Saturday, May 9, 2015

SULKING, POUTING, ETC.

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 21

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

A present-day vineyard in what was ancient Samaria.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 21:4

So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.

A big baby, a spoiled brat always used to having his own way, a sulker, etc. are names that come to mind to describe Ahab. He tried to get his own way by manipulating other people. Then there was his wife, Jezebel. She was the daughter of a neighbouring king and probably had seen her father get his way by exercising raw power. It becomes a “do it my way or else” approach to challenges. Both approaches are caution signs, warning “immature people ahead!”
God has provided a way out for both the victim of such childishness and for the one who succumbs to such “poor me” efforts to manipulate others. Repent of such attitudes and actions. Refuse to be an enabler of such actions. Ahab would not have bothered to sulk unless he knew that by so doing Jezebel would feel sorry for him and spring into action.
Ahab tried to turn his life around by going through acts showing repentance, and God’s judgement was postponed for a time. However, the prophet’s predictions would eventually come to pass.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray that I will not succumb to the fleshly impulse to sulk and pout over my circumstances. May I mature into Jesus’ faithful follower. And please Father, when I grow up, I want to be like Your Son, Jesus. In His Name I ask for Your help, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I remember saying several times to my students when I was a public school teacher, “Grow up!” A chapter title in my most recent book is “From Mess to Maturity, a Work in Process.” GROW UP! I remember the Apostle Paul wrote something about this. He tells us to be no longer children, manipulated by trickery, craftiness, and outright deception. I’ve just read for a New Testament reading, Ephesians 4:11-16. Words such as “equipping – edifying – perfect (complete) – stature – fullness” cause me to do spiritual stretching exercises.

When my children were little and they would pout, I kept a mirror handy so I could show them their facial expression. It’s really hard to retain a snit when you look in a mirror. That screwed-up face would soon become a smile and then lots of laughter. It has been said, “Laughter is the best medicine,” and I would add that laughing at one’s self is, without a doubt, the very best kind of laughter. Need a good laugh? I have a suggestion. Go to the mirror now and make the face you used to make as a child when you were really feeling sorry for yourself because of real or imagined hurt feelings. I’ve just done that. What a good laugh!

Yours for continuing to “grow up,”

David

A man stands atop a large pillar base in the ruins of ancient Samaria.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

8 thoughts on “Saturday, May 9, 2015

  1. Love your Prayer for Today. So difficult to be mature about situations sometimes. Praise Jesus, God will forgive us our earthly sins if they’re not continually repeated.
    You dole out some awesome advice Rev. M. Thank you et al.
    “Lord, remind us how important it is that we obey You and treat others the way we want to be treated. Remind us that Your salvation enables us to live as lights in a dark world.”
    God bless.

  2. Yes! It is hard not to smile while reading your comments. Very good advice for even us older children of God. I have been praying lately that every day I would do The Lord’s will not mine Happy Mothers Day tomorrow.

  3. “Draw my heart, oh Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
    Strengthen me, Oh Holy Spirit, to defend all this is holy.
    Guard me, the, Oh Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.”

    Thank you, David. Smiling with you Saints, amen!

  4. Rev. David, your perception of Ahab are absolutely right on. Both Jezebel and Ahab had self-centred controlling spirits. Pouting as I understand it is wanting ones way.

    Thank you for your powerful prayer; I joined in prayer with you.

    Special pictures, is that Reynold standing on the rock/treestump?

    Have a blessed day, and all the bloggers too! Strengthened in…
    THE ROCK!!!

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