Thursday, August 21, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Jesus is the Answer by Rev. M.D. Rogers
Romans 7: 23-25But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
There is a great tension in daily Christian experience. The conflict is that we agree with God's commands but cannot do them. As a result, we are painfully aware of our sin. This inward struggle with sin was as real for Paul as it is for us today. From Paul, we learn what to do about it. Whenever he felt overwhelmed by the spiritual battle, he would return to the beginnings of his spiritual life, remembering how he had been freed from sin by Jesus Christ. When we feel confused and overwhelmed by sin's appeal, let us claim the freedom Christ gave us. His power can lift us to victory.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Angry Stuffers and Spewers by Rev. M.D. Rogers
Angry Stuffers and Spewers
"When we're angry we're often tempted to deal with our anger in
two improper ways: stuff it or spew it; or, put another way: hide it
or hurl it. These are two extremes, two ruts on either side of the
road." (Dr David Ferguson)
It's common to become angry and disagree with each other in
marriage. And even though we don't WANT disagreements to happen,
they can actually be beneficial to our relationship (if handled
properly). When we clear the air of misunderstandings and sometimes
misconduct, we can use disagreeable times to help us build bridges
between us to have a closer relationship.
The Bible says, "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go
down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a
foothold" (Ephesians 4:26-27). "Rid yourselves of all malice and all
deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" (1 Peter
2:1). "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace
and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19).
It's not anger itself that's the problem; it's the way we DEAL
with it because of the breakdown of communication it can cause.
Anger is a bi-product of an underlying hurt which needs to be
addressed that we're feeling deep inside. And because hurt is
involved we can become more vulnerable in handling it improperly.
That's where being a "Stuffer" or a "Spewer" comes into view.
Stuffers (hiders) have difficulty admitting that they're angry and
have an even harder time expressing their anger. They tend to
minimize their hurts and are reluctant to share. Why do stuffers
stuff? There are many possible reasons:
· They think anger is sin.
· They are uncomfortable with confrontation.
· They grew up around family members who stuffed their
anger, so they've learned the same behavior.
· They grew up around family members who spewed their
anger and having been the recipient of that pain, they are doing
just the opposite.
· Feelings of low self-worth make them feel as if they're
not worthy of being heard.
· Fear inhibits their willingness to express anger.
Spewers (hurlers) are just the opposite. When they're upset, they
let you know it, and it's usually not pretty. Why do spewers spew?
There are many possible reasons:
· They don't know how to express their anger properly.
· They grew up around family members who spewed their
anger, so they've learned the same behavior.
· Personal insecurities cause them to want to intimidate
others.
So, are you a Stuffer or a Spewer? Prayerfully look at the
situation and ask God to help you to recognize what underlying hurt
you are improperly dealing with in each situation. It's something to
pray about and consider. Refrain from pointing fingers at your
spouse in this, but instead pray, "Search me O God and know my
heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm
139:23-24).
"When we're angry we're often tempted to deal with our anger in
two improper ways: stuff it or spew it; or, put another way: hide it
or hurl it. These are two extremes, two ruts on either side of the
road." (Dr David Ferguson)
It's common to become angry and disagree with each other in
marriage. And even though we don't WANT disagreements to happen,
they can actually be beneficial to our relationship (if handled
properly). When we clear the air of misunderstandings and sometimes
misconduct, we can use disagreeable times to help us build bridges
between us to have a closer relationship.
The Bible says, "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go
down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a
foothold" (Ephesians 4:26-27). "Rid yourselves of all malice and all
deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" (1 Peter
2:1). "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace
and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19).
It's not anger itself that's the problem; it's the way we DEAL
with it because of the breakdown of communication it can cause.
Anger is a bi-product of an underlying hurt which needs to be
addressed that we're feeling deep inside. And because hurt is
involved we can become more vulnerable in handling it improperly.
That's where being a "Stuffer" or a "Spewer" comes into view.
Stuffers (hiders) have difficulty admitting that they're angry and
have an even harder time expressing their anger. They tend to
minimize their hurts and are reluctant to share. Why do stuffers
stuff? There are many possible reasons:
· They think anger is sin.
· They are uncomfortable with confrontation.
· They grew up around family members who stuffed their
anger, so they've learned the same behavior.
· They grew up around family members who spewed their
anger and having been the recipient of that pain, they are doing
just the opposite.
· Feelings of low self-worth make them feel as if they're
not worthy of being heard.
· Fear inhibits their willingness to express anger.
Spewers (hurlers) are just the opposite. When they're upset, they
let you know it, and it's usually not pretty. Why do spewers spew?
There are many possible reasons:
· They don't know how to express their anger properly.
· They grew up around family members who spewed their
anger, so they've learned the same behavior.
· Personal insecurities cause them to want to intimidate
others.
So, are you a Stuffer or a Spewer? Prayerfully look at the
situation and ask God to help you to recognize what underlying hurt
you are improperly dealing with in each situation. It's something to
pray about and consider. Refrain from pointing fingers at your
spouse in this, but instead pray, "Search me O God and know my
heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm
139:23-24).
Monday, July 28, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Jacob's Altars by Rev. M.D. Rogers
Jacob's Altars
While Jacob was
still with Laban, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
"I am the God of Beth-el . . . arise, get thee out from this land, and
return unto the land of thy kindred" (Gen. 31:13). Answering to the divine call, Jacob set off
for the land of promise, but he had many experiences on the way. Laban came
after him, but God spoke to Laban before he came up with Jacob, warning him to
be careful of what he said to Jacob. The angels of God met Jacob, and God
Himself came to him before he met Esau his brother. On leaving Esau, he came to
Shechem, and there pitched his tent, and bought a field.At Shechem Jacob evidently intended to stay, for having purchased his field he built an altar and called it El-elohe-Israel (Gen. 33:20), which means, God, the God of Israel. Jacob's intentions were good, but it seems clear that he had not fully entered into the mind of God. It was Bethel that God had spoken to him of while still in Padan-aram, for had He not said, "I am the God of Bethel"?
The sad story of Genesis 34 is a warning to us of the sorrows that can come through coming short of the purpose of God for us as His saints. God allowed his dear servant to pass through his trials and testings that we might learn from His ways with him. Having allowed Jacob to learn the lessons of Shechem, "God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother" (Gen. 35:1). At once Jacob realises afresh that he has to do with a holy God, for he says to his household, "Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments".
Although Jacob had his altar at Shechem, there had been the allowance of much that the God of Bethel could not allow to proceed, and this surely accounts for the solemn and sad discipline that came on the house of Jacob. There was the outward appearance of communion with God in the altar of El-elohe-Israel, but the God of Israel could not tolerate the idolatry that was evidently in the house of Jacob, and known to him. God had allowed shame and dishonour to enter the house of Jacob, and his sons had sought to deal with it in a fleshly way, only to bring fear on Jacob. God has to intervene to tell his servant the way to separation from evil and to divine blessing.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
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