January 19th, 2021
by Emily Brown
by Emily Brown
Friday – January 8th – Ephesians 4:26-27
26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.
Friday has arrived and the last day of this week. Through the later half of this week my prayer focus is that each and every one of us is reaching out to God as the source, center, and foundation of peace in our lives. The last ten months of uncertainty and chaos has taught me that all human efforts, reasoning, wisdom, or justifications fall far short of providing sufficient and lasting peace. It is only through a growing relationship with God that I can experience true peace. The very first question each week in my Wesley band meeting is “how is it with my soul?”. Thankfully, months before 2020, I discovered that my soul condition (another way to gauge peace) is not situationally based but relationally based. If I am in-step with God, my soul is well, regardless of what is happening all around me. Friends, on this Friday – how is it with your soul?
Our pick verses for today are from the New King James version and admittedly can be confusing when we are given permission to be angry. The Message version renders 4:26-27 this way - “Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry - but do not use your anger as fuel for revenge. And do not stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. ” Paul is telling us that anger is normal and acceptable as long as it is also controllable. More specifically is it proper to be angry at sin, but not at the sinner. We are to be careful that our anger does not lead to our own sinning. Even righteous anger can lead us into sinful reactions. Even when we are angry over sin actions, we must be quick to forgive so that anger does not fester. The devil will do all within his power to take advantage of our anger, but the Holy Spirit can give us power to rise above it. If we want a soul that is peace filled, then we must always be read to let go of anger and love others like we love ourselves.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Saturday – January 9th – Ephesians 4:28-29
26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.
Friday has arrived and the last day of this week. Through the later half of this week my prayer focus is that each and every one of us is reaching out to God as the source, center, and foundation of peace in our lives. The last ten months of uncertainty and chaos has taught me that all human efforts, reasoning, wisdom, or justifications fall far short of providing sufficient and lasting peace. It is only through a growing relationship with God that I can experience true peace. The very first question each week in my Wesley band meeting is “how is it with my soul?”. Thankfully, months before 2020, I discovered that my soul condition (another way to gauge peace) is not situationally based but relationally based. If I am in-step with God, my soul is well, regardless of what is happening all around me. Friends, on this Friday – how is it with your soul?
Our pick verses for today are from the New King James version and admittedly can be confusing when we are given permission to be angry. The Message version renders 4:26-27 this way - “Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry - but do not use your anger as fuel for revenge. And do not stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. ” Paul is telling us that anger is normal and acceptable as long as it is also controllable. More specifically is it proper to be angry at sin, but not at the sinner. We are to be careful that our anger does not lead to our own sinning. Even righteous anger can lead us into sinful reactions. Even when we are angry over sin actions, we must be quick to forgive so that anger does not fester. The devil will do all within his power to take advantage of our anger, but the Holy Spirit can give us power to rise above it. If we want a soul that is peace filled, then we must always be read to let go of anger and love others like we love ourselves.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Saturday – January 9th – Ephesians 4:28-29
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