BE AWARE, UNDERSTAND, TAKE ACTION

BE AWARE, UNDERSTAND, TAKE ACTION

By Dwight Cunkle

When a person decides to know; love God and do his will they experience both resistance and help. Discerning the enemy’s tactics help us resist him and go further on with Jesus.

Examples of enemy resistance from the world, flesh and devil include the following:

-Unsettling anxieties, diminishing peace
- Diminishing energy and strength to do the good
-Sadness and discouragement without knowing why
-Dullness, hardness or lack of motivation to pray, lack of interest in spiritual life, losing heart
-Obstacles and difficulties in daily life and temptations which add up to come against us with negative self-talk; “How can I continue to do good?” or, “Look what you are giving up or won’t be able to do.”
-False reasonings bring confusion, hopelessness, failure: “It’s my fault that I am not better because I should be”
-Feelings of division, unresolved hurts, critical spirit, judgments, negative interpretations of what others think, loneliness or feelings of being misunderstood.
-Fears: of failure, of rejection, of the devil or more resistance, or even fear of success and the responsibility



Examples of how God’s grace and good spirits help us overcome: 

-Experience God’s love uplifting us in faith, hope, joy, peace (even if only briefly)
-Courage to face the enemy’s resistance and continue God’s will
-Strength of God’s love lifting the heart
-Consolations of God’s love giving a new ease and increase in love for others which also uplifts us
-Tears of comfort from the movement of God’s love and closeness or overwhelming gratitude for his love in Jesus
-Inspirations, illuminations and spiritual clarity to see and overcome confusion
-Quiet Strength and peace of heart even in activity
-Grace removes obstacles, inspires an gives hope
-Faith and joy uprising in the midst of the enemy’s taunts

Go further on with the resurrected Christ and resist

the desolations of our enemy whom he has defeated.

The “Right” to a Happy New Year Comes When I Exercise the Privilege to Forgive

The “Right” to a Happy New Year Comes When I
Exercise the Privilege to Forgive

by Dwight Cunkle 

based on The Anger Trap by Carter

Forgiveness and acceptance reduce anger. Don't cling to fantasies expectations and demands about your right to be treated fairly let alone squarely. Anger is fed by your “shock reaction.” You must guard your heart against any bitter root negativity and bad expectation or they will grow with in you like a bad seed and branch out into a poisonous plant.

Instead, choose to change your responses. To avoid bitter fruit in your life you can choose the privilege of acceptance and forgiveness. They are not a duty forced on you as if you were a victim or martyr. You can choose to bring your pain and disappointment to the cross of Jesus Christ. He paid for our sins and provides healing for our wounds in his own.

Assertiveness doesn't always generate the results I desire; in fact, it can backfire. But, by bringing my conflicts to the cross I can trust the love of God to guide me in making good choices. Forgiveness and acceptance reduce anger, especially because some conflicts remain unresolved satisfactorily. My insistence on having my way, my rights, or even closure entrap me and trip me up in the foul mood of unresolved anger. On the other hand assertiveness can be walked out with love for others while we can still be firm in our choices and boundaries.

I am in control of my choices, especially how I respond when others react or ignore my desires. Bitterness is a choice but acceptance and forgiveness is a better choice. As we sow shall we reap. God's grace is given to the humble; His mercy to the merciful.

Choose forgiveness and acceptance and choose to have good boundaries at the same time. You will have much more happiness and peace.

What do you most want this New Year?

PAIN ALSO SERVES A PURPOSE

PAIN ALSO SERVES A PURPOSE

By Dwight Cunkle

Part ten based on The Anger Trap by Dr. Les Carter

Last week we looked at “myths” that can cause unhealthy and anger-either hidden and passive or openly
aggressive.

Believing and demanding wrong ideals leads to disillusionment, vows like “I will never…” and bitter-root judgments which poison our interpretation of others.

“I need people to treat me fairly,” needs replaced with,“I can manage my anger despite others’ flaws.”
“Being forceful is a sign of strength,” can be replaced with “Gentleness and listening humbly show strength.”
“Accepting or showing weakness means defeat,” Can be replaced with, “Accepting mine and others’ weaknesses the maturity and emotional health I want.”

A key is to not build my self-esteem on what I think I deserve or what privileges to which I feel entitled. As we saw in this past election that always leads to anger and poor decisions. It is healthier to focus on my responsibilities which means I also need to face and accept pain. People who are often hurting others have probably not come to terms with their own inner agony.

Pain can have a redemptive purpose-protecting us from worse injury to ourselves and others.

The cross is the place for our pain since Jesus bore it. The cross is the place of exchange of our rights for his good.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Let pain bring you to Christ’s wounds. Come to Jesus’ side and ask healing from deep wounds. Ask grace to give and receive forgiveness.  Exchange life with Jesus.

SHIFTING OUR PARADIGM OF ANGER

SHIFTING OUR PARADIGM OF ANGER

By Dwight Cunkle

Part nine based on The Anger Trap by Dr. Les Carter

Anger has a positive purpose when not “hijacked” by fear, pride, denial or blame-shifting. This week we look at the power of choosing to face Reality that the world often is not what we want and is always beyond our ability to control. But we can choose how we respond, beginning with letting go of our illusions and shock when life and people are hard. As we accept pain and disappointment we can respond with truth and love. When we abide in God’s love we can choose to love others while speaking the truth to them.

Eph 4:25-27 ...each of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Signs of unrealistic expectations and demands of others:

I can’t believe….
Why cant you just…
I don’t understand why….

When statements like these are followed by a tendency to brood or act out in ways that are hurtful to those around us we can recognize that we have unrealistic demands on life

Two sources of anger from our past:
1. Chronic mistreatment or unresolved friction in our childhood. May influence us to look to the future with vows and illusions, “One of these days….”.
2. Some adults look back on childhood as almost perfect. Anxiety and frustration grow as they are unable to reproduce such perfection in their own home and lives.

Assertive anger uses firmness with calmness and gentleness. Facing reality and facing other people with respect means we choose to not keep score and not keep hold of an unrealistic sense of entitlement about how others and life should treat us.

Bottom line: we need to bring everything to the cross of Jesus Christ. Who is never shocked and sees the end from the beginning. His faithful love never fails.

Mismanaged Anger and the Pride of Self-Absorption

Mismanaged Anger and the 

Pride of Self-Absorption     

  

  by Pastor Dwight

Part six based on The Anger Trap by Dr Les Carter

Anger is tied to the craving for love, admiration and significance-sometimes it is 

a cry to be relieved from pain. To relate to others with respect or disrespect 

indicates the degree to which we are free from self-absorbed pride.

 Note the exalted “I” imprisoned here: prIde &  sIn 

“Positive Pride”: a parent or leader may feel pride in their children or team and express affirmation of their character.

The “Prison of Pride”: self-absorption is a prison of selfish, self-centered, insecurity, which often stems from unresolved hurts, pain or fears. These strongholds are protected by pride.
We become so inwardly focused that it isn’t just about persevering our needs but we can act smug, un-teachable, rudely, hurtful or mean. Our pride justifies our sinful way of mismanaging anger, instead of humbling ourselves and being assertive in a constructive way about our needs or feelings.

All of us need to Exchange Pride with Humility in Christ: If we say we have no denial or self-protection in us then we are in bigger trouble than we know. But if we admit our need for the mind of Christ (humility) He can help us choose to exchange our prideful ways of control and reaction with his own fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, etc…

Pride on display in Debates: Vice-President Joe Biden treated Paul Ryan with condescension, sarcasm and at times mean anger. President Obama in the first debate was sulky and avoided eye contact with Romney which also showed disrespect. Romney and Ryan don’t always act humble any more than you or I do. But it is easy to see why this administration have fomented division, class envy, blame, irresponsibility and anger. Wisdom and blessing are not present when leaders are filled with self-absorbing pride.

The strong person admits fault in order to improve. Humility is not a “milk-toast doormat.” Christ. acted with righteous anger which was helpful and attractive to the humble.

Identification Sunday: 

Commitment to Follow Jesus 

 

I abide in Christ as I walk with Jesus as the Son of Man (share his suffering, death and resurrection); as I worship Jesus as the Son of God (empowered in Spirit and truth); as I serve Jesus as Lord (submit to His will); and as I serve and love others as if they are Jesus in “distressing Disguise.”

Application of the above four commitments 

1. I will protect the unity of our spiritual family in love and peace

2. I will share in the responsibility of our fellowship in worship, work and hospitality

3. I will support the ministry of our body with time, talents, treasure and a servant’s heart

4. I will grow in the mission of our congregation in discipleship, in outreach and by the witness of my life, on the job or school and in service to my neighbor.    

 Last Sunday Richard's message called us to get “purple-feet.” He gave reasons why we sometimes are “under-employed” in God’s kingdom: maybe we haven’t been asked, or we haven’t asked, or we are still in training, etc… You will be able to view this and other messages on our www.covenantlifechurch.com website by clicking the “v” for vimeo at the bottom of the page.

We return to Patti Amsden’s book, The Reformers' Creed: A blueprint for reformation in the 21st century, that God’s intention is to unite heaven and a renew earth, in the heavenly pattern of His image so God and man may ultimately dwell together and the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Chapter 9 in her book reviews the ways the covenant theme was developed  through the old Testament using "representative Adams": Noah, Abraham, Moses and finally David.

The Old Covenant promises culminate in King David: the promises that Christ (Messiah) will rule over the earth from His Fathers right hand, beginning with his victorious resurrection, his glorious ascension and confirmed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all mankind. From then on the new order is conferred on us, His body, his re-presentatives.

Our training to be his bride and share his glory and rulership is prayer, worship and praise, the loving service of others, the stewardship of the environment, the influence for justice and righteousness into every institution and mountain of the culture, the ability to work and produce resources creatively and with excellence,  and the proclamation of the gospel of this new order of heaven's rule and heaven's King.

-PD

2012 God Present: pruning and producing John 15:2

Revival comes as I Repent, Renew and Re-form

We can identify where God is blessing and tend those altars in our lives. We can release God’s power and presence from heaven into the earth. God will run interference in demonic activity around us which is coming from idols and perversion in the culture.

Where is God’s blessing of “open heaven” for me/us? Like Isaac, I can re-dig old wells of blessing from our spiritual fathers. As I repent and receive God’s word my mind is renewed and I bring God’s kingdom to re-form the earth.

The five challenges of self-sacrifice Pastor Dwight asked us to write down for accountability last Sunday are:


1. Will I pray daily?
(I will pray with the mind and pray with the spirit) 1 Cor 14:15.

2. Will I read/meditate daily in the Bible?
(I will present my body, remove negativity and receive God’s Word to renew my mind) Rom 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:1.

3. Will I be part of a small group or team at least 2x a month?
(I will be in committed relationships for discipleship and fellowship) Acts 2:42-46.

4. Will I serve in a specific ministry in the church?
(Through love I will serve others) Gal 5:13.

5. Will I get involved with people in need outside church?
(I will get out of my comfort zone and be on mission because we are “God’s net”)
(The last two also include the sacrifice of regular and generous giving.)

Steven White wrote these confessions to daily build faith and renew his mind.
1. I will walk with Christ by my side, for Christ's Kingdom and Glory, and toward Christ's purpose for me!
2. I will see the Lord, I will fear the Lord, and I will put my trust in the Lord. from (from Ps. 40:3).
3. I will put my hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (from Ps. 42:11).
4. I will fear God and keep his commandments, this is my duty! (from Eccl 12:13)
5. I will walk before him faithfully & be blameless! (Gen 17:1)

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The Word of faith is in your mouth (Romans 10:7-10) You can write your own confessions of faith and meditation to renew your mind like Steven.

Update from Men’s Emergency Preparedness meetings
We are a proactive community of men of the Spirit, who seek God together, and who can give gracious answers to those who observe us when they see the hope that is within us.

We’ve had three good times of discussion and prayer and are ready to form an Emergency preparedness Council. Speak with Richard Lineberry about participating or ask for a copy of the policy he has written so far.

Financial Update
As we begin the new season of fall we give thanks for God’s blessing in and through you. As of August 31 our expenses have exceeded our income by about $1,800.

Last year at this time we were down $4,000. This year we were in the plus until the last two months when we had over 3,000 of air conditioning repairs and gave honorariums that exceeded our offerings for those who ministered (we believe sowing seed is essential part of good stewardship).
God grace you with food to eat and seed to sow, as you cheerfully give as God moves your heart.

-PD