Tuesday, May 9, 2017

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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…these 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 judgment 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 (This Far By Faith) 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.

 

9 thoughts on “Tuesday, May 9, 2017”

  1. Thank you so much for your daily blog, when you mention showing a child their pouting face in a mirror, my Grandmother always use to say ” What if your face froze looking like that?”. Always remember the longest word in the English dictionary is Smiles, there is a whole mile between the two ss. Blessing to you all.

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  2. My heart is heavy for the flood victims let us lift them up to the Lord.Also for the many farmers that need to harvest before planting.The weather has not been cooperating.Praying that people will look to our creator for strength to endure.

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    • What a unique way of dealing with pouting children… could apply to “adult children” as well…thanks Pastor David for this great advice!

      You are so right in referring to Ahab as a “spoiled brat”! also a “manipulator”.

      Have a blessed day all you saints!

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    • same here Al; I pray for the Lord to remove all the water from homes,farms and put the water back into lakes rivers creeks and dry up the lands and help the farmers plant their crops! I pray the Lord will send rain at the right time to make the crops grow!
      In Jesus name we Pray amen

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    • Thank you David Mainse for sharing Laughter! Good medicine!!!!

      God bless you Ger!
      Praise and thank we had a great community concert last night! Singing songs about the Gospel and being with other Christians has been very good for me! I`m thankful,
      I pray for the Lord to bless me with a financial breakthrough, I am desperate to clear debts and help others….
      praying the Lord will hand pick a good room mate for me! He must do this for me and I need to now that it is from God…

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