But, I'm So Stinkin' Mad!

Anger reveals itself in the small things. You know, it's that feeling that overtakes you when that crazy soccer mom takes your parking place when you know you are much more deserving of it. Or could be that snide remark that a co-worker makes as you walk past them in the aisle that you know you were not deserving of. Or maybe even that bill collector who calls and makes veiled threats about your bank account. Finally, when it comes time to spend the evening with your family, you are so wired from the day that you end up taking it out on those you are closest to and love the most, your spouse and children.

How can you overcome those feelings of irritation and anger? I know that many of you are saying, "What am I supposed to do, suppress it?" That's the personality that holds it in and just lets it percolate under the surface, never letting others see how they're really feeling. Others of you (those who have my personality) are saying, "No, there is a better way, I'll just express it, right?" Then along comes that irritating someone who gets on their last nerve and they explode like Mount Vesuvius.

So if those methods don't work (and they don't), what is the answer? The best way is to find out what the Grand Designer intended. That's why it benefits us to find out what He says about us so we can begin making a difference not only in our lives, but also in the lives of those we influence the most.

Here's what we can do:

1) Understand that God is developing character in you. Things like love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, godliness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Unfortunately, we all tend to be resistant to character development. So, God has to get our attention. That often takes the shape of difficult people and uncontrollable circumstances. 1 Peter 2:18-20 reminds us:

"For it brings favor if, because of conscience toward God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if you endure when you sin and are beaten? But when you do good and suffer, if you endure, it brings favor with God" (HCSB). The suffering we endure always brings great benefits to our character if we allow it to work in us. As James 1:4 encourages us, "endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing" (HCSB). That is really the ultimate goal, maturity and being a complete human being.

2) Dedicate everything I am or ever will be to my Lord and God. As believers, we belong to God. Because of that, we are to dedicate our lives to Christ. You probably dedicated your life to Christ on a Wednesday night youth service or Sunday morning worship or maybe even at a camp or concert. We might have came forward and said, "Lord, I give myself to You. I surrender all to You. My life is your, do as you will." Did you really mean it? God took those words of dedication very seriously. He thought you meant it. Now, He is making you and forming you into that incredible vessel of honor that He wanted you to be from the beginning of time. That is what has been planning all along! That's why He purifies us with the heat of difficult people and circumstances. Listen to the words of 2 Timothy 2:21, "So if anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (HCSB).

Here's what we should all consider the next time that person jumps down our throat or steals our parking place or forces an issue: I belong to God. He loves me more than I could ever imagine. This problem I'm having is no where near as big as God, so He could change or stop it anytime He wanted to. Therefore, He wants the best for me and has a purpose for the problem or irritation in my life. If that is the case (and it is), then we need to thank God that He has not given up on us yet and is planning a great and wonderful life of character development for everyone of us who submit to His purifying fire. That is why the Holy Spirit could tell us what seems to be an outlandish command, "Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (HCSB).

Anger is one of those emotions that God gave us to help us to stand for the right things and defend ourselves when threatened, but was never intended to master us. When anger comes calling, we need not answer the door.

More to come next week.

Does God Hate You?

For those who don't know, Westboro Baptist Church, a "church" of 70 people made up of the relatives of Fred Phelps, is coming to Charleston on March 23 and 24 to protest at local area high schools, government installations, the Jewish Community Center, and at a convention. According to their protest calendar, they will be at Wando High School to protest on March 23 between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m.

What the WBC preaches drives a stake in the heart of the God. After having been on their website (don't go and give them the pleasure of knowing you gave them a hit) I can tell you that what they preach is nothing but hate. BEWARE! Here is truth: Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (HCSB) Their message of hate is nothing but darkness and is spoken from the heart of the one who is hate, the dark lord, Satan.

The truth of the matter is they are anything but Baptists or Christians or a church. IGNORE THEM! That is the best way to make your point. Be indifferent to their message. I can tell you, nothing but hatred and bitterness spew from their mouths using filthy perverse words. Be sure, Oceanside Church, nor any God-fearing, Bible-believing church has anything to do with them or their perverse, unbiblical message.

Here is a position paper that our convention has published and I repeat so that you can understand how Christians, regardless of denomination, can and should feel about the WBC:

(The SBC) shares concern over the unbiblical views and offensive tactics of Fred Phelps and his followers. His church is not in any way affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and his extreme position not only stands in contrast to ours, more importantly they stand in contrast to God's Word. God has stated clearly in His Word that homosexual behavior is sinful, but He also clearly

states His love for sinners, including homosexuals, and that He offers forgiveness through Jesus Christ for all who repent and place their faith in Him.The SBC is not in a position to take official action regarding Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church. Indeed, he has picketed the SBC Building in Nashville and annual meetings on numerous occasions because he believes the SBC to be part of the problem. (SBC.net, FAQ page)

To better understand what the church believes and how we respond to a world that is dying to see love and mercy and forgiveness, see this article: Night and Day.

So, does God hate you? Let me quote that verse that we have heard so many times, spoken from the mouth of Jesus: "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). In a nutshell, we can be assured that God loves not only those who love him, but all the world. That there is hope for all who believe in Him; those who believe will NOT go to hell. While WBC takes on the job of judge, jury, and executioner, God's cry from heaven is "I love you. I sent my own precious Son for you. Come as you are. Hate you? I cannot because I am love. My love for will never change Waiting on you." God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Love that Will Not Let Me Go

Have you ever heard someone say this, “Love makes the world go ‘round”? I used to think that was so trite. Now...not so much. As we study and put into practice the biblical concept of love, I have begun to understand that love is the center of all that God intended us to be and all that He has for us in this life. It is love that drives us to serve Him. The Bible tells us, “For the love of Christ constraineth us…” 2 Corinthians 5:14 (KJV). The Message brings that same verse home, “Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.” I read that and I thought, “Can love possibly be that critical to who we are and what we do?” As I asked, I knew the answer to my question: love is more important than I could ever imagine. If God’s love penetrates my life and then is focused on my relationships with God and with people, then it’s impact is both epic and eternal.

But is that kind of love possible in our lives? It has to be. God would never ask us do something that we could not accomplish.

“Jesus didn’t give us a ‘do the best you can’ challenge; this is a ‘do more than you possibly could’ challenge.” Therefore, “If I’m going to love as Jesus loved, I need the power only Jesus can give.” (The Relationship Principles of Jesus, Tom Holladay, p. 83)

O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be. (Hymn, Public Domain; Matheson, Peace).

Love...never let me go.

You can listen to my message from this Sunday (February 28, 2010) below, The Father's Love

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