Introduction: Your attitude will either “Make you” or “Break you”! It is true. Our ATTITUDE controls our ALTITUDE! How is your ATTITUDE these days? 

This writer needs an ATTITUDE adjustment daily! 

This devotion is not built upon pop psychology, or just mere positive thinking; instead, it is TRUTH that TRANSFORMS.

Paul’s Holy Spirit inspired prescription for a GOOD ATTITUDE! (Phil 4:8)

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Keep in mind, Paul was a man who constantly faced adversity. Remember his testimony.

“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (2 Cor 11:23-28).

Can anybody relate? Doubtful. Jesus Christ could. But do you recall what our Lord had told Ananias about Paul. 

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16).

Conclusion: Developing a good attitude of gratitude is made in the crucibles of life; i.e. suffering hardships. 

But it is in the oven of affliction that God refines His servants. The dross is removed. Grace is put in place. And character is formed. Consequently, our ATTITUDE changes our perspective about life.

Are you going through something right now? Could it be that the Spirit of God is up to changing some things, like our ATTITUDE?

Then, bring it on.

Introduction: Do the tongue and temper go hand in hand? Yes. How do we know? The book of James along with Solomon’s writings in Proverbs tells us. 

1. Two ears and one tongue! (James 1:19)

“19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift  to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

A Christian lady once asked me this question: “Preacher, why do you think God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth?” She continued, “To do TWICE as much LISTENING than TALKING”!

Needless to say, we had a big laugh!!

Secondly, she asked, “Preacher, have you ever seen cow manure?” To which I replied, of course. Then she said, “If you leave it alone, it will dry out fast, but if you stir it up, it will STINK more”!

I got it!! Do you get it?

The word “wrath” is ὀργή, (or-gay’), which is defined by impulse, anger, passion; punishment, vengeance. In other words, our Lord is instructing His children through the pen of James to not “fly off the handle”! Instead, let the fruit of the Spirit – self control – kick in!

Nine times out of ten, if that is practiced, it will end well, or at least better. 

2. Slow down to anger! (Prov 16:32)

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”

The nature of anger speeds us up; i.e. jump to conclusions. But rather than that, we should allow the Holy Spirit to work in our thoughts and reactions. It always ends better when we give room to the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion: There we have it…..the tongue and the temper. One can control the other if gone unchecked. As we’ve seen, it is best to let the Holy Spirit take control.

Introduction: How can we be angry and not sin? Inspired by the Holy Spirit, in one of his letters to a Church, Paul reminds us today as well as then that letting anger linger is not good. In fact, it can lead to giving place to the devil. But wait a minute. Someone asked the question, wasn’t Jesus angry? True. However, Jesus never sinned. If He had committed even one sin then He could not have died for our sins. 

So how do we explain this subject about sin?

1. Unchecked Anger is BAD! (Eph 4:26,27)

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”

Unchecked anger means it has gone unchecked….unresolved. Is your anger unchecked?

2. Checked Out Anger is O.K! (Eph 4:31,32)

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Checked Out anger means it’s been checked out! Thrown out! Dealt with! Nipped in bud!

Has your anger been Checked Out?

Conclusion: Why not have a “Check Up” today? See if your anger is Unchecked or Checked Out?

Introduction: Years ago, just before flying overseas on a mission trip and while standing and praying in an elderly Christian lady’s home, a sign on the wall said the following:

“The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God cannot keep you.”

Paul learned that truth in the nineteenth chapter of the book of Acts.

1. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus! (Acts 19:1-8)

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples…. And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

It appears that the Holy Spirit led Paul to Ephesus. Are we being led by the Spirit?

2. Paul faced demonic activity in Ephesus! (Acts 19:14-20)

“14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

This was a good sign that God was up to a work in Ephesus. Are you facing opposition?

3. Paul faced hostility! (Acts 19:24-27)

“And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.”

Satanically driven people hated the work of the Holy Spirit; it intrudes on their domain. 

4. Paul was brought to safety! (Acts 19:35-37)

“35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.”

Did you notice how God can even use anyone to accomplish His will, in this case the town clerk?

Conclusion: When you are facing opposition, know this, that you must be in the will of God. Also be assured where the Lord guides, He provides. 

Introduction: Are you prepared for the storms of life? How can we get ready? What do we need to do? Storms are inevitable. Storms come in different seasons of life. But regardless, we can get Storm Ready.

Here’s how:

1. Build on the Right Foundation! (Matt 7:24-27)

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Jesus taught His disciples about the two different foundations which one could build upon. One is SAND. The other is ROCK. When obeyed His Word becomes a ROCK solid foundation. Are you building upon the ROCK or SAND?

2. Build with the Right Materials! (1Cor 3:11-16)

“10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

This is a description of what will take place futuristically at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We are building with the materials – whether Right or Wrong – at the present time. 

Are you making it FIREPROOF?

3. Build with the Right Forecast in mind! (Matt 24:27)

“27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

At this event, the Storm will be over!

Jesus is coming like He said!

Conclusion: Get ready for the Storms of life. They’re coming! But we can be STORM READY!

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:” (Rev 22:3).

1. The Curse! (Rev 22:3)

“And there shall be no more curse.”

The word “curse” is κατάθεμα,(kat-an-ath’-em-ah), which literally means a curse, an accursed thing.

Death and disease started with the fall of man in the garden. Because of the devil’s deception and man’s disobedience, the curse came. But God had a plan from eternity past. God the Son would come to earth, live a life without sin and consequently be willing to pay the penalty for our sins.

2. The Cure! (Rev 22:3)

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it.”

The “throne” speaks of authority and majesty. Because of the Conquering King, the curse has been overcome. Jesus rules! Satan, sickness and sin loses.

3. The Conqueror! (Rev 22:4-21)

“There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain.” (Isaiah 4:6)

Introduction: The lightning is flashing; the thunder roaring, while the rain is falling. A storm is overhead at the moment. This reminds us of life. Isaiah is primarily writing to lovingly warn the southern kingdom of Judah concerning the impending judgment yet to come.

The word “shade” is צֵל, which means a shadow.

The word “heat” is חֹרֶב, which means dryness, drought, heat. Can you feel the heat?

The word “shelter” is מַסְתּוֹר, which means a place of safety.

The words “place of refuge” or hiding place is מַחֲסֶה, which pictures a refuge, shelter.

God is our refuge and hiding place.

The word “storm” is (miz·ze·rem), which describes a flood of rain, rainstorm, downpour.

While this writer is doing this devotion there is a downpour, a flood.

Introduction: Read the book of Acts 2:42. Here is what Luke was inspired to write:

“42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

What were the foundational truths that were to govern the early Church? The same that should be preeminent today.

1. Doctrine (Acts 2:42)

2. Fellowship (Acts 2:42)

The word “fellowship” is κοινωνία, which portrays [2 fellows in the same ship!!]. But it also means help, participation, sharing in, spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit. Unfortunately, today we have too many “LONE RANGERS”!
We need the Lord first, but we also need each other.

3. Communion (Acts 2:42)

The word “communion” is the idea of breaking of bread. This primarily is around the Lord’s table, but also goes beyond.

Introduction: When all hope is lost, it is a bad feeling.

1. Solomon wrote the following: (Prov 13:12)

“12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”

The word “deferred” means delayed or drawn out. Have you ever felt hopeless because of a situation that was drawn out? What do you do?

2. Paul felt hopeless! (Acts 27:15-20)

“And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

What seemed hopeless became helpful because our Lord is in charge of the storms. Are you going through a storm? What do you do?

3. Hold on to your confidence in the Lord! (Heb 10:35,36)

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

Have you let go of your confidence in our Lord?

1. Exercise Faith in God! (Psa 37:3)

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

2. Expect the Lord to bring about His will as we seek it. (Psa 37:4)

“4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

The word “delight” is עָנַג: (aw-nag’), which technically it means to be soft, delicate, dainty.

The word “desires” is מִשְׁאָלָה: (mish-aw-law’), which means request, or petition.

In other words, one part of this means as we delight ourselves in God’s will He puts it in our heart to please Him.

David goes on to write,