Friday Focus #39

Bear One Another's Burdens

Galatians 6:1-5 shows us that being Christ like is not just reading the word and being nice to people. But are you willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of someone else? Are you willing to buy a homeless person a sandwich? Give them a drink? Visit a prisoner who has been persecuted for the sake of the Gospel? Whatever the burden, can you help someone carry theirs? In Galatians 6:1 we read that if a fellow Christ follower is caught up in a transgression/sin, that they should be rebuked gently by someone who is not tempted to fall into the same sin. Help bear the burden. In Galatians 6:2 we see that bearing one another's burdens helps fulfill the law of Christ. He did things to honor God selflessly and out of love. Follow that example.If you are too important to help other then you fool yourself as Galatians 6:3 points out. Also, in Galatians 6:4, we must test our own work so that is God honoring so that when God gives us our reward for what we have done and not what someone else did. Each person will have to bear their own load and do what they are able to do and take credit for their own work, not someone else's as Galatians 6:5 tells us. Overall, spare time to help others and be gentle with them when they need help.

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2 Timothy 2: With Gentleness

With Gentleness

2 Timothy 2:24 gives us a great example of how servant's of the Lord should be with everyone, not just those we choose, but everyone. In it Paul writes, "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness." Whether they are believers or non-believers, we are to correct people with gentleness. This verse may be specifically in reference to teaching the Word, but does that mean that the only way it applies is in church. It applies all the time. There is no excuse for disrespecting and insulting others that disagree. Correct the opponents with gentleness.

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Wednesday Wake Up #17

When You Get Angry

When was the last time you were angry? I don't mean angry that your favorite show got cancelled or your favorite team lost, but angry to the point where you could not sleep. Do you have your answer? Now, I ask you what did you do with that anger? Did you just ignore it like it didn't exist or did you let it explode? Please don't tell me that you went to social media to complain about things that you just need to deal with. But there are much more productive things to do with anger and knowing how to handle it than just ignoring it or letting it consume you. Do you agree?
 

As we read through Proverbs (which is a great start if you have never read through the Bible), I come across Proverbs 29:11 which let us know that giving full vent to your anger is foolish. It also informs us that self control is what the wise people do. That means when you are angry, don't go punch someone. That means do not go yelling at them. There are time we are angry about how we perceive someone's words rather than what they really mean. I have been guilty of that before and had arguments with people about what they said and how I perceived what they said without actually having a conversation about it. What we need to do is focus on what would actually anger God and seek to be surrounded by the Holy Spirit and walking with the Holy Spirit (more on that later).

We also need to deal with the anger in that moment. I know from personal experience that if I do not deal with that anger, it will stew. That is when the devil take a hold of my thoughts and pulls them away from the Holy Spirit. Then I will keep replaying what was said or done and start trying to connect things and maybe even add an attitude of righteousness on the other person. That is letting bitterness grow. How many times do we get mad at someone and then completely ignore them based on what happened? Deal with the problem. Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us that we can be angry, but in that anger do not sin. We cannot let the sun go down on our anger. I mean truly, how often do you get mad at someone and talk about it the next day and settle it? I would be willing to assume that not many people confront and deal with issues in the moment. They walk away mad...and got to the passive aggressive Facebook post. Let's stop Facebooking and start facing the problems with the use of the Book (Bible)!!

And when we do respond, do we respond with gentleness, or do we respond with yelling, sarcasm or undercutting people with insults? It is interesting that when we get angry, we throw the ways of Christ (like being loving at all times) out of the window. Then we run those ways over with our car. C'mon people!! Let's start responding in love for others and know that whether we know someone well or not at all, our words reflect our heart and have an impact on other. Respond in love and not in wrath (Proverbs 15:1).

Whether it is anger or sadness or lust and knowing how to deal with these feeling and thoughts when they arise, we must rely on the Holy Spirit. That is God's will for our lives has to be our will. If it is not, then one cannot expect the Holy Spirit to guide them if they have not sought that guidance in the first place. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is the only way to the Father, not one of the ways, THE WAY. He tells us in John 14:26 that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. If you are not with the Holy Spirit and you keep having the same problems, then the answer is pretty clear on what needs to happen in your life in order for you to deal with the problems as they arise. Follow Christ and the Holy Spirit will guide you.

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