Intro ((from Debi Pryde’s notes)
Defining Anger
Anger: An expression of extreme displeasure, hostility, indignation, or exasperation toward someone or something.
• What about “righteous” anger?
• Anger that imitates God’s anger and does not have a sinful motivation, expression or cause. In humans, extremely rare.
• The Expression of Anger
– Blowing up
– Taking it out on someone else
– Privately sulking, pitying self
– Denying a problem with anger exists
– Avoiding dealing with problems
– Sarcasm, biting humor, excessive teasing
– Inconsiderate actions
– Crying
– Forgetfulness
– Physical manifestations
ANGER LESSON PART II, MAN’S ANGER: A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (iD&IPBuny)
VALID ANGER
• Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…
• Check the cause for our anger: righteous or not?
• Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
• Exo 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
ANGER CHARACTERISTICS
• Pro 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
• FULL BLOWN ANGER is terrible to witness and hear, needless and cruel words are said
• childish acts are at times exhibited…
COMMAND AGAINST
• Psa 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
• Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
• Ecc 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry (to trouble; by implication to grieve, rage, be indignant ): for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
• Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
• Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift (ready) to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
ANGER DESTROYS OUR TESTIMONY
• Jas 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh (accomplisheth) not the righteousness of God.
EXAMPLES/ CONSEQUENCES
Separates families
• Gen 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
Murder
• Gen 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger (Simeon and Levi) they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
• Remember the envy of Joseph’s brothers led to their anger and later plotting
Conflict
• 1Sa 17:28 And Eliab (David’s brother probably envied him, provoked an angry suspicious, malicious attitude towards David) his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
APPROACH TO ANGRY PEOPLE
• Gen 44:18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh. (Humility)
• Pro 15:1 A soft (tender (literally or figuratively); by implication weak: - faint ) answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger (galit na ginagalit pa, ganito mga nagger na asawa).
What The Bible Says (DPryde)
Anger is overcome with its opposite—love and forgiveness
• Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turneth away (to return to the starting point) wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
• Colossians 3:8 – But now ye also put off (cast aside) all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth...Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all things put on charity [love] which is the bond of perfectness.
Christians are to act, not react to problems –
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
• Love and forgiveness are choices we make and determine our reactions. God is as interested in our reaction to the sinful behavior of others as He is to the sin that precedes it.
APPROACH TO ANGRY PEOPLE(IPB CONT.)
• Pro 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth (settle, be at peace) strife.
• Pro 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth (makes long) his anger; and it is his glory to pass over (cross over) a transgression (kung di naman ikamamatay, palampasin na).
• KINDNESS is the skin of our Christian Testimony. DPruden
• Pro 21:14 A gift in secret pacifieth (tame or subdue) anger (kulang sa pansin, bigyan pansin, paligayahin): and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
DON’T FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE (pour water, not OIL!! :B)
• Luk 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
• Gπαρακαλέω parakaleō par-ak-al-eh'-o
• From G3844 and G2564; to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.
LEAVE THINGS WITH GOD
• Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place (deliver up) unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
THOUGHT TO PONDER: ARE WE CAUSING OTHERS TO GET ANGRY?
• Col 3:21 Fathers, provoke (stimulate) not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
1Co 13:4 ,5 "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil"
Thursday, July 7, 2011
GOD’S ANGER
Ladies Sunday School Class, Gospel Light Baptist Church
5 June 2011
PROVOKED BY DISOBEDIENCE
Num 11:1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Jos 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. (WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE/ PRESUMPTUOUS SINS)
PROVOKED BY IDOLATRY
Deu 7:4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
Deu 32:16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger
1Ki 14:9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:
1Ki 16:33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
Psa 78:58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images
PROVOKED BY SIN
1Ki 16:2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;
2Ki 21:15 Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.
Isa 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
Isa 9:17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
PROVOKED BY DIVINATIONS
2Ki 17:17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
2Ki 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
RESULT OF GOD’S ANGER
Jer 3:5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
Num 11:1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Deu 31:17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?
Jos 23:16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you
Jdg 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
Job 21:17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
Psa 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Psa 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. (No Energy/ lethargy/ depression)
Psa 77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
Jer 7:20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
Nah 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
CHARACTERISTICS of His ANGER
Neh 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
Psa 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psa 78:38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
Psa 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psa 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
Jer 3:12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding
Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Hos 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
FINDING OUR WAY BACK
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2Ch 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
Joe 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
5 June 2011
PROVOKED BY DISOBEDIENCE
Num 11:1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Jos 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. (WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE/ PRESUMPTUOUS SINS)
PROVOKED BY IDOLATRY
Deu 7:4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
Deu 32:16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger
1Ki 14:9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:
1Ki 16:33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
Psa 78:58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images
PROVOKED BY SIN
1Ki 16:2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;
2Ki 21:15 Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.
Isa 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
Isa 9:17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
PROVOKED BY DIVINATIONS
2Ki 17:17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
2Ki 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
RESULT OF GOD’S ANGER
Jer 3:5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
Num 11:1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Deu 31:17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?
Jos 23:16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you
Jdg 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
Job 21:17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
Psa 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Psa 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. (No Energy/ lethargy/ depression)
Psa 77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
Jer 7:20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
Nah 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
CHARACTERISTICS of His ANGER
Neh 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
Psa 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psa 78:38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
Psa 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psa 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
Jer 3:12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding
Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Hos 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
FINDING OUR WAY BACK
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2Ch 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
Joe 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
GOD IS MY STRENGTH AND SONG
Reading LBCowman’s Devotional always revives my soul. Her June 27 devotion on the different faces of God’s strength was a wonderful reminder that “GOD IS MY STRENGTH AND SONG AND IS BECOME MY SALVATION!”
“YOUR STRENGTH WILL EQUAL YOUR DAYS” (Deut. 33.25) God’s strength is enough to last me a LIFETIME… MY LIFETIME! Therefore I should not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself. Don’t take me wrong, we do need to be doing our part! “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.“ (Matt.6:33)
“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” (Ex.15:2) TO GO ON…
I can do all things through Christ, yes even the daily routine that may be dull and thankless, because He is with me “withersoever I goest.”
“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” TO GO UP…Even at excruciatingly busy times when I seem to be out of breath, I can make the difficult climb up every challenge the Lord allows my way because “He will never leave me nor forsake me.”
“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” TO GO DOWN…When I have accomplished a great feat and all the encouraging words and presence of others have long been gone, I will not grow weary nor faint because “Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they will continue to be with me and comfort me. As I wait upon thee, thou wilt renew my strength and will make me soar again, with wings as eagles!”
“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” TO SIT STILL…When I am compelled, by impatience and disbelief, to help God by manipulating my situation and others; help me to remember to “Be still and know that YOU ARE GOD.” What a difficult accomplishment this is, indeed! To do nothing except to sit still and wait requires tremendous strength (LBC) and absolute faith in God!
“The strength God gives is continuous, FOR HE IS A SOURCE OF POWER I CANNOT (thankfully) EXHAUST.”
“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
“YOUR STRENGTH WILL EQUAL YOUR DAYS” (Deut. 33.25) God’s strength is enough to last me a LIFETIME… MY LIFETIME! Therefore I should not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself. Don’t take me wrong, we do need to be doing our part! “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.“ (Matt.6:33)
“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” (Ex.15:2) TO GO ON…
I can do all things through Christ, yes even the daily routine that may be dull and thankless, because He is with me “withersoever I goest.”
“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” TO GO UP…Even at excruciatingly busy times when I seem to be out of breath, I can make the difficult climb up every challenge the Lord allows my way because “He will never leave me nor forsake me.”
“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” TO GO DOWN…When I have accomplished a great feat and all the encouraging words and presence of others have long been gone, I will not grow weary nor faint because “Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they will continue to be with me and comfort me. As I wait upon thee, thou wilt renew my strength and will make me soar again, with wings as eagles!”
“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH” TO SIT STILL…When I am compelled, by impatience and disbelief, to help God by manipulating my situation and others; help me to remember to “Be still and know that YOU ARE GOD.” What a difficult accomplishment this is, indeed! To do nothing except to sit still and wait requires tremendous strength (LBC) and absolute faith in God!
“The strength God gives is continuous, FOR HE IS A SOURCE OF POWER I CANNOT (thankfully) EXHAUST.”
“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Comforting Presence of our Omnipresent God
Came home physically drained, seemed totally exhausted from various events that’s been transpiring for the past weeks… the Lord gave solace once more in and through His word and empathy in the life of Darlene and Russell Diebler as I continued reading the book “Evidence Not Seen.”--
On New Year’s Day (1938 or 39) Russell awakened feeling completely depleted physically and concerned… needing encouragement for the walk ahead into this unknown wilderness (his desired mission field in PNG), he opened his Bible and came to a portion that seemed illumined on the page:
“Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9
I gladly allowed the message of the verse to sink in my heart … the same God, that gave that promise to Joshua and has refreshed Russell, lives today and promises His same comforting presence to me!!! All of a sudden my trials paled in comparison and my own suffering was dwarfed by the tremendous amount of suffering that this couple and the prisoners of war endured in the hands of the Japanese during WWII.
INA—be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed
The same God that was with the many prophets of the Bible,
The many pioneers of the faith—
Is with thee… is with me… wherever I go!!
He will never leave me nor forsake me
On New Year’s Day (1938 or 39) Russell awakened feeling completely depleted physically and concerned… needing encouragement for the walk ahead into this unknown wilderness (his desired mission field in PNG), he opened his Bible and came to a portion that seemed illumined on the page:
“Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9
I gladly allowed the message of the verse to sink in my heart … the same God, that gave that promise to Joshua and has refreshed Russell, lives today and promises His same comforting presence to me!!! All of a sudden my trials paled in comparison and my own suffering was dwarfed by the tremendous amount of suffering that this couple and the prisoners of war endured in the hands of the Japanese during WWII.
INA—be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed
The same God that was with the many prophets of the Bible,
The many pioneers of the faith—
Is with thee… is with me… wherever I go!!
He will never leave me nor forsake me
Friday, April 22, 2011
He Works All Things Together For My Good
Trust Him, Trust Him- it’s all that I can do
For He works all things together, He’s working it together,
He works all things together for my good!
The chorus of the song “He Works All Things Together For My Good” by Mina Oglesby kept ringing in my ear and so I began to sing it as I laid in my hospital bed last week, trusting in the Lord yet scared and in pain from a recurrence of my slipped disc. I forgot a few words so my sister Chi-Chi chimed in…
I may not know the way the road may lead me
I may not always see the things I should
But I can trust the God who knows my life from start to end-
And know He’s working all things for my good.
He did not say the road may be a smooth one
The friends I love and trust may turn away
(in this case, they had to go somewhere without me)
BUT I’VE A GOD WHO’S ALWAYS THERE AND MEETS MY EVERY NEED
He says ‘this too shall surely pass away!’
He did not say the road would be a smooth one
He did not promise sunshine and no rain
But peace and joy He gives to those who look beyond this life
And comfort through their tears of grief and pain.
So if your dreams have turned to dust and ashes
And you can’t do the things you wish you could
(my C.D.O. trip became something else)
Remember God is wiser far than any mortal man
(What if it happened on the plane? Or on the road trip to Bukidnon on Iligan?)
And He’s working things together for my good.
I wrote this account in my journal as I underwent treatment for my lower back problem that sent me reeling down to my knees in pain and fear. I was due to go out of town (to C.D.O. Cagayan De Oro) for a marathon provincial Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Symposia but wound up being in C.D.O. (Confined Dito Ospital) instead, I wrote that with a wry smile as I regained my sense of humor.
A call from Dr. Bebeth Suarez (a very kind response to my frantic text) and a text from Dr. Ric Agbayani (they both know my PMH -Past Medical History) provided a rough assessment and initial intervention. An anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant plus stat physical therapy administered by wonderful rehab staff (Easy and Tavs… subsequently by Kiel assisted by Irish and Louie) provided remarkable pain relief and eventually, improved mobility.
My brother Joey was literally my crutch throughout the day as I could hardly walk without tears. My poor hubby Dan, worried over me and pressing tasks at work, took over as soon as he could. They took turns “driving my wheelchair around.” Total dependence is a humbling thing and yet I am glad and thankful for their strength. Isn’t that wonderfully reminiscent of how God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness? God is so good to give panicky me a level headed spouse!
Thank you Des and Tes for all the leg work and Rose and Lik for manning the home front; and to the numerous texters, you know who you are, the effective prayer of the saints was truly felt!
Thank you for my TEAM members (Bernie, Gerry, Blandie, Net, Denise, Rachel, and Weng) who went on without me for the SYMPOSIA must go on!!! To the FELLOWS and PHC consultant and nursing staff (ang drama!!!) maraming salamat sa dalaw, kalinga at pagtulak ng wheelchair!
Proverbs 16:9 “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps,” I was yet again reminded by the Lord! I like to rephrase that as follows “MAN DEVISETH HIS WAY BUT GOD HAS THE LAST SAY!”
Matthew 11:28-30 “ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
My schedule the past few months has really been competing with the energizer bunny and so, I believe, God has allowed an enforced bed rest. And so I learn to accept, submit and commit and to rejoice and pray and give thanks!
1Thess. 5:16-18 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
A week has passed and the pain is greatly reduced and my mobility, largely improved. A testimony of God’s mercy (I do not tolerate pain well) and grace (recovery was faster than we hoped for and thought). Please continue to pray for my recovery and praise God with me, for not allowing me to be utterly cast down (Psalm 37) after my fall.
For He works all things together, He’s working it together,
He works all things together for my good!
The chorus of the song “He Works All Things Together For My Good” by Mina Oglesby kept ringing in my ear and so I began to sing it as I laid in my hospital bed last week, trusting in the Lord yet scared and in pain from a recurrence of my slipped disc. I forgot a few words so my sister Chi-Chi chimed in…
I may not know the way the road may lead me
I may not always see the things I should
But I can trust the God who knows my life from start to end-
And know He’s working all things for my good.
He did not say the road may be a smooth one
The friends I love and trust may turn away
(in this case, they had to go somewhere without me)
BUT I’VE A GOD WHO’S ALWAYS THERE AND MEETS MY EVERY NEED
He says ‘this too shall surely pass away!’
He did not say the road would be a smooth one
He did not promise sunshine and no rain
But peace and joy He gives to those who look beyond this life
And comfort through their tears of grief and pain.
So if your dreams have turned to dust and ashes
And you can’t do the things you wish you could
(my C.D.O. trip became something else)
Remember God is wiser far than any mortal man
(What if it happened on the plane? Or on the road trip to Bukidnon on Iligan?)
And He’s working things together for my good.
I wrote this account in my journal as I underwent treatment for my lower back problem that sent me reeling down to my knees in pain and fear. I was due to go out of town (to C.D.O. Cagayan De Oro) for a marathon provincial Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Symposia but wound up being in C.D.O. (Confined Dito Ospital) instead, I wrote that with a wry smile as I regained my sense of humor.
A call from Dr. Bebeth Suarez (a very kind response to my frantic text) and a text from Dr. Ric Agbayani (they both know my PMH -Past Medical History) provided a rough assessment and initial intervention. An anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant plus stat physical therapy administered by wonderful rehab staff (Easy and Tavs… subsequently by Kiel assisted by Irish and Louie) provided remarkable pain relief and eventually, improved mobility.
My brother Joey was literally my crutch throughout the day as I could hardly walk without tears. My poor hubby Dan, worried over me and pressing tasks at work, took over as soon as he could. They took turns “driving my wheelchair around.” Total dependence is a humbling thing and yet I am glad and thankful for their strength. Isn’t that wonderfully reminiscent of how God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness? God is so good to give panicky me a level headed spouse!
Thank you Des and Tes for all the leg work and Rose and Lik for manning the home front; and to the numerous texters, you know who you are, the effective prayer of the saints was truly felt!
Thank you for my TEAM members (Bernie, Gerry, Blandie, Net, Denise, Rachel, and Weng) who went on without me for the SYMPOSIA must go on!!! To the FELLOWS and PHC consultant and nursing staff (ang drama!!!) maraming salamat sa dalaw, kalinga at pagtulak ng wheelchair!
Proverbs 16:9 “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps,” I was yet again reminded by the Lord! I like to rephrase that as follows “MAN DEVISETH HIS WAY BUT GOD HAS THE LAST SAY!”
Matthew 11:28-30 “ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
My schedule the past few months has really been competing with the energizer bunny and so, I believe, God has allowed an enforced bed rest. And so I learn to accept, submit and commit and to rejoice and pray and give thanks!
1Thess. 5:16-18 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
A week has passed and the pain is greatly reduced and my mobility, largely improved. A testimony of God’s mercy (I do not tolerate pain well) and grace (recovery was faster than we hoped for and thought). Please continue to pray for my recovery and praise God with me, for not allowing me to be utterly cast down (Psalm 37) after my fall.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Let the Light Shine Upon Thy Darkness
Are you weathering a storm and it seems that everything is in darkness right now? Then Go SEEK Him who is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIGHT. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” Do we know by experience the reassuring comfort that this verse from 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises and brings?
“I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me” as I read this verse in Acts 26:13, I was reminded of how many times when the “tempests of my life seemed like sea billows that rolled” the Lord made it known to me that He was there. God made it plainly seen literally, one day as our boat in one of the missionary trips I joined, was temporarily lost at sea (somewhere in the infamous Tablas Strait). After what seemed then to be an endless amount of time, has passed, we finally saw the faint flicker of light from some of the houses along the shores of Carabao Island in Romblon. These guided our battered yet sturdy intact little boat ashore.
How often also have I found HIM to be there in and during the “dark ages” of my life? Many times I was tempted to lose heart and to “remove the thorn myself,” I wanted to solve my problem – my way! God has taught me through the years that to do things my way will lead only lead to hurt and destruction. However, when I leave these situations in the hands of an ALL knowing and ALL powerful God, and face these trials in His strength, then He will pave the way for me to “escape” the trial or give me grace to “endure” it. Ipb.040111
“Beloved, never try to get out of a dark place except in God’s timing and in His way. A time of trouble and darkness is meant to teach you lessons you desperately need. Premature deliverance may circumvent God’s work of grace in your life. Commit the entire situation to Him, and be willing to abide in darkness, knowing He is present.” LBCowman, Streams in the Desert
“It is better to walk in the dark with God, than to walk alone in the light.” The Still Small Voice
“Come to the Light, ‘tis shining for thee
Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see
The Light of the world (MY world) IS JESUS!” PPBliss
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