2023-03-29
Proverbs 19:11 NLT
When it comes to anger, here is what you need to know: It isn’t a psychological disorder; everybody gets angry. And it’s not necessarily a sin. Like a fast-flowing river, it can generate constructive or destructive energy, and be unleashed negatively or harnessed positively.
Anger is commonly misunderstood as something that’s done to us by others or by circumstances. We say, “I couldn’t help it; they pushed my buttons!” “What could I do; he got my Irish up!” (A claim also made by Italians, Hispanics, Germans, English, Scandinavians, and every other country.) That sounds like Eden: Adam said, “The woman you gave me made me do it!”
Since the fall, we have claimed to be victims of people, the devil, and circumstances beyond our control – a belief that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing us to feel helpless and at the mercy of external forces.
What does God’s Word say about our anger? “Sensible people control their temper.” That means when sensible people get angry, they control their emotions. No matter what the external trigger is, the answer is always an internal response. “The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). Staying filled with God’s Spirit is the key to anger management.
Instead of feeding your anger by telling yourself, “You can’t get away with treating me like that,” try thinking, “No matter what you say or do, God’s Spirit lives in me and I have self-control!” The Bible says, “The grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12 NIV). So, learn to control your anger.
Soul food: Job 35-37; Luke 22:1-23; Ps 69:19-36; Prov 8:30-31
2023-03-28
Revelation 21:4 NIV
Sometimes we describe dying as “crossing the Jordan.” That’s because the Jordan River runs into the Dead Sea.
The story is told of an elderly Christian lady who was dying. For most of her life, illness had confined her to bed or a wheelchair. The family gathered to say farewell. Holding her hand, one of her grandchildren asked, “Are you afraid to die?” With tears of joy, she replied, “No, I’m not afraid of death because my Father owns the land on both sides of the river.”
What an answer! In heaven there will be no sickness, or depression, or pain, or loneliness, or fear, or grief, or any of the things that make life on earth so difficult. God’s Word says, “For you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2 NRS). Isaiah writes: “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10 NKJV).
When we lose a loved one in death, the question arises, “Will I see them in heaven; will I know them?” Yes! You wouldn’t know less in heaven than you knew on earth. Paul answers, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV). Heaven will be the greatest family reunion of all time. And here is the best part of all: We will never be separated again.
Soul food: Job 32-34; Luke 21:25-38; Ps 69:1-18; Prov 8:27-29
2023-03-27
Revelation 21:16 CEV
The next time you feel cramped for space, read this: “The city was shaped like a cube, because it was just as high as it was wide. When the angel measured the city, it was about fifteen hundred miles high and fifteen hundred miles wide” (v. 16 CEV). That’s an area of over two million square miles – making the new Jerusalem bigger than the state of Texas. In fact, it’s almost four times larger than the state of Alaska, and over half the size of the entire United States! A city that big would be anything but crowded and uncomfortable. And here is something even more incredible: It’s fifteen hundred miles high! There will be no space limitations. And that confirms what Jesus said about heaven: “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2 KJV).
Since the same God who created the earth also designed heaven, and since Paul said heaven will be “far better” (Philippians 1:23 NKJV), think of the most beautiful place you have ever visited and multiply that scene by infinity. John the Revelator described it in these words: “The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light” (Revelation 21:12 MSG).
One night as he held his father’s hand and looked up at the stars, a little boy said to his dad, “If the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what must the right side look like?” Jesus died so that you could go to heaven. But you don’t go by chance; you go by choice. So, have you placed your trust in Christ to be your Saviour? If so, see you there!
Soul food: Job 29-31; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 38:13-22; Prov 8:24-26
2023-03-26
Philippians 3:20 NLT
The story is told of a pastor who asked his congregation, “How many of you want to go to heaven?” Everyone raised their hand except one little boy. The pastor said, “Son, don’t you want to go to heaven?” He replied, “Yes, but I thought you were getting up a batch to go right now!”
Let’s be honest, we don’t think or talk much about heaven until a loved one dies and goes there, or we grow old and feel like we have fulfilled our assignment here on earth. Then we feel a tug pulling us heavenward. And we should. On average, we will spend about seventy or eighty years here, whereas we will spend eternity there. “We shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV).
Here on earth we get a mixed scorecard; sometimes we do well, other times not so well. But in heaven, we will be just like Jesus. “We are citizens of heaven… we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own” (Philippians 3:20-21 NLT). C. S. Lewis wrote that in heaven each of us will be a “dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine.”
All the patriarchs, prophets, and preachers in the Bible longed for heaven. Zechariah describes it in these words: “They’ll become… like gemstones in a crown, catching all the colors of the sun. Then… they’ll shine!” (Zechariah 9:16-17 MSG). Question: If you were to die today, would you go to heaven? You can, by putting your trust in Jesus Christ.
Soul food: 1 Kings 17:1-24; 1 Cor 12
2023-03-25
Luke 6:37 NIV
Here are three more steps to forgiveness: (1) Accept people as they are and don’t try to change them. You say, “I’ll only forgive them if they change.” That just keeps you tied to them, obsessing over what they did and demanding they act in ways that you approve of. Nothing makes people less willing to change than when you try to control them and demand that they meet your requirements. Changing people isn’t your job – it’s God’s job! Your job is to choose to forgive and leave the outcome in God’s hands. The formula for healing is simple: forgive, let go, and let God.
(2) See your offender as God’s tool for your growth. It’s easier to forgive someone when you stop seeing them as Satan’s agent sent to destroy you, and begin seeing them as God’s instrument to develop you. The life of Joseph speaks to this principle. The path that led him from the pit to the palace was paved by injustice, disappointment, and betrayal. But God used each painful circumstance to get him to his destiny. And God can do that for you.
(3) Try reconciling with your offender. Reconciliation is God’s nature. “When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10 KJV). And what God did for you, He wants you to do for whoever you are at odds with. Jesus made reconciliation a top priority by saying, “Leave your gift there before the altar… First be reconciled… then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24 NKJV). Yes, it will take selflessness and humility on your part, but the return is worth the investment!
Soul food: Job 24-28; Luke 21:1-11; Ps 38:1-12; Prov 8:22-23
2023-03-24
Colossians 3:13 NIV
The misery of living with unforgiveness in your heart always lasts longer than the pain of the offense. Always! When you hold on to resentment, you open the door to depression and physical illness. Forgiving brings healing to your wounds and restores your joy. Here are two steps to help you forgive:
(1) Remember that you have been unconditionally forgiven. Recall God’s grace toward you, and the price paid for your forgiveness. By refusing to show mercy, you’re like the man Jesus said was forgiven an enormous debt, yet was unwilling to forgive another man’s paltry indebtedness to him (See Matthew 18:23-34). The grace God has extended to you leaves you no grounds whatsoever to refuse the same grace to the one who hurt you.
(2) Release the offender from the debt they owe you. You may be totally justified in saying, “They owe me for what they did!” Your friends may agree. The law may agree, and you may be thinking that the only way your offender will “learn to do what’s right” is if they’re made to pay for the wrong they did. But as long as you’re holding on to your “rights,” you’re chained to the past. It has you in its grip, and your future is being held hostage to the past’s control over you.
Your offender’s sin against you was paid for by the same sacrificial love that cancelled your sin debt, so they have the same need and right to forgiveness that you have. And there is more; forgiveness is not just for their benefit, but for yours: “Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37 NIV).
Soul food: Job 21-23; Luke 20:27-47; Ps 55:12-23; Prov 8:19-21
