Preaching in Jeans: Making Wise Choices

One of my favorite SNL skits has Chris Farley eating at a fine dining restaurant. It shows him drinking coffee and at the end of his meal he is let in on a secret. He has been drinking Folder's Crystals coffee rather than high priced coffee. He then goes on a rage and terrorizes the whole place. He is finally subdued by employees that beat him over the head with frying pans. Later, after he had been bandaged up, he was interviewed and asked how he felt. His reply: "ANGRY!"

Our anger can make us do stupid things, say stuff we don't want to say, and ruin the day of those around us. Why is it that we usually take out our anger on those that are closest to us, those that we care the most about, those that care the most about us? Anger.

Proverbs 14:29 says, "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly."

I want to encourage everyone this week to slow down. Don't be in such a hurry to blast the guy in the car in front of you that simply changed lanes in front of you. This past week, I mentioned that I had to make the conscious decision years ago to drive the speed limit. I had to make up my mind to not get bent out of shape over the way others drive around me. If I didn't make that choice, I knew I was going to be angry every time I got in the car and I was going to ruin everyone else's day that was in the car with me.

I wonder... What was it about the other guys driving that got me so angry? All he did was change lanes. We know that anger is a secondary emotion. What was the primary emotion that led to anger? Did he scare me when he changed lanes? Did he violate my space? Was I scared of him? NO! What was it that led to me getting angry?

I want to throw out the challenge: SLOW DOWN. It just doesn't matter how that other guy is driving. Ask yourself: Why do I get so angry at other drivers?

Friends, let put 1st things 1st when we get angry. Let's take it to the Lord. Ask Him to take those thoughts captive. Claim the verse that tells us to take all of our anxieties to him because he cares for us. Will you believe that God can help you? Will you?

James 1:19 says, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

SLOW DOWN and take it to God. SLOW DOWN!

I have had so much feedback from this past weeks message dealing with friendships in our lives so I wanted to do a follow up. We need to make wise choices about who we are allowing to have influence in our lives.

Proverbs 13:20 says, "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

We need to first determine who or what are the influencers in our lives. Whether it is a person, place, thing, or attitude; we need to determine who or what is shaping our behaviors and attitudes. One of the statements I have said for years is this: "You show me your friends and I will show you your future." Make no mistake... behavior is modeled and attitudes are contagious. Who or what is shaping you?

There are some friendships that need to be cut off and there are others that we simply need to stop watering. Is it a person that is leading you toward a life that is contrary to the way God would instruct you to live? Is it a place that you go on the internet? Have you become secret friends with a place on the web? Is it a possession that you are passionate about that has led you to have a greedy heart? What about an attitude? Sometimes, bitterness and anger and unforgiveness can keep us warm at night. Do you have an attitude that you need to let go?

Friends, I suggest we make these questions a part of our everyday living:

1. Is it BEST? I am not taking about ok or good. I am talking about the BEST! The greatest enemy of "best" is "good." I don't want you to just experience good. I want the best for you.

2. Does it BUILD? Does that friendship lead you toward godliness? Are you a better person because of that friendship? Does that friend lead you toward bad decisions and messing up? My desire for you is to be stronger everyday.

3. Could it BIND? Is it possible that this friendship could get you in trouble and put a strain on the other relationships in your life? Could it cost you your job, marriage, influence with your kids?

Ask God to give you direction in your friendships. Walk wisely in dealing with friends. Whether it is to cut it off or just stop watering... be wise.

Blessings.