Ephesians 4:26-27 [26] Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath, [27] neither give place to the devil.

Anger, it's an emotion we all experience from time to time. Our spouse does something we don't like, a reckless driver almost causes you to have an accident, a boss who says something that is infuriating, your child disobeys, and the list goes on and on. Can you relate? 

Today's verse doesn't say we can't be angry, but it does tell us not to sin in our anger. Sounds contradictory, but the truth is, anger can be a true indicator of your spiritual condition. If something or someone angers you and you carry it beyond the moment, you might struggle with a spirit of forgiveness. If your anger causes you to have an opinion about a person's race or beliefs, then you might struggle to love others as yourself. A true indicator of the heart is what proceeds from your mouth when angry. OUCH! 

Not sure about you, but I recognize areas of my life that need the Holy Spirits help to transform my mind and heart to deal with my response to anger. If you are true to yourself, you probably recognize your need for God's help as well. 

It's easy these days to get angry. But don't let it spoil the christ like character you exhibit to the outside world, and certainly don't carry it into the next day. Lord, help me to forgive quickly, love others as you do, and most of all turn angry moments into opportunities to show grace, mercy, and love to the people you've placed in my life. 

 Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Romans 6:11-12

 My wife and I just got back from a 4-day vacation in Kentucky. We visited three venues: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, The Ark Encounter, and the Creation Museum. The Shaker Village was at one time home to over 500 members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, commonly called “Shakers”, who lived as a group of sisters and brothers in Christ. They were very specific about how they lived, worshipped, and worked. Everything from the room we stayed in, the buildings, windows, chairs, tables and so forth, was themed after their structured lives. For us, it was foreign, but certainly helped us understand how their way of life was central to the heart of the God they worshipped.

 As children of God, we should have the same attitude about how our life should be lived. Every aspect of our life should be themed after Christ words of wisdom and how He lived His life. Unfortunately, we oftentimes have rooms in our heart that don’t resemble the Christian lifestyle, hiding within its corners are sinful attitudes, actions, and thoughts, that take away the influence our life has on others, especially those outside the faith. We might not think about the influence we have on others, but the truth is our life as Christians should be like a bright light that exposes the darkness of sin. The light’s exposure should convict others, making them want to desire to live in a similar fashion as Jesus.

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

 Take time today to question your life, do all areas of your life carry the same theme of Christ, or are there any areas that don’t resemble the light of Christ? If so, ask God to help transform your heart, mind, and soul, to be partakers of the truth so your life can positively influence those in your corner of this big world.

For he went on teaching his disciples and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after he is dead, he shall rise the third day. Mark 9:31

Back in the day when someone said they were going to do something, they did it. Deals, loans, and any other agreements were sealed with their word and a handshake. It's always comforting to know when you can trust someone's word. 

As Jesus laid in the tomb, his disciples were worried, fearful, and uncertain of the future. The man that they faithfully followed for 3 years, died and was placed inside a tomb. They forgot or didn't believe in the statement Jesus made in the scripture above. Throughout those 3 years of following Jesus, he always did what he said he was going to do, but yet his disciples lacked faith. 

 Can you imagine if they believed Jesus and we're waiting in eager expectation for his new life? But yet that's not the case, and it wasn't until Mary came and told the disciples she saw Jesus, alive and well, on day three, just as he had told them. 

We too struggle to believe God's word, that he is always with us and will help us in times of crisis, in times of sadness, in times of worry and fear. If only we had the eager expectation of what he's going to do during our time of need, it would change our whole outlook on whatever issues we face.

The next time you feel alone, defeated, fearful, or anything that you bring before the Lord, have an eager expectation of what he's going to do in your situation and trust in God's word. By doing so, you strengthen your faith and belief in every word that is in the gospel. And by doing this, you'll have confidence the next time you bring your concerns to the Lord, know that he will always respond with his best, wrapped in his love for you. Happy Easter. 

 And we know that all things work together for good to t hose who love God, to those who area the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

 Have you ever had an issue develop that made you want to tackle it right then? Maybe that issue was a financial burden, a health crisis, or a troubled relationship. Sleepless nights, anxiety, and reckless behaviors were the result of things undone. Sound familiar?  

 Let me share something I’ve learned after many years of living life. Time usually resolves things, and, if you let the issue work itself out, it might turn out better than expected. Yes, some things do need an immediate response like a payment before foreclosure tomorrow, or a court date that you must be present. But for those issues that can truly “wait”, you’ll find that today’s verse will be applicable to your situation.

 You see, God doesn’t work on your schedule. He sees beyond the mountain before you and knows how to get you either over it or around it, using time as a tool to grow your faith and trust in Him. He loves it when you surrender your concerns to Him, because it shows Him that you trust His plan for your life and your devotion to the Lord.

 As I thought about today’s blog, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 came to mind where Paul had an issue, a “thorn in the flesh”, and he pleaded with God to remove it. God responded with “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness”. Paul learned to trust God with his thorn in the flesh, and actually used it to strengthen his trust in the Lord. Like the apostle Paul, you must be willing to yield it to God for His handling and trust His timeline to respond. Getting into a hurry will only draw you into the chaos, missing God’s best for your situation.

 Let God’s time table help resolve your issues, and soon you’ll develop a pattern of patience and confidence in the One who has a plan to give you good things as you navigate life’s circumstances. Blessings!

 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

 In the late 1960s, on a few southern beaches of California, gathered a group of young people who turned from the worldly culture at that time to a culture of spiritual awakening and finding Jesus Christ. By 1971 it was reported that over 3,000 groups of “Jesus freaks” scattered all across America. Contemporary Christian music was birthed during this powerful movement and still today massive congregations gather to hear the word of God so they too can become friends of Jesus!

 In today’s verse, Jesus called His disciples “friends”, as they followed Him throughout His 3-year ministry before His death on a Roman cross. Friends because they followed Him and had the insight to God’s wisdom through Jesus’ teaching. Can you imagine the impact that Jesus had on their lives, face to face with the Savior of mankind?

 Well, thankfully after 3 days in the tomb, Jesus was raised back to life! As we near Easter Sunday, take time to consider your relationship with Jesus Christ. Are you a faithful friend of Jesus? Or, are you friendly to Jesus, but haven’t surrendered your heart to Him? There’s a big difference, and only those who’ve truly repented of their sin, asked for His forgiveness, and committed their life to Him will be called a friend of Jesus by God the Father.

 Although Jesus is not physically present, you have all the resources available to understand who Jesus is, His wisdom, and insight to your everyday life. Following Him through His word and committing your life to Him is one of the easiest things to do, for He made the path to a relationship with Him simply by praying one prayer. If you are ready for that commitment, say the prayer below, so you too can become a friend of Jesus Christ. God bless!

 Dear God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus paid for my sins on a cross, died and rose back to life 3 days later. I ask Jesus to come into my heart, forgive my sins as I commit my life to Him. I want to be a friend of Jesus and have that special relationship with Him. Amen!

 Brethren, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:25

 You see a prayer request on social media, or hear someone say they need prayer; what’s your response? If you are like most, you’ll quickly comment, “praying for you”. Truthfully, some will pray, others with good intentions will offer prayer but soon forget their commitment to pray.

 Prayer is a powerful tool, especially in the thoughts and hearts of God’s children. Over the course of my life I’ve heard and witnessed people diagnosed with a terminal illness who were miraculously healed, stories of God’s protection when missionaries faced an enemy at gunpoint who quickly turned away freeing them from torture or death, and many other stories that leave you amazed at the powerful acts of God because many faithful prayers were lifted up on other’s behalf.

 Who do you pray for? I’m sure you can put together a list of people who are within your circle of influence that could use prayer for encouragement, healing, and most of all experience the presence of God in their lives. Prayer is not complicated, it’s simply talking to God, just like you would a friend. And trust me, God wants to hear from you, so lift up others in prayer today, and add a word of gratitude for God’s blessings in your life. You’ll be amazed at the outcome of your faithful commitment to pray!

 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

 Last week I had to change our granddaughter’s diaper. We use our bedroom (and bed) as a changing area. Once done, I set her down on the floor and proceeded to walk out of the room with the expectation of her following me. Once in the other room, I discovered she was not behind me and found her crawling through the bathroom and into the closet, in complete darkness.  I thought to myself, that girl hasn’t learned to fear the darkness yet.

 Today’s scripture, quoted by Jesus Christ, says that anyone who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but follow His light. The question we all need to ask ourselves, “are we afraid of the darkness?”. As Christians, we should be fearful of darkness, because that is where the Devil resides, and nothing good is found in the dark things of this world.

 Sadly, the news has been full of stories of people who’ve chosen darkness over the Light of Christ. The result yields prison, ruined marriages ending in divorce, addictions that take away every possession, including their souls, and worst of them all, suicide. This is not the kind of life Jesus Christ provides for all of mankind.

 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

 God gives each of us “free will” to chose who we’ll follow through this life. If  you claim to be a child of God, your duty, your calling, and your desires should be focused on following the light of Christ in strict obedience. My prayer is you’ll always be fearful of darkness, so you’ll remain in the light of your Savior, Jesus Christ. God bless!