Getting Rid of Anger

Ephesians 4:26-32
The apostle Paul wrote extensively about the character and conduct of believers. He urged Christians to live a life worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1) and to be “followers of God” (Eph. 5:1). In his letters to the churches, he explained what it meant to live a godly life.

First of all, we must curtail some of our habits and behaviors and replace them with new ones that are acceptable to God. The acts of the “flesh” are no longer to be a part of us. We now have a new nature and must conduct ourselves accordingly. Galatians 5:19-21 lists 15 specific behaviors that have to cease. These include enmities, strife, outbursts of anger, disputes, and dissensions. Notice the role anger plays in each of these. It fuels disagreements and inflames antagonism. And second, if we get angry, we need to apologize quickly (Eph. 4:26).

The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) is to replace ungodly thoughts and actions. If we have been quick-tempered, then we need to gain patience. If our anger runs hot, then we are to become peaceful people. Foolishness in speech must give way to the wisdom of Christ. Change is possible because sin’s power over us has been permanently broken. We have been set free to live in a way pleasing to God.

We all struggle with some form of ungodly behavior, but happily, we don’t have to continue in it. As new creations, we no longer have to be defined by who we were before salvation (2 Cor. 5:17). To exhibit the righteousness that is yours, cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s transforming work.

The Lord Honors Humility

1 Kings 3:10-14

Because Solomon humbly asked for wisdom to guide his people, God rewarded him with riches and honor in addition to wisdom. God desires that His followers serve Him in humility, not wishing to achieve great personal gain. Yet He often rewards them richly when they do walk humbly with Him, for He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," (Ephesians 3:20). May we praise God for not only meeting our daily needs but also blessing us far beyond our requests.

The Lord Examines Our Motives

Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Sometimes we mistakenly assume that motives don’t really matter as long as our actions appear right. For example, our heart may be far from God even when we are going through the motions of worship. But this verse reminds us that the Lord “examines” our motives, and He is quite capable of distinguishing genuineness from insincerity. Whether we are dealing with worship or day-to-day interactions with others, the Lord desires genuine motives and sincere hearts. May we praise God that He sees our true motives.

Characteristics of a Biblical Co-laborer

What kind of person is a blessing to a church and a pastor in the ministry? Here are qualities God will bless:

Integrity - a pure, godly life of maturity. This should be someone who obviously has the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Intelligence - at least the basic competence to know or to learn the ministry functions a pastor is delegating.

Intensity - a willingness to bear a burden, to work hard, to intervene, and to get into action. There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses. Someone observed, "Trying is just a noisy way of not doing something."

Intuition - an instinctive understanding of the heart. The apostle Paul wrote of this in reference to Timothy in Phil. 2:19-21. When Paul looked around for a man who shared his heart for God's people, he could only find one at the time - Timothy.

A pastor's co-laborers must be men who understand his vision and are willing to express his heart in ministry. There should be no room for a renegade or someone with his own personal agenda. I've experienced this personally in the ministry, and it will drag a pastor and a church down fast. Pastor's are looking for a few good men; more than a few is even better!

The Lord Responds to Our Cry

"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;" Psalm 20:1

This Psalms invokes a blessing upon God’s people, calling for the Lord to respond to their cry for help and to keep them safe. The last few lines of the prayer underscore the psalmist’s confidence in the Lord’s blessing, for he asserts that God’s people “we are risen, and stand upright” (20:8). We need not rely on human weapons and strength, for, like the psalmist, we boast in the Lord, who will respond to our cry. God’s power is more than sufficient to overcome our difficulties. May we praise God for responding to our cry and delivering us in times past, and may we thank Him for watching over us today.

Jesus Gave Himself

The devil told Jesus, “Serve Yourself!” (Matt. 4:3–4). Peter said, “Pity Yourself!” (Matt. 16:21–23). His unsaved relatives said, “Show Yourself!” (John 7:4). The crowd at Calvary said, “Save Yourself!” But Jesus was deaf to all those appeals and gave Himself.

Three Keys to Ministering to People

Matthew 25:35–40

Most of Christ’s earthly ministry was spent on others.

Count Nicholaus von Zinzendorf of Saxony wrote a guide known as “The Order of the Mustard Seed.” It states:
1. Be Kind to All People
2. Seek their Welfare
3. Win them to Christ

It has been said that the ministry is not just paperwork but people-work. It’s hard to go through life without having to deal with people. In fact, it’s just about impossible! As we saw yesterday, God desires that we would take time to help people. Even if there’s no payback for us, we should always stop to do the right thing.

When we put others first and help them, we are helping Christ. Being kind to others, putting their well-being above our own, and telling them of Christ is our pattern for dealing with others.

How are your people skills? Are you known as somewhat stand-offish or rude to others? God says that whatever you do to others, you are doing to Him! Take these three principles, “The Order of the Mustard Seed,” and implement them in your life. Show others kindness through your speech and actions. Then, place their needs and desires above your own. Go out of your way to help them. And also, share the good news of God’s salvation with them. Next time you interact with someone, ask yourself, “How would I treat Christ in this situation?”

The Lord Is Our Rock

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
Psalm 18:31

We often hear that the Lord is our rock, but what does this really mean? A rock in ancient Israel provided security in two ways: It served as a bulwark against attacking armies, and it provided an immovable foundation for great buildings. David realized that God was an unshakeable foundation for his faith, and he often ran to this refuge to regain his strength. We can find our security in the Lord as well. Let us praise God that He is our rock, upon which we can confidently build our life and faith.

FRMBC is Making a Difference

The increased mockery toward the name of Jesus Christ, although disheartening, should not come as a surprise to the believer. In fact, Jude 18 warns us that in the last times there will be mockers who walk after their own ungodly lusts. How far we have come from the Biblical authority on which our nation was founded!

Through almost every media outlet, the teachings of the Bible are belittled or misconstrued. The Christian faith has been the center for countless comedy sketches, yet we are the ones labeled “intolerant” because we hold to the literal interpretation of the Word of God.

So, the question arises: how can we make the difference God has called us to make in this troubled world?

Biblical Convictions Make a Difference

In the beginning verses of Jude, we are instructed to build up our faith because there are others who are trying to tear it down. Although unpopular, it is vital that as Christians we stand firm on our faith. It has been said, “The men and women who have moved the world have been the men and women the world could not move.”

Biblical Consecration Makes a Difference

We first make a difference by what we believe. Once we believe what is right, we can then make a difference by how we behave. Our behavior should be distinctly different than the behavior of the world. Second Corinthians 6:17 instructs us with these words, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” May we always remember that God desires for His children to remain unspotted from the world. In order to make a difference, we must be different. Someone has noted, “The greatest challenge facing the American Christians is not persecution by the world, but seduction from the world.”

Biblical Compassion Makes a Difference

The theme verse for our current series, "Making A Difference", is Jude 22 which says, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” As we go through each day, we must remember the multitudes of people who have been blinded by the world’s philosophy. Where all other factors may fail, our biblical compassion can make a difference in their lives.

More than ever, after 15 years of pastoring, I am thrilled with the opportunity that God has given His people to make a difference. May we anticipate what He will do in and through our lives at FRMBC!

Jesus Christ is Precious

“My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”

Psalm 139:15–18


There is no challenge so great in our lives that we can’t overcome it to tell others of Christ.

As captain of a slave ship, John Newton was a rough, dirty sailor with a foul mouth and an appetite for rotten living. When he was young, he had the gift of a good mother who told him about the Saviour, but he chose to reject Him. He hated life, and life hated him. Then someone placed in his hands a copy of Thomas a Kempis The Imitation of Christ, and he was saved. After that, he went all over England sharing his faith.

Well past his “retirement age,” he had to have an assistant stand in the pulpit with him on Sundays. He was nearly blind and spoke in whispers, but nothing could keep him from preaching while he still had breath.

One Sunday, while delivering his message he repeated the sentence: “Jesus Christ is precious.” His helper whispered to him: “But you have already said that twice.” Newton turned to his helper and said loudly, “Yes, I've said it twice, and I'm going to say it again.” The stones in the ancient sanctuary fairly shook as the grand old preacher said again: “Jesus Christ is precious!”

Most, if not all of us, have heard John Newton’s story of his salvation. He was once a slave ship owner, enslaving men for his own gain, he was saved and spent his life freeing men from the bond of sin for God’s glory!

But even when Newton was old and had physical limitations, he never ceased from declaring how good God had been to him. No matter where he was or who was around him, he took time to relay the miracle of his salvation to others.

Isn’t God’s salvation a miracle? The fact that God would send His only Son to die a cruel death on the Cross for people who had rejected Him is mind-boggling. But even more astounding to think of is the fact that with all Christ has done for us, we sometimes fail to tell others of Him.

John Newton didn’t allow blindness and a weak voice to keep him from declaring God’s goodness, so what excuse is there for us? God commands us to tell everyone we meet of His miracle of salvation in our lives!

What is holding you back from witnessing to others? There is no challenge so great in our lives that we can’t overcome it to tell others of Christ. Whether through a tract or even sharing your testimony with them, determine to tell at least one person today of God’s love. After all the Lord has done for you, what keeps you from obeying Him?

Two Scientists Walk Into a Field. . .

Please read this article on my friends blog. It is a short story illustrating the ignorance of those who proclaim, proliferate, and profit from the evolution lie.

http://hardtruth.squarespace.com/home/2009/8/6/two-scientists-walk-into-a-field.html

TAKE THE "I" OUT OF YOUR EYE

The Puritans believed sin is the raw material for the heart's idol factory. Idolatry is really about self as the secular trinity: Me, Myself and I. We were created to worship God, but at the root of sin is the idolatry of self-worship. At the heart of idolatry is the desire to control and/or manipulate people or things for the benefit of self. It supplies self-centered desires and comforts.

In spite of God's warning to Israel not to make idols, idolaters did so in order to worship that which they believed God could not supply. Carving of idols is not limited to wood, metal, stone or other materials, but is the end-product of the spirit of idolatry that begins in the heart. Idols are carved because of the false notion that worship of God cannot supply all our needs. We need something more. The spirit of idolatry is not about the object or the other person; it is about self.

The root cause begins with what "I" see with my "Eyes." "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat..." Genesis 3:6. In the end, idolatry turns us away from the love of Christ to the love of self. We will never understand the true love of our Redeemer until we take the "I" out of our "Eye."

Skin-Sin

What does summer mean to you? Some think of an exciting vacation, a family holiday or extended weekends, warm weather, swimming and a gorgeous tan. Yet others find the summer a difficult season struggling with “Skin-Sin.”

Whether going to the beach, pool or the local shopping plaza, many men, young and old, struggle with their thoughts after looking at all the skin that is exposed by some women, young and old, some who may be just trying to stay cool.

Some would look to the women for a solution to this temptation and establish a legalistic definition and ground rules for maintaining modesty. Scripture does say “that women (are to) adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1Tim 2:9, 10) The questions still remain, what does modesty look like, what is proper, what is reasonable?

One Scripture needed to guide the heart of women can be found in Philippians 2:3,4. Here Paul takes the focus off of oneself and puts the primary focus on loving others. He says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” If women only knew the temptation their skin had on men, it would go a long way to encourage a different standard for modesty and address this summer problem. Romans 14:21 “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

Even though women who are believers can help, men must take responsibility for themselves defeating skin-sin. It might encourage you that Job must have had a similar problem with his eyes and looking at women. He asked God to help him control his eyes and his mind. Men need to be so determined not to commit skin-sin that they make the same covenant with God that Job made. “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (Job 31:1)

Paul’s instruction in 2Cor 10:5 places responsibility on men to also control their thought life. Paul told us to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Men, be encouraged. It is possible to take control of our thoughts and not let our mind think whatever comes to it. Paul would not have even asked us to think obediently if it were impossible.

So let’s all work together this summer, women and men, young and old, taking responsibility to doing our part in applying God’s Word. Ask God to help us defeat “skin-sin” in our hearts, families and churches.

EIGHT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FAILURE

1. TO FAIL IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING A FAILURE.
One may have many failings and yet still be far from being a failure.

2. TO FAIL IS NOT THE DISGRACE EVERYONE THINKS IT IS.
To err is to do nothing more than to join the human race.

3. FAILURE IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SETBACK.
Failure is never the final chapter of the book of your life unless you give up and quit.

4. NOTHING WORTHWHILE IS EVER ACHIEVED WITHOUT RUNNING THE RISK OF FAILURE.
The man who risks everything to try to achieve something truly worthwhile and fails is anything but a disgraceful failure.

5. FAILURE IS A NATURAL PREPARATION FOR, SUCCESS.
Strange as it may seem to some of you, success is much more difficult to live with successfully than is failure.

6. EVERY FAILING BRINGS WITH IT THE POSSIBILITIES OF SOMETHING GREATER.
Analyze failure under whatever circumstances you choose, and you will discover some seeds for turning failure into success,

7. WHAT YOU DO WITH FAILURES IN YOUR LIFE IS UP TO YOU.
Failure is either a blessing or a curse, depending upon the individuals reaction or response to it.

8. FAILINGS ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN HOW TO DO THINGS BETTER THE NEXT TIME-TO LEARN WHERE THE PITFALLS ARE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM.
The best possible thing to do with failure is to learn all you can from it.

Different By Divine Design

The Christian life is to be a condition of the heart that shows up in a lifestyle. Throughout Scripture, God commands us to keep a right heart with Him and to live a lifestyle that pleases Him. Yet, many Christians today seem to believe, “God doesn’t care what I do, so long as my heart is right on the inside!”

God desires for His children to have a biblical lifestyle. I challenge other Christians not to separate “who you are” from “how you behave.” If Christ has truly changed us on the inside, we should live very differently from the world and from today’s “pop-culture.” We are to “walk worthy” —to live in a way that outwardly honors the Lord —to allow our relationship with Christ to flow into every act, every word, every thought, every deed, and every attitude of life.

“Have it your way” Christianity is empty, frustrating, self-centered, fruitless, and pointless. God teaches us in His Word that we are to be different — by His design! A godly life is a different life, and God’s way of living is still the best way!

A Philosophy Contrary to the World

A philosophy is a sum of beliefs or ideas. A Christian’s beliefs are based on the Word of God, while the world’s system of values is rooted in their own exaggerated intellect and foolish imaginations, inconstant and varying with the whims of society. In the Bible, we read, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools... [they] became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened…[they] changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.” (Romans 1:22, 21b, 23a) Corroboration of this passage is as near as the newspaper on your desk. Saturated by the world’s philosophy—a liberal slant in practically every commentary—it contains hardly any evidence that our nation was founded on Biblical principles.

The Environment and Animal Rights - The environmentalists and animal rights activists are hurting more than helping America. Three decades ago, the population of the country was approximately 200 million. Now, 33 years later, the population is over 300 million. People need places to live; churches, schools, stores, and other facilities must be developed and built to accommodate the growing populace. Yet so often, projects toward this justifiable purpose are inundated with costly requirements relating to the study of endangered animals on the premises or some other superfluous factor. Rather than relocate the animals or determine a reasonable solution regarding their habitation, the world’s philosophy dictates that the families be displaced instead. The world would have us believe that the animal supersedes man or, at least, is his equivalent. Certainly, we should tend to what God has created for man and be aware of how our daily routines might adversely affect or pollute the environment. We should, as we read in the book of Proverbs, regard the life of a beast. Yet I remind our readers that the Lord created man as the most superior in all His creation. Man is to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26b) The earth was given to man, not to the animal.

The Sanctity of Human Life - The word is pro-choice, advocating rights for the expectant mother; yet the word deceitfully veils a deed nearly unparalleled in depravity—the murder of unborn babies, numbering in the countless millions. For over thirty-five years, we have witnessed the world’s philosophy ingrain itself into how a people regard life, resulting in a culture of death. Our children are being taught that human life is valueless as they learn of abortion, euthanasia, and suicide—and we wonder why our young people are involved in so many mass murders. If a child is not protected in what should be the safest place in the world (a mother’s womb), then why would it be important for a man or woman, boy or girl to consider the life of another person or even his own?

Psalm 139:13-16 “… thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret…”

Jeremiah 1:5a “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…”

The Welfare System - We find a number of illustrations in the Bible of people caring for those in need—King David cared for a handicapped Mephibosheth when he could not provide for himself, a good Samaritan assisted a fallen traveler, Stephen and six other men helped the widows, and others. The recipients of these benevolent acts could not help themselves at the time because of one circumstance or another. Thousands of years later, the belief of helping those in need has been distorted by the world’s philosophy. Rather than being a help to others, people want to be helped and believe that they are entitled to that help in whatever form and by whatever avenue. In II Thessalonians 3:10, we read, “…that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” The philosophy of the world nurtures idleness and indolence, resulting in a self-serving people unwilling to work. Why, then, should it come as a surprise when we learn of those considering the financial advantages of having children out of wedlock or participating in multi-million-dollar embezzlement scams?

The Home - In Genesis 5:2, we read, “Male and female created he them.” Before the establishment of kingdoms and government, God had already defined the institution of marriage—one man with one woman (Adam and Eve). The world views homosexual marriage as a matter of personal rights and presses for laws to be passed to allow for those rights; but the right to define what constitutes a marriage belongs not to man or to government but solely to God. The media is strongly pushing the world’s philosophy, proposing that holding the Biblical position of marriage be classified a hate crime.

Wicked Kings - The Bible is clear about not negotiating or collaborating with godless kings, leaders, presidents, and authorities. How foolish it is, then, to think that we can negotiate peace with other countries when the foundation of peace is not there. (A foundation is not a glass of wine or a signed document.) Furthermore, I am sickened as I see our nation apologizing for what we are and what we believe. The God of America is the God Jehovah, not Allah or Buddha. I praise the Lord that our Supreme Court has thrice declared that America is a Christian nation. I certainly do not believe that everyone in our nation is a Christian; but in reading the founding documents and history of our nation, one can arrive at no other conclusion except that America was founded as a Christian nation.

Isaiah 57:21 “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

The Answer - The New Testament churches are the answer for our nation. A church that preaches the gospel and warns people of an impending judgment called Hell and a wonderful place called Heaven can bring about only good in a community. A preacher of the gospel is far more important than a new bank, a gas station, a sports team, a restaurant, or any other business or program that can be brought to a city. I believe that the Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church was a great addition in 1951 to the city of Flat Rock, Michigan. Eternity will reveal how many crimes were not committed, how many lives were changed, how many sorrows were avoided, how many homes were salvaged, and how many children’s lives were saved as a result of the preaching of the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. Oh how many more we need to reach!

The world’s philosophy will continue in its downward spiral, threatening to destroy America at every turn. So much the more ought we to give ourselves to the things of Christ and be prepared for the days that lie ahead.

The Truth About Legalism

Bible-believing Baptists are often accused of being legalistic. This is merely an attempt to give excuse to a faulty license for sinful living. I'm tired of being expected to lower my standards that are based on Biblical precepts and principles for carnal, self-absorbed Christianettes.

For those who use liberty as a license to "do your own thing", read this if you dare to have your security blanket taken away. In reality, if you submit to Biblical truth, you will indeed be set free from the bondage of antinomianism!

For those who love the Word of God and Love to please Him by a godly lifestyle, they can read this article and be grateful that our loving Heavenly Father guides us in His Truth. He doesn't just tell us to please Him; He tells us how to do it.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Read "The Truth About Legalism at www.frmbc.com