spiritualsnippets.com

Seeing life's events in the light of God's Word.

What Happens When You Lose It?

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Deuteronomy 32:2- “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”

You may lose your temper. Or, your patience.

Perhaps even your self-control.

You don’t mean to. You’re sorry. 

Sometimes it happens—too often.

How do you get back in control?

Hoping you’ll do better next time won’t cut it because you’ve already hurt someone you love—either physically or emotionally.

If it’s happened once too often, you may have lost their trust… their friendship… or even a marriage.

Counseling seemed to help for awhile, but you eventually quit because of the expense or because you thought you didn’t need it any longer.

But, soon, you’re back into your old pattern of yelling or withdrawing or abusing.

Maybe you should try God.

The Bible says He wants you to cry out to Him for help in all situations. There is nothing you tell Him that will surprise Him. There’s nothing He’s not equipped to handle.

He’s impartial. He’s all-knowing. He’s all powerful. 

He is your creator and savior.

And, as incredible as it sometimes seems, HE LOVES YOU.

Will you let Him teach you from His Word?

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Bring a Smile to God’s Face!

Psalm 103:13- “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who
fear him.

I overheard someone on a shuttle recently say, “God’s mad at me.” I’m not sure what the context was for this remark, but it got me thinking.

What does the Bible say about God’s emotions? Can He get angry? Does He laugh? Is He capable of being sad?

I did a little internet search to see what theologians might answer. Overwhelmingly, they said “yes.”

There are hundreds of references supporting this view in Scripture. Here are just a few: John 3:16 (love); Deut.1:37 (anger); Judges 2:18 (pity) grief (Genesis 6:6) and so on.

The difference between God’s emotions and human emotions is that His are for righteous purposes and He has perfect control of them.

As Christians, we seek to make God happy (pleased) by the way we live our lives. Today—and every day—may we bring Him joy and, yes, even laughter! 

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If We Only Ask

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I Timothy 2:8- “Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”

 

With a deep sigh, I turn off the television and head down the dark hall to the bedroom. I drop into my comfortable reading chair, place my elbows on my knees, and rest my head in my hands.

“Lord, so many people are hungry and out of work. So many are protesting…rioting…looting. Violence is all around. And, then there’s the virus. Thousands are ill… dying. What do you want to happen? What do you want Christians to do?”

PRAY

“Sure. Okay. But—”

PRAY

I pick up my Bible and turn to I Timothy.

There it is, confirmed by the scriptures. 

God doesn’t want us to be angry or get frustrated or depressed.

He simply wants us to do the obvious…

What he has taught us to do.

He will take care of us… the world…

He will show His might and power.

If we only but ask.

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Release Your Rage

 

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                                        Ephesians 4:26- “In your anger, do not sin.”

 

Last week, a Groupon Headline caught my eye. 

I read the advertisement for a “Rage Room” at a Family Rage Release Center. The Groupon listed a number of activities that promised to help participants get rid of their pent up anger. The accompanying picture showed a teenage boy bashing a television with a baseball bat.

Out-of-control anger is so prevalent in our world that the evening news is filled with stories of mass shootings, road rage, and so on.

The Bible is full of much safer and effective suggestions to help us alleviate our anger.

Here are just a few:  

Proverbs 15:1- “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 21:14a- “A gift given in secret soothes anger.”

Ecclesiastes 10:4b- “Calmness can lay great offenses to rest.”

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