Saturday, September 15, 2018

What God Says about. . ..

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Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the LORD’. Romans 12:19 (ESV)

Paul writes these words to the believers at Rome. He gives sage advice from which we can learn.

In today’s world, we hear of and see road rage. Someone accidentally makes an error in driving. Another driver becomes offended and reacts. That reaction can lead to a dangerous consequence.

Interpersonal issues can start out small but sometimes escalatebecause both parties believe they have to have the last word and each retaliates. The disagreement can build as each person fights back with harsh words. Think of two boys fighting on the playground at school.

We need to learn not to ‘add fuel to the fire’.  Paul tells us to leave it to. . . God. This may sound difficult but we need to put this into practice as we strive to live for Jesus.


What can we do to model Paul's admonition before others?    

Friday, September 14, 2018

When We Need Peace

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Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

Be careful for nothing,

 Paul tells believers at Philippi and us not to worry about anything. I know it is hard to follow this advice but let’s see how we can follow his counsel.

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God

Paul also tells us to pray about everything, no matter how small it may seem. A friend and I pray when we discover we have misplaced our car keys.  We sometimes hear of or face circumstances that we can’t do anything about except pray for that need.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding 

Paul describes God’s peace as being far greater than we can imagine or understand.

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Because we learn to rely on God, that peace we receive will protect our hearts and our minds through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we receive that peace, we feel better about ourselves and those for whom we pray.


Tuesday, September 11, 2018

When We Need Patience

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Cease from anger and forsake wrath: fret not in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37: 8-9 (KJV)

These are words penned by David. He writes that we should refrain from being angry and not seek revenge for any hurt inflicted on us.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 (KJV)

Paul tells us in the anew Testament no to act out our anger. When we react to hurts, we go against God’s Word and retaliate we sin and even risk creating bigger issues.

Both of these Biblical heroes tell us not to get angry or to seek revenge.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Matthew 5:38-40 (KJV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us to not resist the one inflicting the pain. He further tells us to take that pain. He also tells us to give up more than asked for when we face a lawsuit.

When my patience runs thin, I get frustrated. I know this about myself. I try to not allow myself to become frustrated because the next emotion I feel is that of anger. I have to remember the words of Paul In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26

We all need to practice patience in our daily lives. The presence of road rage is due to our people having no patience. The antidote to our not having patience is to step back, take a look at the circumstance and pray to God for His guidance to get us through the situation.


God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...