profanity? Do you say "worthless" things that really have nothing to do with anything? (Some people just like to hear themselves talk.) Do you speak evil of others? Are you always criticizing and judgmental? What about complaining- I know people who would have nothing to say if they didn't have something to complain about? Are you always talking doom and gloom, fear and doubt? Are you always "poor mouthing"? (That means feeling sorry for yourself and talking about how bad things are for you.) Or are your words full of praise and thanksgiving? Is your mouth filled with kindness and words of faith? Do you build people up or cut them down with your words? The old adage says, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me." Wrong! Words can be harmful. Are yours? Or are they beneficial?
Have a great day. Pay attention today to what kind of words are coming out of your mouth. Are you talking like Jesus would talk?
For further reading:
Psalm 19:14; 34:1; 89:1; 109:30
Proverbs 31:26
Romans 10:8
Colossians 4:6
Monday, October 4, 2010
"Eternal Riches"
"I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches." Psalm 119:14
Years ago a friend was sharing a dream that she had. In the dream she was in a room. In that room was a treasure chest full of gold and a table with a Bible on it. As she looked at both items the Lord spoke to her and told her to choose which one of the two she wanted. It was totally her choice- she could have the treasure chest full of gold or she could have the Bible.
If the Lord asked you to make that choice which would you choose? Would you choose the treasure chest full of gold or the Bible? That may have only been a dream and we may never actually have a chest full of gold within our grasp and have to choose between it or the Bible, but in reality each day we do have to choose between the things of this world and spiritual things. Each day we have to make choices to choose between those things that strengthen and build up our spirit man or our flesh.
At first glance the treasure chest may seem like the better choice of the two. But is it? Would you trade the eternal riches that are found in the words of the Bible for those that are temporary? Once the gold is spent it is gone. On the other hand, the Bible- God's word- will never run out. It will be there each time you need to make a "withdrawal" from its wisdom. Would you trade momentary pleasures for everlasting ones? Would you sacrifice real riches for those that moths and rust corrupt and thieves break in to steal? The riches of this world may see you through a temporary problem today but what about tomorrow?
Am I saying that it is wrong to have riches? No, but when it comes to choosing between the riches of this world and the spiritual riches, when it comes to choosing between that which is temporary and that which is eternal, there should be no contest. The choice should come easily. So today when you have a choice presented to you- read your Bible, have time in prayer, spend a moment in worship to the Father- will that be what you choice or will you choice something else that only brings temporary satisfaction and fulfillment? Choose wisely, your eternity depends on it.
Have a great day. What will you choose today? The temporary riches over the eternal ones, or vice versa?
For further reading:
Matthew 6:19
Proverbs 11:28; 13:7; 23:5;27:24
Mark 10:24
Luke 8:14
Romans 11:33
1 Timothy 6:17
Years ago a friend was sharing a dream that she had. In the dream she was in a room. In that room was a treasure chest full of gold and a table with a Bible on it. As she looked at both items the Lord spoke to her and told her to choose which one of the two she wanted. It was totally her choice- she could have the treasure chest full of gold or she could have the Bible.
If the Lord asked you to make that choice which would you choose? Would you choose the treasure chest full of gold or the Bible? That may have only been a dream and we may never actually have a chest full of gold within our grasp and have to choose between it or the Bible, but in reality each day we do have to choose between the things of this world and spiritual things. Each day we have to make choices to choose between those things that strengthen and build up our spirit man or our flesh.
At first glance the treasure chest may seem like the better choice of the two. But is it? Would you trade the eternal riches that are found in the words of the Bible for those that are temporary? Once the gold is spent it is gone. On the other hand, the Bible- God's word- will never run out. It will be there each time you need to make a "withdrawal" from its wisdom. Would you trade momentary pleasures for everlasting ones? Would you sacrifice real riches for those that moths and rust corrupt and thieves break in to steal? The riches of this world may see you through a temporary problem today but what about tomorrow?
Am I saying that it is wrong to have riches? No, but when it comes to choosing between the riches of this world and the spiritual riches, when it comes to choosing between that which is temporary and that which is eternal, there should be no contest. The choice should come easily. So today when you have a choice presented to you- read your Bible, have time in prayer, spend a moment in worship to the Father- will that be what you choice or will you choice something else that only brings temporary satisfaction and fulfillment? Choose wisely, your eternity depends on it.
Have a great day. What will you choose today? The temporary riches over the eternal ones, or vice versa?
For further reading:
Matthew 6:19
Proverbs 11:28; 13:7; 23:5;27:24
Mark 10:24
Luke 8:14
Romans 11:33
1 Timothy 6:17
Friday, October 1, 2010
"Receive Strength"
"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1
"Be strong". Are you feeling weak this morning? Weak in your faith? Weak in persevering? Weak in standing? The word strong this morning has a two-fold meaning. We aren't just commanded to be strong and not get weak or weary or give into weakness. But the word also means to "receive strength". The Lord is telling us through this word this morning-- don't get weak, receive strength.
If you are getting weak, don't continue to go that direction until you become so weak you just give up. Follow the admonishment that Paul gave to Timothy- receive strength.
Have you ever gone without food or water to the point where your whole body was weak and felt like you could hardly move or function? The remedy for that was what? Food or water. Once you received the sustenance you needed you were refresh and felt your strength coming back. From that point on you were able to continue to go on. Well, there is a remedy for the spiritual weakness that you are experiencing. It's called "grace".
In the times when we are feeling spiritually weak, we need to ask for the grace of God to be poured over our lives and take it in as the "nourishment" that we need. There is no reason for us to remain weak when there is an abundance of all that we need to be strengthened in order to carry on supplied to us- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:13,19)
If you are weak, don't sit back and get weaker and weaker, do something about it. Pull up to the "table" and feast upon the presence, the word and the grace of God. Your strength will be renewed. Your joy will be restored- the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). You will feel spiritually refreshed and strong enough to "run through a troop and leap over a wall" (Psalm 18:29). You will regain the spiritual stamina that you need to "go the second mile". (Matthew 5:41)
Have a great day. Don't get weak, everything that you need to stay strong has been provided for you- now feast on it.
For further reading:
1 Samuel 14:20-28
2 Corinthians 12:9
Galatians 6:9
"Be strong". Are you feeling weak this morning? Weak in your faith? Weak in persevering? Weak in standing? The word strong this morning has a two-fold meaning. We aren't just commanded to be strong and not get weak or weary or give into weakness. But the word also means to "receive strength". The Lord is telling us through this word this morning-- don't get weak, receive strength.
If you are getting weak, don't continue to go that direction until you become so weak you just give up. Follow the admonishment that Paul gave to Timothy- receive strength.
Have you ever gone without food or water to the point where your whole body was weak and felt like you could hardly move or function? The remedy for that was what? Food or water. Once you received the sustenance you needed you were refresh and felt your strength coming back. From that point on you were able to continue to go on. Well, there is a remedy for the spiritual weakness that you are experiencing. It's called "grace".
In the times when we are feeling spiritually weak, we need to ask for the grace of God to be poured over our lives and take it in as the "nourishment" that we need. There is no reason for us to remain weak when there is an abundance of all that we need to be strengthened in order to carry on supplied to us- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:13,19)
If you are weak, don't sit back and get weaker and weaker, do something about it. Pull up to the "table" and feast upon the presence, the word and the grace of God. Your strength will be renewed. Your joy will be restored- the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). You will feel spiritually refreshed and strong enough to "run through a troop and leap over a wall" (Psalm 18:29). You will regain the spiritual stamina that you need to "go the second mile". (Matthew 5:41)
Have a great day. Don't get weak, everything that you need to stay strong has been provided for you- now feast on it.
For further reading:
1 Samuel 14:20-28
2 Corinthians 12:9
Galatians 6:9
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