Thursday, July 21, 2011

Life is fragile

My accident on Tuesday made me reflect: Life is truly fragile. One moment I was walking fine and the next I am on my way in an ambulance with my head bandaged up! This experience reminds me that we all need to be prepared at all times - who knows when we are called home to be with the Lord.
Let us then each day keep short accounts with the Lord and with others. Rise and retire each day with thanksgiving for a new day began and ended. Renew our commitment to the Lord and rest in His love. Repent and receive His forgiveness. Respond with forgiveness to others who have wronged you.
For those who have yet to experience the wonderful relationship you can have with the Lord of the universe, let today be the day you believe and confess Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. There is no better way to live this life given to us.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Holy Anger

The spirit of anger – unholy anger
orge  (or-gay) - anger (indignation) - be angry (orgizo) - same word in all occasions in the Bible.
Anger is a valid emotion but needs to be controlled for it can be destructive if it is not.

Valid Anger (righteous anger)
MK 3:5 He (Jesus) looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."
Rom 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
Eph 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Invalid Anger (unrighteous anger)
2 Cor 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
Eph 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 
Col 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
1Tim 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
James 1:20-21 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
 
Valid anger
Invalid anger
Concerned for God’s holiness and glory
Concern for justice and righteousness
Concern for truth and in helping others
    Concerned for self-glory
    Concern for self-preservation
    Concern for self-interests (revenge)


    How to use anger correctly: (BMI principle)
    1. Be angry primarily at sin, not the sinner.  Attack the attitude, behaviour, lies, evil-doing, not the person.
    2. Master anger and use it to defeat injustice and evil.  Do not let anger master you and ‘force’ you to act out in angry outbursts.
    3. If anger overwhelms, look to the Holy Spirit for control.

      Friday, July 1, 2011

      Six Hours


      The Lord Jesus hung on the Cross for 6 hours (9 am to 3 pm).                                                              
      Why six hours? He was redeeming all of creation which was created in 6 days.
      The last hour was the toughest as he was paying the penalty for sin to redeem the pinnacle of God’s  creation  – mankind.
      Because of what Jesus has done, we are now free to receive forgiveness, cleansing and restoration of relationship with God through our turning from sin(repentance) and turning to Him (reconciliation). We are now free to choose to live the new life given us through the Holy Spirit.
      When we participate in the holy communion, we are declaring our allegiance to Christ by remembering and celebrating His death and resurrection.  His broken body is represented by the bread and His shed blood by the wine.His broken body provides for us healing, health and wholeness in all areas of our lives. His shed blood provides forgiveness, salvation, eternal life and protection.