Category Archives: Emotions

Anxiety, Bible, Emotions, Healing, Scripture, Struggles, Trust

ANXIETY

PHILIPPIANS 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Anxiety can wreck your life. It’s defined as “a common emotion characterized by feelings of fear, worry, unease, and apprehension.” At Drugs.com you can find a list of 53 anxiety medications to compare. And then there are all the “natural” remedies out there. Anxiety is a very profitable disorder, one which the drug companies aren’t too concerned about healing. This common problem is a true gold mine for drug companies.

It’s too bad for them that the Bible has the cure for this. It’s found in today’s verse. Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything,…” The literal Greek reads, “Nothing be anxious about.” The word for “nothing” means absolutely nothing. My late brother-in-law, Wayne Barber, said this word meant a zero with the lid kicked off. In other words, let nothing bring you anxiety. And this is written as a command in the Present Tense. Continue all the time not being anxious.

APPLICATION

Oh, but Carl, you don’t know my life. I have every reason to be anxious. True, I don’t know your life, but I know the One who does. And He says through Paul to not be anxious about anything. For us to do otherwise is to disobey the Lord. In the previous verse, Paul had just told them, “The Lord is near.” If that is true, and I think we all believe He is, then we can get rid of our anxiety.

In 1 Peter 5:7 we read this, “having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” Do you believe He cares for you? Then give Him your anxious thoughts. Give Him all those things that keep you up at night and rob you of sleep. Do you need another reminder of His care for you? Read Luke 12:22-32. That’s the passage where Jesus told his disciples not to worry (same word as used in today’s verse for anxious) about what they would eat or what they would wear.

Paul goes on in the verse to tell us to pray about everything. That word means each and every thing, every single part. Nothing is left out. Well, I think that about covers it all, right? If we are praying to the Creator of the universe, why should we worry about a thing? Let’s be honest. We can all get anxious from time to time. But let’s covenant together to give all that to Jesus. He can handle it.

I will lay my anxious thoughts at Your feet today, O Lord.

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Attention, Bible, Boasting, Contentment, Emotions, Humility, Scripture, Works

YOU DID NOT DO THIS

EPHESIANS 2:9

“not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

Pride! Boasting! It will definitely get us into trouble. Some ballplayers like to trash talk. They are always talking about how good they are and how much better they are than anyone else. The smart players leave their boasting for the field or court. They just do their job and let the results speak for themselves. Sure, they are proud of what they have accomplished, but they don’t have to brag about it.

In this part two of the passage Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul tells us rather plainly that our salvation had nothing to do with us. He says it is “not a result of works.” It had nothing to do with you. You did not do this! You have no reason to boast. God did this through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was His work on the cross. You can’t boast in that. All you can do is receive the grace He gives you through the faith He gives you.

APPLICATION

The Greek word Paul uses for “boast” is kauchaomai. It can be used in a good or bad sense. It can refer to a God-given confidence or vaunting yourself. Paul uses this word a lot. In fact, of the 38 times it is used in the New Testament, Paul uses it 36. The other two times occur in James.

In 2 Corinthians 11:30 Paul writes, “If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.” Paul knew from the outset of his salvation that he had no reason to boast. He was struck blind and had to be led to a place where he stayed for three days until Ananias came and laid hands on him, giving him his sight back. Paul was brought low in order to be raised up to be used by Christ.

Over in 2 Corinthians 10:17, Paul uses this word again as he partially quotes Jeremiah 9:23-24, which says, “23 This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.” Again, it wasn’t about Paul. It was all about Jesus.

Paul points to the right place in which to boast when he writes these words in Galatians 6:14, “But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” It is only in the cross! That is where our glory should be directed. He has done all the work. Because of that, we can boast in Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Father God, I boast only in Jesus and the cross on which He died.

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Affliction, Arguing, Battles, Bible, Devil, Emotions, Fighting, Harmony, Peace, Scripture

THE DANGER OF INFIGHTING (BLOG #3000)

GALATIANS 4:29

“But as at that time the son who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, so it is even now.”

Being teased and picked on is no fun. I never had much problem with that as a child because I was a big kid. But like everybody, there have been times when I was teased or made fun of by someone because of something I said or did. We see it all the time, especially with middle schoolers. They can be the worst. Everyone and anything is open for this among them.

In today’s verse, Paul is referring to Ishmael’s treatment of Isaac which is mentioned back in Genesis 21:9. “Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking Isaac.” You know the rest of the story – Sarah begged Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away, which he did. The angel appeared to Hagar in the desert as they were dying of thirst and gave them water to drink. Ishmael’s teasing of Isaac resulted in them being expelled from Abraham’s family, resulting in turmoil for generations.

APPLICATION

Okay, so we have one brother teasing his half-brother. Big deal, right? It is a big deal. Abraham and Sarah’s disobedience of using Hagar to birth a son to them resulted in this sibling rivalry that continues even until today in the Middle East. In the same way, infighting and jealousy among believers can do the same.

Paul told the Ephesians to behave themselves in Ephesians 4:1-6. “1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Peter also talked about the importance of unity in 1 Peter 2:1-3. “1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” 

We have to present a united front as believers. Why? Because the evil one will use our pettiness and teasing to tear us apart. He wants us out of the fight and will use us against each other to achieve that. Don’t let that happen on your watch. Love one another.

Father, I am grateful for Your unconditional love. Help me show the same to my fellow believers.

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Arrogance, Attitude, Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Emotions, Godliness, Scripture, Self-righteousness

ARROGANT WORDS

MALACHI 3:13

“‘Your words have been arrogant against Me,’ says the LORD. ‘Yet you say, “What have we spoken against You?”’”

When I first met my wife, we were both working at a children’s home in Georgia. She was the Recreation Director, and I was a Houseparent for teenage boys. I’ll never forget that she thought I was arrogant and full of myself. I don’t know – maybe I was. I have learned since then not to question her judgment. Anyway, I guess I won her over since we have been married over 38 years now.

Arrogance is what the Lord accuses the people of. They had criticized the Lord and were not even aware. We have to look back at Malachi 2:17 where this was addressed the first time. “You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” Conceit and self-righteousness are both forms of arrogance they practiced.

APPLICATION

Before you start pointing fingers at them, check out your own heart. Do you have any arrogance in there, any conceit or self-righteousness? We all have that from time to time. We can get cocky and snobbish toward other people, even our family members. God does not look kindly on this behavior.

Paul shared with Timothy some traits that will exhibited in the last days. Man, we are seeing these today, aren’t we? 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us, “1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of  godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.” 

I underlined several traits that are linked directly to arrogance. Let me ask you to check out yourself against this list. How many are you portraying daily? How many do you need to confess as sin right now? Take the time to do a self-check. Make sure you are following the Lord and not self. Then get back to loving Him and loving others. After all, isn’t that what Jesus said to do?

Father, forgive my arrogant heart and cleanse me from all self-righteousness.

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Bible, Divorce, Emotions, Fighting, God's Will, Home, Love, Relationships, Scripture

I HATE DIVORCE

MALACHI 2:16

“‘For I hate divorce,’ says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘and him who covers his garment with violence,’ says the LORD of armies. ‘So be careful about your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.’”

Through my 40+ years of ministry, I have dealt with a lot of divorced couples. Some I knew quite well, others I did not. But the pain and suffering visible in these couples was terrible. Sometimes the suffering was self-inflicted. And other times it was pretty one-sided. I am no counselor, nor do I pretend to be, but I am sure of one thing – Jesus can heal broken relationships.

The topic of divorce and marriage continues in today’s verse. This was obviously a major issue in the lives of these priests whom Malachi is still addressing. The Hebrew word for “divorce” is shalach, which means to send away or to push out. That’s very descriptive because many times that is exactly what happened to these wives. They were physically put out of their homes. And the word for “violence,” which was commonly used for injury to a wife, is hamas. Isn’t that interesting?

APPLICATION

How should we as believers deal with this subject of divorce? How should it be addressed? May I suggest two books for you to read? They are not exactly easy reads, but they are in-depth looks at this topic from God’s Word. The author is the late Spiros Zodhiates, who was a Greek scholar known for his writings. The two books are entitled “What About Divorce?” and “May I Divorce and Remarry?” Both are available on Amazon.

I only suggest those books because there are so few books that look at this subject biblically. Most simply throw divorcees on the heap pile and move on. Dr. Z looks at Matthew 5:27-32; 19:3-12; Luke 16:18 and Romans 7:1-3 in the first book at 1 Corinthians 7 in the second. If you desire a thorough study of divorce according to God’s Word, take a look at these two books.

Okay, enough book selling, lol. It is my heart that you get rid of the world’s view of divorce and rely on God’s Word to guide you as you deal with this difficult subject. Whether you are going through a divorce, have gone through one or know someone who is going through a divorce, take the time to read God’s Word on this. That is the only truth you can rely on.

O Lord, it is so easy to get pulled into the world’s view on issues that face us daily. Help me to keep my eyes on You.

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Affection, Affliction, Altars, Apologies, Bible, Bitterness, Crying, Emotions, Flesh, Forgiveness, God's Will, Grace, Relationships, Scripture

WHAT A SHAME!

MALACHI 2:13

“And this is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and sighing, because He no longer gives attention to the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.”

Our sinful behavior has effects on others. Sometimes we are not aware of the effect. Other times we are well aware. We see the damage it causes. We hear the anguish in the other person’s voice. The hurt we cause because of our sins weighs heavy on the Lord. He sees their hurt and holds us accountable.

The Pulpit Commentary says this about this verse, “Not only did they marry heathen females, but they divorced their own legitimate wives to facilitate such unholy alliances.” Thus, the tears that are staining the altar come from the priests’ legitimate wives whom they have divorced in order to marry the foreign, idolatrous wives. It was a travesty that Ezra dealt with earlier, but they had lapsed back into.

APPLICATION

Is this you? Have you caused someone else harm by your actions? If so, repent of that. Ask forgiveness of both God and them. There is nothing sweeter than forgiveness when it is offered and received, when two parties are able to mend their broken relationship. God is pleased by such expressions of agape love.

Look back at today’s verse at the last phrase. It says, “because He no longer gives attention to the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.” Our blindness to unforgiveness and unrepentance leads to this. God will not accept our offerings. God will not hear our cries to Him. Our sin separates us from the very One we need most.

If you have ever experienced such an event, you know how painful it can be. To be unforgiven or to be unrepentant can lead to hardness and callousness. Only God can break through this. Matthew 6:14 says to us, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,” We also read in Colossians 3:13 we read, “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Be like Jesus this week. Make things right with someone whom you have offended or has offended you. That makes God smile.

Lord, forgiveness is hard, it seems. But You sent Your Son to die to forgive me. Now, that’s hard.

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Accountability, Belief, Bible, Curses, Emotions, God's Will, Heart, Knowledge, Scripture

I KNOW YOUR HEART

MALACHI 2:2

“‘If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,’ says the LORD of armies, ‘then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart.’”

Unfortunately, I have had the bad experience of trying to help an employee in their work but knowing that they would not change. I had one employee in South Carolina like that. I gave her multiple opportunities to correct her behavior. Each time she promised to change, but I knew in my gut she wouldn’t. In the end I had to terminate her employment, never a fun thing.

The Lord begins verse 2 by warning the priests what will happen if they don’t listen and take to heart to give Him honor. But look how He ends that verse. He says, “because you are not taking it to heart.” The Lord knew them. He knew their heart. He knew they would not turn from their ways. So, the curse would come, and they would pay the price.

APPLICATION

1 Kings 8:39 tells us, “then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men,” God knows our hearts as well as He knew the hearts of those rebellious priests in Malachi’s day. Actually, we are not much different.

Wow, that’s kind of harsh, Carl. Harsh, but true. We settle for the blemished offerings instead of offering God our best. We whine and complain about things if they don’t go our way. How are we any different if we don’t trust God’s heart. That’s the key, isn’t it? We have to trust His heart to lead us and guide us.

That can be a challenge sometime. God can lead us to do something that we do not want to do. Or He may lead us to just wait. That’s even harder. Proverbs 21:2 reminds us, “Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.” Don’t trust your ways, trust God’s. It’s always right.

O God, I praise You for knowing all things, including my heart.

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Bible, Chosen, Covenant, Emotions, God's Will, Heart, Love, Relationships, Scripture

I LOVE YOU

MALACHI 1:2

“‘I have loved you,’” says the LORD. ‘But you say, “How have You loved us?” Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?’ declares the LORD. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob;’” 

I honestly don’t remember the first time I told my wife, “I love you.” Before you start sending me emails (lol), it was a quick courtship. She knew she was going to marry me after our first date. I knew after the second, and I asked her to marry me on the third. God told us both to commit to each other. Our love blossomed quickly. I tell her daily that I love her because she needs to hear it and I need to say it.

I just love how the Lord starts his message to Israel by saying, “I have loved you.” In the Hebrew that is only two words, but two finer words could not have been written. The Hebrew word for “love” used here is the same word used in Deuteronomy 6:5. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Just as He loves, we are to love.

APPLICATION

1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love, because He first loved us.” Of course, we love Him. Look what He has done for us. He created us in His image. He gave us the Law to point us toward loving Him and loving others. He sent His only Son to die for us to show His love. What else do people need to see in order to see His love.

You have probably heard people say, “How could a loving God send anyone to hell?” The bottom line is – God does not do that. He is loving them and offering them a way of escape. Only their unrepentant hearts lead them to hell. God is love, we are told in 1 John 4:16. “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

Do you know His love today? I pray you do. If you have not experienced the depths of His love, come to Him. Perhaps there is someone in your life who needs His love. Show them His love by the way you love them. God still uses people to perform His works. Love well.

God, You are love, and I want to dwell in it.

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Affection, Bible, Death, Emotions, Gentleness, Joy, Mourning, Scripture, Sorrow, Tears

MOURNING – NOT JUST A WOMAN THING

ZECHARIAH 12:14

“all the families that are left, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.”

Okay, let me ask you something. How many of you grew up being told that real men don’t cry? I can remember my own, dear mother telling me, “Now, now, big boys don’t cry.” I know she meant well and was just trying to comfort me. After all, no one wants to be a cry baby, right? But emotions are felt by all.

In Zechariah 12:12-14, Zechariah says five times, “and their wives by themselves.” Now no one during those days would have been surprised by that. In fact, there were women who were professional mourners. So, why does Zechariah point the women out. Perhaps he wanted to say that so that it would highlight the other mourners, the men. Mind you – this is just my speculation, but it is a thought.

APPLICATION

Let me address the men today. Listen to me – big boys do cry. There is nothing weak about shedding a tear. There is nothing unmanly about showing sorrow and grief. In fact, one of the manliest things you can do is show appropriate emotion when it is called for.

Do I have to remind you of John 11:35. “Jesus wept.” Our Lord and Savior wept at the grave of his dear friend Lazarus. He did not weep because of Lazarus’ death. That would soon be overturned. He knew before He even left for Bethany that He would call forth Lazarus from that tomb. He wept because of the sorrow He saw in the faces of Mary and Martha and others. His heart was touched by that.

I used to get asked to sing a lot at funerals. I seldom had a problem doing that without getting choked up, even if I knew the person well. But if I started looking at the loved ones as I sang, I could easily get teary eyed. Sorrow and grief, men, is a natural emotion God has given us. Show other men how powerful it can be in their lives as you love on others during these times.

Father, thank You for the power of sorrow. It prepares the way for joy!

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