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‘Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.’ James 1:19 NLT The Bible gives us three keys to handling our anger the right way. Let’s look at each one and see what we can learn: (1) Be quick to listen. Don’t react, and don’t rush to judgment. Slow down and try to get the facts, then prayerfully and carefully consider how God wants you to respond. (2) Slow to speak. If you’re unsure or you don’t know, just say so. There’s an old proverb that says, ‘It’s better to say nothing and appear to be a fool than to open your mouth and confirm it.’ Your need to be in control, or to look like you have all the answers, can come back to bite you. What you don’t say, you won’t have to...

‘I will be with you.’ Joshua 1:5 NKJV Because we are keenly aware of our limitations, we tend to limit our pursuits to our comfort zone. And that can lead to a life of mediocrity and unfulfilled dreams. Your efforts don’t rest solely on your shoulders, but on God’s. Yes, you have a part to play. But when you have done your best, you must trust God to do the rest. On the threshold of the Promised Land, God said to Joshua, ‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage.’ (Joshua 1:5–6 NKJV) Your ability is limited, but God’s ability is unlimited. You may experience failure on your way to success, but God’s guarantee is, ‘I...

‘I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.’ Psalm 119:15 NKJV If you want to grow spiritually, you need a consistent diet of Scripture. In fact, you will never outgrow your diet of Scripture. There is no substitute. There is no supplement. The poet TS Eliot said, ‘Everything we eat has some… effect upon us. It affects us during the process of assimilation and digestion; and I believe that exactly the same is true of anything we read.’ We are what we read. But let’s take that a step further. Reading without meditating is like eating without digesting. If you want to absorb the nutrients, you can’t just read it; you have to chew on it. Meditation is the way we metabolise...

‘Our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No”.’ 2 Corinthians 1:18 NLT Paul writes, ‘Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver.’ (2 Corinthians 1:17–18 NLT) Paul had learned to set boundaries in his relationships, and you must do the same. A wise man said, ‘Never complain about what you permit.’ Unless you set boundaries, you have no right to complain about people who take advantage of you and waste your time. ‘Jesus… does not waver between “Yes” and “No”… He always does what He says.’ (2 Corinthians 1:19 NLT) And as His follower, you...

‘Stormy wind, fulfilling His word.’ Psalm 148:8 NASB The winds were contrary when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they were contrary on their way to the Promised Land, and they were contrary when they got there. There is no such thing as a storm-free voyage: ‘It is through many tribulations that we must enter the Kingdom of God.’ (Acts 14:22 NASB) When you have to fight to stay afloat day after day, it’s easy to get discouraged. Paul said, ‘When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days… all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.’ (Acts 27:20 NKJV) Maybe you’re weary and discouraged because of what you’re battling. You’re ready to call it quits—and, humanly speaking,...

‘This voyage will end with disaster and much loss.’ Acts 27:10 NKJV Paul told everyone on board the ship bound for Rome, ‘Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.’ (Acts 27:10 NKJV) One author writes: ‘Paul didn’t talk about a little skirmish… a little loss… This voyage would be beset with disasters, with much loss, even to their lives… To Paul this journey meant eventual martyrdom. However, Paul would not die until his mission was completed until he would strike a fatal blow at the heart of the Roman Empire, its political genius, military supremacy… pride and pomp. When Paul walked into Rome with the Gospel,...

‘The winds were contrary.’ Acts 27:4 KJV When you set out to do anything for God, the enemy will make sure you encounter ‘contrary winds’. In fact, if you’re not sailing against the wind, chances are you’re headed in the wrong direction! The Bible says Jesus was ‘tempted of the devil.’ (Matthew 4:1 KJV) Satan never let up, including the night before Jesus was crucified when ‘Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve.’ (Luke 22:3 NIV) Reimar Schultze, a holocaust survivor, says, ‘Wherever you go today, Satan will… try to get you at some street corner, at the office, or in the field. He will make you fall if you leave home without your spiritual armour on; if you leave...

‘Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 18:14 NLT Jesus said: ‘Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: “I thank You, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.” But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to Heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee,...

‘Is anyone among you sick?’ James 5:14 NIV The Bible says, ‘Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.’ (James 5:14–15 NIV) So, let’s be in no doubt; when we’re sick, we are told to call for the church elders to anoint us with oil and pray over us, believing that we will be healed. In times of sickness, we’re also told to pray for one another. Jesus said, ‘And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ (Mark 16:17–18 NKJV) If you are sick...

‘He chose us.’ Ephesians 1:4 NKJV When it comes to God’s will for your life, He decides it and you discover it. It’s not something you can change, a topic for debate, or a plan you get to have a say in. The truth is, you can miss God’s will and be miserable, or do things His way and experience ‘glorious, inexpressible joy.’ (1 Peter 1:8 NLT) The choice is yours. ‘But I don’t know God’s will for my life,’ you say. Then pray this prayer: ‘Father, I’m tired of going through life with no real purpose because it brings no glory to You. You created every living thing, including me, that they may bring You pleasure (Revelation 4:11). I know that You have a specific job for me to do. Your Word...