Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

December 19
Saturday


NO CAUSE
FOR ALARM

READ:
Ephesians 4:25-32
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"Be angry, and do not
sin": do not let the
sun go down on your
wrath.
__Ephesians 4:26
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The sound of the alarm blaring from inside the church struck panic in my heart. I had arrived at church early one Sunday morning, planning to spend a little time in peace and quiet before the congregation arrived. But I forgot to disarm the burglar alarm. As I turned the key, the disruptive and annoying blasting of the alarm filled the building--and no doubt the bedrooms of sleeping neighbors.

Anger is a lot like that. In the midst of our peaceful lives, something turns a key in our spirit and triggers the alarm. And or internal peace--not to mention the tranquility of those around us--is interrupted by the disruptive force of our exploding emotions.

Sometimes anger appropriately calls our attention to an injustice that needs to be addressed, and we are spurred to righteous action. Most of the time, however, our anger is selfishly ignited by the violation of our expectations, rights, and privileges. In any case, it's important to know why the alarm is sounding and to respond in a godly way. But one thing is sure, anger was never intended to continue unchecked.

It's no wonder that Paul reminds us of the psalmist's warning: "'Be angry, and do not sin'; do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (Eph. 4:26; Ps. 4:4). __Joe Stowell
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`````````````````Spirit of God, please change my heart````````````
`````````````````````And give me a new desire;``````````````````
```````````````````Help me to be a man of peace`````````````````
``````````Who's not controlled by anger's fire. __K. De Haan`````````
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Anger left unchecked is cause for alarm.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 4:25-32*********

25 Therefore, putting away
lying, "Let each one of you
speak truth with his
neighbor," for we are
members of one another.

26 "Be angry, and do not
sin"; do not let the sun go
down on your wrath, 27 nor
give place to the devil.

28 Let him who stole steal
no longer, but rather let him
labor, working with his
hands what is good, that he
may have something to give
him who has need.

29 Let no corrupt word
proceed out of your mouth,
but what is good for
necessary edification, that
it may impart grace to the
hearers. 30 And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, by whom you were
sealed for the day of
redemption. 31 Let all
bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, and evil speaking
be put away from you, with
all malice. 32 And be kind to
one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even
as God in Christ forgave
you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In Ephesians 4, Paul urges the believers to love and to be unified.
God has provided His church with gifted persons who are to equip
God's people for those "works of service" that enable the body
of Christ to build itself up in love and to mature. Such growth
demands that each part does its own work and so contributes to the
world. We are to reject all that corrupts and "be like God in true
righteousness and holiness." To accomplish this we must maintain
close relationships with in the church fellowship. We must rid
ourselves of hostility, in favor of treating one another as God treats
us in Christ. __DENNIS FISHER