Jesus Makes All Things New August 28, 2020 bizadmin All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:3 JESUS MAKES ALL THINGS NEW Any electronic product which you buy usually comes with an instruction booklet which says, “Send only to authorized dealers for maintenance and repairs.” Similarly, when something in your body or life breaks down, you go back to Jesus, your Creator and Maker. You go to Him because God’s Word tells us that “all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” The Bible says that in the beginning, God created everything by speaking (see Genesis 1), and Jesus was the Word who caused everything to come to pass (see John 1:1–2, 14). So when relationships in your family break down, when your finances are low or when some part of your body isn’t working properly, you go to Jesus who can fix it and even make it better than before! A mother from our church testified of how God gave her a brand-new daughter who used to be a very rebellious teenager. The day the girl gave her life to Jesus marked the start of a new life with her family. She also became the face to look out for in the national swimming arena. When asked by reporters about her record-breaking feats, she told them that it was Jesus who did it all for her! A lady once approached me and said, “Pastor Prince, I don’t know if you still remember me, but I came to you before when I was a divorcee. This is my husband—the same man I divorced some years ago. We remarried and these are our children!” Now, this doesn’t usually happen in cases where divorce has taken place, but this couple looked to Jesus and saw their broken family made whole! When man puts something that has been broken back together, it is usually not as good as before. But when Jesus does it, all things become new (see 2 Corinthians 5:17)! The One who made the heavens and the earth is more than able to make it better than it was before!
Nothing Is Too Hard For God August 22, 2020 bizadmin ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. Jeremiah 32:17 NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD Our minds tend to see our problems as big or small. Even when we pray for the sick, we say things like, “You have a headache? No problem. Let’s pray for your healing.” But when it is cancer, we say, “Oh, let’s tell the senior pastor about it. It would be better if he prayed for you.” We think of headaches as small problems and cancers as big ones. But that is not the way God thinks. There is nothing too hard for Him who made the heavens and the earth! With God, there is no such thing as a “big” problem. In fact, the “bigger” the problem, the “easier” it is for Him! In the feeding of the 5,000, it took only five loaves to feed the multitude (see Matthew 14:15–21). But in the feeding of the smaller multitude of 4,000, it took seven loaves (see Matthew 15:32–38). In man’s scheme of things, it should take more loaves to feed more people. But this is not so with God. It took fewer loaves to feed more people. This is God’s way of telling us that the “bigger” the problem, the “easier” it is for Him. I am not saying that small problems are hard for God. But it is so encouraging to think that it is “easier” for God to heal cancers than headaches! Imagine coming to God with a big problem. “So, what is your problem, son?” God asks. You say, “Father, it is a huge financial debt—not thousands but millions!” He says, “Easy. It is already cancelled.” In another scenario, God asks, “So, what is your problem, son?” You say, “Father, I have lost my job and I can’t find a new one. I am already in my fifties and I don’t have the necessary qualifications.” He says, “No problem. Consider yourself employed. And in this new job, you won’t just have a job, you will have a position.” Beloved, with God, it is never a problem because there is nothing too hard for Him!
Fight From Victory, Not For Victory August 16, 2020 bizadmin Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 FIGHT FROM VICTORY, NOT FOR VICTORY God does not need you to defeat the devil today. Jesus has already done it and given you the victory (see Colossians 2:15, Romans 8:37). Your part is to enforce the victory by simply standing your ground, which is victory ground. In other words, you “fight” from victory ground by standing. You don’t fight for victory. In Ephesians 6:10–18, the passage on spiritual warfare, the word “wrestle” appears only once (verse 12), while the word “stand” appears four times—“stand against the wiles of the devil,” “withstand in the evil day,” “having done all, to stand,” “Stand therefore” (verses 11, 13–14). Four times the Holy Spirit tells us to stand. Yet, many Christians are focusing on wrestling their way to victory! My friend, you are already on victory ground. You already have everything in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3:21, 23). You are already blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (see Ephesians 1:3). The devil knows this. And that is why his tactic is to deceive you and make you think that you don’t have the victory. So when he attacks you by saying, “Look at that small sum in your bank account! How are you going to pay the bills?” stand your ground. Declare, “I am not trying to be rich. I am already blessed in Christ!” It doesn’t matter how much you have in the bank. You are richly supplied because you are in Christ. And as the need arises, the supply will be there if you believe it. It is the same with healing. The devil will try to attack you with symptoms in your body. He will try to put pain in your body, and make you feel weak here and there, so that you think that you are still sick. He is trying to make you believe that you don’t have your healing. That is the time to be conscious of Jesus’ finished work and declare, “I am not trying to get healed, I am healed! I am standing on the victory ground which Jesus has given me!” Beloved, it makes a world of difference when you fight from victory and not for victory!
Flow With Righteousness, Peace And Joy July 24, 2020 bizadmin …the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 FLOW WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY If we are supposed to seek first the kingdom of God every day (see Matthew 6:33), then we should know what the kingdom of God is in the first place. I used to think that the kingdom of God was the mission fields and that to seek it meant doing missionary work. Then, I realized that the kingdom of God was not something outside you flowing in—“the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,” but something inside you flowing out—“righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” So to seek first God’s kingdom means to make it a priority every day to have your inner man flowing with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Righteousness is not your own righteousness based on what you do. It is not good works. It is a gift from Jesus who is your righteousness (see Romans 5:17, 1 Corinthians 1:30). God wants you to be established in the truth that you are the righteousness of God in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). “Peace be with you” were the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples when He appeared before them after His resurrection. He also showed them His pierced hands and side. (John 20:19–20) God wants you to know that His Son’s finished work has given you peace. Your conscience can be at rest because your sin debt has been settled. You have peace with God and the peace of God. Joy will come into your heart when you see Jesus in the scriptures, worship songs, or anointed preaching. It is the same joy from the Holy Spirit which filled the disciples’ hearts when they saw Jesus, His hands and His side (see John 20:20). So every day, make it a priority to see yourself righteous in Christ. Don’t be conscious of your sins. Instead, be conscious of your righteousness. And whether you are reading your Bible or listening to anointed preaching, see Jesus with His pierced hands and side, which speak of His finished work. See all your sins forgiven, and you will flow with peace and joy. When you do this, you are seeking the kingdom of God!
God Is A Giver, Not A Taker July 20, 2020 bizadmin He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 GOD IS A GIVER, NOT A TAKER Some Christians mistakenly believe that God gives and also takes away. At funerals, we sometimes hear the minister say, “The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” I remember an occasion when I was looking at a baby who was suffering from cancer. I heard one of his family members comment, “You can’t be sure what God’s will is. He may or may not heal.” What that person meant was that although the Lord had given the parents this baby, He might later take the baby away from them. Job displayed this very same attitude when he received the news that he had lost his property and children. Thinking that God was the source of his problems and not knowing that it was actually Satan who had come against him, he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Such a statement seems to honor God, but in reality, it reveals an erroneous view of our heavenly Father. As children of God, we know what the Father’s will is for us. He is a giver, not a taker! Jesus said, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). It is the devil who is the thief. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus came to give us life more abundant (see John 10:10). Jesus met every need and healed every sickness brought before Him, and at the cross, He gave His own life. Never once did He take anything away from the people who came to Him. And the Bible says that whoever has seen Jesus has seen the Father (see John 14:9). Beloved, your heavenly Father wants you to know today that He is the one who gives you all good things. And if He has already given us heaven’s best—Jesus, “how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Freely Receive What God Freely Gives July 6, 2020 bizadmin For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13 FREELY RECEIVE WHAT GOD FREELY GIVES God promised that you would be the heir of the world. It is the same promise that He made to Abraham. And because you are Christ’s, you are Abraham’s seed and an heir “according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). When God made this promise to you, He made it so easy for you to receive—“through the righteousness of faith.” All you have to do is believe that as the heir of the world every blessing is righteously yours because Jesus died to give them to you. He also rose from the dead to enforce them in your life. So don’t try to earn your blessings “through the law”—through your efforts or performance. Freely receive what God freely gives to you through Christ and His finished work at the cross. When a church member was retrenched at 41 years of age, he refused to fret or think that he had to jostle with the rest of the people in the job market. Instead, he believed that by God’s grace, he would get a better job with a higher pay. Indeed, through a mutual acquaintance, a new job came along with a pay packet that was 60 per cent more than his previous one! Another man was experiencing a strained relationship with his wife to the point that divorce was imminent. When he started attending our church, he realized that a happy marriage could be his, not by his trying to keep the marriage going or earning the love of his wife, but by believing that although he could see his own weaknesses, he was still the righteousness of God in Christ because of the blood of Jesus. Today, he and his wife are reconciled, and enjoying a blessed marriage. Don’t let the devil disqualify you by bringing you the law and saying, “How can you receive this blessing when just last night, you broke God’s law?” or “Are you sure you deserve this?” Instead, say, “Father, I thank You that I receive everything freely by Your grace, Your unmerited favor in my life, because of the blood of Jesus!” Christian Faith that Manages Temperament and Anger July 4, 2020 bizadmin Picture Credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/angry-man-is-screaming-3760044/ How can we navigate the crisis? Using practical & Biblical principles of calmness, competence & confidence. How to control things in your life when you are out of control. People tend to experience a severe crisis of stress. The Bible shows insight that we need to emulate & change our lives. During the crisis, there are increasing numbers of fits of anger & outbursts. Covid19 pandemic can make us a raging monster. It seems like lots of people have no clue at all why they get angry. Practical steps on how to reduce anger in oneself and anger towards others. If you are feeling short-tempered & angry in this outbreak, then it is normal. But we need to exercise restraint. Many things can make us angry. The combined factors of long quarantine at home and daily crisis news can become very stressful. All these happen quickly that makes us become short-tempered. Fortunately, we have the Bible to give us an insight into the faith that gives you serenity in a crisis. Anger is mismanagement of emotion. The wrong kind of anger is actually named as 7 numbers of deadly sins in the Bible. Not all fits of anger are sins. Ultimately Jesus at the cross took away all sins from us. Anger is not automatically a sin. Anger has its place. Simple anger, wrong anger, unrighteous anger; in fact, anger is God-given capacity. God gives appropriate anger. We must control our anger. Learn how to use anger wisely, and appropriately. Mismanagement of anger is sin, but the management of anger is an asset. The problem is not anger itself, but whether is it an inappropriate expression of anger. When we are angry we can blow up or muted. We can become either a skunk or tortoise when angry. Tortoise that gets angry withdraws inside its shell. But skunk gets angry by spilling all over the place with an offensive odor. Men can lose temper twice more often than women. Typically men can lose temper 6 times a week, whereas women lose their temper 3 times a week. Women more often get angry at people and men get angry at things like machines or equipment has broken down or mistakes in business decisions. The single adult is twice likely to lose his or her temper than a married adult. Men are angrier physically more than women. Avoid inappropriately letting out of anger. We are more likely to express anger at home than anywhere else. Successful relationships happen when anger is managed that produces great business partnerships. When anger is managed it produces respected leaders. How do we have faith that keeps us calm away from conflict? There are 3 typical Biblical steps of anger management. 1) REALIZE THE COST OF UNCONTROLLED ANGER Learn to manage anger and know there is a cost for anger. Realize there is a price tag against us in anger. It is very expensive in uncontrolled anger. Proverbs 29:22 states that an angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. A hot-tempered man gets into all kinds of troubles. Proverbs 15:18 ” A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. ” Hot tempers cause arguments. Proverbs 14:29 – “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Proverbs 14:17 – “A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.” People with hot tempers do foolish things. You always lose if you lose temper, lose the respect of others, lose the love of family members, lose your job, and lose your health if you respond to anger in the wrong way. In the long run, anger in parents creates anger, apathy & alienation in kids. Nothing destroys a relationship faster than anger. Proverbs 11:29 – “He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise.” The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left. How to keep cool in a crisis is to realize that uncontrolled anger is not worth it. 2) RESOLVE TO MANAGE IT This is a deliberate choice to manage anger. You are tired of hurting yourself and also tired of hurting others with anger. You may choose to manage anger with God’s help. We need to stop giving excuses and accept responsibility for our actions. For example, while you are in a heated argument & someone happens to be on the phone, you then have to change your tone to a soft and polite voice. 3) REFLECT BEFORE REACTING Anger management is to think before you speak. Do not respond to malice or accusation impulsively. The remedy is to pause and stop to be quiet, and do not be quick to respond. James 1:19-20, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” This verse, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, is full with spiritual truth. We need to act as Jesus does in every situation. We are followers of Jesus Christ. Our behavior follows our belief. The Bible does not give us the rule of conduct to be easily angry. Behavior determines your beliefs and that is the reason why we live in certain ways. God wants us to treat others the way He treats us. God wants to change us to move from inside out. He moves us from the interior to external. He moves us from being to doing. He moves us from character to conduct. From identity in Christ to our activity in the world and from our belief to behavior. Bible always tells us why we should do something before He tells us what to do. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger is because this is the way God treats us. How to reflect before reacting : 3 active steps in Bible i) Be Quick To Listen The quickest way to defuse somebody’s anger is to be calm and genuinely listen to them. If you do not feel like you are being listened to that makes you angrier. When you are angry don’t talk first. Listen first. You can make a giant step forward to manage anger. Don’t be quick to speak your points across. Don’t be quick to share your side of the story. Listening calm people down and also soothing people. Calm you down also and easing hurts. Just listen & be quick to listen. ii) Be slow to speak. Anger control is a matter of mouth control. You tame your anger by taming your tongue. Anger management starts with watching your words. Learn how to muzzle or control your mouth. Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” A stupid man gives free rein to his anger; a wise man waits and lets it grow cool. Delay causes anger to cool down. Delay is a remedy to anger. The longer you hold on and don’t let it out your anger, the more it improves. Sometimes we need to reflect & think through. Delay tends to calm you down. iii) Be slow to get angry. If you are quick to listen, slow to speak then you are automatically slow to get angry. Bible twice to use words “slow. “Delay our response and delay is the only remedy. Analyze first to try to understand our anger. Proverbs 19:11 ” A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” The more understanding of our anger, the more understanding we are of ourselves. The more understanding of your spouse’s anger, the more understanding of your spouse. The more understanding of your child’s anger, the more understanding of you for your child. The more understanding of your co-workers’ anger or your neighbor’s fits of anger, the more understanding of you will be of them. Questions To Ask Yourself Considering Holding Back Anger When you are angry, ask yourself why? What do you really want? Something is frustrated here !! How can you avoid it ? Blow it out just doesn’t work. Identify the cause. Reflect before reacting to the root causes of anger. Typical 3 causes are Hurt, Frustration, and Fear. Hurts cause anger. We can be emotionally or physically hurt. For example, like you injured your thumb, you get angry. Hurt causes anger. Also, frustration causes anger. When you are forced to wait long and can trigger anger. When you are in a situation beyond control like a baby continuously crying nonstop and you get frustrating that may cause anger. The more you need to control in your life the more prompt you are to anger. High control of your life is prompt to high anger. 3rd cause of anger is fear. When we get threatened or attacked by people and we get afraid then we get angry. Angry and insecurity are together. The more insecure you feel, the angrier you will be. While you are quick to listen & slow to speak while in the midst of it do a silent prayer. Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” Lord helps me control my tongue, help me careful what I say. We are to reflecting first not reacting before. Alcohol can cause not reflecting first before reacting. Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It is stupid to get drunk. Alcohol makes you don’t think straight. Alcohol drinks make you react first before reflecting, instead of reflecting before react. Step 1: The cost of anger is not worth it. Realize the cost of anger. The price is too expensive in anger. Always payment to be paid in anger and can lose a lot. Step 2: Resolve to manage anger Make a decision, stop saying I can not control anger. Praying with God’s help and say I can manage anger. Step 3: Reflect before Reacting. Quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to anger. Step 4: Release Our Anger Appropriately Problem is inappropriate to release of anger. Ephesians 4:26 – “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” If you become angry, don’t let your anger lead you into sin. ” Realize that you can get angry but not into sin by this verse. Mismanagement of anger is sin. There is a right way or wrong way to express anger. Appropriate way and inappropriate way to express anger. Helpful way & harmful way to express anger. It is how you release anger. Anger moves us away from our goal, it doesn’t give us what we want. Our hurts, our healing, our frustrations, resolve & fear move us further away. Everybody has a sack or baggage of anger. some carry more anger in them. Working Out Of Rest June 28, 2020 bizadmin For we who have believed do enter that rest… Hebrews 4:3 WORKING OUT OF REST Naturally speaking, when we rest, we don’t work. So what does working out of rest mean? Well, let me explain by sharing with you what the Lord had taught me. Many years ago, when I first started preaching, I would prepare diligently for all my sermons. I fine-tuned my points and made sure that everything was in place. I would think to myself, “Man, I am going to share this…and that…” But when I preached, I would forget to mention certain points. Because of that, I would get angry with myself. I would tell myself, “That was such a good point. Why didn’t I remember to share it?” Then, God began to speak to me. He said, “Son, your preaching is not out of rest. It is out of your memory.” What He said next changed my life, not just in the area of preaching, but also in every other area, and I pray that it will bless you too. He said, “Prepare everything you need to. But when you stand in front of the people, whatever you need to say, I will give to you.” Yes, there must be preparation, whether it is your sermon or sales presentation. I am not telling you to be lazy and just do nothing. You need to prepare, but don’t depend on your preparation. Just trust God and tell yourself that whatever you forget, God wants it forgotten. And whatever you didn’t plan to say but said, it is because God wanted it said. Don’t be stressed out and lose your rest by thinking, “I must know everything! I must remember everything and do everything I have prepared!” No, believe God and be at rest. When the time comes, whatever you need to know, there and then, God will let you know. Whatever you don’t need to know, you don’t need to know. And don’t worry about what you didn’t say—believe that God didn’t want it said. My friend, when you live life like that—trusting God and resting in His love for you—you become cool and collected. And when you are peaceful and at rest in Him, what you do prospers! Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Christian Faith that Manages Temperament and Anger July 4, 2020 bizadmin Picture Credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/angry-man-is-screaming-3760044/ How can we navigate the crisis? Using practical & Biblical principles of calmness, competence & confidence. How to control things in your life when you are out of control. People tend to experience a severe crisis of stress. The Bible shows insight that we need to emulate & change our lives. During the crisis, there are increasing numbers of fits of anger & outbursts. Covid19 pandemic can make us a raging monster. It seems like lots of people have no clue at all why they get angry. Practical steps on how to reduce anger in oneself and anger towards others. If you are feeling short-tempered & angry in this outbreak, then it is normal. But we need to exercise restraint. Many things can make us angry. The combined factors of long quarantine at home and daily crisis news can become very stressful. All these happen quickly that makes us become short-tempered. Fortunately, we have the Bible to give us an insight into the faith that gives you serenity in a crisis. Anger is mismanagement of emotion. The wrong kind of anger is actually named as 7 numbers of deadly sins in the Bible. Not all fits of anger are sins. Ultimately Jesus at the cross took away all sins from us. Anger is not automatically a sin. Anger has its place. Simple anger, wrong anger, unrighteous anger; in fact, anger is God-given capacity. God gives appropriate anger. We must control our anger. Learn how to use anger wisely, and appropriately. Mismanagement of anger is sin, but the management of anger is an asset. The problem is not anger itself, but whether is it an inappropriate expression of anger. When we are angry we can blow up or muted. We can become either a skunk or tortoise when angry. Tortoise that gets angry withdraws inside its shell. But skunk gets angry by spilling all over the place with an offensive odor. Men can lose temper twice more often than women. Typically men can lose temper 6 times a week, whereas women lose their temper 3 times a week. Women more often get angry at people and men get angry at things like machines or equipment has broken down or mistakes in business decisions. The single adult is twice likely to lose his or her temper than a married adult. Men are angrier physically more than women. Avoid inappropriately letting out of anger. We are more likely to express anger at home than anywhere else. Successful relationships happen when anger is managed that produces great business partnerships. When anger is managed it produces respected leaders. How do we have faith that keeps us calm away from conflict? There are 3 typical Biblical steps of anger management. 1) REALIZE THE COST OF UNCONTROLLED ANGER Learn to manage anger and know there is a cost for anger. Realize there is a price tag against us in anger. It is very expensive in uncontrolled anger. Proverbs 29:22 states that an angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. A hot-tempered man gets into all kinds of troubles. Proverbs 15:18 ” A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. ” Hot tempers cause arguments. Proverbs 14:29 – “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Proverbs 14:17 – “A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.” People with hot tempers do foolish things. You always lose if you lose temper, lose the respect of others, lose the love of family members, lose your job, and lose your health if you respond to anger in the wrong way. In the long run, anger in parents creates anger, apathy & alienation in kids. Nothing destroys a relationship faster than anger. Proverbs 11:29 – “He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise.” The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left. How to keep cool in a crisis is to realize that uncontrolled anger is not worth it. 2) RESOLVE TO MANAGE IT This is a deliberate choice to manage anger. You are tired of hurting yourself and also tired of hurting others with anger. You may choose to manage anger with God’s help. We need to stop giving excuses and accept responsibility for our actions. For example, while you are in a heated argument & someone happens to be on the phone, you then have to change your tone to a soft and polite voice. 3) REFLECT BEFORE REACTING Anger management is to think before you speak. Do not respond to malice or accusation impulsively. The remedy is to pause and stop to be quiet, and do not be quick to respond. James 1:19-20, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” This verse, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, is full with spiritual truth. We need to act as Jesus does in every situation. We are followers of Jesus Christ. Our behavior follows our belief. The Bible does not give us the rule of conduct to be easily angry. Behavior determines your beliefs and that is the reason why we live in certain ways. God wants us to treat others the way He treats us. God wants to change us to move from inside out. He moves us from the interior to external. He moves us from being to doing. He moves us from character to conduct. From identity in Christ to our activity in the world and from our belief to behavior. Bible always tells us why we should do something before He tells us what to do. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger is because this is the way God treats us. How to reflect before reacting : 3 active steps in Bible i) Be Quick To Listen The quickest way to defuse somebody’s anger is to be calm and genuinely listen to them. If you do not feel like you are being listened to that makes you angrier. When you are angry don’t talk first. Listen first. You can make a giant step forward to manage anger. Don’t be quick to speak your points across. Don’t be quick to share your side of the story. Listening calm people down and also soothing people. Calm you down also and easing hurts. Just listen & be quick to listen. ii) Be slow to speak. Anger control is a matter of mouth control. You tame your anger by taming your tongue. Anger management starts with watching your words. Learn how to muzzle or control your mouth. Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” A stupid man gives free rein to his anger; a wise man waits and lets it grow cool. Delay causes anger to cool down. Delay is a remedy to anger. The longer you hold on and don’t let it out your anger, the more it improves. Sometimes we need to reflect & think through. Delay tends to calm you down. iii) Be slow to get angry. If you are quick to listen, slow to speak then you are automatically slow to get angry. Bible twice to use words “slow. “Delay our response and delay is the only remedy. Analyze first to try to understand our anger. Proverbs 19:11 ” A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” The more understanding of our anger, the more understanding we are of ourselves. The more understanding of your spouse’s anger, the more understanding of your spouse. The more understanding of your child’s anger, the more understanding of you for your child. The more understanding of your co-workers’ anger or your neighbor’s fits of anger, the more understanding of you will be of them. Questions To Ask Yourself Considering Holding Back Anger When you are angry, ask yourself why? What do you really want? Something is frustrated here !! How can you avoid it ? Blow it out just doesn’t work. Identify the cause. Reflect before reacting to the root causes of anger. Typical 3 causes are Hurt, Frustration, and Fear. Hurts cause anger. We can be emotionally or physically hurt. For example, like you injured your thumb, you get angry. Hurt causes anger. Also, frustration causes anger. When you are forced to wait long and can trigger anger. When you are in a situation beyond control like a baby continuously crying nonstop and you get frustrating that may cause anger. The more you need to control in your life the more prompt you are to anger. High control of your life is prompt to high anger. 3rd cause of anger is fear. When we get threatened or attacked by people and we get afraid then we get angry. Angry and insecurity are together. The more insecure you feel, the angrier you will be. While you are quick to listen & slow to speak while in the midst of it do a silent prayer. Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” Lord helps me control my tongue, help me careful what I say. We are to reflecting first not reacting before. Alcohol can cause not reflecting first before reacting. Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It is stupid to get drunk. Alcohol makes you don’t think straight. Alcohol drinks make you react first before reflecting, instead of reflecting before react. Step 1: The cost of anger is not worth it. Realize the cost of anger. The price is too expensive in anger. Always payment to be paid in anger and can lose a lot. Step 2: Resolve to manage anger Make a decision, stop saying I can not control anger. Praying with God’s help and say I can manage anger. Step 3: Reflect before Reacting. Quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to anger. Step 4: Release Our Anger Appropriately Problem is inappropriate to release of anger. Ephesians 4:26 – “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” If you become angry, don’t let your anger lead you into sin. ” Realize that you can get angry but not into sin by this verse. Mismanagement of anger is sin. There is a right way or wrong way to express anger. Appropriate way and inappropriate way to express anger. Helpful way & harmful way to express anger. It is how you release anger. Anger moves us away from our goal, it doesn’t give us what we want. Our hurts, our healing, our frustrations, resolve & fear move us further away. Everybody has a sack or baggage of anger. some carry more anger in them.
Working Out Of Rest June 28, 2020 bizadmin For we who have believed do enter that rest… Hebrews 4:3 WORKING OUT OF REST Naturally speaking, when we rest, we don’t work. So what does working out of rest mean? Well, let me explain by sharing with you what the Lord had taught me. Many years ago, when I first started preaching, I would prepare diligently for all my sermons. I fine-tuned my points and made sure that everything was in place. I would think to myself, “Man, I am going to share this…and that…” But when I preached, I would forget to mention certain points. Because of that, I would get angry with myself. I would tell myself, “That was such a good point. Why didn’t I remember to share it?” Then, God began to speak to me. He said, “Son, your preaching is not out of rest. It is out of your memory.” What He said next changed my life, not just in the area of preaching, but also in every other area, and I pray that it will bless you too. He said, “Prepare everything you need to. But when you stand in front of the people, whatever you need to say, I will give to you.” Yes, there must be preparation, whether it is your sermon or sales presentation. I am not telling you to be lazy and just do nothing. You need to prepare, but don’t depend on your preparation. Just trust God and tell yourself that whatever you forget, God wants it forgotten. And whatever you didn’t plan to say but said, it is because God wanted it said. Don’t be stressed out and lose your rest by thinking, “I must know everything! I must remember everything and do everything I have prepared!” No, believe God and be at rest. When the time comes, whatever you need to know, there and then, God will let you know. Whatever you don’t need to know, you don’t need to know. And don’t worry about what you didn’t say—believe that God didn’t want it said. My friend, when you live life like that—trusting God and resting in His love for you—you become cool and collected. And when you are peaceful and at rest in Him, what you do prospers!