Throwing out the old: Anger and rage

"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger" (James 1:19, New American Standard Bible).

Almost everyone I know seems to have a "button" or two, something that has potential to make them upset. Sometimes, anger simmers. Other times, it can boil over into rage and tear at things or people around us, even ourselves.

God shows us an alternative. Psalm 145:8 reads, "The LORD is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness" (NASB). He asks us to be quick to listen, and yet slow to speak and slow to anger.  We aren't perfect, but the way we can live it out is by looking at Jesus' life and by the Holy Spirit's power working in us.

Whether anger and rage are common or rare within us, we can remember that God is Immanuel, God with us. As we are tempted to act in anger, let's ask God to make it simmer before we move on with the day. He is in control. As we set our trust in Him, He will lead us through whatever is going on.

Lord, help us listen to others and to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Protect us from anger boiling over and its results. We ask that You give us hearts that can respond with the grace and mercy You've shown us. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Image from http://www.dianagabriel.com/blog

Bringing truth into focus

"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment... But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come" (John 16:8, 13, New American Standard Bible).

A camera lens, like the one recycled to make into owl eyes in the photo above, helps bring things into focus. Owls can see in three dimensions - height, width, and depth - and their eyes are efficient in processing light. Similarly, a camera lens is made to capture what is true and in front of the photographer. As believers, the Holy Spirit is there to help us process God, His will, and to reveal to us what sort of relationship God wishes to have with His people.

Who is the Holy Spirit? Matthew Henry once wrote, "Bodily presence drew eyes, but the Spirit draws hearts" (Matthew Henry Commentary). Jesus drew much attention, but the Holy Spirit heals our hearts. The Holy Spirit is a part of who God is; He is a part of the Holy Trinity. He convicts, comforts, and teaches truth.

Similar to the owl's eyes at night, the Holy Spirit helps bring the truth of God into focus. He reveals truth about God, and He helps us see the guilt of all people because of our rebellion against God and His will (1 Corinthians 2:10). As we accept Christ as Savior of our lives, the Spirit abides in us (John 14:17). Sent by the Father and the Son, He will teach us and bring to mind things God has taught us (John 14:26, John 15:26). Let us pray that the Holy Spirit helps an unbeliever on our mind see His truth.

Lord, work within us through the Holy Spirit. Please work in the life of someone on our mind who does not know You. Help convict us of sin and help us see truth that comes from You. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999)
Photo from http://www.etsy.com/shop/focusonart

We pray for the words to say

"'Do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.'" -Luke 12:11b-12 (New American Standard Bible)

With the U.S. presidential elections approaching, I remembered an old video clip I saw once in high school with presidential bloopers. You can find a similar, more updated video at www.youtube.com - presidential bloopers video. Even our nation's leaders, who speak so often, can make mistakes in their speech. 

God asks believers to share Him and spread His good news, as we can read from Matthew 28:19-20, but sometimes we can wonder what exactly we would say. When God asked Moses to speak to Pharaoh, Moses was pretty raw in expressing his doubt that he was the man for the job. God pointed out that He is the Creator of all things - He made the mouth, and He gives people the ability to speak. He said, "'Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say'" (Exodus 4:12, New American Standard Bible).

God asks us to trust Him and follow His lead. He will help us follow His will. As believers, God has given us the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say as we witness to who He is. So, there is no need to fear. When we are His, we are not walking alone. As we try to explain this relationship we have with Him to others, He will give us the words to say.

Lord, thanks for being Immanuel, God with us. Be with us as we explain who You are to others. Give us the words to say through Your Spirit. Amen.

Image - http://blog.keepstream.com

Study based on the workbook, HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

awe-filled wonder

"Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection from the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so Christ shall all be made alive." -1 Corinthians 15:21-22

How are we made alive in Christ? This week, I have been alive in Him as I am in awe of God as I have seen His wonder in snowfall, a little girl, a concert, and an answer to prayer.

Earlier this week, I got to see a group named Doxology perform Handel's Messiah. This opera-like performance proclaims Christ's story. The performers sing verses from the prophecy of His coming in the Old Testament, to His life on earth and His resurrection as described in the New Testament. This was composed so many years ago, but watching it helped me experience the wonder of God again!

One song included the verse from Romans 10:15:
"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

How may we share His love today? This is one time of year where every moment another thing may remind us of the precious gift of His Son. I pray that today we are able to see His unmatchable love and are able to share the story of that holy night when He came to save us!

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, the King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour, and he shall speak peace unto the heathen." -Zechariah 9:9-10