Control Issues?

'...Anger resides in the lap of fools.' Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV

I love Ecclesiastes. God reminded me this morning about controlling our anger. The word 'anger' is just one letter short of the word 'danger.' When you lose control you risk losing other things as well, like the respect of others or the chance to find a constructive solution. That's why all of us should go through our Crucial conversations connection group. It will change your way thinking because anger pointed in the right direction is ok; but left unchecked is damaging. Paul writes, 'Be angry without sinning. Don't go to bed angry.' (Ephesians 4:26 GWT) There's a saying: 'Anger is the wind that blows out the lamp of the mind.' So: (1) Before you react, take a walk It burns off excess adrenaline and it's more effective than stewing. It also helps you to think more clearly and handle things in a way you won't regret. 'A quicktempered man does foolish things...' (Proverbs 14:17 NIV) (2) Recognise the things you can't control You can't control other people's attitudes and actions, or unforeseen events such as cancelled flights and traffic jams. 'What should I do?' you ask. Count your blessings, particularly the fact that you have God, salvation, your health, your family, your job, and a car to get to it, etc. (3) Be careful where you vent It's one thing to be angry; it's another to 'sound off' at the wrong time. 'A fool gives full vent to his anger,11 but a wise man keeps himself under control.' (Proverbs 29:11 NIV) It's ok to share your feelings with those you trust and who are not the targets of your anger. But be careful, your words can come back and bite you! (4) Keep your distance from angry people The Bible says, '...do not associate with one easily angered.' (Proverbs 22:24 NIV) Anger, like joy and gratitude, is contagious, so keep your distance. You are loved!

Trouble with Patience?

    

'By your patience possess your souls.' Luke 21:19 NKJV

I know this is a picture of the order menu at In-n-Out burgers. You are probably getting hungry right now and I'm sorry for that. This last winter on vacation Amy and I experienced a In-n-Out burger for the first time. Fifty five years or my whole life to experience the animal, or what ever it was called. It was great and we enjoyed ourselves. But what do you do when you have to wait for something; maybe your whole to see it happen? Especially when you've been asking God for it? When God makes you wait for something longer than you want to, He's teaching you patience. Your emotions are like a wild horse - they need to be reined in. 'Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.' (Hebrews 10:36 NLT) Pastor I have to wait on God sometimes? Yes, because your impatience will just make you and everybody around you miserable, but it won't rush God. He works according to His own plan and timetable: '...In due season we shall reap...' (Galatians 6:9 KJV) 'Due season' is God's season, not yours. You're in a hurry, He isn't. He takes time to do things right. You may not know what He's doing, but He does. And that will have to be good enough for you. God's timing seems to be His own business. He's never late, but He usually isn't early either. He takes every opportunity to develop in you the fruit of patience. But other fruits are being developed in you as well. There are several things that must arrive at the finish line at the same time in order for you to win the race. Developed potential, without character, doesn't glorify God. If you were to become a huge success and yet be arrogant and harsh with people, that wouldn't be pleasing to the Lord. So when you get ahead of yourself in one area, He gently but firmly blocks your progress in that area until the others catch up. You don't appreciate any of this while it's happening, it's later on you realize what a mess you'd have made if things had been done on your timetable instead of God's. You are loved...

Give Them Another Chance!

'...how often shall...I forgive him...?' Matthew 18:21 NKJV

When people are upset they say and do the wrong things. Especially in the heat of the moment. Instead of stepping back and asking God to help us in a situation we become critical and arrive at the wrong conclusion. So, slow down; ask God for patience and understanding. Don't force others to live by their past while you expect yours to be forgotten. Whatever you sow in mercy you'll reap a hundred times over. Everybody makes mistakes, so give them a chance to come back into the relationship with dignity. How long has it taken you to correct the mistakes in your life? Aren't you still working on some of them? Aren't you glad people don't know the whole story of your struggles? So give people time; give them an opportunity to explain themselves. They may not even know the right words at first, so be willing to listen a little longer. Jesus put up with Peter's weaknesses because He knew what Peter would one day become. Interestingly, when someone upset Peter he came to Jesus and said, '...how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him...Seventy times seven.' (Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV) If they have a flicker of hope, fan that flame, don't extinguish it. They don't need a critic, they need a cheerleader. How do you become the person who can step up at the right time. Always look at people as you would like them to look at you! When you look at others through the eyes of Christ the filter of love is always present. So as I say to you everyday...tell them they are loved!

God's Kind of Love

   

'...My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' Matthew 27:46 NKJV

Can you imagine having to stand on a stage and watch every sin you've ever committed replayed for the entire world to see - your secret addictions, your selfish motives, your angry outbursts, your critical attitudes and your jealous heart. How do you think you'd feel? I know how I would feel; terrible. I wouldn't be able to express the words or feelings as I stood in God's presence. Think about what Jesus experienced on our behalf. The Bible says: 'He...bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed.' (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) It's bad enough to die for sins you didn't commit, but imagine being forsaken by God! It's the same word Paul used when he wrote: 'Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world...' (2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV) Paul looked for Demas and couldn't find him. And on the cross, Jesus looked for His Father and couldn't find Him either. Does that mean the Psalmist was wrong when he wrote in Psalm 37:25 NIV: '...I have never seen the righteous forsaken...'? No, because at that moment Jesus was anything but righteous. When you look at Him hanging there you will see the gossiper, the liar, the cheater, the alcoholic, the porn addict, the child abuser, the murderer. What wondrous love that He took all that upon Himself for me. That's why I'm so passionate about my relationship with Jesus. That's why I'm so passionate about helping you in your journey of faith. I hope your looking forward to our Journey Ephesians...it's going to ignite your faith as we look at the Spiritual Blessings "In Christ." You are loved...

Conquering Stress

 

'My people will live in peaceful dwelling places...' Isaiah 32:18 NIV

Years ago stress was considered mostly a male problem, but not anymore. Women are experiencing the stress of pursuing perfection by having to look a certain way, competing in the workplace, attempting to do it all, never saying no, and having no time for themselves. That's not how God wants you to live! 'The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.' (Isaiah 32:17-18 NIV) So, (male or female) here are two practical suggestions for destressing: (1) Allow yourself more time. Since everything takes longer than you think, having enough time to complete the job reduces your anxiety greatly. Whenever you're under pressure, a good rule of thumb is to allow 20 percent more time than you think you'll need. (2) Be content with less. A recent study of thousands of households found that those who maintained lifestyles beyond their means were more prone to stress related illnesses such as heart attack and depression. 'He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house...' (Proverbs 15:27 NKJV) You say, 'Does that mean God doesn't want me to get ahead in life?' No, He just wants you to keep your priorities straight and to learn to enjoy where you are, on your way to where you're going. If you're feeling stressed today, pray: 'Lord, I need to be renewed. This business of living has drained me. Thank You for ordaining quiet times and places of rest in the midst of hectic schedules. Help me always to put You first and to find my place of rest in You.' You are loved!

Up Close and Personal

   

'That...which we have heard...seen...touched...' 1 John 1:1 NIV

Next week we start our Journey through Ephesians. The book of Ephesians is a very up close personal book that Paul wrote to help the believers understand their standing in Christ. Chapter one starts out by telling us about the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. I know all of us want God's spiritual blessings? How you receive and live in them is the key. All of us have a choice to draw closer to the Lord if we really want to. You can have firsthand knowledge of Him. You don't have to settle for Sunday morning sound bites, secondhand information or a longdistance relationship. You can get 'up close and personal' with Him. I love what John writes, 'That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.' Drawing closer to God calls for developing a greater awareness of His presence. This brings three great benefits: (1) Friendship. No human being, no matter how wonderful, can be everything you need. But the Lord can. In Scripture He is described as a 'friend who sticks closer than a brother.' (Proverbs 18:24 NIV) He will stick by you through every season of life, the bad ones as well as the good ones. For decades the motto of the Marines has been 'Semper Fidelis,' or "Semper Fi" which is Latin for 'Ever faithful.' Even when you're not faithful to God, He will still be faithful to you. (2) Compassion As a young disciple, John wanted to call fire down from heaven on a town that refused overnight accommodation to Christ and His disciples (Luke 9:54). But after a lifetime of walking with Jesus he wrote, 'Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.' (1 John 4:8 NIV) (3) Confidence Whatever life throws at you, you can handle, confident in the strength of God. 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' (Philippians 4:13 NKJV) You can do this and from an old Army term; "Be all you can be." You are loved...

Gratitude

'Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord...' Psalm 107:8 NKJV


The Psalmist writes, 'Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord, for His goodness...' Notice the word 'would.' A thankful attitude is a choice you make regardless of the situation. You choose your attitude just like you choose the food you eat and the clothes you wear each day. And there's plenty to be grateful for. You say, 'Yes, but there's plenty to complain about too.' The point exactly - so you've a choice to make! I know many of you have read the story of Robinson Crusoe who spent 27 years shipwrecked on an island. Here's part of his journal entry (paraphrased). Let's call his lists the Gripe list and the Gratitude list. Gripe: 'I'm stuck on this desert island without hope.' Gratitude: 'I wasn't drowned like the rest of my ship's company.' Gripe: 'I've no clothes.' Gratitude: 'I'm in a hot climate; if I had clothes I couldn't wear them.' Gripe: 'I've no way to protect myself from man or beast.' Gratitude: 'I see no wild beasts here to hurt me as I saw on the coast of Africa. What if I'd been shipwrecked there?' Gripe: 'I've nobody to talk to.' Gratitude: 'God sent the ship in near enough to the shore that I got out so many necessary things as will enable me to supply myself as long as I live.' That's powerful stuff! If you can grasp it and put it into practice, it'll keep you from becoming a member of the Old Testament wilderness club known as 'the murmurers'. Your attitude is simply the decision you make about how you're going to approach things. It isn't Disneyworld thinking to focus on the good things of life; it's wisdom! You are loved...