Be Angry And Sin Not

Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil.”

I had to ask the Lord if this was really possible.  If we were all honest, we would come to the conclusion that the majority of our anger is because of sin.  The reason the majority of our anger is sinful is because we become angry out of selfishness.  The Lord desires that we remain under control.  God is not looking for self control, but he is looking for sovereign control.  We must desire to remain under the control of the Lord.  The basic rule is that we steer clear of sin when we become angry.  Honestly, the majority of our anger usually ends in repentance.  Then we see a principle about anger.  Even in anger we must be sure not to go to bed with it.  How many times have we to bed with anger in our hearts?  God specifically says to make sure we not allow the sun to go down on our wrath.  When we go to sleep angry it gives room for the devil to do a work in our lives.  We must realize that anger is a tool of the devil.  God can only use the anger that is not tainted with sin.  The devil will use all anger in our hearts to cause severe devastation and destruction in our lives.

Today’s Challenge:  Assess your anger.  Determine if it is tainted with sin or if you have lived in it for an extended period of time.  If so, then please repent and seek reconciliation.

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God’s Ability

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

It is so important that we never over look or underestimate the power of God.  I think it is important that we realize God is able to some great and mighty things with our lives.  We get so caught up operating within our own strength that we forget about the ability of God’s power.

• God is Able – Nothing handicaps God.  The question of “can God…?” should always be answered by “Yes God Can!”

• God’s Ability Reaches Further than our Imagination – The fact that this verse says that God can “do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” absolutely blows my mind.  This basically means that our vast imaginations of great things actually places limits on God’s ability.  Think about it like this – If you can imagine it, then God can actually do it bigger and better!  WOW!!!

• God Desires to Do Work Through Us – Notice where God wants to demonstrate and display His greatness.  God desires to demonstrate this ability through our lives.  A life that is submissive and surrendered to the work of God can only see these kinds of things happen.  God can do exceeding abundantly above all only on the grounds that we allow Him to do it.

Today’s Challenge:  Don’t limit God’s ability in our lives.  It is good to have dreams and set goals, but it is also important to remember that God can far exceed those things we dream about happening.

We Are His Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

This is one of those verses that is exciting but at the same time humbling.  In order to understand this verse we need to gain an understanding of the word “workmanship”.  The word simply means “masterpiece”.  Now let that soak in real good… We are God’s Masterpiece!  That just absolutely blows my mind.  The reason it is so mind blowing is because I know me well enough to know that I could not be anyone’s masterpiece.  If God called me His “Mess” then that would be understandable.  We must understand that we are a work of God that has been created to serve God.  We are truly saved, so that we can serve.  I think we often forget the Psalmist’s words when he said “we are fearfully and wonderfully made.”  There are three things we must embrace pertaining to being God’s Masterpiece:

• We Have A Special Design:  We are designed in such a way that as individuals we can bring God glory.  God did not make a mistake when He made you!
• We Have A Specific Destiny:  God not only designed us special, but He has a special plan for each of us.  God designed used in order to fulfill a specific destiny.
• We Have A Sovereign Duty:  We are created to serve.  We are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”

Today’s Challenge:  Don’t quit because of what you are not, serve because of the way you have been made.

The Spirit of Wisdom

Ephesians 1:16-17 “Cease not to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”

 

Two of the most important things Christians need today lies within confines of this text.  Paul prayed that the Church at Ephesus operate with two vital attributes:

1. The Spirit of Wisdom
2. The Knowledge of God

 

Those that follow Christ are in constant pursuit of the “spirit of wisdom” and the “knowledge of God”.   This also narrows down the ones that are truly following the Lord.  I am very afraid that we live a world that truly has very little knowledge of God.  The more I learn about God the more I tremble in His presence.  The key to gaining wisdom is to consume ourselves in God’s Word.  Some would say that wisdom comes with experience.  I would have to say that much wisdom comes from experience, but also wisdom comes through knowledge.  The more God reveals about Himself to us the wiser we become.  The depths of God’s character are endless.  I pray that the presence and the pursuit of God drive us to our knees requesting the spirit of wisdom.  I can’t help but think of the old hymn “I want to know more about my Lord.” We must ask God to reveal himself to us.

 

Today’s Challenge:  Ask God to reveal something about himself that you never knew before.  Pursue the spirit of wisdom and the knowledge of God.

Weary In Well Doing

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

If we were to look up the meaning of the word “weary” we would discover that it means to “lose heart”.  Then if we were to look up the phrase “well doing” we would find that it means “to act honorably” or “to do well”.  So many times we become frustrated and become fainthearted while trying to do well.  We become weary, or start to lose heart when we don’t see the results we believe we should expect from our honorable actions.  It is amazing how all of us place demands on the kind of results we should expect from God when we don’t even deserve to be saved.  I think we forget the value of a personal salvation when working for the Lord.  We cannot serve God expecting results; we serve God because we are a result of His unmatchable Grace and Mercy.  The reason weariness enters into our lives is because the results we expect do not come in the time frame or way God intends for us to have them.  God reminds us that we need not lose heart.  God reminds us that a reward will be received.  Remember that the day we quit may be the day God is planning on blessing your life.  There are some keys to not growing weary.

• Patience is Require:  Waiting on God requires patience.
• Persistence is Required:  Keep serving.  Stay persistence at your calling.
• Perseverance is Required:  There are going to be some days where the Devil will try to tell you God has forgotten about you.  These are the days you must persevere.

Today’s Challenge:  Don’t quit.  The day you decide to quit may be the day before your greatest harvest.

LOVE!

Galatians 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

When we think of “The Law” we could consider the 10 Commandments, the 613 Mosaic Laws, or the entire Bible.  That is a lot to obey.  If we were honest with ourselves we would openly admit that obeying all these individually would be overwhelming impossible.  However; the Lord decided that He could take all these laws and simplify it down to one simple, yet powerful word – LOVE!  When the Bible defines God, we find that God is defined in this one simple word called “Love”.  God has given us the one commandment that not only covers the entire law, but it encompasses the essence of who He really is.  We are to love God, as well as love others.  If you and I would were to study all these laws addressed in scripture we would realize that if we simply loved God and others then it would totally keep us from breaking God’s laws.  For example:

• When you love God and People then you don’t have to worry about putting anything before Him.

• When you love God and People then you don’t have to worry about using His name in vain.

• When you love God and People you don’t have to worry about other graven images

• When you love God and People you will keep the Sabbath Day holy by attending Church

• When you love God and People you don’t have to worry about murdering them.

• When you love God and People you don’t have to worry about honoring your father and mothe

• When you love God and People you don’t steal from them. 

• When you love God and People you won’t commit adultery.

• When you love God and People you won’t lie against them.

• When you Love God and People you will not find yourself coveting. 

You see?  All we must do is operate in love and it handles all the rest.  No wander it is called the Great Commandment!

Today’s Challenge:  LOVE!!!!

Don’t Hate The Truth

Galatians 4:16 “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

This is a very good question that must be asked among American Culture.  We live in a world that despises the truth.  People today hate to hear the truth, because many times, the truth can be painful.  We must remember that those that are true friends are the ones that speak the truth, even when they know we don’t want to hear it.  The generation we see growing up before our eyes are falling into a snare of lies.  They would rather attach themselves to a lie than accept the truth.  It does not seem logical that the truth would cause us to create enemies, however; it is a reality.  We must remember that the truth was designed to help us, not hurt us.  God says the truth will make us free.  It is essential that we make sure we don’t get angry when we hear someone speak the truth to us out of a heart of love.  If you get mad at the truth, then ask yourself whether you would rather appreciate the truth, or enjoy someone telling you a lie.

Today’s Challenge:  Pay attention the truth today.  Remember when your boss, parent, or pastor speaks to you in truth that it was not meant to hurt you, but rather help you.