<p>Minute Message 3/7/15

<p>I have no idea what prompts people to do some of the things they do. Husbands get violent with their wives and blame her for the loss of their temper. Drivers get angry with other drivers and get so upset they cause accidents that at times have taken the life of another person whom they feel was an unkind driver. Neighbor turns on neighbor over some slight and, too often, someone gets seriously hurt.

<p>Someone once said “we live in an angry environment.” I disagree. I refuse to allow people who, because of a lack of self control, grab the headlines and tarnish our community, state and nation by their fits of rage. Especially when they feel justified in doing so. Being angry is an emotion that God has given us. However, it is not something we should use to hurt others. Some have boasted about their anger saying, “You do not want me to get angry.” Solomon had this to say about anger, “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger abides in the bosom of fools.” The brother of James said, “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

<p>You have a temper? Put a lid on it, and come to worship on Sunday. -- Norm Russell

I have no idea what prompts people to do some of the things they do. Husbands get violent with their wives and blame her for the loss of their temper. Drivers get angry with other drivers and get so upset they cause accidents that at times have taken the life of another person whom they feel was an unkind driver. Neighbor turns on neighbor over some slight and, too often, someone gets seriously hurt.

Someone once said “we live in an angry environment.” I disagree. I refuse to allow people who, because of a lack of self control, grab the headlines and tarnish our community, state and nation by their fits of rage. Especially when they feel justified in doing so. Being angry is an emotion that God has given us. However, it is not something we should use to hurt others. Some have boasted about their anger saying, “You do not want me to get angry.” Solomon had this to say about anger, “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger abides in the bosom of fools.” The brother of James said, “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

You have a temper? Put a lid on it, and come to worship on Sunday. -- Norm Russell

I am amazed at the technology that brought us the cell phone. That little invention that came into being a few short decades ago can now be used for any number of things. In my Bible  class, people pull out their phones and can access the complete Bible in a matter of a few seconds. You can use it as a G.P.S. enabling you to find various locations. You can get the local weather report and even access your checking account. It appears you can do just anything with it. You can even be connected to whomever 24/7. We have definitely come a long way since the brick.

As important as it is, to be connected (that’s short for being able to be found any day at any time, by anyone you may or may not know), it is far more important we stay connected (better, anchored) with God. I hope people recognize that staying in contact with Him is the most important activity in life. Communicating regularly with God keeps us grounded and enables us to keep priorities straight. One young girl said she had God’s phone number. When asked what it was she said Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Have you called Him lately? Come worship with us Sunday. Everyone is welcome here -- Norm Russell

For the past several weeks I have focused my sermons on the life of David, the great king of Israel. Even the great people like Moses, Jacob, Abraham along with David and others had tremendous difficulties. As you read about those people, you come away with a better understanding of how God uses imperfect induviduals to accomplish His plan. But, does God see imperfections?

     There are numerous people who provide a service for those wishing to know what the future holds for
them. Palm readers, Tarot cards, some who claim to communicate with the dead, and on it goes.

    We might remember that king Saul had gone to the witch of Endor and asked her to call up Samuel, I Samuel 28. All this in direct violation of God's law regarding such a practice (Leviticus 19:31).

    You can rest assured God is still against this practice. It really does not matter if someone could call up
the dead or communicate in some way with those in the spirit world, it is still not to be a part of a child of God's life.

    In Isaiah 8:18-22, God has promised a remnant would return to the promised land. He says in verse 18, "When they say to you consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?" In Israel's day, the people of God were steeped in idiolatry. God eventually brought Assyria and Babylon to chastise them for their sins.

    Notice especially the words, "Should not a people consult their God"? Why is it Israel could never seem
to learn their lesson regarding the practice of turning to something other than God? Idols could neither see, speak, hear, or smell. They could not come to the aid of those who worshipped them. They were a product of human effort. They became worshippers of stone and wood.

    Sometimes living in America has its drawbacks. We live in a land of plenty, we have learned if we
simply put out enough effort we can solve all of our problems. If we cannot do it ourselves, we know where to go and there is no hesitation on our part. Where is God in all of this?

    For the past several decades, the church who relied on God and His word to lead us, seems to have
turned to something or someone to aid us on our journey. We turn to God when difficulties arise, but only after we have made every attempt to solve it on our own. Thus "All we have left is prayer." becomes our mantra.

    God wants to be our first line of defense, our first responder when we need guidance and comfort. This
will take place when we make prayer our first act when problems arise. When we get into the habit of calling on God, then we will find answers that address the matter in a more Biblically based way, and our faith in God increases.

Norm Russell