What makes Jesus mad:::

On Sunday, Jesus entered the city riding on the foal of a donkey. But he came in humility. Warrior kings rode in on prancing stallions. Jesus came on a donkey. He also came with tears in his eyes for the city that would reject his offer of grace. On Monday, the tears have turned to fire. His eyes blaze with indignation.

Between now and Easter weekend, we are following Jesus day by day through the last week of his life. This week, from Palm Sunday to Good Friday and on to Resurrection Weekend, was the most important week of Jesus’ life. This was what it was all about. Everything he had done for his entire thirty-three years and especially his three and half year ministry led up to this week. If we don’t understand the significance of his last week, I doubt very much if we grasp who Jesus was and what he to do for us. These events matter.

Monday reveals a side of Jesus many would rather not have to deal with. Everybody likes a Jesus who teaches us to love our neighbors and takes little children into his arms. People honor a miracle worker who heals the sick and promises to answer our prayers. They eagerly quote the Jesus who says, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” There is something nice and comforting about the baby in the manger, the calmer of storms, and the forgiver of sins. Monday presents a disturbingly different portrait of our savior.

Two events take place. First, on the way into town, he curses a barren fig tree. It eventually withers and dies. He then heads straight for the Jewish temple and forcibly drives the merchants and moneychangers from the outer court. This Jesus has fire in his eyes and fierce indignation in his heart. There is no way around it. Jesus was good and mad. 

For some people this raises a bit of a problem. Some define anger as a sin. But the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was without sin. How do we make this match up? Perhaps we are misreading Jesus’ attitude. More likely, we misunderstand anger. 

Christian psychologist Dr. David Seamands has a helpful comment. “The person who cannot feel anger at evil is a person who lacks enthusiasm for good. If you cannot hate wrong, it’s very questionable whether you really love righteousness.” That explains a rather curious statement in the New Testament. Ephesians 4: 26 says, “In your anger do not sin.” The KJV renders it, “Be angry, but sin not.” Temper tantrums are always evil. Anger that boils over into vile words and vengeful attacks is never good. But a person who does not feel angry and indignant at evil knows nothing of the righteousness of God. 

Jesus carefully planned these events. Both the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple were really acted out parables. The Old Testament prophets often used object lessons to make a point. Jeremiah paraded through the streets with a yoke about his neck to warn of God’s judgment. Ezekiel packed his bags and carried them through the streets to predict the coming exile of the nation. Likewise, Jesus cursed the tree and drove the money changes from the temple because he wanted to illustrate important truths. These two events provide a clear picture of the things that makes Jesus good and mad.

Your life is your responsibility!

Your life is your responsibility. And it’s only when you take full responsibility for your life is when you actually do something about it. When you blame somebody, in effect, it actually means you expect somebody else to change your life situation. It means you are waiting for the other person to redeem you of your problems. It isn’t their life though, it’s your life. If you think about it…

It’s actually your fault that you are not happy, it’s your fault for not taking those great opportunities, it’s your fault for letting that person take advantage of you. Your life is in direct response to the way how you treat yourself as a person. Everything you have in your life is a manifestation of how you treat yourself, NOT how somebody else treated you or what somebody else has done.

The reason why we blame others is because we become uncertain about our own capabilities and we become thwarted by our problems in life. We tend to come up with excuses to stay away from what we should be doing. Regardless of how much you blame others, it will not change your life; but the less you blame others, the more you will exercise greater intuition and greater judgment about what’s really going on. It means you rely on yourself to determine your outcomes in life and break through adversity... and this is a powerful thing!

Take full responsibility for your situation and discover how you can create success for yourself without giving away your power. Ask yourself the following questions: Am I in charge of my life outcomes? Can I personally make things better in this situation? How can I take responsibility to become better? When you do this, you grow to feel more independent, increase determination and grow stronger as you find new ways to enhance stronger character traits.

Fulfill your deepest needs and take responsibility for your outcomes that you want to manifest into your life – from now onwards!

Food for thought:::

Class is knowing what to say, when to say it & when to stop. When you are tempted to lose patience with someone, remember how patient God has been with you. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone. & stand up for what you know to be true always. The Lord knows your heart, your intent & your reasoning behind all you do. And just b/c someone is hateful to you, doesn't permit you to seek revenge. Wisdom is knowing how to hold your tongue and strength is being able to do it- especially when it is difficult. The Lord tells us to turn the other cheek- this is vital in our spiritual growth. He was saying if someone abuses you, do not do back to them what you feel is fair or just. He wants us to let it be- He will handle it. 

It is so hard not to lash at at people who lash out at you b/c nobody wants to be viewed as a push over or as weak. I know because I have had to practice what I preach and it is def a battle. Your flesh wants to tell them off but, God tells you to be still. The meaner someone is- the more difficult it is to stay calm. The devil will use those around you to try and "break" you. Try not be blame them b/c it isn't them- it is the devil in them who you are at war with. Just some food for thought. 

2013 A Yr. of New Beginnings:::

"Our scientists talk about the end of the world and the possibility of the destruction of civilization. Just one wrong move by some of our diplomats could plunge us all into eternity by intercontinental missiles and hydrogen bombs. When we read about the death rate on our highways, the death rate by cancer and heart disease, none of us know whether or not we are going to be alive tomorrow. Life is the most uncertain thing in all the world. We never know when our moment is coming." -Billy Graham


I guess what I have had on my mind the past few days is that, since we are not promised another day- shouldn't we make them count? I mean, it is so easy to waste our days counting down until the next big event that we don't take the time to enjoy the here and now. We have an opportunity to live this life b/c the Lord afforded that to us... & since He blessed us with life, isn't that a reason in itself to achieve all He intended for us to with it? He made us each for a "purpose". I for one, would love to know what that purpose is.

I wonder if there are other people who truly try to live in the "spiritual" and not in the "physical". I focus more on God and what He wants me to do for Him and His Kingdom- than what people expect of me. I seek His approval over people's opinions. I have sacrificed people, my flesh and my lifestyle for Him and even if it was hard- I did not question it. I hear people say they believe in God and yet, their lives say the opposite. It's almost like they want to believe (or they want to avoid hell) just in case God is real- but if they believed with all their hearts- they would not live the way they do b/c they would KNOW better. I don't understand why people are comfortable with secular views of a "Christian lifestyle". For example- "It's okay to sin, just don't abuse it." Are you serious? It's like, people try to make God's Word say something other than what it truly says b/c if they "alter" it- then it is "easier" to accomplish.

Truth is, living for the Lord is NOT difficult. The difficult part about living according to the Word is not the blue print the Lord left for us- But being able to live that way surrounded by Pharisees, Atheists and Luke Warm Christians. Ya see, people make our walk difficult. They knowingly or unknowingly, make it extremely hard to live the way Christ calls us to. The challenge is, trying to live a godly life with ungodly people. Sacrificing worldly ways is not hard- surviving in a "World of Sin" is the difficult part. I know the Lord has a reason for showing me what I am truly up against- & I trust He is with me all the way... But sometimes, I wonder why He even tries anymore. That is the most amazing part about God. His love is unlike anything we can imagine... If it were me- I'd have thrown in the towel a long time ago. But b/c He loves us- I will mimic that love and try my best to stay on track & not get distracted with the nonsense.

I just wish people invested as much time in God as they do doubting Him. I wish people talked to our Lord at least equally to the amount of time they pray to Him if they "Need" Him. He don't need us- We need Him. & yet, folks are quick to "talk God" or ask for "prayers" if things are hard. Yet- why can't they brag on God even through the hard times and especially in the good times? That right there is what I call "disbelief". If you really knew God- you would love Him so much that you would not be able to go a few minutes without feeling Him, Talking to Him, Thinking about Him or just being aware of Him. I get aggravated more by folks who "Believe in God" than by those who don't. It's one thing to not believe and live that way but, to claim to believe and live like an atheist- that is far, far worse.

I honestly love each and every moment the Lord gives me and I want others to understand that even in a world of sin- we are called to righteousness. Just b/c things are hard or uncomfortable- doesn't mean there is nothing good in our lives. It is so easy to get distracted with the "hog wash" that we lose sight of the Grace! Anyways, hopefully I made some sense. I may have hopped around a bit- but, all I want to leave you with is this- Do not waste your days- someone would love to be in your shoes but, they are taking their last breath. I do not fear death- I don't want to leave this world without achieving as much as I can for my Lord! I want Him to know, that I gave it my all and loved the life He blessed me with. && when He calls me home- I will rest then. Until then, I am going to fight for my God... Even when I am tired. I am going to love people- even if they do not love me. I am going to do things I don't want to- b/c I am a soldier for Christ and He is my commanding officer.