DATE POSTED Saturday, 2022-01-22
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 5:21-22
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ²¹ “Under the laws of Moses the rule was, ‘If you murder, you must die.’ ²² But I have added to that rule and tell you that if you are only angry, even in your own home, you are in danger of judgment! If you call your friend an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse him, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

APPLICATION: I heard a story of a man who walked an extra block on his way home from the bus station. When questioned about this, he shared about his addiction to alcoholism earlier in life, and the main bar that he frequented was on his direct, shortest route home from the bus station. He felt like avoiding that bar would help him in his determination to remain sober. AA members are similar in their commitment to remain sober. Wouldn’t it be great if we gained such a determination in life to help us avoid repeating previous sins, or known weaknesses? In the teachings by Jesus following the beatitudes, He looked very intently at the heart. In our Scripture today, Jesus shared that the same attributes of a heart that would take the life of another, also tends to agitate a person’s anger. This could have detrimental effects at home, and we hear a lot about spousal abuse and/or child battery. When we get so angry that we spout off cruel and/or nasty names at someone, our heart has just become much like that of the person who would release their anger through murder. So what then might we do to be more like our Master? Scripture records one time that Jesus became visibly upset. He was very disturbed that the people had turned the holy temple into a den patterned by that of thieves. However, Jesus showed throughout His lifetime that His whole intent in life was to reflect love, peace and goodness. I believe this was important, because Jesus showed us that when we place our hand in His, and we we trust that He will care for our every need willingly and lovingly, then there is no need to worry, become anxious, or show remorse when life does not go in our favor, or in the direction we might anticipate. While I am not a physiological expert that could say exactly what the medical experts have determined might cause anger, I am convinced that it is agitated when things are not going our way, or as we anticipate. However, as a child of the Most High God, who has every phase of life under His control, we must learn to rest comfortably in His care and under His control. When this occurs, we learn to relax in His charge and know that there’s no need to worry. Friends, I am just simple enough to believe that this kind of contentment would help me to stay calm and not give in to emotions that would cause undue stress or to respond based on emotions. A heart totally dedicated to the Lord and experiencing prayer for His full direction, will help us to desire responses consistent with that of Jesus Himself. For others desire to see Jesus, even in us.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: In our own strength we tend to either fall apart or react to life-situations erratically. However, under the love and control of the God of this universe, we can overcome the stresses of this cruel world and instead live under the peace and direction of the Master!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You know all too well how easily we come unglued and respond to life-situations in ways that are not representative of Your character and teachings. Please Lord, help us to stay focused on the only One who can help us through the ups and downs of life, rather than responding to situations more like the world. To respond with a heart of peace and contentment, regardless of the pressures of this cruel mad world, can only be done with Your help and Your peace. We depend on You Lord. Please grant us strength and determination to always seek Your will and Your help for every aspect of life. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!