Daily Devotional for Thursday, May 7, 2009 Have you missed any of our devotionals? Remember they can be found in the Archive section of our Website
http://www.gospelines.com "He who angers you controls you!" Our daughters got into an argument recently over some petty thing - they were screaming at each other. I got angry! Several years ago, a good friend lost his job due to circumstances beyond his control. He's still angry! Another friend just suffered the heartbreak of a divorce. She's both hurt and angry! God knows we get angry and He doesn't condemn us for that. He condemns what too often occurs as a result of our anger. The Apostle Paul and King David both said, "Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you." (Eph 4:26; Psalm 4:4 NLT) The longer we allow anger to stay in our minds, the greater the chance we will give the Devil a foothold. (Eph 4:27). Nonetheless, the anger brought about by unjust or hurtful actions is real. What does God's Word say about these feelings? We are told not to avenge ourselves, but to leave that to God because it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it." (Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35) Jesus told us that the Father "gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and on the unjust." If we only love those who love us, how are we any different from anyone else? (Matthew 5:45-47) In case we didn't understand, He made it perfectly clear in John 15:12 when He said, "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you!" If we have been treated unjustly, respond with love - His kind of love - agape or unmerited love. We must rid ourselves of anger and rage. (Colossians 3:7-9) "Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins." (Proverbs 29:8, 11 & 22) Those who live with anger in their hearts are living according to what the world desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit are living according to what the Spirit desires. The mind of an angry man (or woman) is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6) GospeLines Prayer: Father, we know that one of Satan's greatest weapons is our uncontrolled emotions. He waits until we are angry and hurt to feed us his lies because he knows that it's then that we're most susceptible. Dear God, in the name of Jesus we ask for the strength and wisdom to turn away wrath with gentle answers instead of stirring up anger with harsh words. Let us take no offense at the actions of others but instead, show Your unmerited love to all our fellow man. Help us to always abide in Your love. May our ways always be pleasing to You, O Lord, so that even our enemies will live at peace with us. Amen! O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [email protected] or [email protected] window live messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
