Introduction: Are you finding yourself getting mad lately? Losing your temper… or really finding it? Which one? With Hot weather comes hot-headedness! Right? Do you get angry? What is causing your anger? Is it something that you cannot control? Do people make you angry? Aren’t you glad we don’t have people-zappers like bug-zappers?

What do you do when you lose your COOL? How can we Stay COOL in a HOT-HEADED culture?

1. Ask, what is CAUSING your ANGER?

“9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” (Eccl 7:9)

Solomon probably had to deal with anger constantly, with his many wives, concubines, servants, and possessions. 

A bitter and resentful spirit causes anger. The writer of the book of Hebrews mentions, “roots of bitterness springing up and defiling many,” (Heb 12:15).

Unresolved conflicts can cause harshness. Ungratefulness causes anger. Lack of trust in the Lord can create anger.

2. Ask how can we DEAL with ANGER before it DEALS with us?

“4Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go.” (Prov 22:24)

If we hang out with angry people, Solomon warns us that it will influence us. Instead of us influencing them, too often it is the opposite. They rub off on us. Be sure to surround yourself with those who can deal with anger. But at the same time, if you are ready, help disciple – only a teachable, cooperative, student.

Conclusion: Obviously, there are other factors besides the ones mentioned in this devotion that cause anger. Anger toward sin is justifiable…. Jesus turned over the money changer tables and drove them out with a whip because He said they were making His FATHER’S house a den of thieves. However, remember, He was God with pure motives. 

While some INTERNALIZE their anger and take it out on themselves, others EXTERNALIZE their anger and take it out on others. The sooner we deal with the problem of HOT-HEADEDNESS, the better and further we walk with our Lord.

COOL OFF!

Introduction: Do you ever get discouraged? Life has a way of handing us lemons…. But you know what is next…
Make lemonade. Discouragement, disappointments, and even depression can set us back. Solomon writes about both the causes of discouragement and the cure of encouragement.

1. What causes DISCOURAGEMENT?

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” (Prov 12:25)

“Heaviness” – Interesting to note, the word “heaviness” is דְּאָגָה (deh-aw-gaw’), which means anxiety, anxious care.

Wow! Anxiety will get you down. Literally. Physically. Mentally…. and sometimes Spiritually. Would you agree, it appears our heart constantly fights worry and care? If it is not one thing, it is another!

2. What are the Cures for DISCOURAGEMENT?

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” (Prov 12:25)

I love the words of our Lord. Jesus gives His disciples, as well as us today, some insight and wisdom to overcoming care and anxiety. Listen to His words:

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matt 6:25-34)

Speaking of “worry” and “care,” Peter writes the following, “7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” (1Pet 5:7).

The word “care” is μέριμνα,(mer’-im-nah), which means care, worry, anxiety.

3. How can you Help lift the load of “CARE” and DISCOURAGEMENT someone is carrying today?

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” (Prov 12:25)

The word “stoop” can be translated depression. It is the Hebrew word : שָׁחָה,(shaw-khaw’), which means to bow down.

The word “good” is טוֹב, which means pleasant, agreeable, good.

Conclusion: Will you purpose in your heart right now to speak a “good word”? It can lift a load off of someone right now who is facing DISCOURAGEMENT. Ultimately, God will get the glory!

Introduction: Are you HAPPY? What will it take to make you HAPPY? Do material things make you HAPPY? Maybe temporary HAPPINESS. But then you have to look for something else to satisfy your cravings for HAPPINESS. Let’s do a brief study on HAPPINESS:

1. How do some people search for HAPPINESS?
“I would be HAPPY if….

Forget all my troubles…
Get out of debt….
Get another spouse…
Have more money…
Get famous….
Be appreciated…..
Better job…..
Bigger house….
New car or truck….
Better health….
More retirement….
etc…

2. What does the Scripture say about HAPPINESS?

“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.” (Proverbs 16:20)

3. What does the Scripture say about HAPPINESS?

“15Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” (Psa 145:15)

1. As fully man, Jesus got TIRED and WEARY!

Listen to the Word of the Lord:

“Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” (John 4:6)

2. As man, Jesus grew WEARY, but as God He invites His followers to find His REST!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)

The word picture here for “yoke” is an instrument used to put on a farm animal for work. There is not any need to put the “yoke” on an animal that is fixing to go to sleep.

“Yoke” is ζυγός,(dzoo-gos’), which means a yoke (a Jewish idea) of a heavy burden, comparable to the heavy yokes resting on the bullocks’ necks; a balance, pair of scales.

However, the word for “rest” is ἀνάπαυσις,(an-ap’-ow-sis). It means cessation, rest, cessation from labor, refreshment.

Introduction: Do you know what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wants from you? WORSHIP. Genuine WORSHIP. Heart moving WORSHIP. We desperately need to learn to WORSHIP our Lord now because in heaven that is what we are going to do. Do you agree? But how do we WORSHIP? What is WORSHIP? Why do we WORSHIP?

1. Why WORSHIP Jesus Christ?

“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:8-10)

Jesus has REDEEMED us by His precious BLOOD! There’s a NEW SONG in heaven! The WORTHY LAMB has made those who trust in Him, “Kings and Priests.”

2. What is WORSHIP?

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23, 24)

Responding to the sinful but searching Samaritan woman, Jesus utters a profound statement concerning WORSHIP.

God is a Spirit. Therefore, He must be approached through the realm of the SPIRIT world.

“Truth” is the word ἀλήθεια,(al-ay’-thi-a). It is defined as not merely “truth as spoken; truth of idea, reality, sincerity, truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to man, straightforwardness.”

Do we really WORSHIP God in SPIRIT? Perhaps much of the time we attempt to WORSHIP the Lord through the futile means of the FLESH. Why? Because we are so driven, controlled, motivated, influenced, and impressed by the FLESH.
This is difficult to admit, but it is true in the light of biblical WORSHIP. Could this be why Paul was led to write the following?

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Gal 5:16)

“7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom 8:7,8)

FLESH vs SPIRIT

3. How do we WORSHIP Jesus?

“I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever… Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever…. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psa 145:1-3)

GREAT and MIGHTY is the Lord our God! We WORSHIP Him because of who He is!

Conclusion: Do you make it a daily practice to WORSHIP Jesus Christ? Probably all of us could use a little improvement in this category. However, if we will follow the promptings of the Spirit of God, while using the Word of God, it will no doubt lead us into a WORSHIPFUL experience. All that is for the purpose of GLORIFYING our Lord Jesus Christ. After all… He is WORTHY of WORSHIP! Right?

“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (1Kings 18:38)

Introduction: Are there a lot of false prophets today? It seems like many are boasting to have special revelation as well as predicting events to happen that never do. So today, like in Elijah’s day, there were quite a few false prophets. However, Elijah was a man of prayer; also, he trusted in the God of the Bible. Yet, his FAITH was constantly being tested. 

Does God answer all prayers? One preacher described answers to every prayer in this manner. “If the request is wrong, God says NO! If the timing is not right, God says SLOW. If we are not right, God says GROW. But if the request is right, the timing is right, and we are right, God says GO!”

In Elijah’s case, God says GO!

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (1Kings 18:21)

1. When the fire falls, the devil’s crowd is HORRIFIED!

“And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.” (1Kings 18:40)

2. When the fire falls, the saints are PURIFIED!

“And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.” (1Kings 18:40)

3. When the fire falls, the Lord is GLORIFIED!

“37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38Then the fire of the LORD fell..” (1Kings 18:37,38)

Conclusion: Interestingly enough, this was not Elijah’s first test. In fact, in the previous chapter, he is instructed to go to a brook to be fed by the ravens. The next thing you know, the brook dries up, and he is led by the Lord to be a blessing to a widow woman and her son. All of this is preparation for the bigger battles of FAITH. He prays for the heavens to be shut from sending forth the rain, and the windows of heaven are closed. Three and half years later, he lifts his voice to the throne of GRACE and the result is a torrential downpour. James claims that we have like passions as Elijah. Therefore, the same great and mighty God that answers by fire in Elijah’s dilemma is the same Sovereign Lord of today.

Introduction: Are you a TAKER, KEEPER, or GIVER? Jesus described 3 kinds of people in the world. Only one of them is a GOOD NEIGHBOR.

“….A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37)

1. TAKERS

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” (Luke 10:30)

A TAKER is someone who says, “What you’ve got, I want, and I’ll TAKE it.”

Are you a TAKER?

2. KEEPERS

“1And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” (Luke 10:31,32)

A KEEPER is someone who says, “What I’ve got I will KEEP.”

Are you a KEEPER? Most of us fit in this category. We work hard all of our life to accumulate “stuff.” Then we insist on KEEPING the “stuff” we have amassed, sometimes needing to be reminded that we will not TAKE it with us to heaven.
Even worse than that, it is left for our families to argue and fight over… who gets what!

3. GIVERS

“33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.” (Luke 10:33-35)

This last man, a Samaritan (  half-breed) was a GIVER. A GIVER is someone who says, “What I have, I will GIVE”!

Are you a GIVER?

Conclusion: Please do not misunderstand. Jesus was not saying to the lawyer who asked Him about eternal life that being a GOOD NEIGHBOR will get you to heaven. By the way, the whole point of this narrative was to demonstrate WHO is a GOOD NEIGHBOR? To clarify, Jesus concludes:

“36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:36,37)

Introduction: Are you afraid of death? Have you prepared to die? How can we face the inevitable? That is unless Jesus comes in the clouds, called the rapture.

You know, it is not how you START in the race that really matters. It is how you FINISH the race!

Do you want to FINISH FAITHFUL?

The Church of Smyrna, (smoor’-nah), whose name means “myrrh,” which is a substance with a sweet-smelling fragrance. Notice the parallels between the Church, the bride, and the Bridegroom, Jesus.

1. Who else besides JESUS CHRIST would die and be resurrected from the dead never to die again?

“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.” (Rev 2:8)

Jesus predicted His death, but also foretold of His resurrection.

“21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” (Matt 16:21)

The apostle John verifies His resurrection as he quotes the words of our Lord.

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Rev 1:18)

2. What about JESUS’ horrendous suffering?

“9I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” (Rev 2:9)

Jesus was born in POVERTY!

“9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2Cor 8:9)

Jesus suffered immense persecution and faced much tribulation.

“8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Heb 5:8) 

“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1Pet 2:21)

“8For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1Pet 3:18)

Jesus died for (in the place of) our sins. As we trust His sacrifice, we are forgiven and placed into a right relationship with God the Father. Because Jesus has gone before us and given us His Holy Spirit to be with us, we do not need to fear death. Besides that, we can live a life led by His Spirit preparing us for when we see Him in glory. 

3. Jesus was FAITHFUL unto death!

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev 2:10)

Paul writes,

“8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil 2:8)

Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane:

“42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” ( Luke 22:42)

John writes, 

“6For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:16-19)

Conclusion: Jesus has already TASTED death for every man.

“9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Heb 2:9)

So death has lost her sting!

“54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1Cor 15:54-55)

John, led by the Holy Spirit concludes his remarks to the Church is Smyrna with these remarks:

“11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Rev 2:11)

Will you purpose in your heart to be FAITHFUL unto death?

1. GREATER is He!

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”(1John 4:4)

We become stronger because Jesus is GREATER!

The word “greater” is μέγας, μεγάλη, μέγα: (meg’-as), which means large, great, in the widest sense.

2. GREATER is He than is in Me (us)!

“… greater is he that is in you.” (1John 4:4)

3. GREATER is He that is in Me than he that is in the world!

“….greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1John 4:4)

Conclusion: WOW! Remember: JESUS is GREATER! The next time you “get down,” “look up”!

Introduction: Do you know what it means to live in VICTORY? Contrary to what you may be thinking, it does not mean everything always goes the way we want it to! Nor does it mean living a sinless life. But it does mean, VICTORY in Jesus is always possible and achievable because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection and ascension. Furthermore, because of His PROMISES and PROVISIONS we can live above the world, the flesh, and the devil. How you ask, “how does that work?”

Read Romans 6:1-14:

1. “Knowing” what our Lord has done FOR us!
(Rom 6:3,6,9)

2. “Reckoning” what He says is TRUTH!

“11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”(Rom 6:11)

Here is where the FACT – “knowing” turns to FAITH – “reckoning”! Literally, the word is an accounting term and means to count on a fact. Put the two together: “Knowing and reckoning” – Since God wants us to KNOW we are dead to sin but alive unto God, through the Holy Spirit, and by the power of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ACT upon what our Lord has said is true. It is “REVELATION TRUTH,” which goes to APPROPRIATION TRUTH.

3. “Yielding” the members of our body, i.e. our mind, will, and emotions, including our eyes, ears, hands, feet!

“12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Rom 6:12-13)