May God Help Us To Choose Wisely, What Voices We Listen To & Where We Give Our Attention Today. Despite What We May Have To Face Here On Earth, The One Guarantee We Have Is “God Is With Us.” Let’s Make Room For Him. Let Us Not Be Like The Innkeeper!

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

No room for them. No vacancy. No place. Words that still seem to hang close, even today.

In a world that seeks to crowd Jesus out, where busyness abounds, and hearts are stirred to focus on other things, it can be hard sometimes to choose to keep Him first. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the whole hurried dash of the holidays, and to give our attention to what seems more urgent. Our focus gets blurred; and the most important gets pushed aside.

It takes an active and daily choice to put Christ first, especially in a culture that says you’re too busy to focus there. Or that life is too full. And there’s no more room.

May God help us to choose wisely, what voices we listen to, and where we give our attention today.

He is the One who brings true meaning to Christmas.

He is the One who brings real peace in this all-too-often hectic season.

He is the only One worthy of our time and attention as we slow down the maddening rush around our lives.

We can know all of this in our heads, but may He help us to really believe it in our hearts...and choose to live it out this season.

Renewed. Refreshed. Making room for Him, first.

Despite What We May Have To Face Here On Earth, The One Guarantee We Have Is “God Is With Us.”  Let’s Make Room For Him. Let Us Not Be Like The Innkeeper; even Today, We See The Signs When Hotel Rooms Are Sold Out, We Can Hear The Words, Sold Out, No Rooms Available And There Is No Room In The Inn.

This is a great time to reevaluate our priorities as we prepare to enter a New year and A New Season. Jesus should be our priority> Every day, every month, and every year let us make room in our hearts for Him.

About 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah the prophet wrote this: For us, a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of…(can you finish it?) Peace. Jesus Christ entered this world to bring us Peace.

When we find the time to settle down and read what the Bible says about Christmas and the birth of Christ, we fondly remember all those wonderful characters of the story of the first Christmas. Mary and Josep, the baby Jesus, wise men, shepherds, and angels.

One of my favorite ones is the Innkeeper. But that is a character that is not actually in the Bible. The Scripture says that Mary and Joseph had to stay in a stable because there was no room for them in the Inn. For all we know, they might never have spoken to the Innkeeper. But, on the other hand, perhaps because of the crowds coming to Bethlehem for the census, it may have been common knowledge among the travelers that there was no need even to try to find a room at the Inn. But we like to imagine that Mary and Joseph went to the Innkeeper and were rudely sent away. So, these poor travelers, one of them pregnant and ready to give birth any minute, are sent away by this rude, uncaring Innkeeper.

When churches have Living Nativities, or when Hollywood makes another movie about Jesus, we like to see this character portrayed as mean. A villain. Rude and nasty. But -- I think there is something about the Innkeeper we identify with. Here is a man who has no room in his Inn for Christ.

Many of us have no room in our hearts for Christ. How many of us come to church every week, but at this time of year, when we should be experiencing the entire spiritual presence of Christ, we don’t feel anything spiritual at all? Here it is close to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and The day After Christmas, we ought to be feeling the wonder of Christ’s birth, but we don’t. There is no room in our hearts for Christ.

Christ has been pushed out by all the rush of the traffic, the press of shopping, the anxiety of end-of-the-year exams and tests in school, and the demands made upon us by having to visit or receive visitors. There is no room in our hearts for Christ.

On the other hand, many infrequently go to church because the stress of the whole year keeps Christ at arm’s length. There is always work, other places to go, and some sporting events to attend on a Sunday.

And so, there is no room for Christ in our heart. Christ has been pushed aside so other things can take hold of our lives. Now it is not that we are villains and evil people when this happens. It just happens. It’s like the Innkeeper.

Since the Bible doesn’t mention anything about him, we imagine him as rude and nasty. “Go away. There’s no room for you here.” But I suspect the honest Innkeeper was doing his job. He was going through his life. He was probably apologetic. “Gee, I’m sorry, Ms. Mary, but there’s no room for you. And it would be unfair for me to go and tell one of the guests who are already here and settled in that they have to leave to make room for you and your child.”

The Innkeeper wasn’t being mean. He was being faithful to all the other guests in his Inn. He was devoted to all the different demands of his life. So that, in the outcome, there just wasn’t room for the Christ child in his Inn or his life. And when we push Christ out of our lives, for many of us, it is not that we intentionally decide, “I want Christ out of our lives.”

We have already allowed so many other things into our lives that there is simply no room left. No room for Christ. We’ve got things to do. We’ve got work. We’ve got shopping. We’ve got to – well, the list goes on. Is that the way we want to live our lives?

It’s not that any of these things are bad. Because they’re not. They’re good things. I like going to New Zealand. I like traveling! I never wanted exams and tests, but they were necessary. I had to study for them. I like to sing. I enjoy teaching.

But when we do all these things in such a way that they consume all the space in our hearts and lives so that there is no room in our lives for Christ – that’s sad. That’s tragic. And I think that is why the Innkeeper captures our imagination in Living Nativities and books and stories about the birth of Christ. Because he’s us. There’s no room for the Christ child in the Inn. And there’s no room for Christ in our lives. But is this the way we want to live our lives?

Jesus came into this world and wanted to go into our lives so that we might have eternal life. So why would we possibly want to exclude Christ from our lives when he comes to offer us eternal life? St. Paul wrote in his first letter to Timothy (1 Tim 1:15), “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst.”

Christ came to give us eternal life. Don’t we want to have room for him in our hearts? Christ came to give us Peace. We have so little right now. We have wars all around us. And how peaceful can anyone feel at Christmas – shopping, rushing around, driving in traffic with maniacs all around, and in-laws coming?

But if you are pushing Christ out of your life because you have so much shopping to do, so much rushing around, so much this and that on your list of things to do – then you are depriving yourself of the very Peace that this season ought to provide. Make room for Christ in your life, and you make room for Peace.

Jesus said (John 14:27), “Peace I leave with you; my Peace, I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Therefore, do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” Christ came to bring Peace to our lives. Don’t we want to have room for him in our hearts?

Christ also came to give us life so we could experience it to the fullest. So, Jesus told us in John’s Gospel (John 10:10), “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Christ came to give us abundant life, but in the busyness of life, we fill our time with so much, and yet we find that the life we’ve led has been empty at the end of the day. It lacks meaning and purpose. Christ came to enable us to live life to the fullest. Don’t we want to have room for him in our hearts?

Now would be an excellent time to make sure that we make room in our lives for Christ. Now would be an excellent time to make sure that whatever other clutter may exist on our daily schedules, we can make room for Christ in the weekly worship on Sunday mornings, in the time for prayer and Bible reading, and in the time for service to others.

Even in the midst of trials, struggles, pain, hurt, disappointment and the like, God is still with us! Hebrews 13:5 says, “for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” (AMP) I tell you, there is no greater comfort than God! Yes, I know it’s painful, and still it can’t deprive you of the promise God has made to you to ‘NEVER LEAVE YOU UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES’! Truthfully, we can’t count very many people who could make such a promise and keep it, but Jesus is a Promise Keeper! Even when it feels, seems, sounds, and looks as though He is so very far away, be encouraged, God is Still With YOU!

In fact, what I love most about this Scripture is the detail He goes into: “I will never leave you, never desert you, you’ll never be without My support, I’ll never leave you helpless, I’ll never relax my hold on you”. Does that sound like He’s far away? Out of touch? Can’t reach us? Not at all! And that’s what made me smile today! The reminder that no matter how much we hurt; HE will always be with us! And furthermore, our hurt won’t last always! Yes, we’ll cry, we’ll wonder, we’ll question, we’ll hurt…but we’ll get strong again, and recover. Listen: One of the greatest gifts besides salvation; is knowing that Jesus didn’t come just to leave! He loves us so much that He’s going to return for us, and while He’s in heaven, He’s loved us once again so much, that He couldn’t leave us without comfort! John 14:26, “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” (AMP) We are never without comfort, support, love and strength, Jesus made sure of it! So, even if you aren’t at your happiest or your strongest this holiday season, know that you are never alone, and God is not far away, but with you and in you! And please know that it is okay for you to be honest about your hurt and where you really are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. You have nothing to prove to anyone. And addressing your weakness does not take away His strength. Jesus wept, and so can you! So, know for certain that it is okay not to be ‘over-flowing’ with the holiday spirit. But also know that you have no need to wallow in dread.

Your Immanuel Has Not Left You Nor Will He Ever! And He Loves You So Much That Even the Father Intervened to Send a Comforter in His Name to Represent Him. Your God is Never far away! And there are no painful glitches in life that can remove His presence from you. Read His Word, Pray, Praise, Worship…and Cry in your Prayer Closet, releasing all your agony to Him. He understands, and He’s not going anywhere! Hebrews 4:15 informs us, “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.” (AMP) We serve a Savior who knows exactly how it feels to be human! That’s why we can tell Him our deepest hurts, weaknesses, and fears, He understands, He cares, He’s present there with you and always will be!

There is room for us in Christ’s hands. Let’s make room for Christ in our lives.

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.journeyintotheword.com

Join Journey Into The Word each Sunday morning at 5:30 AM CST & 6:30 AM EST on The Now Network http://www.theNOWnetwork.org

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Today Is A Good Day To Overcome Anger Before You Enter The New Year! Whether It Is Friends, Family or Foe. Anger Can Be Instant Like A Flash Of Lightning, Or Prolonged Like The Rumble Of Thunder! What Are God’s Rules for Anger Management? Six Rules!

 Ephesians 4:25-32 “What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body, we are all connected, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. GO AHEAD AND BE ANGRY. YOU DO WELL TO BE ANGRY—BUT DON’T USE YOUR ANGER AS FUEL FOR REVENGE. AND DON’T STAY ANGRY. DON’T GO TO BED ANGRY. Do not give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life…Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word is a gift. Do not grieve God. Do not break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself. Do not take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, and profane talk. Be gentle with one another, and sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” (MSG)                                                                    

Today Is A Good Day To Overcome Anger Before You Enter Into The New Year! Whether It Is Friends, Family, or Foe. Two Forceful Personalities In A Relationship Are Like Two Rivers Flowing Into One: There’s Going To Be A Strong Current! Anger Can Be Instant Like A Flash Of Lightning, Or Prolonged Like The Rumble Of Thunder! Sometimes We Clash Painfully, and Other Times We Distance Ourselves And Silently Abandon The Relationship. But Anger Managed The Right Way Doesn’t Have To Be Destructive! What Are God’s Rules for Anger Management? Six Rules!

IMPORTANT: Anger is only one letter short of Danger.

The word Storage when separated is Sto-Rage. Some people get so angry that their anger turns into rage, we all know what a storage unit is, you put things away until a later time, some people have a lot to store and others little, well it’s just like what the word says. You are storing rage, simply put: Sto-Rage. This can be dangerous because many times you will explode on the wrong person and sometimes that rage will lead to the death of an innocent person or persons. We often hear about these situations in the news. Sad but true.

So, let us discuss some of God’s Rules for Anger Management.

RULE #1—KEEP IT HONEST: Our text says, “…NO MORE LIES…” When You’re Angry Don’t Deny It! Unbelievably, Anger Can Be Constructive! Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton said: “Anger ventilated often hurries toward forgiveness; and concealed often hardens into revenge.” We are right to get angry when people are mistreated, and wrongs are not made right. Saying, ‘I’ve been feeling angry and because I value our relationship, I’d like to talk about it, ‘Is Honest, Non-Threatening, and Invites Resolution. 

Observe the following tidbits on Anger: 

a)   IGNORING, STIFLING, SUPPRESSING, OR PRETENDING YOU’RE NOT ANGRY IS DISHONEST: “Do not teach your children never to be angry; teach them how to be angry.” (Lyman Abbott).

b)   ANOTHER FORM OF LYING WHEN YOU’RE ANGRY IS EXAGGERATION: Phrases Like: ‘You NEVER listen to what I say.’ Or ‘You ALWAYS ignore my wishes.’ Or ‘NOBODY does anything around here except me. ‘Such Generalizations Are Untrue and Serve Only to Aggravate and Polarize, Guaranteeing the Real Problem Gets Obscured and Goes Unsolved. The truth is, they weren’t listening; maybe your wishes are ignored and maybe you do more than others; BUT CAN YOU HONESTLY SAY THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME?! Remember this: “If you add to the truth, you subtract from it.” (The Talmud). So, do your best to avoid such words as ‘NEVER’; ‘ALWAYS’, and ‘NOBODY’. Keeping in mind that: “An exaggeration is a truth that has lost its temper.” (Kahlil Gibran).

c)   ANOTHER WAY TO LIE WHEN YOU’RE ANGRY IS BLAMING: Phrases Like: ‘If you’d arrive on time, I wouldn’t have to nag you,’ or ‘If you’d quit nagging so much, maybe I’d start being on time.’ BLAMING IS A WAY OF EVADING YOUR RESPONSIBILITY WHILE POINTING THE FINGER AT OTHERS! It angers others, perpetuates your anger, and never produces the result you want! I believe the following quote will put things in proper perspective for you: “If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.” (Unknown Author) I know that hurts, but if applied, it will help!

God’s rule is always right. Let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor… ‘.

RULE #2—KEEP IT NON-LETHAL: Paul writes: ‘IN YOUR ANGER DO NOT SIN… ‘(Ephesians 4:26 NIV). What do Paul’s words mean? DON’T LET YOUR ANGER ESCALATE TO THE POINT OF DOING DAMAGE! DON’T USE YOUR WORDS AS WEAPONS OR CONTROL MECHANISM! “Sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.” (Author Unknown). It’s okay to express your emotions in A HEALTHY WAY BUT KEEP THEM IN CHECK! “Not the fastest horse can catch a word spoken in anger.” (Chinese Proverb). Your goal must be to resolve the problem and strengthen the relationship, not ‘sound off’ and wound the other person! “Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” (Ambrose Bierce). The Bible says it best: “…a crushed spirit who can bear? ‘(Proverbs 18:14 NIV). Now, is all this easy to do? No! But You Have To Be Mindful: Words Spoken In Jest, Sarcasm, Self-Righteousness, Or ‘Righteous Indignation’ Wound People, And Sometimes Those Wounds Are Permanent! Hear the Word of the Lord: ‘A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. ‘(Proverbs 15:4 NKJV). ‘‘The tongue can bring death… ‘(Proverbs 18:21 NLT). Ungodly words, once unleashed, can: ‘…sink deep into one’s heart ‘(Proverbs 26:22 NLT). YOUR WORDS CAN LIVE IN THE HEART AND MEMORY OF A PERSON AND GO ALL THE WAY TO THE GRAVE WITH THEM! We say, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me, ‘But It’s Not True! A Person Can Die Of A Crushed Spirit, And The One Who Spoke The Words Can Live To Regret The Damage They’ve Inflicted And Never Get A Chance To Undo It! On The Other Hand, Anger Properly Handled Never Needs To Be Repented Of! So, Learn To Differentiate Between The Anger You Feel And The Words You Speak! Anger Carefully Thought Through, Can Reveal Important Information About Needed Changes!

RULE #3—KEEP IT CURRENT: Storing anger in your hard drive ONLY HURTS YOU! “Anger, if not restrained, is frequently more hurtful TO US than the injury that provokes it.” (Seneca). When you rehearse old resentments, YOU GROW BITTER! But remember the words of Malachy McCourt, “Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” The Bible says: ‘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) The Contemporary English Bible Says It Like This: “Good People Do Good Things Because Of The Good In Their Hearts. Bad People Do Bad Things Because Of The Evil In Their Hearts. Your Words Show What Is In Your Heart.” So, Silence All Those Old Issues In Your Heart Before They Get To Talking And Reveal The Real You! “Anger Dwells Only In The Bosom Of Fools.” (Albert Einstein).

Therefore, when you are 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! The Bible says: ‘If a fellow believer hurts you, GO AND TELL HIM—work it out between the two of you…confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.” (Matthew 18:15-17 MSG). Did you read those instructions? “…GO AND TELL HIM…” DON’T SIT BY IDLY WAITING FOR THEM TO COME TO YOU! GET UP AND GO TO THEM AND TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND RESTORE THE RELATIONSHIP! “Reconciliation is more beautiful than victory.” (Violeta Barrios de Chamorro).

When You Repress Reconciliation, You Add One More Skeleton to Your Closet! And Sooner or Later, Doctors Say, It’ll Eat at Your Stomach Lining, Attack Your Immune System, and Predispose You to Heart Problems, Cancers, and Other Physical, Social, and Emotional Disorders! Meantime, It’ll Preoccupy You, Dissipate Your Energy, Cripple Your Creativity, and 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! So, 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 and Up To Date with God and Everyone Else, and Sleep Well! “In peace, I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” (Psalm 4:8 AMP).

RULE #4—KEEP IT SOLUTION-FOCUSED: Someone has said that fellowship is like two fellows in a ship: one can’t sink the other without sinking himself! In other words, by seeking to gain the upper hand you both lose! By seeking to save and strengthen the relationship you both win! So, when you speak, be sure it’s ‘…helpful for building others up according to their needs… ‘(Ephesians 4:29 NIV). Maybe this Scripture would become clearer if you read it in the Amplified Bible, it states: “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [EVER] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is GOOD and BENEFICIAL to the spiritual progress OF OTHERS, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) TO THOSE WHO HEAR IT.” We Are Charged to Understand What the Other Person Needs! In doing so, YOU DO NOT BRING UP PREVIOUSLY CONFESSED OFFENSES; YOU DO NOT DRAG IN OTHER PEOPLE; You Do Not Use Wisecracks About People’s Weight, Height, Color, IQ, Physical, Mental and Emotional Limitations; and You Do Not Bring Up Unrelated Things or People That Cloud the Issue and Keep You From Finding a Solution! In addition, Don’t Raise the Volume To Intimidate and Manipulate! God Made You With a Capacity For Anger Because When Handled the Right Way It’s the Fuel That Brings Needed Change and the Medicine That Heals. An unknown author stated: “You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.”   

Keep that in mind as you: 

a) SEEK A SOLUTION, NOT A ‘VICTORY’: Name-calling and ‘diagnosing’ others only makes things worse. Your focus should not be on what they did, BUT ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TOGETHER TO RESOLVE IT.

b) ADMIT YOUR FLAWS AND ASK FORGIVENESS: Since it takes two to tango, acknowledging your imperfections makes it easier for someone else to acknowledge theirs.

c) BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO TAKE A ‘SWING’ AT SOMEONE, MAKE SURE IT’S A POSITIVE ‘STROKE’: If you take the time to get your mind right, mere words will be no struggle! “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK continually on these things [CENTER YOUR MIND ON THEM, AND IMPLANT THEM IN YOUR HEART]. (Philippians 4:8 AMP). For each of the difficulties you must address, GIVE A COMPLIMENT ALSO. Example: ‘I’m sure this wasn’t easy for you to hear, but thanks for listening to me so graciously. ‘CRITICISM DOESN’T CHANGE CHAOS TO CALM, BUT A COMPLIMENT SURE DOES!

RULE #5—KEEP IT IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM: “Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).” (Ephesians 4:31 AMP). Malicious Talk Is Like Wildfire, It Consumes Those Who Spread It and Those Who Listen To It! As my auntie would say, “don’t display your dirty wash; keep it in the laundry room.”

Dirty laundry gets aired in two ways: 

1)   OPEN EMBARRASSMENT. YOU SAY IT WHERE YOU KNOW OTHERS ARE GOING TO HEAR IT!  But keep in mind: “A person’s character is revealed by their SPEECH.” (Greek Proverb). Solomon also gives us some wise advice to follow: “He who goes about as a talebearer REVEALS SECRETS, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit KEEPS THE MATTER HIDDEN.” (Proverbs 11:13 AMP); “Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge; Talkative Fools Broadcast Their Silliness.” (Proverbs 12:23 Msg). So, Whether You Realize It Or Not, Speaking Your Mind Speaks Volumes About Your Lack Of Good Intention And Integrity; Your Lack Of Proper Motivation and Maturity, And Your Lack Of Compassion And Character! “Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.” (Aesop). 

2) SUBTLETY. You make jokes about their figure, family members and friends, etc., to BELITTLE THEM! This results in EMBARRASSMENT for the person you’re angry at, it widens the gap between you AND MAKES RECONCILIATION IMPOSSIBLE!  So, the next time you decide to crack a joke, EMBARRASS someone, or speak your mind REMEMBER WHAT GOD SAID: “Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, WHICH IS NOT FITTING OR BECOMING…” (Ephesians 5:4 AMP). In addition, the next time you go to acting “SUBTLE” BE MINDFUL OF THE PERSON YOUR EMULATING: “NOW THE SERPENT was more SUBTLE and crafty than any living creature of the field…” (Genesis 3:1 AMP). Need I say more? Even Paul warns Timothy about avoiding “Subtleties”: “O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted [to you]! Turn Away From The Irreverent Babble And Godless Chatter, With The Vain And Empty And Worldly Phrases, And The Subtleties And The Contradictions In What Is Falsely Called Knowledge And Spiritual Illumination.” (1 Timothy 6:20 AMP). Keep in mind: “Subtlety may deceive you; integrity never will.” (Oliver Cromwell).

Solomon writes: ‘He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter ‘(Proverbs 11:13 NASB). SO, NO MATTER WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THEM, YOUR CHARACTER AS A CHRISTIAN OUGHT TO COMMISSION YOU TO CONCEAL THE MATTER! As believers, we possess “…the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18) NOT THE MESSAGE OF REVENGE! Keep in mind: “While you are meditating revenge, THE DEVIL IS MEDITATING A RECRUIT.” (Francois de Malherbe). So, are you going to be SAVED OR SATANIC? DIVINE OR DEMONIC? LIGHT OR DARK? YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS! Paul makes that crystal clear: “…How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple?” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 MSG). You can’t be Loving and Hateful, you need to make a choice. And just in case you need a little help, the Bible says: “Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do.” (Proverbs 10:12 CEV).  THAT ALONE SHOULD’VE TAKEN THE DIFFICULTY OUT OF YOUR DECISION!

RULE #6—BE PART OF THE CLEAN-UP CREW: We say, ‘They brought it on themselves. Let them get over it. ‘They may have deserved it, but we can’t walk away and leave open wounds to become infected! We ‘Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, and sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. ‘(Ephesians 4:32 MSG). How did Christ forgive us? After we’d acknowledged, confessed, and repented of our sins? No! The Bible says: ‘…when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son…‘(Romans 5:10 NIV). God took the initiative, so forgive, before the other person asks for forgiveness! And if you want to show maturity, forgive them even if they Never ask for forgiveness! God didn’t allow you to remain His enemy for life (and He had good reason to); so, show forth the same grace and mercy you receive and forgive them. Only then are you forgiven, the wounds inflicted healed, and all parties’ records before God are expunged! Manage your anger before it causes you to act Asinine (defined as “extremely stupid or foolish”)!

IN A NUTSHELL: TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO OVERCOME ANGER

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.journeyintotheword.com

Journey Into The Word New Time Schedule For The NOW Network Broadcast starts December 31, 2023. 6pm CST. 7pm EST. 

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