September 28, 2013
Three thoughts: 1) “Do not provoke to anger” – What provokes anger in your kids? Usually, inconsistent or overly emotional parenting on your part. Your child responds in kind. You are unpredictable and moody, so they are too. 2) “Bring them up in the discipline of the Lord” – This means you follow a consistent pattern of external …
September 26, 2013
Anger is an emotional response to a felt offense. It is an emotion, not sin. But uncontrolled anger can result in sin. Submit your anger to the Spirit of Christ. Allow Him to rein it in. This is not stuffing it, but allowing the Spirit to help you control it, so that the offense is properly confronted. Two cautions: 1) Deal with anger urgently within 24 hours “do not let the sun go down,” and 2) Be aware that Satan is looking for an opportunity to insert himself into your relationships through your uncontrolled anger. Properly dealt with, anger can actually energize you to address a needed relational problem.
September 24, 2013
The apostle Paul believed that God had not only saved him by the gospel, but He had called him to be its servant, declaring it to all. This is not a call unique to Paul, or even to “ministers,” but to all who believe and are saved by the gospel’s power. We are all “made ministers” of the gospel when we receive it!
September 23, 2013
We cannot earn or work for salvation, but having received it as a gift of God’s grace, we are called to walk out that which God is working in us. In doing this we become God’s masterpiece (“workmanship” – Greek: poiema). We become God’s poem.
September 26, 2012
In Christ, we have the power to choose which set of clothes to wear today. Do we wear the old stinky clothes of our former life? Or do we put on the clean sweet-smelling garments of our new life in Christ? Seems an easy choice, yet we often choose the former. What have you picked out to wear today?
September 24, 2012
Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know the fulness of the Godhead, that Father, Son and Spirit would give them inner power, assurance and strong love. We can learn from Paul how to pray Trinitarian prayers that move us to deeper understanding.
September 28, 2011
Paul prayed for the gospel to be unchained rather than himself. How do you pray? Do you pray that God gets you out or that He uses you in your current situation?
September 26, 2011
Don’t go to bed mad. Stay up and work it out. Otherwise, there will be a third person (Satan) in the bed the next morning. Unresolved anger turns to bitterness. So, keep short accounts.
September 23, 2011
Justified-We were saved from sin’s penalty. Sanctified- We are being saved from sin’s power. Glorified- We will be saved from sin’s presence. The perfect Greek verb “saved” implies past, present and future action. Amazing grace!