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Rules for Handling Anger - June '09 3rd Week

...Let each one of you speak truth.... Ephesians 4:25

Rule 3:

Keep it current. Storing anger in your hard drive only hurts you. When you download old resentments you start to rehearse them and grow bitter. 'The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks' (Luke 6:45 NIV).

When you're angry deal with it quickly. Don't passively allow time to decide your options, or sit around hoping the other person will see the light and apologize. 'If your brother sins against you, go [to] him...' (Matthew 18:15 NIV).

Try to resolve it and restore the relationship. When you repress it you add one more skeleton to your closet. Sooner or later, doctors say, it'll be at your stomach lining, attack your immune system, predispose you to heart problems, cancers and other physical, social and emotional disorders. Meantime, it'll preoccupy you, dissipate
your energy, cripple your creativity, hinder your fellowship with God, your friends and fellow believers; not to mention that it denies the offender the opportunity to clear their conscience, repent and get right with God and you.

Stop dragging up the past, trying to blackmail the guilty by hauling skeletons out of closets at 'auspicious' moments, plotting revenge, and passing down resentments for the next generation to carry. Ask God for the humility and courage to deal with today's problems - today. When your head hits the pillow tonight, know that your issues are current, up to date with God and everyone else, and sleep well!

God bless.
Pastor Charity

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Learning To Stand - June '09 2nd Week

...And having done all...stand. Ephesians 6:13

Don't allow the conflict-free seasons of your life to lull you into a false sense of security: 'Be vigilant...the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour' (1Peter 5:8 NKJV). What should we do when the Devil comes along? 'And having done all...stand.' Indeed, '...God is able to make [you] stand' (Romans 14:4
NKJV), not in your own strength, but the strength of Jesus Christ. By yourself you're an easy target, but in the strength of the Lord you can stand and not give in.

So today when satan shows up with his temptations, announce that you're going to stand in Christ. Let him know you're going to stand until the shaking stops, until the wave of loneliness passes, until your marriage is restored, until you come out of debt, until the struggle is over, until the tempter loses his power to trap or topple you.

When you do the standing - God does the strengthening! Paul said, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me' (Philippians 4:13). Note the word 'strengtheneth.' He won't just strengthen you once, He'll do it again and again. He'll strengthen you every time you face a difficult challenge, every time a memory comes back to torment you, every time you're reminded of your imperfect past, every
time you face a difficult situation.

Drawing from God the strength you need to stand up to the enemy will take effort. It will take your praise, your prayer, your getting into His Word with an intensity you never had before. But the truth is - you can stand if you want to!

God bless.
Pastor Charity

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How To Resolve the Old Issue - May '09 2nd Week

"The Lord has taken away your sin..." 2 Samuel 12:13

There's no point asking God for other things when you haven't made things right with those you need to forgive, or ask forgiveness from. Jesus said, '"...If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar.

First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary..."' (Matthew 5:23-25 NIV). Don't be led by your wounded ego; be led by God's Word. You say, 'But the person I had the issue with is no longer around. I can't get a hearing, yet in my heart I'm still troubled about it.'

In this case the Bible says, 'Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much' (James 5:16). Share your feelings with someone worthy of your trust. Pray with them, openly
confessing your wrongs and the guilt you feel. You'll be surprised how prayer and the presence of an affirming friend can provide you with the peace of mind you seek.

After David murdered Uriah, his lover's husband, his guilt was overwhelming. It just about wiped him out. When he could take it no more, he broke his silence and sought God's forgiveness, but Uriah wasn't around to hear his confession; he'd been dead almost a year. So David turned to Nathan the prophet and poured out his heart saying, 'I have sinned.' Nathan listened patiently, and then said, 'The Lord has taken away your sin.' Follow David's example, and then move forward with confidence.

Blessings
Pastor Charity

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