Your Sun and Shield

Your Sun and Shield TODAY’S SCRIPTURE "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." (Psalm 84:11, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria God wants to pour out His favor and goodness in your life. He longs to be your sun and shield. What does that mean? The sun lights our way; it keeps us warm; it nourishes the plants of the earth so that we can have food. The entire earth is sustained by its relationship to the sun, and God wants to sustain you through your relationship with Him. He wants to be your shield of protection against all the fiery darts of the enemy, and He wants to light and direct your path. Is there someone or something else you’ve been relying on for protection or direction? Why don’t you let go of whatever you’ve been leaning on and choose to lean of God. Open your heart and trust that He has great things for your future. Receive His favor, blessing and protection today because He is your sun and shield! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for directing and guiding me. Thank You for nourishing my heart and mind as I daily put my trust in You. Show me Your ways so that I can walk with You all the days of my life in Jesus’ name! Amen. PS...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdn5EtyKXiI

Before You Retaliate, Calculate the Cost

BY RICK WARREN — JULY 24, 2014

“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” (Proverbs 14:29 NLT)

You’re less likely to get angry when somebody’s pushing your buttons if you realize there’s always a price for returning anger for anger.

The Bible is very specific about uncontrolled anger:

• Proverbs 29:22: “An angry person causes trouble; a person with a quick temper sins a lot” (NCV).
• Proverbs 15:18: “Hot tempers cause arguments” (GN).
• Proverbs 14:29: “A hot temper shows great foolishness” (NLT).

When you get angry, there is a cost: You’re going to get in trouble. You’re going to sin. You’re going to cause arguments. You’re going to make mistakes.

When you lose your temper, you always lose, whether it’s respect, the love of your family, your health, or even your job.

Maybe you use anger to motivate people to do the right thing. Don’t do it! In the short run, you may get the short-term payoff. But in the long run, anger always produces more anger, more apathy, and more alienation.

How many kids have become alienated from their dads or their moms because of out-of-control anger? How many people have been alienated from a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a husband, a wife, or a friend because one of them lost their cool? Anger destroys relationships faster than anything else.

So when someone starts pushing your buttons, before you retaliate, just ask yourself, “Do I really want to do this? Do I want to make mistakes? Do I want to sin more? Do I want to cause arguments? Do I want to act foolish?”

Proverbs 14:29 says, “People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.”

There is always a price for anger. Before you retaliate, calculate the cost.

Talk About It

• What would it look like if you let go of your anger and gave it to God?
• What methods do you use to keep your cool when someone gets angry at you or attacks you?
• What has anger cost your relationships?