“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) Hurt people hurt people. When someone hurts you, it’s because they’ve been hurt. Unkind people don’t feel kindness … The post Anger Yields Anger, Wisdom Yields Patience appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope ..read more

“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Proverbs 14:29 (NLT) When someone is angry with you, it’s easy to show anger in return. But before you allow yourself to get mad back, calculate what you’re going to lose. Calculate the cost of anger. The Bible is extremely specific about uncontrolled anger. Proverbs 29:22 says, “An angry person causes trouble; a person with a quick temper sins a lot” (NCV). In Proverbs 15:18, you read, “Hot tempers cause arguments” (GNT). And Proverbs 14:29 says, “A hot temper shows great foolishness” (NLT). When you let ..read more

“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV) Do you know two of the biggest mistakes people make in relationships? One, they react to what someone says without considering how that person feels. Two, they invalidate someone’s feelings because they don’t feel that way themselves. The antidote for both of these is the same: Simply be considerate. Let’s take a closer look at each of these mistakes and what you can do instead. Mistake #1: Reacting without trying to unde ..read more

“Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them.” Proverbs 20:3 (GNT) Wise people are peacemakers, not troublemakers. Wise people don’t carry a chip on their shoulder. They’re not always looking for a fight. And they don’t intentionally antagonize other people. The fact is, if you’re around someone for any length of time, you’ll figure out what irritates them. Then you may file that information in the back of your mind as a tool to use when you get into an argument. When the person says something that hurts, offends, or slights you in any way, you may pull out the ..read more

“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:27 (NIV) In Acts 17, Paul gave a sermon to the people in Athens. He said something like, “God doesn’t live in a temple or a little house. He would be confined. He has chosen to live all around the world. God is everywhere.” Why? As Acts 17:27 says, “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us” (NIV). God is close, available, and accessible. A lot of kids today grow up with abse ..read more

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father . . . who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV) You can count on God. He’s dependable and reliable. He is worthy of your trust. Some of you know fathers who are unpredictable, unreliable, and fickle. They’re always changing, depending on the mood they’re in. Inconsistent fathers produce insecure children. But the Scripture says God never has a bad day. He doesn’t wake up grumpy. He’s not moody. He doesn’t get up on the wrong side of the bed. He’s consistent and faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we ar ..read more

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) At one time or another, you’ve probably been in a situation where you’ve asked, “Doesn’t God care?” The disciples asked this very question in Mark 4. They were out in a boat on the lake when the winds and the waves came up. The water started sloshing over the boat and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping. The disciples woke him up and asked the most important question you can ever ask, “Don’t you care that we’re drowning?” (Mark 4:38 CEB). What about you? Does God care about your house payment, your health ..read more

“Nothing is impossible for God” Luke 1:37 (GW) God can handle any situation you give him. No problem is too tough for him. Nothing is beyond his ability. But the first thing you’ve got to do is bring it to him. What decision are you facing this week? What mountain needs to be moved? Cancer? Bankruptcy? Your kids are having problems? Can’t break a bad habit? “Nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:37 GW). In Jeremiah 32:27 God says, “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind.  Is anything too hard for me?” (NIV). It’s almost like God is laying down the gauntlet, saying, “I dare you. Think u ..read more

“We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (GNT) When you feel overwhelmed, it’s important to go to God in prayer and confess your inability and inadequacy. If you’re afraid, you need to be honest and tell God exactly how you feel. In 2 Chronicles 20:12, Jehoshaphat prays, “We are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help” (GNT). Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like there was a problem in your marria ..read more

“King Jehoshaphat went and stood before [the people] and prayed aloud.” 2 Chronicles 20:5-6 (GNT) Life includes times when you feel like you’re in an impossible situation, when you feel like you’re being attacked from all sides. That’s what happened to Israel’s King Jehoshaphat, who prayed to God when he faced armies from three different nations. To get through those times, you need to learn how to model your prayers after Jehoshaphat’s so that you can get relief. Jehoshaphat did three things in 2 Chronicles 20 that you can do too: Refocus on God. Even with a problem looming before you, shi ..read more