Tag: anger

August 25, 2024

August 25th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Job 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Why won’t you leave me alone, at least long enough for me to swallow!”
‭‭Job‬ ‭7‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I read this complaint of Job to God, I want to shout to Job, “What are you thinking? Find your hope in God. He didn’t do this to you.”

But, in the middle of his suffering, he has lost all hope.

In his frustration, he cries out in hopelessness to God to let the suffering be over.

God not only allowed Job to complain, but he allowed Job’s words to be immortalized in the Bible.

We will see later how Job reacted when God spoke back to him and his friends.

For today, just realize that God allows us to voice our complaints to Him.

He doesn’t want us to stay in that hopeless place, but he allows us the healing that comes through speaking out of our pain.

Have you ever voiced bitter complaints to God?
How did that turn out in the end?
February 28, 2024

February 28th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 9-11

Highlight Verse:

“But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This was a tough reading today.

Part of me wants to cheer on Jehu as he clears away any trace of Baal worship.

A bigger part of me is disgusted by all the bloodshed and violence.

Is this guy really doing what God told him to do?

I know that it was a violent time in history that sometimes required violence to make things right. But it seemed like Jehu wasn’t really motivated by zeal for the Lord.

His violence did more to establish his absolute rule than to bring true worship back to Israel.

This was confirmed by verse 31.

I know someone who often cites stories like this to discredit organized religion.

It is true that much violence has been done in the name of religion from the Crusades to witch-hunts.

Despite that, human error does not make God any less true.

The hatred and violence of man does not negate the undying sacrificial love of God.

Have the past injustices of religions ever kept you from Jesus?
How do you respond to someone who cannot get past how religious people have acted?
February 7, 2024

February 7th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How rude!

But was the mockery worth cursing them so that they were mauled by bears?

I always thought this was a bit harsh until I saw that 42 of the “youths” (A term which can mean anything from teen to twenty something) were mauled by the bears.

Forty two!

That was a heck of a crowd that was threatening Elisha. He had to be concerned for his life.

Add to that, as one of the commentaries (blueletterBible.org) on this verse mentions, this was the city where the people worshiped a golden calf, and they had no happy thoughts for a prophet who made it clear that idol worship was strictly forbidden.

So, while the bear mauling may sound harsh, God put a high priority on protecting his prophet.

Now that we are the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), I believe God places a high priority on protecting us.

What would you do in Elisha’s place?
Do you think that the right thing happened?
December 28, 2023

December 28th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Timothy 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you read on, you find Paul describing a bunch of different ways that people act selfishly.

I could point out that these must be the last days because there are so many people who act selfishly. Some in our society even claim that selfish behavior is good calling on their supreme value of tolerance.

Of course, I could point out that people have acted that way for centuries. And you could point out that it seems worse today.

That is likely true but that’s not where my thoughts are taking me now.

My thoughts today can be summed up with an old parable about the difference between heaven and hell.

In Hell, there are a bunch of people sitting at a huge feast, but they are not allowed to eat with their hands, and they are only allowed to use utensils that are too long for them to get the food to their mouths. Everyone is in agony because they can’t eat.

Heaven is an identical room with the same feast and the same utensils and the same rules, but people are filled with joy because they are feeding each other.

Now, I don’t know how theologically correct that is. It’s certainly and oversimplification of Heaven and Hell. But it points out how much we miss out on when we act out of selfishness.

A culture of selfishness will eventually collapse under its own weight.

A culture of giving will flourish with joy.

What are some ways that we can influence people to be selfless instead of selfish?
What rewards have you see in your life when you act out of selflessness?
August 28, 2023

August 28th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 7

Highlight Verse:

““Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What does it mean to not throw your pearls to pigs?

I recently saw a Facebook post with some inaccurate historical information that made Jesus look like a phony.

My first inclination was to refute the false information while expressing compassion for the person who posted. They had suffered severe church abuse when young.

I prayed about it.

I sensed something dark behind the post and the comments and decided not to stir a fire of pent up anger against the church.

Let me be clear. I do not consider the poster to be a pig.

The demonic forces behind their abuse and resultant anger are what I consider to be swine.

There have been and will be times when I can express God’s love to this person. That will be far more effective at reaching them than a Facebook comment war.

We as Christians can be very quick to argue for the Lord. We see falsehood and want to shoot it down before it causes any damage.

Sometimes that’s a good thing.

Often we do more damage than the original falsehood.

A good rule of thumb is to bite your tongue (or keyboard) until after you have prayed it through. After that, do what you believe God would have you do.

Have you ever posted or said something in defense of Jesus that you later regretted because it was taken wrong?
Have you ever successfully argued in defense of Jesus? (Having the person stop replying should not be considered a success).
August 11, 2023

August 11th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 28-30

Highlight Verse:

“And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Israelites had been sent into the lands of their enemies. The survivors of Babylon’s conquest of the land were uprooted and forced to live in a foreign land.

And Jeremiah says to work and pray for the peace and prosperity of the city they’d been dragged off to?

Aren’t you glad you don’t live in that time?

Aren’t you glad that prophecy doesn’t apply to you?

Or does it?

Many of us have been put into less than ideal situations. For some, corporate takeovers have landed you with jobs in companies you thought you had avoided. Maybe circumstances have forced you into less than ideal living conditions.

We all have things we could grumble about.

Jeremiah basically says to live your life to its fullest praying and working for the best of those around you. Just because life isn’t ideal doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it.

Please note that I am not advocating staying in abusive and/or dangerous situations. God and other people can help you find a way to safety.

For the rest of us,

let’s be thankful in our situations and and work and pray for the best.

Do you maintain a positive attitude even when situations don’t seem very positive?
What ways have you found to make the best of a less than perfect situation? Please share!
August 6, 2023

August 6th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 95-98

Highlight Verse:

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭96‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I find it ironic that it takes a really old song to remind us to keep making new music.

I truly believe that music is near and dear to God’s heart.

Throughout the Bible, music seems to pop up spontaneously. Not just in the Psalms and the Song of Solomon but in spur of the moment songs by Moses, Miriam, David, and Mary among others.

Years ago, we had a foster child. We had just visited my Mom and little brother. Everyone was tired. We climbed in the car and proceeded to bicker at each other until we decided that instead of arguing, we’d just listen to some worship music.

45 minutes later, the album ended as we were stuck in a bad traffic jam near home. It was a situation that could have sparked more argument. But we were happy. We even talked to other motorists as the traffic had come to a complete halt as they cleared an accident a mile ahead.

When we let it, music has power to soothe and comfort, inspire and encourage.

We worship and invite the Holy Spirit to join us in giving praise to God.

If you read this Sunday morning, I encourage you to join with a local church and bring that music to life.

If that’s not possible, at least turn on some music and sing a new song to the Lord!

Have you ever experienced the same kind of mood restoration from music?
What kinds of music brings about the best results for worship and mood lifting for you?
May 30, 2023

May 30th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 37

Highlight Verse:

“But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I admit it. I was the spoiled younger brother. I can relate to Joseph.

Still, I knew better than to taunt my brother with visions of superiority.

Maybe that’s why he never sold me into slavery. He was probably tempted, though.

Israel’s family dynamics were far more messed up than ours.

We had to overcome some trust and hurt issues but all us Solano kids get along well now.

God redeemed the hurt and guilt issues of Israel’s family and used the situation to save them and eventually the whole world.

If you are dealing with family strife, realize that God can redeem it too!

Are there feelings of hurt or guilt you are dealing with in your family?
What would it take to put them aside and seek healing in those relationships?
March 26, 2023

March 26th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 37-39

Highlight Verse:

“Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Maybe it was the exclamation points. Maybe it was the three direct commands in a row.

Either way, this verse practically leapt from the page to my eyes.

Maybe it’s because it is so important. Anger is so common in our society. From the rages of dissatisfied customers and road rage to full on assaults and murders – anger is a plague that affects everyone.

Civility is increasingly hard to find.

What if we stopped and thought it through before we acted rudely? What if we realized that driving from one place to another is not a race or a conquest? What if we used calming words instead of words that added fuel to the fire of rage?

Today’s verse makes it sound simple but, if we’re honest,

it takes planning and effort to calm the rages in ourselves and others.

But, it’s an effort well worth it.

Do you have anger that you need to make an effort to calm?
Do you need to learn what words will calm others?
(Me too).
February 24, 2023

February 24th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading- Isaiah 22-24

Highlight Verse:

“Priests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

As I write this, I’m sitting in the Nashville airport watching people go by.

There are business people in suits and vacationers in T-shirts.

Bleary eyed children stumble by and determined travelers power walk to catch their flights.

At a food counter, I stood next to a man and daughter with a middle eastern accent.

A kaleidoscope of hair and skin colors fill the gate seats.

The one thing we have in common is diversity.

The same is even more true in tragedy.

When things fall apart, people must come together.

The context for today’s highlight verse is war. The same principle applies to all tragedies.

How much better would it be if we came together before tragedy struck?

Do you know your neighbors?
Do you have a group of friends who support you and whom you can support?

Tag: anger

In his frustration, he cries out in hopelessness to God to let the suffering be over.

For today, just realize that God allows us to voice our complaints to Him.

He doesn’t want us to stay in that hopeless place, but he allows us the healing that comes through speaking out of our pain.

A bigger part of me is disgusted by all the bloodshed and violence.

I know someone who often cites stories like this to discredit organized religion.

The hatred and violence of man does not negate the undying sacrificial love of God.

I always thought this was a bit harsh until I saw that 42 of the “youths” (A term which can mean anything from teen to twenty something) were mauled by the bears.

Now that we are the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), I believe God places a high priority on protecting us.

My thoughts today can be summed up with an old parable about the difference between heaven and hell.

A culture of selfishness will eventually collapse under its own weight.

A culture of giving will flourish with joy.

What does it mean to not throw your pearls to pigs?

I prayed about it.

Often we do more damage than the original falsehood.

Or does it?

We all have things we could grumble about.

let’s be thankful in our situations and and work and pray for the best.

I truly believe that music is near and dear to God’s heart.

When we let it, music has power to soothe and comfort, inspire and encourage.

I admit it. I was the spoiled younger brother. I can relate to Joseph.

Israel’s family dynamics were far more messed up than ours.

If you are dealing with family strife, realize that God can redeem it too!

Civility is increasingly hard to find.

it takes planning and effort to calm the rages in ourselves and others.

The one thing we have in common is diversity.

The same is even more true in tragedy.

When things fall apart, people must come together.

How much better would it be if we came together before tragedy struck?