Month: August 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Birds of a Feather

Taking others under our wing.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

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Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that birds use when migrating serves two important purposes. First, it conserves their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of him, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. They can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest. The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easier to keep track of every bird in the group, and it helps them communicate with one another.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 
1 Thessalonians 5:11 New Living Translation

“Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” 
2 Corinthians 13:11 New Living Translation

As a flock of believers in Christ we also fly in a special formation. Our journey is long and hard. We must encourage each other to fly strong while leading, caring deeply for one another and insuring that Christ is always our guide. But we can’t do it alone. We are stronger when we fly together. When one becomes tired another takes his place at the front, leading through the day’s heat, wind and storms of life. As we fly together, trusting in the Lord for our strength, we help all of us reach our journey’s end in Christ.

” But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 New Living Translation

Text and Picture Copyright Desiree Bustamante

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Be Angry?

God's desire is that we deal with our anger quickly.

Is it okay for Christians to be angry?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
Ephesians 4:26 English Standard Version

I only had to cross the street to go fishing when I grew up. A slough invited us to cast our bait to catch bluegill and crappie. Our neighbors had a rowboat which we often used to fish the hotspots.

Worms were the bait of choice in those days, and there were plenty of worms at my house. All we had to do was dig through my father’s compost piles to find the slimy creatures. But digging through compost was work. Instead of getting our hands dirty we had this instrument that my grandfather made. It sent an electric current into the compost pile. Like magic, the worms appeared on the surface. (I think the device was illegal.)

Let me state the obvious: Our emotional fuses shorten as the temperature rises. Like the electric current that forced the worms to the top of the compost pile, heat has a way of prompting our anger to the surface.

We often feel guilty when we lose our temper. We say things that shouldn’t come across our lips. We do things that we that we regret and cause damage that’s hard to repair. Then we feel guilty because of an expectation that Christians don’t get angry.

Is it wrong or sinful to be angry?

I wish I could answer with a simple yes or no. I believe there are times when anger is sinful and times when it isn’t. There are times when our anger rises from selfishness and times when it rises because of injustice.

Whether our anger surfaces because of our human condition or because of inequity, Paul’s advice is good. “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” Deal with your anger quickly before your anger negatively takes control of your behavior.

God's desire is that we deal with our anger quickly.
God’s desire is that we deal with our anger quickly.

God was angry with sin, yet he did not destroy the sinner in his anger. Jesus’ death satisfied God’s anger. He didn’t let the sun go down on this world for eternity without satisfying his anger. God isn’t angry with you, because of Jesus.

When your anger rises to the surface, may God empower you with his grace so that the sun does not go down on your anger.

Text and Picture Copyright Douglas P Brauner

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Podcasts

PWTE Podcast Episode 031: I Believe in the Holy Spirit

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Graphic composition of words and terms of the Christian concept of Fruit of the Spirit. Digital art composed with textured hand painted brushstrokes and bitmap illustration of adaove in flight.

In this episode of the Praying With The Eyes podcast, Richelle Hecker and Pastor Jeffrey Meinz talk about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They talk about why the work of the Holy Spirit is a part of our confession in the Nicene Creed. They talk about who the Holy Spirit is and how he interacts with us.

Blog: The Most Important Thing about the Holy Spirit

Scripture: