Anger And Forgiveness

One of the most esteemed and honored paintings in the world is The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. It is a marvel of grace and beauty, peace and calmness.

While da Vinci was in the process of painting it, one of his friends came to visit him. As they were talking, da Vinci became angry with him. As they continued arguing, he completely lost his temper and lashed out at his guest with bitter words.

After the man left his studio, he returned to his canvas to paint the face of Christ. Try as he would, he could not bring himself to continue his work on this part of the painting. His madness made him so miserable that he had to stop what he was doing.

Finally, after putting down his brushes, he searched out the man he had quarreled with to ask for his forgiveness. The man accepted his apology and da Vinci returned to his easel and completed painting the face of our Lord.

Anger is one of our most destructive emotions. It not only reveals a weakness in us but a true lack of our faith in God to solve our problems. When we act in anger, it is because we want to control others, usually to the point of harming them in one way or another. God made all of us different, and when we disagree with another person, it’s not who is right or wrong, but God wanting us to look at what is going on and see if there is something we can learn from one another.

Prayer: Lord, we need to be patient with others whom You love as much as You do each of us. When we disagree, give us the patience to be kind and think carefully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 37:8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm.

Anger And Forgiveness

One of the most esteemed and honored paintings in the world is The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. It is a marvel of grace and beauty, peace and calmness.

While da Vinci was in the process of painting it, one of his friends came to visit him. As they were talking, da Vinci became angry with him. As they continued arguing, he completely lost his temper and lashed out at his guest with bitter words.

After the man left his studio, he returned to his canvas to paint the face of Christ. Try as he would, he could not bring himself to continue his work on this part of the painting. His madness made him so miserable that he had to stop what he was doing.

Finally, after putting down his brushes, he searched out the man he had quarreled with to ask for his forgiveness. The man accepted his apology and da Vinci returned to his easel and completed painting the face of our Lord.

Anger is one of our most destructive emotions. It not only reveals a weakness in us but a true lack of our faith in God to solve our problems. When we act in anger, it is because we want to control others, usually to the point of harming them in one way or another. God made all of us different, and when we disagree with another person, it’s not who is right or wrong, but God wanting us to look at what is going on and see if there is something we can learn from one another.

Prayer:Lord, we need to be patient with others whom You love as much as You do each of us. When we disagree, give us the patience to be kind and think carefully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 37:8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm.

Did God Really Cause The Fire?

Shortly after a new nightclub was opened near a church, the members decided to call an all-night prayer meeting. While they were praying, a powerful thunderstorm engulfed the city, and lightning struck the club and burned it to the ground.

The owner of the club became angry and decided to sue the church. At the hearing, however, the church denied any responsibility for the destruction of the club.

Confused, the judge exclaimed, “I’m not sure where the guilt may lie. On one hand, the nightclub owner believes in prayer, but – strangely - the members of the church don’t.”

On one occasion when Jesus was teaching His followers and disciples about eternal life, someone asked, “But who can be saved?” He replied, “Humanly speaking, it is something man cannot do. But with God, all things are possible.”

Prayer is asking and receiving. It is not hoping or wishing or wondering. It is receiving God’s blessings – whatever they may be. Yet, it is not unusual for Christians to pray, and then be amazed, even surprised, when God answers a prayer that exceeds their faith. How interesting.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus made that statement when talking about salvation. Consider this: if God can redeem us from our sinful nature, make us “new creations” and grant us eternal life, can He not do anything else we ask in His name and for His glory?

Prayer: Help us, Father, to have a faith that exceeds our doubts, is stronger than the attacks of Satan, and stronger than any temptation that could ever defeat us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Did God Really Cause The Fire?

Shortly after a new nightclub was opened near a church, the members decided to call an all-night prayer meeting. While they were praying, a powerful thunderstorm engulfed the city, and lightning struck the club and burned it to the ground.

The owner of the club became angry and decided to sue the church. At the hearing, however, the church denied any responsibility for the destruction of the club.

Confused, the judge exclaimed, “I’m not sure where the guilt may lie. On one hand, the nightclub owner believes in prayer, but – strangely - the members of the church don’t.”

On one occasion when Jesus was teaching His followers and disciples about eternal life, someone asked, “But who can be saved?” He replied, “Humanly speaking, it is something man cannot do. But with God, all things are possible.”

Prayer is asking and receiving. It is not hoping or wishing or wondering. It is receiving God’s blessings – whatever they may be. Yet, it is not unusual for Christians to pray, and then be amazed, even surprised, when God answers a prayer that exceeds their faith. How interesting.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus made that statement when talking about salvation. Consider this: if God can redeem us from our sinful nature, make us “new creations” and grant us eternal life, can He not do anything else we ask in His name and for His glory?

Prayer: Help us, Father, to have a faith that exceeds our doubts, is stronger than the attacks of Satan, and stronger than any temptation that could ever defeat us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Mark 10:27But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

What's In A Number?

When Harlan Sanders turned forty, he realized that he could not point to anything in his life that could be considered a success. No matter what he attempted to accomplish, he never succeeded. One day someone said to him, “Harlan, life begins at forty!” It jolted him so strongly that it awakened his faltering faith, and he determined, with God’s help, to begin again.

After a time of prayer, he decided to open a service station. Shortly after its opening, he added a luncheonette. One meal his customers enjoyed the most was his fried chicken. To make it tastier and more appealing, he came up with a “special” batter and called it the Harlan Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken. People enjoyed it so much that they soon recommended it to their friends. It brought him so much fame and fortune that the Governor of Kentucky made him a “Kentucky Colonel.” Soon people everywhere were buying the “Colonel’s” Kentucky Fried Chicken.

By God’s grace and the Colonel’s faith, what had been a life of failure and frustration became a life with a future and personal fulfillment. His new life, however, did not begin at forty. It began when God became the major ingredient in his life’s “recipe.”

When God becomes the main “ingredient” of our life, everything will change and become new. With God as the centerpiece and His Word as our guide, we can overcome any obstacle or difficulty that stands in the way of our success.

Prayer: Let us realize, Lord, that greater things are possible when we trust in You and use the gifts You have given us to honor You. Take us and bless us for Your sake. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.