Month of September, Food for Our Souls

Topic: Teaching about Anger
Text: Matthew 5:21-25 (New Living Translation)
Ephesians 4:26-27,31-32

Matt. 5:21-25

21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’[d]

22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,[e] you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,[f] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,[g] you are in danger of the fires of hell.[h]
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice[i] at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,

24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.[j]

Eph. 4:26-27,31-32

26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[d] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,

27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Definitions of the word "Anger"

Anger is a destructive, deadly force in the life of the Christian, as it is directly opposed to the mercy which God has poured out on us, and Has called us to pour out on others.

Anger is the beginning of malice and bitterness.

Source: http://www.biblical-illuminations.com/topic_anger.asp

Anger is an emotional state that may range in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage.

Anger has physical effects including raising the heart rate and blood pressure and the levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Source: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=33843

Things to Ponder:

According to my own understanding, scriptures (The Bible) explained or described that anger is a sin when we are being overcome by it (anger). How do we know that we are being control by anger? Simply feeling of unhappiness, unforgiving attitudes, when we say bad things to/about others whom we are offended, saying harsh and bad words, a remarkable statement of negative about others and even not letting go of bad event/experience that cause by other people or by yourself in the past. Anger can be very dominating between you and to others if you are not aware of it, do you agree friend/s?

How are you feeling today? Are you emotionally disturb by some sort of anger? What should I do when I am feeling angry? Actually we have a lot of unanswered questions (about anger) but the most important thing is to know ourselves and how to handle anger/s not by own strength but in God's strength. So how?

First, you yourself should know the source/s, why are you angry? like; a) injustice/unjustice b) unfair c) disappointment- needs not being met d) disagreement from certain decisions e) your pride being mock- being proud d) lack of recognition - done your best but still lacking and worse being scolded by superior/s, as I experienced before and sometimes at present. Ask yourself, what is the effect of anger in yourlife if didn't settled right away, do not prolong it. (Eph. 4:26) .

Second, if you feel angry to a person because of something, you should find a time to talk about it, do not assume that it was settled already, be careful and mindful that anger can be very accumulating to the extent of hating others. Use low tone of voice in communicating with precise words. You should have the willingness to forgive, humble yourselves without hipocracy. Easy to utter but very tough to do.

Lastly, if you really cannot handle pray to God for a strength to overcome it. Nurture your heart and mind with the words of God until breakthrough comes upon you. Share your feeling to a person whom you trust. Acceptance, love, communication and understanding are ingredients to combat this deadly emotion (anger). (Ephesian 4:31-32)

Personal Prayer:

Loving Father in heaven, I thank you for your words and commands the is written in the Bible to me. I pray that in Jesus that changes of will takes in my heart, from evil to good. from anger to kindness and love. Lord Jesus please forgive me and cleanse my heart with your fresh blood. Always remind me Lord if I forget your values and limitations. Help me O god to love and myself and the person that cause me to angry sometimes. Thank You. In Jesus Name. Amen

Godbless You,

Crispin Agas

18 September 2008

Month of August, Food For Our Souls

Topic: Teaching About Money and Possesion
Text: Matthew 6: 19-34 (New Living Translation)

19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.
23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,
29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
33 Seek the Kingdom of God[d] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

After reading the passage, Is this question comes along your head, " Maybe God will not be happy when we I am a rich person" or "Is God discouraging me to be a rich person"... Sometimes in our life, conciously or unconciously we are bombarded with lot and lots of questions that leads us to be a failure, means that we have a pre-occupied or crowded thoughts. This questions just make you think and think all over again to that episode of your life. Because as our human nature, we tend to be more subjective(negative) when we failed to do things rather than to be objective (positive) , isn't it? . If we cannot avail the things, events, relationships, careers, promotions ect. that we wanted, what will be the outcome? Isn't it that we are living a life that is full of worries and uncertainties. Friends, our Lord Jesus was vividly stated in the above passage that we should not to worry for everything as the "unbeliever"(people that are not accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives) had in their hearts.

Actually as a believer of Jesus Christ, He designed us to be bless and be a blessing to others (people that are least and needy). God wants us to experience aboudance of life on earth in terms of everything (possesions, money, clothes, food etc) but do not let all this things hinder us to be a follower of Jesus Christ or to serve God. Because when we have lots of money or we are rich enough then we can serve Him freely and joyfully.What do I mean? For example, today is sunday and you need show your love to God through fellowshipping with other believers or going to the church but you cannot because you need to work today, why you need to work? because you need money to support yourself and family in some way or another... If we have more than enough resources then we can give our best to serve and worship God...

In my conclusion, may we have the spirit of joy and love to serve God fully in terms of our money and possesions. And not a half - hearted kind of service to God. We need to be a good steward to all the blessings that we had recieved from God and use them wisely and carefully. Spend our money and time in a very tangible ways. Learn and act to help others who are in need. To God be the Glory!

Personal Prayer:

Loving Father in Heaven, thank you for all the blessings that I have recieved from you. Forgive me for sometimes I have not use them in a way that is more beneficial to me and to others as well. I pray Lord that you will give more wisdom and knowlegde in this area. Change my mindset and perceptions in congruennce to your plan in my life. Thank you for blessing me and my family. Thank you also for your protection and guidance in everyday of my life Lord. In the most precious name of Jesus Christ I pray.. Amen!


Godbless You!

Crispin Agas