The book by Anderson & Miller includes a list of truths that apply to the Christian. These are truths we often lose site of, and even worse, they are often replaced by lies in our heads and hearts. I would like to present these foundational truths here in an effort to lay a good foundation for our study of anger.
Acceptance, Security and Significance are all important for our peace of mind. Many of our angry roots may tie back into these areas.
John 1:12 (ESV):
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
As Christians we must embrace this important truth. So much more than words, it tells us about the core of our relationship with God the Father and reminds us that we only got there through Jesus Christ.
We have the privilege of adoption, and we are numbered among God's children. We were children of wrath and children of this world, but now we are children of God. God calls us His children, and we call Him Father. It is a relationship of love. We can enjoy all the privileges of children at the hand of this Perfect Father. Not the sinful fathers you see here on earth, but the Perfect Heavenly Father. This Father is all powerful and all knowing. His heart is full of lovingkindness and compassion for his needy children. He does discipline, but never in anger. His love for us is always present and active. Because of the perfect sacrifice of the first born son, Jesus, on the cross, God's wrath is no longer directed at us, but rather He loves to care for us and to keep us from harm.
This acceptance into the family of God is not based on my goodness or merit, but upon the Sovereign Grace of God. He chose me, before I could choose Him. When I think of enjoying the benefits of a perfect father, I am so grateful, and I want to live to please Him. Lord, help us and strengthen us so we can be obedient sons and daughters.
I am a child of God.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Do you have a problem with anger?
Anger is a problem that many people struggle with. Not only in the general population, but many Christians also. I must admit that I am in that number. Anger is at the same time a God-given emotion, and when it is out of control, a pervasive sin that strives to please the flesh and destroy everything else.
I can recommend a really good book on this. It is both practical, with true life illustrations, and also soundly rooted in Scripture. The book does not merely agree with God's word, but actually works to apply the very specific truths of God's word to this problem of anger.
Maybe this would be a helpful book for you. I would like to share some of the truths from the book in this blog. That would be a help to me, as well as my readers.
The book is "Getting Anger Under Control", by Neil T. Anderson & Rich Miller.
The subtitle on the front cover says:
Overcoming
Dennis
I can recommend a really good book on this. It is both practical, with true life illustrations, and also soundly rooted in Scripture. The book does not merely agree with God's word, but actually works to apply the very specific truths of God's word to this problem of anger.
Maybe this would be a helpful book for you. I would like to share some of the truths from the book in this blog. That would be a help to me, as well as my readers.
The book is "Getting Anger Under Control", by Neil T. Anderson & Rich Miller.
The subtitle on the front cover says:
Overcoming
- unresolved resentment
- overwhelming emotions
- the lies behind anger
Dennis
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Starting Something New
Looking real seriously at starting some devotionals that will be looking at the broad issue of anger. I struggle with anger, my family struggles with anger and we all know it is wrong. Only God can help us get inside and see the source of this anger. I've got a book that I will use as a resource
Do stay tuned. It will be worth it and informative.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Do stay tuned. It will be worth it and informative.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Contact with the Father
Yesterday I was thinking how important it is that we have daily contact with God through His word and prayer. In an effort to share this point with my daughters, we had a brief time of prayer last evening, after we looked at these verses from Psalm 5.
Psalm 5:1-3
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
Consider my meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
So we meditate on God, we direct our prayers to Him, and then we look up, in expectation for the answer. Even the baby sparrows know how to do that.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Psalm 5:1-3
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
Consider my meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
So we meditate on God, we direct our prayers to Him, and then we look up, in expectation for the answer. Even the baby sparrows know how to do that.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Sunday, October 15, 2006
What God says about Anger
Here are just a few scriptures on the topic of anger. Maybe today is the day you needed to be reminded of these.
"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." Matthew 5:22
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31,32
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19,20
And that is so, so true. The fruit of anger is certainly not righteous and not what pleases our Great God - El Shaddai.
God Bless You,
Dennis
"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." Matthew 5:22
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31,32
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19,20
And that is so, so true. The fruit of anger is certainly not righteous and not what pleases our Great God - El Shaddai.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Solid Evidence
If you were to look at my life you would see some solid evidence that I have not incorporated the truth of El-Shaddai into my life. For if I was truly trusting Him, resting in Him and living in Him, then I would not allow the emotion of anger to control me. Even today there were a couple of times where I reacted in anger. There are triggers that set me off really easily. I am not stating that as an excuse, because I know that the responsibility lies with me. Over the years, I have more and more allowed anger to be part of me, as opposed to confessing it as sin and cleansing the wrong attitudes out of my heart.
This is bad for me, and it is really bad as I see how my anger has passed on to my children. Big zero for this father on the anger battle!
God Bless You,
Dennis
This is bad for me, and it is really bad as I see how my anger has passed on to my children. Big zero for this father on the anger battle!
God Bless You,
Dennis
El-Shaddai
Genesis 17:1-8
This is the name God used of Himself when He spoke with Abram in Genesis 17:1-8. The scene is when God is repeating to Abram the covenant promise that he would be the father of a multitude of nations. Remember that Abram is 99 and Sarah is 89 at this time. The promise of a son leading to many nations was first given by God more than 20 years earlier, but there was still no baby.
God changed his name from Abram to Abraham, by inserting one Hebrew letter, which happens to be the main letter in the name of God himself. The symbolism is clear, when God is in the midst of any impossible situation, it becomes possible.
It is also worthy to comment on the name El-Shaddai. The El is a shortened form of God's name Eloim - meaning Almighty and all powerful. Shaddai refers to God being compassionate and caring for his people. The root of the name is the Hebrew word used for breast. Think about how a baby finds all sufficieny in his mother's breast. Physically the food is complete in itself, but we must not forget that the baby's emotional needs are also fully satisfied there.
God wants us to realize that we are not self-sufficient, even if we think we are. If we are to have a meaningful life (as defined by God's word), we need to see our dependence on the Lord and then cry out to Him for help. He is wanting to give strenght, power and all-sufficient blessing, if we will just cooperate with His love.
djbtol
This is the name God used of Himself when He spoke with Abram in Genesis 17:1-8. The scene is when God is repeating to Abram the covenant promise that he would be the father of a multitude of nations. Remember that Abram is 99 and Sarah is 89 at this time. The promise of a son leading to many nations was first given by God more than 20 years earlier, but there was still no baby.
God changed his name from Abram to Abraham, by inserting one Hebrew letter, which happens to be the main letter in the name of God himself. The symbolism is clear, when God is in the midst of any impossible situation, it becomes possible.
It is also worthy to comment on the name El-Shaddai. The El is a shortened form of God's name Eloim - meaning Almighty and all powerful. Shaddai refers to God being compassionate and caring for his people. The root of the name is the Hebrew word used for breast. Think about how a baby finds all sufficieny in his mother's breast. Physically the food is complete in itself, but we must not forget that the baby's emotional needs are also fully satisfied there.
God wants us to realize that we are not self-sufficient, even if we think we are. If we are to have a meaningful life (as defined by God's word), we need to see our dependence on the Lord and then cry out to Him for help. He is wanting to give strenght, power and all-sufficient blessing, if we will just cooperate with His love.
djbtol
Monday, October 09, 2006
Amazing Love Un-deserved
This verse from the well-known hymn "How Great Thou Art" says so much.
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Such an incomprehensible love for such an unworthy person, it is beyond description. I will never merit this love, I can only love and praise the Great God giving it. My prayer is that my life could be what He wants it to be.
Do you know Him? Then "magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together"
God Bless You,
djbtol
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Such an incomprehensible love for such an unworthy person, it is beyond description. I will never merit this love, I can only love and praise the Great God giving it. My prayer is that my life could be what He wants it to be.
Do you know Him? Then "magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together"
God Bless You,
djbtol
Monday, October 02, 2006
Fight to see holiness in your life
Matthew 6:13 ESV
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
A few more thoughts on the sixth petition in the Lord's prayer. When you were first saved and made peace with God, you invited war with the world, flesh and devil. So you are now at peace with God, friends with God and this makes you an enemy of Satan. Prior to the change in your heart, Satan had you right where he wanted you. You are now enjoying new friendship in the church family, while your real family is not impressed with your religion. Before you walked in sin and it seemed so natural. Now you are called to a life of righteousness which seems foreign to your members.
The flesh will undermine your attempts to be holy, the world resents your efforts to be holy and the devil stands opposed to you choosing to be holy.
You must fight to be holy. The Grace that led you into this conflict is the same Grace that will fully equip you to stand strong for the King.
Don't be surprised at the battles, and remember, we need to be praying for God to strengthen and protect us.
God Bless You,
Dennis
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
A few more thoughts on the sixth petition in the Lord's prayer. When you were first saved and made peace with God, you invited war with the world, flesh and devil. So you are now at peace with God, friends with God and this makes you an enemy of Satan. Prior to the change in your heart, Satan had you right where he wanted you. You are now enjoying new friendship in the church family, while your real family is not impressed with your religion. Before you walked in sin and it seemed so natural. Now you are called to a life of righteousness which seems foreign to your members.
The flesh will undermine your attempts to be holy, the world resents your efforts to be holy and the devil stands opposed to you choosing to be holy.
You must fight to be holy. The Grace that led you into this conflict is the same Grace that will fully equip you to stand strong for the King.
Don't be surprised at the battles, and remember, we need to be praying for God to strengthen and protect us.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Temptation and Testing
Matthew 6:13 ESV
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
These words are from the model prayer that Jesus gave to His disciples when they asked Him to teach them to pray. Today's sermon was on this verse and there were many good points.
For now, I'll just point to one of the key points. God certainly does lead his children into testing. This is essential to our faith. But He will not put us in over our heads or leave us there. On the other hand, Satan leads us into temptation, not to build our faith, but to destroy it. You can have in the same circumstances, both God and Satan at work. Of course, Satan always remains subservient to the Sovereign God.
We look for benefit in our trials because God is the mastermind.
God Bless You,
Dennis
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
These words are from the model prayer that Jesus gave to His disciples when they asked Him to teach them to pray. Today's sermon was on this verse and there were many good points.
For now, I'll just point to one of the key points. God certainly does lead his children into testing. This is essential to our faith. But He will not put us in over our heads or leave us there. On the other hand, Satan leads us into temptation, not to build our faith, but to destroy it. You can have in the same circumstances, both God and Satan at work. Of course, Satan always remains subservient to the Sovereign God.
We look for benefit in our trials because God is the mastermind.
God Bless You,
Dennis
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