By: Rick Warren
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience…” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV).
It’s amazing how fifteen minor frustrations at the office can add up to one big, bad attitude by the time you head for home. Frustrations come in three varieties:
1. Interruptions: Unexpected visitors or phone calls when you have a deadline to meet or something important requires your attention. Our best plans are often interrupted.
2. Inconveniences: While interruptions are usually from people, inconveniences are usually situations involving things: the copy machine breaks down, traffic jams up, or you can’t find what you need when you need it.
3. Irritations: Long delays, unreliable people, playing telephone tag, catching a cold, obnoxious clients, etc.
But the truth is you can’t eliminate these. No doubt you’ll face all three varieties this week, but you can keep them from stressing you out.What’s the secret of managing your frustrations?
Don’t resist it, but don’t overreact or blow up. Don’t resent it; don’t internalize your anger. Don’t resign to it; don’t have a pity-party.Instead, reduce it. Treat it as insignificant. Put the frustration into proper perspective. It’s just a minor setback, a part of living, no big deal!
It’s certainly not worth a heart attack. Follow these rules for stress management:
• RULE #1: Don’t sweat the small stuff.
• RULE #2: Realize it’s all small stuff!
The Bible says, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience…” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV). The only way we can see all stuff as small stuff is to view it from God’s perspective. When I am in tune with God, I remember he has everything under control even though I don’t! So I don’t have to sweat it:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). Pray this prayer: “Lord, help me to be filled with your love, joy, and peace, so that when I’m squeezed and pressured it is your love, joy, and peace that spill out of me.”
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
God's Provision:Faithful Givng
by Rick Warren
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce" (Proverbs 3:9 NLT).
God promises to meet all your financial needs, if you (1) ask him for help; (2) learn to be content; and (3) practice giving in faith.There is a universal law called the principle of sowing and reaping.
If I sow criticism, I'm going to reap criticism. If I sow generosity, it's going to come back to me, and I'm going to reap generosity.Every farmer knows this. A farmer has four sacks of seed in his barn and he looks at his empty field. He doesn't complain, "There's no crop! I wish there was a crop!" He just goes out and starts planting seed. When you have a need, plant a seed.
It seems illogical that when I have a need, I should give. That's why it requires faith. God says, "My ways are not your ways."Why did God set it up that way? Because God is a giver. He is the most generous giver in the universe, and God wants you to learn to be like him. He wants to build character in you.The Bible says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce" (Proverbs 3:9 NLT).
This is the principle of tithing. It's the principle that says every time I make one hundred dollars, the first ten dollars goes back to God.Tithing is an act of worship. We're giving to God. We're saying, "All of it came from you anyway." God says, "Put me first in your life and watch what I do." You may think you can't afford to tithe, but the reality is, you can't afford not to.Tomorrow we'll look at maintaining integrity, another condition for answered prayer.
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce" (Proverbs 3:9 NLT).
God promises to meet all your financial needs, if you (1) ask him for help; (2) learn to be content; and (3) practice giving in faith.There is a universal law called the principle of sowing and reaping.
If I sow criticism, I'm going to reap criticism. If I sow generosity, it's going to come back to me, and I'm going to reap generosity.Every farmer knows this. A farmer has four sacks of seed in his barn and he looks at his empty field. He doesn't complain, "There's no crop! I wish there was a crop!" He just goes out and starts planting seed. When you have a need, plant a seed.
It seems illogical that when I have a need, I should give. That's why it requires faith. God says, "My ways are not your ways."Why did God set it up that way? Because God is a giver. He is the most generous giver in the universe, and God wants you to learn to be like him. He wants to build character in you.The Bible says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce" (Proverbs 3:9 NLT).
This is the principle of tithing. It's the principle that says every time I make one hundred dollars, the first ten dollars goes back to God.Tithing is an act of worship. We're giving to God. We're saying, "All of it came from you anyway." God says, "Put me first in your life and watch what I do." You may think you can't afford to tithe, but the reality is, you can't afford not to.Tomorrow we'll look at maintaining integrity, another condition for answered prayer.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Listen before you answer
By Rick Warren
"Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting" (Proverbs 18:13 TEV).
To really communicate, you must give up three things:
1. You must give up your assumptions. We get into trouble when we start assuming we understand the meaning of what people say to us. The truth is everything you hear goes through a filter. Your filter is determined by your past experiences and your unique personality. You may not be hearing what they are really saying. Therefore, it is smart (and safe) to ask for clarification: "Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting" (Proverbs 18:13 TEV).
2. You must give up your accusations. You never get your point across by being cross. Anger and sarcasm only make people defensive and that kills communication. There are four common forms of accusation:• Exaggerating, such as making sweeping generalities like "You never," or "You always."• Labeling, such as derogatory name-calling. Labeling never changes anyone. It only reinforces the negative behavior.• Playing historian, such as bringing up past failures, mistakes, and broken promises.• Asking loaded questions, ones that really can't be answered, such as, "Can't you do anything right?"The Bible says, "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you" (Ephesians 4:29 TEV).
3. You must give up your apprehensions. Fear prevents honest communication. It causes us to conceal our true feelings and fail to confront the real issues. The two most common apprehensions are: the fear of failure and the fear of rejection. But when you face your fear and risk being honest, then real communication can happen. Freedom is the result of openness. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32 TEV).
"Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting" (Proverbs 18:13 TEV).
To really communicate, you must give up three things:
1. You must give up your assumptions. We get into trouble when we start assuming we understand the meaning of what people say to us. The truth is everything you hear goes through a filter. Your filter is determined by your past experiences and your unique personality. You may not be hearing what they are really saying. Therefore, it is smart (and safe) to ask for clarification: "Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting" (Proverbs 18:13 TEV).
2. You must give up your accusations. You never get your point across by being cross. Anger and sarcasm only make people defensive and that kills communication. There are four common forms of accusation:• Exaggerating, such as making sweeping generalities like "You never," or "You always."• Labeling, such as derogatory name-calling. Labeling never changes anyone. It only reinforces the negative behavior.• Playing historian, such as bringing up past failures, mistakes, and broken promises.• Asking loaded questions, ones that really can't be answered, such as, "Can't you do anything right?"The Bible says, "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you" (Ephesians 4:29 TEV).
3. You must give up your apprehensions. Fear prevents honest communication. It causes us to conceal our true feelings and fail to confront the real issues. The two most common apprehensions are: the fear of failure and the fear of rejection. But when you face your fear and risk being honest, then real communication can happen. Freedom is the result of openness. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32 TEV).
Friday, May 8, 2009
Life Together:Don't Be Reluctant to Show Mercy
“When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair” (2 Corinthians 2:7 CEV).
In real fellowship people experience mercy. Fellowship is a place of grace, where mistakes aren’t rubbed in but rubbed out. Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice.We all need mercy, because we all stumble and fall and require help getting back on track. We need to offer mercy to each other and be willing to receive it from each other.
You can’t have fellowship without forgiveness because bitterness and resentment always destroy fellowship. Sometimes we hurt each other intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, but either way, it takes massive amounts of mercy and grace to create and maintain fellowship.
The Bible says, “You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT).The mercy God shows to us is the motivation for us to show mercy to others.
Whenever you’re hurt by someone, you have a choice to make: Will I use my energy and emotions for retaliation or for resolution?You can’t do both.Many people are reluctant to show mercy because they don’t understand the difference between trust and forgiveness.
Forgiveness is letting go of the past. Trust has to do with future behavior.Forgiveness must be immediate, whether or not a person asks for it. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Trust requires a track record.
If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you. They must prove they have changed over time. The best place to restore trust is within the supportive context of a small group that offers both encouragement and accountability.
In real fellowship people experience mercy. Fellowship is a place of grace, where mistakes aren’t rubbed in but rubbed out. Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice.We all need mercy, because we all stumble and fall and require help getting back on track. We need to offer mercy to each other and be willing to receive it from each other.
You can’t have fellowship without forgiveness because bitterness and resentment always destroy fellowship. Sometimes we hurt each other intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, but either way, it takes massive amounts of mercy and grace to create and maintain fellowship.
The Bible says, “You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT).The mercy God shows to us is the motivation for us to show mercy to others.
Whenever you’re hurt by someone, you have a choice to make: Will I use my energy and emotions for retaliation or for resolution?You can’t do both.Many people are reluctant to show mercy because they don’t understand the difference between trust and forgiveness.
Forgiveness is letting go of the past. Trust has to do with future behavior.Forgiveness must be immediate, whether or not a person asks for it. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Trust requires a track record.
If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you. They must prove they have changed over time. The best place to restore trust is within the supportive context of a small group that offers both encouragement and accountability.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
God's Tatoos
by John Fischer
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
Not in the sky, because the sky is too high
Not in the clouds, because the clouds can't hold you
Not on a stone, for a stone is too cold
Not on silver or gold, lest anyone think you could be sold
Not in a book, because a book could be lost
But on the palms of His hands On the flesh
Where you can't be lost, sold or forgotten
On the flesh Where He sees you all the time
On the flesh Where the pain was measured out in love
On the flesh In the warm skin of the Savior
There you are… Permanent Indelible
Part of… Engraved Cut into Scarred
forever As God's tattoos
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
Not in the sky, because the sky is too high
Not in the clouds, because the clouds can't hold you
Not on a stone, for a stone is too cold
Not on silver or gold, lest anyone think you could be sold
Not in a book, because a book could be lost
But on the palms of His hands On the flesh
Where you can't be lost, sold or forgotten
On the flesh Where He sees you all the time
On the flesh Where the pain was measured out in love
On the flesh In the warm skin of the Savior
There you are… Permanent Indelible
Part of… Engraved Cut into Scarred
forever As God's tattoos
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
