“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil — this is the gift of God.“ Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NIV
Christianity is a joyful way of life. People who have not studied the Bible, do not seem to get this concept. God wants us to be happy—to experience joy. But notice what it says next in the above scripture. We are to do good and find satisfaction in our work. Since the concepts of work and happiness are so closely tied together in this passage, one has to assume they go together. God did not make us to sit back and be served by others. He did not plan for us to retire to our easy chair or to pursue a life of personal pleasure. We are to roll up our sleeves and get busy working. It is God’s gift to us to enjoy our efforts earning a living and serving others.
I no longer have a paid career. But I have work nevertheless. I am maintaining my home and caring for my mother-in-law. The care of my mother-in-law is quite confining and at times very labor intensive. But I am not finding her care a burden. God has given me this task, and he is giving me joy as I perform it. I do not understand how God does it, but he can make even the most onerous tasks palatable if they are tasks he has assigned.
So no matter the desirability of the work, if God has given it to you, take joy in it.
Lord, thank you for giving me productive work and for the joy of knowing I am performing it well.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Detox
It is too much! I cannot go on! I cannot do this! I have reached the end of my rope! These are the comments which come out of my mouth when the stress has become too much. I vent. Often my words are unkind and self-serving. God has been convicting me of my sin--not only for putting too much emphasis on the wrong things in my life but also for my responses to stress. I have been working on techniques to get my emotions back on an even keel in a manner which is pleasing to my Lord and Savior.
1. My first response to difficulty is to do something. I want to make it better—to fix it. I barge forward with what I think should be done. My ideas are usually good but my methodology is wrong-minded. I think people should see and understand things the way I see and understand things. When they do not, anger can start to set in. Often I have buried anger and let others not jumping on board be the trigger to let it loose. If anger is not in the picture, then I fret over what might happen. God has tailor-made a verse for me. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:7-9 NIV) I am learning to stop and pray first. It is much more productive. It calms my need to do something. It slows me down so I can see the correct God-given response.
2. Sometimes I try the escapist route. I grab a fiction book I have been wanting to read, fix a pot or coffee, and head to the basement where I will not be bothered. I just want to be away from people. At times like these, it is a good idea for me to get away from people because my patience is nonexistent and a good book is a wonderful way to escape, but the better way I have found is to grab my Bible and do as Jesus did. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” (Luke 6:12 NIV) Giving my concerns and frustrations to God is so much better than a cup of coffee and a fiction book.
3. When life seems to be pressing in on me but nothing is really that bad, I turn to nature. I sit on my deck taking in the birds, squirrels, and flowers in the yard. I go to a local nature trail and relax as I walk through the trees and prairie grasses. Or I head for some water and fish. I love to rig up the fly rod and calmly cast the fly. I revel in the thrill of catching a gorgeous trout or bass and the joy of turning it back into the water to swim to safety. God has made nature for us to enjoy and preserve. “God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground…God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning — the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:28,31 NIV)
When life has been moving on at a hectic pace and things have not been going as I desired, the very best way for me to calm myself is to bathe myself in God. God is shaping me. I used to always turn to myself when my life situation was causing me stress. Now I am learning to turn to God and it works. I do that in several ways. Each method I use has a place and a time for when it is most appropriate.
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2 NIV
So if I truly want to have peace and calm during the times of turmoil, I must turn to God first.
Lord, make me aware of the times I try to solve life stressors using my meager human skills. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, show me your way.
1. My first response to difficulty is to do something. I want to make it better—to fix it. I barge forward with what I think should be done. My ideas are usually good but my methodology is wrong-minded. I think people should see and understand things the way I see and understand things. When they do not, anger can start to set in. Often I have buried anger and let others not jumping on board be the trigger to let it loose. If anger is not in the picture, then I fret over what might happen. God has tailor-made a verse for me. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:7-9 NIV) I am learning to stop and pray first. It is much more productive. It calms my need to do something. It slows me down so I can see the correct God-given response.
2. Sometimes I try the escapist route. I grab a fiction book I have been wanting to read, fix a pot or coffee, and head to the basement where I will not be bothered. I just want to be away from people. At times like these, it is a good idea for me to get away from people because my patience is nonexistent and a good book is a wonderful way to escape, but the better way I have found is to grab my Bible and do as Jesus did. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” (Luke 6:12 NIV) Giving my concerns and frustrations to God is so much better than a cup of coffee and a fiction book.
3. When life seems to be pressing in on me but nothing is really that bad, I turn to nature. I sit on my deck taking in the birds, squirrels, and flowers in the yard. I go to a local nature trail and relax as I walk through the trees and prairie grasses. Or I head for some water and fish. I love to rig up the fly rod and calmly cast the fly. I revel in the thrill of catching a gorgeous trout or bass and the joy of turning it back into the water to swim to safety. God has made nature for us to enjoy and preserve. “God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground…God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning — the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:28,31 NIV)
When life has been moving on at a hectic pace and things have not been going as I desired, the very best way for me to calm myself is to bathe myself in God. God is shaping me. I used to always turn to myself when my life situation was causing me stress. Now I am learning to turn to God and it works. I do that in several ways. Each method I use has a place and a time for when it is most appropriate.
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2 NIV
So if I truly want to have peace and calm during the times of turmoil, I must turn to God first.
Lord, make me aware of the times I try to solve life stressors using my meager human skills. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, show me your way.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
What Does My Speech Say?
Have you ever spent one full day examining everything you said? I tried it because I have become convicted by the teaching in God’s Word that states what comes out of our mouths is an accurate reflection of what is in our hearts.
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 NIV
So today I paid close attention to everything that came out of my mouth. Today was selected for this little experiment because I was not as busy as I usually am. Most of what I said was okay. Some of it was actually thoughtful and kind. But some of it sounded a bit selfish. Some of it was a bit impatient.
I was not so shocked at what came out of my mouth as I was surprised with what I censored. I did not say the blatantly self-serving impatient thoughts. That is good. But if I had these thoughts on a relatively relaxed day when I am paying close attention to my speech, I wonder what I am saying a hectic day when I am not concentrating on the quality of my comments. What is of greater concern is my heart condition. Why am I having selfish-insensitive thoughts?
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:7-8 NIV
So I cannot tame my tongue because my heart is not totally given over to God. My words and thoughts are uncontrollable as long as I try to monitor and manipulate them using my power. My selfish, sinful nature will not allow that. But the creator of all things can give me the power through the Holy Spirit to change my heart. The dissatisfaction, insecurity, and selfishness can only be eradicated by the miraculous surgical skills on the condition of my heart by my Lord and Savior.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
So what does my speech say about how much of my heart is given over to my Lord and Savior?
Lord, pour your peace out into my heart. Mold it like the potter molds a fine vessel. Make it so I do not have to censor my speech—so that my unguarded speech is as full of your love and caring as my closely monitored speech.
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 NIV
So today I paid close attention to everything that came out of my mouth. Today was selected for this little experiment because I was not as busy as I usually am. Most of what I said was okay. Some of it was actually thoughtful and kind. But some of it sounded a bit selfish. Some of it was a bit impatient.
I was not so shocked at what came out of my mouth as I was surprised with what I censored. I did not say the blatantly self-serving impatient thoughts. That is good. But if I had these thoughts on a relatively relaxed day when I am paying close attention to my speech, I wonder what I am saying a hectic day when I am not concentrating on the quality of my comments. What is of greater concern is my heart condition. Why am I having selfish-insensitive thoughts?
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:7-8 NIV
So I cannot tame my tongue because my heart is not totally given over to God. My words and thoughts are uncontrollable as long as I try to monitor and manipulate them using my power. My selfish, sinful nature will not allow that. But the creator of all things can give me the power through the Holy Spirit to change my heart. The dissatisfaction, insecurity, and selfishness can only be eradicated by the miraculous surgical skills on the condition of my heart by my Lord and Savior.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
So what does my speech say about how much of my heart is given over to my Lord and Savior?
Lord, pour your peace out into my heart. Mold it like the potter molds a fine vessel. Make it so I do not have to censor my speech—so that my unguarded speech is as full of your love and caring as my closely monitored speech.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Who Is In Control?
I like to be in control. It makes me feel safe when I am calling the shots for I will do only what is good for me. Right? Well maybe not. I do seem to have a problem saying “no” to chocolate or ice cream. As a result I am carrying a few extra pounds and my triglycerides are a bit high. My circulatory system is being compromised because of my insisting on control of my eating. In addition, eating as I please may affect how well my mind functions because of damage caused by strokes caused by high blood pressure.
Okay. Okay. So I know I do not always behave myself when I am in control. Caring for my invalid mother-in-law has caused me to rethink some of my eating and exercise habits. This is the third night I have spent in the hospital with her. Even though I know my current behaviors can have an effect on my future functioning, it seems so far off. Surely I will have at least twenty more years of healthy living. Or maybe not.
I had my annual mammogram Thursday and received a call which said they had found something suspicious. They wanted a repeat mammogram using a more sophisticated machine. My first thought was that I cannot have cancer now. Ray’s mom is living with us and requires twenty-four hour care. My mom depends on me for transportation, running a myriad of errands, and companionship. My great-niece spends her after school time at our house. I cannot be seriously sick. Or can I?
Those were the thoughts which run through my head. I reassured Ray that this is precautionary and that I did not have a diagnosis. But the fear of being out of control of my body was real. Both of us prayed. Ray prayed that it was a malfunction of the equipment or an inaccurate reading of the image. I prayed that God cure me and just remove the growth. I contacted a trusted friend who is a breast cancer survivor and asked her to pray that the images today would show no disease.
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 NIV
Today they took four images of the area where the suspected growth was located. NOTHING. I have no way of knowing if God answered Ray’s prayer or mine. Or maybe God chose to answer the prayers of my friend. The result is the same. I do not have the dreaded disease. What I do know is that it is an answer to fervent prayer.
Every since the call Friday telling me I needed to have another more definitive mammogram, I have been hearing from God that he is in control, not me. God wants me to rest in his peace and follow his lead. I am to stop barging ahead as if I am indispensable and indestructible. Those are qualities of God, not me. This scare was a notice from God that I need to change my mindset.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8 NIV
So, I must give up my imperfect control and willingly give God total control of my life.
Lord, show me when I start to barge ahead of you. Make me submissive to you at all times in every situation.
Okay. Okay. So I know I do not always behave myself when I am in control. Caring for my invalid mother-in-law has caused me to rethink some of my eating and exercise habits. This is the third night I have spent in the hospital with her. Even though I know my current behaviors can have an effect on my future functioning, it seems so far off. Surely I will have at least twenty more years of healthy living. Or maybe not.
I had my annual mammogram Thursday and received a call which said they had found something suspicious. They wanted a repeat mammogram using a more sophisticated machine. My first thought was that I cannot have cancer now. Ray’s mom is living with us and requires twenty-four hour care. My mom depends on me for transportation, running a myriad of errands, and companionship. My great-niece spends her after school time at our house. I cannot be seriously sick. Or can I?
Those were the thoughts which run through my head. I reassured Ray that this is precautionary and that I did not have a diagnosis. But the fear of being out of control of my body was real. Both of us prayed. Ray prayed that it was a malfunction of the equipment or an inaccurate reading of the image. I prayed that God cure me and just remove the growth. I contacted a trusted friend who is a breast cancer survivor and asked her to pray that the images today would show no disease.
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 NIV
Today they took four images of the area where the suspected growth was located. NOTHING. I have no way of knowing if God answered Ray’s prayer or mine. Or maybe God chose to answer the prayers of my friend. The result is the same. I do not have the dreaded disease. What I do know is that it is an answer to fervent prayer.
Every since the call Friday telling me I needed to have another more definitive mammogram, I have been hearing from God that he is in control, not me. God wants me to rest in his peace and follow his lead. I am to stop barging ahead as if I am indispensable and indestructible. Those are qualities of God, not me. This scare was a notice from God that I need to change my mindset.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8 NIV
So, I must give up my imperfect control and willingly give God total control of my life.
Lord, show me when I start to barge ahead of you. Make me submissive to you at all times in every situation.
Monday, October 25, 2010
What Are You Waiting For?
This is the challenge Pastor presented as part of his sermon Sunday. He was challenging us to devote daily time to prayer. And that we should be doing. For how can we develop a relationship with God if we are not praying? How can we develop a relationship with God if we keep ourselves occupied with desirable activities? How can we develop a relationship with God if we are not spending time studying His Word? How can we develop a relationship with God if we are too busy for Him because we are determined to live our lives the way we want.
I do not like the sound of that last sentence. I am not that selfish. I give my time to church work and good causes. I do nice things for others. I help with meals at church. I put money into the offering plate when it is passed. Doesn’t that count?
The answer is no. Those are all works under my own power. Nowhere in that litany is there a mention of God. God may call me to do those things, but I am to do ONLY those things he calls me to do. God has never called his servants to do it all. From the time God formed us in our mother’s wombs, he had special tasks for us, and he gave us the attributes and talents to do those tasks perfectly. If I try to do it all, I am assuming a job which was meant for someone else that God has specially designed to accomplish it well.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13 NIV
This is one of the lessons God has been teaching me this year. I tend to take on more than I am to do. I see something that needs to be done and jump right into the work. I am a “doer” then I pray for God’s blessing on what I have already started. But I should be a praying first then be a “doer” if it is God’s will for me to do. God has taken me out of almost all of my previous religious activities. He has made it clear that the only reason I am still in the current spiritual activities is because of his provision. God has made it obvious and continues to make it obvious that if it were not for his miraculous intervention, I would not have these ministries in my life. God is abundantly blessing me through these ministries—much more than when I was working at everything that came along which needed doing. Another thing I have noticed is that now that I have stepped back, others are doing and being blessed. Praise the Lord.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
"Such twentieth-century pressures produce the exhausted society of which we are part--a society too tired to pray. Ask God to show you how to simplify your life all you can by setting your priorities and putting him first...We do not need to cram our lives so full of activity. We can relax, be still and hear him guide us more in what is best for us to do. We allow God to protect us emotionally and physically." The Love Exchange by Margaret Therkelsen page99
So what am I waiting on? I am waiting on instruction from God. I am studying His Word. I am spending time in extended prayer. I am waiting on God’s timing and his direction for He is my Wonderful Counselor.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, keep me in your will.
I do not like the sound of that last sentence. I am not that selfish. I give my time to church work and good causes. I do nice things for others. I help with meals at church. I put money into the offering plate when it is passed. Doesn’t that count?
The answer is no. Those are all works under my own power. Nowhere in that litany is there a mention of God. God may call me to do those things, but I am to do ONLY those things he calls me to do. God has never called his servants to do it all. From the time God formed us in our mother’s wombs, he had special tasks for us, and he gave us the attributes and talents to do those tasks perfectly. If I try to do it all, I am assuming a job which was meant for someone else that God has specially designed to accomplish it well.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13 NIV
This is one of the lessons God has been teaching me this year. I tend to take on more than I am to do. I see something that needs to be done and jump right into the work. I am a “doer” then I pray for God’s blessing on what I have already started. But I should be a praying first then be a “doer” if it is God’s will for me to do. God has taken me out of almost all of my previous religious activities. He has made it clear that the only reason I am still in the current spiritual activities is because of his provision. God has made it obvious and continues to make it obvious that if it were not for his miraculous intervention, I would not have these ministries in my life. God is abundantly blessing me through these ministries—much more than when I was working at everything that came along which needed doing. Another thing I have noticed is that now that I have stepped back, others are doing and being blessed. Praise the Lord.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
"Such twentieth-century pressures produce the exhausted society of which we are part--a society too tired to pray. Ask God to show you how to simplify your life all you can by setting your priorities and putting him first...We do not need to cram our lives so full of activity. We can relax, be still and hear him guide us more in what is best for us to do. We allow God to protect us emotionally and physically." The Love Exchange by Margaret Therkelsen page99
So what am I waiting on? I am waiting on instruction from God. I am studying His Word. I am spending time in extended prayer. I am waiting on God’s timing and his direction for He is my Wonderful Counselor.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, keep me in your will.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
What a Friend
“In him [Jesus Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 NIV
I love the old hymns. Today “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” has been running through my head. Jesus is my friend. He listens and shares in my tribulations. He was with me every moment of my difficulties yesterday. He is with me today even though today has been a pleasant experience. My favorite passages of this song written by Joseph Scriven bring me comfort.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41 NIV
It seems that no matter how hard I try, there is always something happening to make my life difficult. Things do not go as I expect or want. Or worse, I am torn between what I want to do and what is the right thing to do. Too often I give into the temptation. If only I would pray first!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18 NIV
The most difficult things which have happened to me in the past couple of years have been with relationships. Longtime friendships unexplainably fell apart. People I thought I could trust and would be there for me were not what I believed them to be. Unfortunately I was not the friend they expected, and I feel I have been betrayed and misled. None of this is unique to me. But I did not always handle the problems well because I did not take it to the Lord in prayer as I should have.
Oh what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise." James 5:13 NIV
I am convicted. Too often and for too long I have seen God as my request granter. And that he is. In James 4:2b it says, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” But my requests should not be all I offer up to God. I must also praise him.
So I should be treating Jesus as my most valued friend. I should be frequently and sincerely communicating with him through prayers of concern, request, thanksgiving, and praise.
Lord, you are the only true, perfect, forever friend. Thank you.
I love the old hymns. Today “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” has been running through my head. Jesus is my friend. He listens and shares in my tribulations. He was with me every moment of my difficulties yesterday. He is with me today even though today has been a pleasant experience. My favorite passages of this song written by Joseph Scriven bring me comfort.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41 NIV
It seems that no matter how hard I try, there is always something happening to make my life difficult. Things do not go as I expect or want. Or worse, I am torn between what I want to do and what is the right thing to do. Too often I give into the temptation. If only I would pray first!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18 NIV
The most difficult things which have happened to me in the past couple of years have been with relationships. Longtime friendships unexplainably fell apart. People I thought I could trust and would be there for me were not what I believed them to be. Unfortunately I was not the friend they expected, and I feel I have been betrayed and misled. None of this is unique to me. But I did not always handle the problems well because I did not take it to the Lord in prayer as I should have.
Oh what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise." James 5:13 NIV
I am convicted. Too often and for too long I have seen God as my request granter. And that he is. In James 4:2b it says, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” But my requests should not be all I offer up to God. I must also praise him.
So I should be treating Jesus as my most valued friend. I should be frequently and sincerely communicating with him through prayers of concern, request, thanksgiving, and praise.
Lord, you are the only true, perfect, forever friend. Thank you.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Defeated
Today about 10 a.m., Satan defeated me. The morning had gone well until about 7:45 when a text message upset my morning plans. I was immediately ill at ease because arrangements would have to be made that would cause inconveniences for several people. One of the persons has been a bit “hard to take” recently so I knew immediately that I would have to work on my frame of mind. I gave myself a little pep talk, and I thought I was ready to face the day. Wrong. I made a strategic error. I took things into my own hands under my own power. I thought I could fix my attitude. I overestimated my ability and underestimated the ability of Satan. I did not pray for guidance and power from God.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 NIV
The morning progressed somewhat smoothly until about 10 o’clock when I lost it. One well orchestrated, perfectly timed phone call kick-started the anger and hurt. My temper flared. One short sentence later Satan had his victory.
"’In your anger do not sin’": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
I know most of the time my anger stems from hurt pride and frustration with myself. Today was no different. Today I recognized it quickly and removed myself from the situation to allow me time to cool off--to get control of my emotions. Was I wronged? Yes. Did I handle it rightly? No. I lost round one of the match between me and Satan.
After sulking a few minutes and shedding a few tears, I realized that Satan was probably really enjoying his victory. Now I have a stubborn streak, and I do not like letting Satan revel in his cunningness. So I prayed. It helped some. But to my consternation, my emotions did not settle down as I expected they would. This is probably because my prayer was not offered up when it should have been. This morning about 7:45, I should have been on my knees. I should have been giving the situation over to God to handle in his way on his timeline.
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 NIV
Jesus taught us about the importance of intercessory prayer. Jesus prayed so Simon would be able to withstand Satan’s deceitfulness.
I realized I needed for my trusted Christian friends to pray intercessory prayers for me. A little after 2:30 I sent text messages to a couple of “prayer warrior” friends who immediately offered up prayers. By shortly after 3, I had experienced a miraculous calming and had a clear understanding of how I am to proceed—how I am to handle the situation.
I’d like to say all is perfect and difficulties are resolved. They are not. God allows us to suffer the consequences of our sins and sin I did. Yes, I have confessed and know I have received forgiveness from my Savior. Now he is shaping me at the heart level to be more loving, merciful, and humble.
So this morning I was defeated by Satan. But tonight, through the power of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, Satan is defeated.
Lord, thank you for the difficult lesson you taught me today. Make me more like Jesus during each moment of my life. Sanctify me, Lord.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 NIV
The morning progressed somewhat smoothly until about 10 o’clock when I lost it. One well orchestrated, perfectly timed phone call kick-started the anger and hurt. My temper flared. One short sentence later Satan had his victory.
"’In your anger do not sin’": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
I know most of the time my anger stems from hurt pride and frustration with myself. Today was no different. Today I recognized it quickly and removed myself from the situation to allow me time to cool off--to get control of my emotions. Was I wronged? Yes. Did I handle it rightly? No. I lost round one of the match between me and Satan.
After sulking a few minutes and shedding a few tears, I realized that Satan was probably really enjoying his victory. Now I have a stubborn streak, and I do not like letting Satan revel in his cunningness. So I prayed. It helped some. But to my consternation, my emotions did not settle down as I expected they would. This is probably because my prayer was not offered up when it should have been. This morning about 7:45, I should have been on my knees. I should have been giving the situation over to God to handle in his way on his timeline.
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 NIV
Jesus taught us about the importance of intercessory prayer. Jesus prayed so Simon would be able to withstand Satan’s deceitfulness.
I realized I needed for my trusted Christian friends to pray intercessory prayers for me. A little after 2:30 I sent text messages to a couple of “prayer warrior” friends who immediately offered up prayers. By shortly after 3, I had experienced a miraculous calming and had a clear understanding of how I am to proceed—how I am to handle the situation.
I’d like to say all is perfect and difficulties are resolved. They are not. God allows us to suffer the consequences of our sins and sin I did. Yes, I have confessed and know I have received forgiveness from my Savior. Now he is shaping me at the heart level to be more loving, merciful, and humble.
So this morning I was defeated by Satan. But tonight, through the power of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, Satan is defeated.
Lord, thank you for the difficult lesson you taught me today. Make me more like Jesus during each moment of my life. Sanctify me, Lord.
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