ANGER 101

ANGER 101

Monday, September 12, 2016

John [GW] 1:9-12 The real light, which shines on everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into existence through him. Yet, the world didn't recognize him. He went to his own people, and his own people didn't accept him. However, he gave the right to become God's children to everyone who believed in him.

Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:26-27 That is why you are no longer foreigners and outsiders but citizens together with God's people and members of God's family. You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone. In him all the parts of the building fit together and grow into a holy temple in the Lord. Through him you, also, are being built in the Spirit together with others into a place where God lives. … Eph 4:26  Be angry without sinning. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the devil any opportunity to work.

Philippians 1:27-30 Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I'll hear all about you. I'll hear that you are firmly united in spirit, united in fighting for the faith that the Good News brings. So don't let your opponents intimidate you in any way. This is God's way of showing them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved. God has given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him. You are involved in the same struggle that you saw me having. Now you hear that I'm still involved in it.

 Once again I’ve been asked about anger as a personal issue. I’ve previously given the emotion much thought, reading time, and written about and taught on a number of times. I could do a simple pull-and-copy-redact on the emotion but know that responsibly in and toward good health I should not. I will begin without opening binder, then shall review file.

  As a consequence of my temperament I was called “Sunny” until as an adult I insisted on “Ed”. What the designators didn’t know was that I had an anger problem, the passive aggressive kind. And as with many passive aggressive types, I abhorred the overtly violent furious fellows, even in self-pride considering myself superior in intellect and the strikers an ignorant unsophisticated bunch. Then there was the family tradition to uphold; I never once saw a Bullock overtly angry. We were the cool controlled family.

  How to begin addressing the emotional problem? How do I, we, “be angry and sin not”? Lest shame be mine later, by the weight of God’s Word of course! (2Tim.2:15)

  For my, your, study and serious contemplation I share from ISBE:

Anger: an´gẽr: In the Old Testament, the translation of several Hebrew words, especially of אף, 'aph (lit. “nostril,” “countenance”), which is used some 45 times of human, 177 times of Divine, anger (OHL). The word occurs rarely in the New Testament (Mar_3:5; Eph_4:31; Col_3:8; Rev_14:10), its place being taken by the word “wrath” (see WRATH). As a translation of words denoting God's “anger,” the English word is unfortunate so far as it may seem to imply selfish, malicious or vindictive personal feeling. The anger of God is the response of His holiness to outbreaking sin. Particularly when it culminates in action is it rightly called Has “wrath.” The Old Testament doctrine of God's anger is contained in many passages in the Pentateuch, Psalms and the Prophets. In Proverbs men are dissuaded from anger (Pro_15:1; Pro_27:4), and the “slow to anger” is commended (Pro_15:18; Pro_16:32; Pro_19:11). Christians axe enjoined to put away the feeling of self-regarding, vindictive anger (Eph_4:31; Col_3:8), and to cherish no desire of personal revenge (Eph_4:26).

  In reviewing the Bible references in the above paragraph from ISBE I am again reminded of the clear distinction between sinful and righteous anger.

·         Harmful sinful anger is centered in self-regard, a life-is-all-about-me worldview.

·         Constructive anger is centered in seeing life eternally about John 1:12 family and citizenship

  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, my brothers [and sisters], whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. Do those things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me. And the God of peace shall be with you.” (MKJV Phil.4:6-9)

EBB4

REMEMBERING 9/11

John 14:27; 16:33 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Dear Daily Thoughts fellows,

Soon after the horrid event I received the following from friend Carol, poetess.

Thank you Carol for eloquently expressing the heart of the matter.

EBB4

Dear Christian Friends,

Let us pray for our nation today and always, comfort for families who lost loved ones on 9/11.  Also for soldiers who continue to fight the war of terror and for lives affected by soldiers who never make it home, all for our freedom.

God Bless America!
Carol

REMEMBERING 9/11

Taunting images of that horrid day
Changed Americans different ways
Children left without a dad or mom
All victims of deadly airplane bombs

Innocent people were doing daily tasks
Jolted by two separate airplane blasts
Panic and chaos filled Twin Towers
Many crying out to a Higher Power

Another plane crashed into the Pentagon
Casualties to employees was at minimum
Due to the area hit and rigid construction
Building did not sustain total destruction

In a final plane, passengers got involved
Bravely taking controls, target diverted
Crashing in a field, every life was gone
Still heroes in what they had jointly done

To all firefighters we owe deepest thanks
Risking their lives in rubble and planks
Cleanup efforts extended for many days
Terrorists did not take our freedom away

No easy solution will end ongoing war
Border security higher than ever before
Only Jesus will bring final world peace
When He returns, all violence will cease

© Carol Salter 9/10/09

CHARITY

CHARITY

Monday, March 05, 2012

1Corinthians 13 … now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

  Not long after WWII Dad and Mom purchased there second, moving us from Hamilton to Dundalk. It was wonderfully near a lot of historic colonial geography. Across the center humped road of tar and Bethlehem Steel cinders (Not good to fall off bike on.) was a huge old plantation with negro families living in the old main house and dirt floor slave quarters. Brother Jim, I, and our new playmates ranged far and wide over fields woods, swamps, and gravel pits reliving the battle of Sollers Point

 ( http://maryland1812.wordpress.com/category/battle-of-north-point/page/3/ ) and more.

  Dad took us to meet the seller’s family. I don’t remember anything about the couple other than he was very big and she was very little. What I especially remember is they had 3 daughters, Faith, Hope, and Charity. I remember Charity most of all, she was the friendliest, most beautiful and funny. It wasn’t until a few years later when Aunt Edith gifted me with my first Bible that I discovered that the girls’ names came from the Word of God.

  Later yet, God began through dear Ann to seriously teach me what charity is. It was through her Biblical worldview and its resultant lifestyle that I came to understand godly charity. It wasn’t that I’d never practiced charity, but hadn’t known that 1Corinthians 13 charity went far beyond feeling gloriously loving in having something to give away. Biblical charity may involve not at all wanting to give, and even when doing so, not enjoying it.

  As you know, I prefer KJV and MKJV. It’s not that all other versions are covertly or overtly wrong. It’s that I prefer reading their language first because of the practice of contemporizing phrases and words.

1Corinthians 13 is an example of this. What does “love” as opposed to “charity” mean to most people today? (Have you ever tried reading the 23^rd Psalm in a new English version?”

  Indeed “charity” entails affection, but in practice it definitely requires personal benevolence. (By this time some of you have referenced Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.) But then we don’t have to do a word study to understand this charity, do we? Reading “love” contextually in contemporary English versions, are we left with any doubt?

  I wonder whatever happened to Charity, and if she lived up to the name her parents chose for her?  EBB4

UNHINDERED CONSTRUCTION

UNHINDERED CONSTRUCTION

Thursday, September 08, 2016

Matthew 16:13-19

Romans [ESV] chapter 12 [Also note 1Corinthians 12] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: …

Strong’s: G1577 - ἐκκλησία; ekklēsia; ek-klay-see'-ah  From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, church.

  The emphasis of the Word of God is not about or on us. The Word’s emphasis is on and about Him!

  With careful thought we may easily see importance but miss that which is most important. Today I share matters that I have and still do observe.

  The at times heated ongoing religious discussion on Peter being or not being the first Pope and whether the Roman Catholic denomination began with founding on or by him, sanctioned by Jesus, and if Roman Catholicism is the true church or not . . . all while missing Lord Jesus Christ’ emphasis being “I will build my church [G1577]; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

  Then there is the related misbegotten idea that we have and are building the church. Man has not done so, is not, will not. Ours is to participate in or not. The church is neither organization nor denomination by any nomenclature. The church is the body of Christ and He builds it with or without my, your, man’s help or contrary hellish behavior within . . . and there is historical and current record of plenty of the latter.

  It should be no mystery that rocks do not build. Only the Rock of our salvation has the power to do so and He has and continues to do so beyond and above all religious controversy and confusion.

  Please be aware that there is a major way we as individuals and corporately may participate in His church. His Holy Spirit has given each of His followers at least one service gift. I list 7 motivational gifts from Pastor Bob’s most recent sermon: Prophecy (to foretell or forth-tell from God’s Word), service (KJV “helps”), teaching, exhortation (mine), giving, leadership, mercy (mine). To participate and optimize participation we are responsible to know our Holy Spirit gift(s) and serve accordingly.

  Unhindered by bone-headed papists, Baptists, or any others, Lord Jesus Christ has and continues to build His church. It’s not my, your, or our church. It is His church with the option of membership followed by healthy John 1:12 family participation, or not. He is. We are deciding if we are.

EBB4

APPROACHING RETHINK SIDEWAYS

APPROACHING RETHINK SIDEWAYS

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Proverbs [GW] 3:3-6 Do not let mercy and truth leave you. Fasten them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and much success in the sight of God and humanity. Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.

James 4:6b-8 Scripture says, "God opposes arrogant people, but he is kind to humble people." So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters.

1Peter 5:6-10 Be humbled by God's power so that when the right time comes he will honor you. Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering. God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while.

Romans 12 New Living Translation (NLT) A Living Sacrifice to God

And so, dear brothers and sisters,^[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.^{[b] 2} Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. ³ Because of the privilege and authority^[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.^{[d] 4} Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵ so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. …

  Romans 12:1-3 defines repentance; rethinking the familial to align mind and heart, therein and thereby producing action pleasing to God: A major change in my lifeline as a born-again member of God’s John 1:12 family was and is a continuing work of life in and with the Word as optimal when relational instead of transactional.  What would life be like in this USA if all Christianity was functional relationally?

One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, "What is the most important commandment?" Jesus answered, "The most important one says: 'People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.' The second most important commandment says: 'Love others as much as you love yourself.' No other commandment is more important than these." The man replied, "Teacher, you are certainly right to say there is only one God. It is also true that we must love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and that we must love others as much as we love ourselves. These commandments are more important than all the sacrifices and offerings that we could possibly make." When Jesus saw that the man had given a sensible answer, he told him, "You are not far from God's kingdom." After this, no one dared ask Jesus any more questions. (CEV Mk.12:28-34)

  Or put another way, “How far or near are we to God’s kingdom?”

EBB4

LEARNING FROM CONTRA-QUESTIONING

LEARNING FROM CONTRA-QUESTIONING

Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

  I liked Mr. Vince Hanley, our North Harford High School history teacher. It wasn’t just that he showed we boys his terrible battle scars received while serving in Sherman tanks under “blood & guts” General George Smith Patton Jr. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton ) during WWII. He didn’t just do the memorize dates bit, he made me think. His favorite saying was “The only thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history.” Another of his provocative tools was the contra-question. An example is “Don’t ask ‘Why war?’, ask ‘Why peace?’” – a style of questioning I beneficially continued all my life. (It even worked in trouble-shooting equipment, asking “What makes it work?” instead of “Why isn’t it working?”) Contra-questioning is useful in studying God’s Word.

  Focusing on “Why peace?” instead of “Why war?”, yes, but also by reversing the standard “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, asking “Why do good things happen to bad people?” in order to see both sides of the issue many have.

  In the middle of teaching on perfect love as recorded in Matthew chapter 5 Jesus gives us a common reason: It is a matter of God’s grace. The sun shines on people whether good or evil. Using Strong’s to check the Greek we see that the rain falls on both the innocent righteous in holy character and action and the wicked treacherous unrighteous heathen.

  To further understand:

·         Showers of blessing, crop enriching, fall on both the Christian and non-Christian farmer, rancher, gardener, turf business owner, et al.

·         Inundating downpours destroy the lives, property, homes, treasured photos, croplands etc. of both Christian and non-Christian.

  When Mount Saint Helens erupted in “its major 1980 eruption, the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States.[2] Fifty-seven people were killed; 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles (24 km) of railways, and 185 miles (298 km) of highway were destroyed.” (Wikipedia) . . . did the hot ash, deadly gases, and avalanche of debris fall only on the non-Christian people and homes? It did not.

  Please do acquire Mr. Hanley’s method of question in reverse. It is beneficial and you’ll be surprised at the knowledge and resultant understanding you will get.

  And never forget Jesus’ main point recorded by Matthew, perfect love is never without grace.

EBB4

A DOUBLE FAILURE

A DOUBLE FAILURE

Thursday, September 01, 2016

Proverbs [GW] 27:17  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens the wits of another.

  Tuesday I failed doubly, and was promptly so informed. In the DT title I incorrectly spelled temperament as temperment, AND knowing my spellcheck software doesn’t correct titling I failed to check it. I appreciate the remain anonymous spellchecker for notifying me . . . and setting me on a lively path of thought that awakened me this morning: There is a far greater double failure.

  We can focus on that which may distract us from the most important spiritual application.

  Again pondering the matter in light of God’s Word, initially reviewing Revelation 2:1-6 letter to the congregation at Ephesus, the Word remaining applicable to assemblies and individuals everywhere ever since. Social works, patience in serving, resisting and fighting sin, despising false efforts were and continue to be commendable. Lacking in vertical and horizontal love is definitely not commendable.

  Next my thoughts turned to Jesus’ encounter with scribe, a legal expert learned in written Scripture available at that time and much quoted and referred to by Christ.

One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, "What is the most important commandment?" Jesus answered, "The most important one says: 'People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.' The second most important commandment says: 'Love others as much as you love yourself.' No other commandment is more important than these." The man replied, "Teacher, you are certainly right to say there is only one God. It is also true that we must love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and that we must love others as much as we love ourselves. These commandments are more important than all the sacrifices and offerings that we could possibly make." When Jesus saw that the man had given a sensible answer, he told him, "You are not far from God's kingdom." After this, no one dared ask Jesus any more questions. (CEV Mk.12:28-34)

  Battling sin is very important, but it is very easy to primarily focus on resisting and overcoming sin in attempting to please God and man (fellow Christians in particular) and therefore be ill-equipped “to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect.”(GW Rom.12:1-2); to love Him and one another and therein and thereby as byproduct accomplish resisting and overcoming “sin that so easily besets us”. (Heb.12)

  Jesus explained this correct order of heart and activity to the legalities-over-love people, Sadducees, Pharisees, Jews, and many of His followers then and since: “love me, keep my commandments.” (Grammarians, Please do take note of the placement of the comma.)

  Was the spelling correction ment to test my temper? I think not, for I know the heart of my corrector. Did it stimulate my heart and mind? Most certainly!

  And yours?!

EBB4