The Danger of ANGER

“Satan recognizes anger as a fertile field, capable of producing all kinds of sin.”      Bob Deffinbaugh 

Two men, driving in Southern California, got into a battle of road rage after one cut the other off in a parking lot. The hot-headed men sped out of the parking lot in a fit of anger, chasing, driving recklessly, dodging, and weaving in and out of traffic. They endangered a lot of lives before one finally forced the other to careen out of control. The driver frantically tried to regain control, but in the process, an innocent little girl on a nearby sidewalk was killed. A young life was taken simply because two men became needlessly angry at each other. The danger of anger!

It’s estimated that the average man loses his temper six times a week. The average woman loses her temper three times a week. Women are angry more often at people, men at things (for example, machines when they break down). Single adults express anger twice as often as married adults. Men tend to be more physical with their anger than women. You’re more likely to express anger at home than anywhere else. And sadly, anger is most frequent and intense towards those we love, not toward strangers. 

With the Pandemic a new term was coined, corona-rage. Add the vitriol of an upcoming election and the meanness of politics, racial division, economic pressure – and our culture is an inferno for the incensed.  

I wish I could say that anger is not an issue for me. I am so thankful though for the work God has done in my life. Though I sometimes struggle to not hit my internal nuke button, I’m light years ahead of what I once was. It is truly because of God’s grace and the Spirit’s control.

It’s embarrassing to admit that when Jane and I were first married and living in Detroit, someone gave me a one-finger wave. I had a meltdown. I was so angry that I followed them for several miles. I’m not sure what I’d have done if they had pulled over and confronted me. Fortunately, they didn’t. After about five minutes Jane graciously asked, “How long do you intend to follow them?” It pricked my soul and I quit following them.

Probably each of us was angry at least once this past week. It may have been minor frustration with another driver or being irritated with your kids for not putting away their toys. It could have been a situation at work. Some couples live immersed in daily anger and hurt feelings. Some parents and children are in a constant battle of outbursts and abusive words. Many adults have scars from childhood that bubble to the surface. Each time they think about them, they seethe again with anger.

Christian counselor, Jay Adams, states, “Anger is a problem for every Christian; sinful anger is probably involved in 90% of all counseling problems.” Consider how different our world would be if everyone learned to deal with their anger! Child abuse and divorce would be eradicated. Murder, terrorism, and war would cease. Many health problems would clear up. Physicians believe anger can harm the heart as much as smoking or high blood pressure. The number one predictor of cardiovascular disease is mismanaged anger. Anger causes many serious health problems.

Anger is contagious. If we’re around it too much, we become more prone to become angry. In relationships where sinful anger is a struggle, hanging around those who are angry only inflames it. Proverbs 22:24, “Make no friendship with a man given to anger.” If anger is your struggle, look for friends who tend to be peaceful. Their influence will help you have victory.

You’re not a victim. You can control your sinful anger. Anger is a choice. Yet, we often say to our spouse or children, “you make me so mad.” No, they don’t. You chose to give in to anger. Because if our anger was uncontrollable, Scripture wouldn’t command us to control it and God wouldn’t hold us accountable for it.

The Bible is filled with commands about controlling anger. The book of Proverbs has over a dozen verses about keeping your temper reigned in. Your own experience proves that you can control your anger. We’ve all controlled our anger—instantly turned it off—when we wanted to. For example, if your boss does something that makes your blood boil, but you know if you explode, it will cost you your job, so you control your anger.

Recognize and confess sinful anger and submit it to God’s control. Before you can deal with anger, you must recognize that you’re angry, that it’s sin, and you’re responsible for it. It’s wise for us to ask those who love us, “Am I an angry person?” (Don’t get angry if they tell you the truth!)

Many Christians deny or rationalize their anger. Rather than confessing it as sin and turning from it, they accept it as “normal.” It’s not. The cure begins when you’re angry that you acknowledge, “I’ve sinned” (Ps. 51:4).   Confessing it means accepting responsibility and taking appropriate action to turn from it. It means going to the one you were angry with and asking forgiveness. We must believe that God sovereignly out of His goodness allowed whatever happened for our good, so we submit joyfully to His mighty hand, asking Him to teach us what I need to learn from this trial.

Deal radically and decisively with sinful anger. A passive approach won’t work. You must confront it head on. It won’t go away by itself. To deal with anger, you must develop a biblical strategy. 

First (and foremost!), make sure that you’ve trusted in Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and give you eternal life. The minute you believe in Christ, you receive the Holy Spirit who takes up permanent residence in your heart. You must learn to walk in moment by moment dependence on the Spirit, yielding control of your life to Him. You’ll find that memorizing key Bible verses that relate to anger will help in being armed to combat it.

Second, when you sin by being angry, go to the person and humbly ask for forgiveness. Humbling ourselves and taking responsibility becomes a barrier to not succumbing in the future.

Finally, pray for those that you struggle with being angry at (Mt. 5:44).

Have you spoken words in anger? Have you asked God to forgive you? If you’ve spoken words in anger that you know wounded someone, go to them and apologize, taking full responsibility. It might be what God uses to touch their heart and bring them closer to God. One thing is certain. It will bring you into closer fellowship with Jesus when your heart is free!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

 

 

 

Christians MUST be single-issue voters

 

“There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.”                                                Audre Lorde

According to author, Will Holcomb, “Single-issue voters are destroying America.” To be accused of being a “single-issue voter” has become an insult, a statement of condescension essentially accusing someone of being a simpleton. The Bible teaches clearly that believers must be “single-issue voters,” but it’s probably not what you think.

Author and Christian commentator, Joel Belz, recently wrote in August 27, 2020 issue of “World Magazine,” “Calling someone a ‘single-issue voter’ may be accurate—but not the fastest way to win that person as a lifelong friend. I know that to be the case based on experience. When someone says I’m a ‘single-­issue thinker,’ I hear them calling me shallow, superficial, simplistic, and probably at least a little bit lazy… My bigger fear was that we in the Christian community might continue to fragment on all sorts of key issues.”   

After having that accusation hurled at him by a reader, Belz did something we all would be wise to learn from, rather than writing a snarky retort, he reached out to his critic, though he admits that “my first inclination was to scold Bertha a bit and dare her to get off her high horse, check her facts, and admit that maybe she’s the one with a lopsided focus on her own ‘single-issue’.” The outcome of his act of graciousness touched my heart. It should resonate with all of us.

He writes: “It took a few days, but I finally got Bertha on the phone. She was skeptical about my intentions. “I’m frustrated,” I told her, “that we can agree with each other that abortion is evil, and we can agree with each other that racism is evil—and then we tend to part ways just because we can’t seem to agree on a few priorities.”

“Maybe,” she said perceptively, “that’s why there are so many different organizations out there—somebody to cater to every preference!”

My bigger fear was that we in the Christian community might continue to fragment on all sorts of key issues—splintering again and again and thereby minimizing our effectiveness. That’s when it struck me that Bertha and I might be well situated to do something valuable. “How often do you pray,” I asked her, “specifically for deliverance from our nation’s dark racist habits?”

“I try to do that,” she said honestly, “but not nearly as often as I should. It seems easier to read and talk about it than to pray about it.”

“So let me be just as open,” I said. “I am not nearly as faithful as I should be in praying for an end to the evil of abortion. If the two of us aren’t even diligent in praying for the issues we tend to identify with most, who’s going to be praying for those we see as less important? What would happen if great companies of us, smaller groups, or couples were to spend the next 30 days praying regularly for issues and causes we perhaps have never prayed for before?”

With this coming election and with the government in general, we Christians have a variety of concerns that resonate with us and are focal points. There are countless evils that need to be righted, abortion, euthanasia, infringement on religious liberty, racism, injustice…which one should come first. Should one be our “single-issue?” I believe you’d be hard-pressed to come to that conclusion.

Yet, God’s command in 1 Timothy 2:1-5 must be our single issue. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” That passage always rebukes me. I know that I think, talk, read and watch news about politics far more than I pray. Sadly, the amount of time and focus is not even comparable on a generous percentage scale. The only way that you and I will make a difference is not in the voting booth, it’s in our prayer closet.

Partisan politics have brought terrible division to our country. It’s ruined friendships. Family members stop talking with each other because they disagree on which candidate to vote for. Tragically, that division has contaminated the Church and created tension among the people of God. That’s why prayer not politics must be our priority. Prayer must be our priority not our issue. Notice that we’re commanded to pray for all, not just for those who agree with us.

Paul uses four different words for prayer here – requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving. The first three mean almost the same thing and carry the idea of asking. But then Paul includes thanksgiving as a natural part of prayer. Thanksgiving to God is an essential part of our prayer life. We’re to thank God no matter what, not just when things go our way or when our candidate is elected. All four words are in the plural. It’s a reminder that we should pray continually for all people with all sorts of requests.

What should be our #1 request? “Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (vs. 4). Can you imagine how our country would be revolutionized if our elected officials, even the ones that we don’t like, came to Christ? It happened to an evil king, Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4).

It’s time for us in the Church to get back to the “single-issue” that will make the most difference – we must pray to our Sovereign God. It’s time for us to join our brothers and sisters whether they’re red, blue or purple in praying for our leaders and praying first for our leaders' salvation. Prayer is the single issue that we are commanded to agree and join together on!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Erasing Fear

 

“Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.”                                                   Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Back in the wild West, a stranger stands at a saloon bar. Suddenly a cowboy runs in screaming, “Hey, everybody, Big Bad John is coming to town.” Several others exclaim: “Big Bad John is the meanest, toughest, biggest outlaw in the West. Let’s run for it.” Everyone heads for the door except the stranger and the bartender. The bartender says, “Are you deaf, Mister? Big Bad John is coming!” The stranger replies, “I don’t know who he is, but he can’t be all that big and bad. I’m not afraid.” So the stranger and the bartender wait. Soon the saloon doors fly open and off their hinges, and a mountain of a man stomps through the door. Covered with scars and sporting a scowl, he demands a drink. The bartender meekly complies. The stranger nervously thinks to himself, “Now I wish I’d run away; this guy is the biggest, meanest-looking outlaw I’ve ever seen.” The outlaw downs the drink in one gulp, slams it the glass down on the bar, then turns and looks the stranger coldly in the eye to announce, “I don’t know about you, stranger, but I’m gettin’ outta here. I don’t wanna be here when Big Bad John comes in!”

Fear is a strong and complicated emotion. It can cause us to react and overreact. It can cause us to do things, say things, and feel things quickly and powerfully. It doesn’t go away quickly, sometimes for good reason. Fear is complicated because we’re not all afraid of the same things. Sometimes we’re not even sure why we’re afraid. At other times, our bodies and minds respond with fear for a variety of reasons. Fear is universal. As 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man…”

Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith, in their book Untangling Emotions, explain that it’s insightful how many different English words we have for fear. Words like uneasy, worried, nervous, anxious, tense, uptight, spooked, haunted, scared, afraid, panicked, terrified, and petrified occupy slightly different points on the spectrum, yet all express some version of the same core experience… Fear is everywhere and everyone deals with it.  There’s not a single person who doesn’t deal with fear in some way. We must compassionately acknowledge that fear is complex and recognize that strategies for dealing with fear are also complex.

Today we’re beginning a new sermon series: Fear: The Invisible Enemy. During this series, we’ll be looking at the broad spectrum of fear. One message might be the one that you need and be life-changing for you. For others, this series might be one piece of a really big puzzle that you’re putting together. Because of the power of God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, I believe that all of us will find this series helpful.

Anxiety and fear show up in surprising ways. Sometimes we don’t even know why we’re anxious. Sometimes we find ourselves going to bed feeling anxious. Other times, when we wake up we feel anxious, but nothing has happened. There are times when anxiety can be debilitating.

All of know what that’s like. For some fear is a much larger problem. Worry and fear aren’t just around the corner; they’re the clothes you wear every day, and maybe for good reason. Perhaps something traumatic happened to you, and now you find yourself being self-protective and hyper-vigilant. Others simply have a disposition—a family background, personality, physical make-up, body chemistry— that inclines them toward anxiety. And, for some, it’s not just a struggle; it’s nearly your identity. You don’t just struggle with worry; you’re a worrier.

My prayer is that this study will be used by our loving Heavenly Father to help each of us. Fear is a true enemy. And while worry, fear, and anxiety were a huge struggle before COVID-19, they’re enormous struggles now.

While fear is the invisible enemy, faith in the invisible Presence is the cure. Our Heavenly Father has promised us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

The prescription for fear is the promises of God. Just this one promise, “I am always with you” means that we’re never alone, never abandoned, never deserted. God is always with us. This promise is listed as the reason that God’s people are commanded not to fear. Our Heavenly Father’s promised presence is the reason we are told not to fear.

Consider each of these words: I. Am. With. You. The sovereign God, who is orchestrating all the events of life, walks with His people through their sorrows. Isolation, abandonment, and being alone are contrary to the very nature of our humanity. How many of you remember a moment in your childhood where you were lost and you thought you were all alone? Or how many of you know the sick feeling of people not standing up for you?

Satan loves to tempt us into believing that God has abandoned us. But the Bible tells us that, while we can’t see God and while we don’t always know what He’s doing, we can rest our souls and bank our lives on the fact that He’s always with us.

Often it’s a struggle to trust His promises. Someone has referred to it as a “promise battle.” Worry and fear are a battle, but the first step in winning that battle is rehearsing over and over again who’s ultimately in control.

In this series, we’ll explore the most common worries and fears that we experience, consider practical steps for overcoming these fears, and reflect upon fear in the light of God’s Word and a faith that promises again and again that we don’t need to live in fear. We want to experience the power of God to overcome our fears and live in peace with courage and hope.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How You Can be a Blessing to Our Grace Ministry Team

 

“We don’t serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted so we serve God. We don't follow Him in order to be loved; we are loved so we follow Him.”                        Neil T. Anderson

 

This is an exciting day in the history of Grace Church! It’s “Hello” to the Hausers Sunday! This day is an answer to much prayer and planning. For some time, our leadership has been aware of the need to hire additional staff to enable us to continue to reach our community and develop more Christ-followers. Because the Lord has blessed us with so many who are taking those first steps forward in their faith, we needed additional help.

We are very blessed to have such a wonderful staff! God has richly blessed us with Gary Thompson, Jane Carson, Susan Riddle and now, James Hauser. It’s a joy to serve alongside each of them. It’s noteworthy that each of them has a common trait in that they have life and outside work experience, not just a ministry background. For example, Gary was in law enforcement and a general contractor prior to entering vocational ministry. James was a VP for a large bank. Backgrounds like that give great insights on how to better minister to those, not in vocational ministry.

We know James will be a blessing to us and we want to be a blessing to him and all who are part of our Grace team. How can we do that?

Regularly pray for them! Most of us consistently pray for our families. Our church is our spiritual family. Those on our ministry team are on the front lines, serving the Lord and serving you. For me personally, during this pandemic, those who’ve shared that they’re praying for me has so touched my heart. Please pray for our team, their spouses, and children.

Remember that they’re redeemed sinners…just like you. Some think that those who are in vocational ministry don’t struggle with temptation. All of us have our spiritual soft spots and Satan knows what they are. We all blow it. Our old nature will periodically rise to the surface. When it does and we see it in someone’s life, we need to show grace just as we want grace shown to us. For us to be spiritually healthy there must be a continual confessing of sin to each other and the asking of forgiveness. We must be gracious forgivers, going forward in His grace!

They’re here to worship, too. Everyone on our staff has some Sunday ministry responsibilities. They’re main focus though is on worshipping the Lord, just like you. It’s the time for us as a family to encourage, pray with, serve each other. Menial “church business” can wait. Things like the sink in a bathroom is dripping or the landscaping needs attention. We have so little time to worship together. Let’s all keep the main thing the main thing.

His wife and children are simply that. One of the continual blessings of our church is the kindness you’ve shown to my wife and children. That’s not the case in too many churches. We’ve not hired James’ wife, Dana, or his children; Grace, Genevieve, and Grant. It’s not a package deal.

Let me illustrate. Can you imagine introducing your plumber’s wife to someone as, “this is my plumber’s wife”? A pastor’s wife has an identity and first name, too. She’s not just his “wife.” She has a unique personhood.

My now three adult children love the Church and our church because of the continued kindness that you showed to them during their formative years (all three of them were raised at Grace). Too many PKs (preacher’s kids) are hurt and embittered by an unkind church.

The very few times that anyone came to me about the behavior of one of my children, I learned to ask: “Would you go to any other parent in our church about this?” If they wouldn’t go to anyone else, then they shouldn’t go to a pastor about his children.

It’s tempting for churches to be very kind when the pastor’s children are very young and have childlike “cuteness.” James three children are in junior high and high school, and working through the normal concerns young people have. If anything, they need more encouragement, prayer and affirmation than a very young child needs.

We must be committed to biblically problem-solving. Everyone on our staff is going to offend you from time to time (personally, I seem to have a special gift for it). If it’s large enough, obey what Scripture teaches (Matt. 18:15-20) and go to them one on one and share the problem, seeking to problem-solve. All of us have been hurt by learning someone has talked behind our back or to others about a problem rather than coming to us directly. It’s one of the greatest wounds those in ministry deal with. The Golden Rule says, “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matt. 7:12). We must treat leaders as we desire to be treated.  

Express gratitude and encouragement often. Stored in a safe place at the Library of Congress is a small blue box. The label reads: “Contents of the President’s pockets on the night of April 14, 1865.” That was the fateful night when President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It contains five things: (1) A handkerchief embroidered “A. Lincoln”; (2) A country boy’s pen knife; (3) A spectacles case repaired with string; (4) A purse containing a $5 bill—in Confederate money! (5) Some old, worn newspaper clippings. Those clippings concerned the great deeds of Abraham Lincoln. One reports a speech by John Bright, a British statesman, saying that Abraham Lincoln is one of the greatest men of all time. That’s not news for us today. We know Lincoln was a great man, but in 1865, the jury was still out. The nation was divided. Lincoln had fierce critics as he made decisions that he hoped would restore the Union.

There’s something poignantly pathetic about picturing this lonely figure in the Oval Office reaching into his pocket and spreading out these newspaper clippings to read and re-read those encouraging words. It gave him the courage and strength to go on. Everyone, especially leaders, need encouragement! So, if you’re thankful for something a staff member or leader at Grace has done. Please let them know. Tell them, encourage them and tell them again and again.

Those who minister to us need to be ministered to, too! Will you be part of our Grace Church Staff Support Team? I know you will!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.