Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Friday December 4, 2009 and we are completing our studies in the book of Ephesians, please read chapters 4-6 in your Bible or Click Here to read them copy & paste this URL http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-reading

Today's Message: Bondage to Anger
It is okay to get angry, but we must not let that anger consume us to the point that we are bondage to it.

When we let the love of Christ flow through us and manifest His loving kindness to everyone without discrimination, then we enjoy His bountiful blessings. We are to overcome all thoughts of resentment without exception. "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:26-32.

Wrath and anger is often demonstrated by an outburst of abusive language against someone who disagrees with anothers views and actions. Sadly, many take offence to the smallest of actions and are unwilling to forgive. While we never understand the reason why one would get offended over what we think is nothing, we must respect them and realize that we all have been angry at something. Anger is often manifested by many things not just with one situation and all it takes is the slightest nudge for someone to go overboard. That is why it is very important to be angry and sin not, meaning it's ok to be angry, but do not let it carry over into the next day. It's a vicious cycle that will hurt not only you, but everyone around you if you are not careful.

The presence of any evil destroys our peace of mind, grieves the Holy Spirit, and affects our relationship with God. However, if we allow the Holy Spirit to rule our lives, feelings of anger are overcome. Instead of thoughts of bitterness, revenge, and anger, we should see this as an opportunity to pray for those who wrong us. "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." - Ephesians 5:1-2.

 

Every Christian is a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and is responsible to respond with His love toward all who, by their words, attitudes, or actions, are unlovely. He is the Head of His Body the Church and we are that Body. It is under His direction that the whole Body is fitted together perfectly to work in harmony as one. "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." - Ephesians 4:11-16.


Today's Prayer:

Dear God,
In our attempt to get even with our offender, we can do irreparable harm not only to our wrongdoer, but most especially to ourselves. Instead of having a spirit of forgiveness we harbor a vengeful heart. Our hearts harden and take on the character of the enemy instead of the Savior who loved us even while we were dead in our transgressions and sins. Our debt of sin He paid, and our death He died freeing us to break the chains of sin that had long held us bound. Lord, You heal the broken-hearted and console the wounded as they seek You in the midst of their affliction, whether it is a fresh wound or an old injury. Our affliction from others is earthbound, but our affection for You is heavenbound where there will be no more heartaches or pain. Keep us steadfast and faithful till that appointed time. In Jesus' name.........Amen.

Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation