Devotion back log

May 30, 2011
The trap of ambition
It is okay to dream. It is okay to achieve your dream (Pro 13:12,19). Sometimes in the midst of our pursuit of the vision God has given us, we get drawn in to someone else’s agenda. We continue to defer our hope until our heart is sick and we are disoriented. Our dream is within our reach, but we are afraid to grasp it. The world whispers in our ear, “What about success, status, power and wealth? Don’t you want those things?” (Pro 11:6) If you’re not careful you’ll be wooed from God’s calling into the world’s empty promises. God delights in fulfilling your dreams. It’s okay to receive His gifts with thankfulness.

May 31, 2011
Anger management
Exhibitions of anger are not always sinful, but they are so rarely righteous, they should be avoided altogether. (Pro 14:17, 29, 15:1) Anger is usually a selfish reaction to a personal offense. It is rarely the righteous sort of anger that Jesus demonstrated when he turned over the tables of the money changers. We normally regret a fit of temper and end up “eating crow” because we react before we know the whole story. A mature look at anger sees that it is only destructive and does not accomplish the goals about which we are so passionate (Jam 1:19-20). Controlling your temper is a discipline, but it can be achieved.