Wink

Wink

So how many times do you wink just to wink? Are there times you wink in order for someone to know you may be joking or kidding around? There are times that people in our life will cause sorrow in the midst of our lives. People will babble and cause problems. There are times that I have done this and times that I have been affected by it. My hope is that this week, we have all learned that life is not about putting on a mask, it is about taking it off and becoming transparent. After all, God will use our lives to bring forth fruit in others. God does not want perfection, he also does not want fake, malicious, trouble causing lives either.

Proverbs 10:10 (here are 3 different versions to read)

Amplified Version - He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but [a]he who boldly reproves makes peace.

New Living Translation -
People who wink at wrong cause trouble,
but a bold reproof promotes peace

New International Version -
He who winks maliciously causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Oh man, I think the Lord is really speaking to us about our actions and our mouths. Or maybe just me. What a week of MAJOR growth for me.

Lord, I pray that today, we will all evaluate our lives and our transparency. Maybe there is a lot that we have to work out. Maybe we have lies that have built upon lies. Please help us to break those down so that we are surrendering completely to you. I know it takes time. SO will you give strength to those that need to make things right. Humbleness and a breaking down of pride. I know it seems unbearable to admit wrong and to bring to light the things we have done. One thing is for sure, if we don't, Lord, you will. So help us to do it so that it is pleasing to you and brings glory to you. Father, because I know this is important, I ask that you speak clearly to those that need to act on these words today (even myself if need be) and I pray that you move quickly concerning this matter. Those that have been clearly convicted through your Word, may they make commitments today to move forward in making things right in their lives, to live with integrity. Lord, I ask that you bring to light anything we are unwilling to surrender to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Please pray today for the United States Government and all that it governs. Pray for integrity and a life that pleases the Lord.

Here is a prayer and praise.

Praise report: Many of you ladies have been praying for my sister-in-law who was considering moving to South Africa, it literally came down to a matter of days and things that had to happen or they were leaving. (long story). They are in Maryville, they have found their own Condo and have even made future plans for the kids in Maryville, TN, this is a very good sign and I wanted to Thank everyone who prayed along with me for God's will to be done, and that she and the kids would be safe. Please continue to pray for marriages, I think again, several are under attack in the church. Thanks again!Love in Christ, S

Please pray for those who are sick and those who have fear that has made them paralyzed. Please pray for my realtionship with my family, that they would feel they can talk to me and communicate with me what they need from me. Lord, help me to communicate with my family my love for them, the fact that spending time with them is a major priority in my life. I pray that they know that. I pray for one relationship in particular, that we will have more years to spend together. HC

Praise for my husband, he is such an awesome guy. He is helping out a lot lately so that I can get things done. Sacrificing a lot of his own comfort time to help me. I love him. HC

Anger Day 4

Day 4

Taking action

Yesterday I made a comment stating how I wanted somehow to say that your anger is okay, but it isn't. I want to clarify if you will let me.

On day 1, I defined anger for us. What I want us to remember, is that the initial emotion, the first prompting of anger is okay, it is there for a reason. What is not okay is when you choose to remain in that and it becomes more than a prompting, it becomes a vehicle for rage, revenge, wrath. I want to be very clear here that there is a huge difference between the two.

In the Bible, there is a story about Jesus going into the temple and angrily overturning tables. At least that is how I always interpreted it. I wanted to use it to show you that anger is okay for us if we are using it for good. What I found is that the story is told of Jesus being TROUBLED. I don't think they are really so different, but what I learned is that when we are troubled, that is when we need to act on the nudging and prompting from God. Not when we are in a full fit of anger (either in our hearts or outwardly expressing it) How unsettling it is that I still have not found a loop hole for us. We really are not supposed to be angry, we are not supposed to let it get that far. We are supposed to be troubled and take care of it then, not later. So this changes a few things for me. It means to me that being angry means to be still angry. You are being so you are still there. Troubled means you were prompted and took care of it. So what happens to those of us who are past troubled and now in the angry stage, we must put away all anger. Below are a few things I hope will help you, one day at a time, until you can recognize it earlier and move away from it sooner, before it becomes anger. I am sorry I couldn't make this more comfortable, but we also read that we are not to let the sun go down on our anger, so today sounds like the best day to take care of those ugly wounds you are holding onto. Now is better than later. I hope you have a chance to take care of it so that you can go to our Lord completely. I hope this doesn't sound like a guilt trip either, I am feeling strongly about the fact that we all need to move from this weeks study ready for the next emotion to tackle and if we are uncomfortable now, it's not going to get any easier next week. The entire purpose of this new series is to find freedom and the last thing we need to do is feel a heavy burden and weight, so let's take care of it while it is fresh and move on.

Here are a few things to do

When you are prompted and troubled, allow yourself the time to ask for God's wisdom and protection from anger.

Don't allow anger to be in control of you. Make sure to confront the situation when you can be rational.

Acknowledge that is okay to feel anger, but that it is not okay to BE angry. Be willing to be the first to resolve the issue.

Try to understand what it is that angered you. Is there something that God may need you to see, do?

Give the other person a chance to step away as well, don't push the issue, they need space to be rational as well.

Take the time to find out what may be triggering your anger and make changes so that it will stop occurring.

Start here:

make a list of what angers you. What is a solution that would help you not be angry?

Ask the lord for guidance on those issues.

Reconcile the unresolved situations that you have responded in anger.

Make a sign, either with a verse or a helpful hint you learned this week. Place it somewhere you tend to get angry. (in car during traffic, children's room, kitchen, office, maybe all the above.)

Read a book or article about anger, being sure it aligns with the Word of God.

Make a list of the things that are troubling you and what actions you should take before it begins to anger you.

Find someone to hold you accountable. Who will be willing to help you find alternate ways of dealing with a situation than retaliation or holding in your anger. If it is a real problem, find someone who will pray for you.

Continue to pray for Kelly M. this week. I look forward to hearing your feedback, praises and prayers for tomorrows devotional. Praises and Prayer.