Grace Point! December 2015

December 2015 eMagazine of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

~Featuring~

Jaime Dills and her (future)

Equine-assisted

Therapy Ministry

Volume 1 ~Issue 12

Table of Contents

3~Notes from Rebecca 4~PrayerWorks 5~Restoration & Renewal 6-7~JourneyWorks 8-9~VerseWorks by Jaime Dills 10-13 Handmade in Israel 14-15~Women of Valor 16-17~ScrollWorks 18-19~Greetings from Malawi by Pastor Michael Kanyoli 20-21~StoryWorks 22-23~Ordinary Aussie Mom by Melanie Baker-Nash 24-25~ImageWorks 26-27~YouthWorks 28-29~The Bright Side by Olivia Carpenter Back Cover~Subscribe to Grace Point!

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Hello to all readers!

First, I want to thank you for clicking on the link that brought you to this magazine.

Notes from

Rebecca

New this issue: December is a month divided by holidays, tradition, and religious connotations.

There are those who celebrate the Christian Christmas, allotting December 25 as the birth of Jesus Christ. And, we also have Hanukkah, the Jewish celebration of the miracle of the oil, at the rededication of the second temple during the Maccabean period.

In this issue, Melanie Baker-Nash, a devoted Christian mom in Australia, gives us a synopsis of what Christmas means to her as she celebrates it as the birth of her Savior.

The purpose of this magazine is for help, hope and encouragement toward our fellow man. It is about promoting Godly endeavors and Godly results. It is not about judgment, or whether our beliefs are the same or not. The Adversary is about division and subtraction; God is about multiplication and addition. We are our brother’s keeper!

Our prayer is that there will be a blessing for each reader among these pages. G-d bless each and every one! Shalom.

Sincerely, Rebecca Matthews Founder, administrator, and ordained minister at Philippi Prospect Ministries Founder, senior editor, writer, publisher of Grace Point! eMagazine Photographer at peinture proximité Artist and curator at atelier de peinture proximité (The opinions and/or beliefs expressed in this magazine by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions and/or beliefs of James and Rebecca Matthews, founders of Philippi Prospect Ministries, and Grace Point! eMagazine.)

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A Journey to

Temptation We’ve all faced it in one form or another.

It always comes in a weak moment, when we are distracted, or when our faith is diminished because of unexpected circumstances. There are multiple verses of Scripture that tells us how to deal with temptation. But, when we are lured toward it, what do our actions look like?

Jame 4:1-10 tells us.

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with members? 2You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED of God. 5Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he made to dwell in us”? 6But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 7Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8Draw purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you doublemourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. minded. 9Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.

These versesyourselves tell us that thepresence source comes theJames flesh.4:1-10 The definition of lust isn’t just 10Humble in the of thefrom Lord,within: and Hethe willlusts exalt of you.

related to sexual perversion-it is any uncontrolled desire, greed, or craving, and can be directed toward any aspect of the human existence. Therefore, if we operate out of lust, then the body has not been brought under subjection, a requirement to live in humility toward God. Lust Envy Asking

non-possession

murder.

non-possession receiving

Friend of the world Humility to God

fights and quarrels. wrong motive.

enemy of God. devil fleeing

God lifts us in honor.

a publication of Ruth Ministries-The Virtuous Woman,TM a woman's restoration ministry/a segment of Philippi Prospect Ministries

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Pride & the Law of Gravity When I was in my middle 20's, I was living in a rebellious state, apart from God, and His will in my life. After being a stay-at-home mom for three years, I was ready to get back into the workforce. I did not own a car, so when I bought a little car I quickly became full of myself, relishing the freedom that it brought.

As spring turned into summer, my new job and new freedom made me feel invincible.

But, spiritually, I was crashing. I was so focused on myself, and all the new experiences I was having, that I did not pay attention to the things God was requiring of me. So, one afternoon, being filled with all my 'plans', I loaded up my two very young daughters and headed into town. That was my plan. God's was somewhat different.

At the end of the gravel road on which I lived, two other roads intersected into it, but there were no stop signs on either road. The grass in the fields on either side of the road was fully grown, so I did not see the car turning down the road that I was coming up. In my haste to get where I was going, I had drifted over onto the other side of the road as I made the left-handed turn. I hit the car head-on. I had slowed down enough to stop if I had seen another vehicle, but the tall grass blocked the car from view.

But, as I was on the wrong side of the road, that didn't matter.

After making sure my kids were okay, I jumped out, ran around between the cars, wailing about my busted grill. The driver, a man, got out and asked if I was alright, and walked over to look in the window at my girls in the backseat in their car seats. Standing there, thinking how was I now going to get around, I realized how I must look to the passenger in the other car. Guiltily, I walked over and asked the woman if she was alright. I left the accident with a ticket, and a distinct feeling that something inside me was terribly wrong. My selfish reaction to the wreck stayed with me for years.

God used that scenario to bring me down a few notches.

After that, my life continued to spiral down, until I returned to the Lord, submissive and obedient, several years later. The pride, the self-centeredness and self-righteousness, that I used to lift myself up, God used to bring me down.

Pride works in the spiritual body the same as the law of gravity works in the physical body. It puffs us up, so that we think we are above others, but like the gas in hot-air balloons, when it runs outs, we come crashing back to earth.

Scripture is full of examples of what pride will do to us if left unchecked. Here are a few:

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

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Proverbs 29:23 One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

Obadiah 1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?”

Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

1 John 2:16-17 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

So, the thing that we believe is lifting us up is actually the force that brings us back down. Even the law of gravity states that 'what goes up must come down.'

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VerseWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

All things were made by Him. He is life, the light of man.

Do not fall into the temptations of the world.

But surrender to Him and He will save you by grace.

And you should always strive to seek His face.

Praise Him with all you have.

Always pray for His will, not your want.

He knows your need and the desire of your heart.

Why seek anything less than His kingdom? inspired by John 1:14

by Jaime Dills

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See more from this artist at

Shraga Landesman Art Our family business started in the early 90’ s by my dad, who was already a long time in his artistic way; a painter, sculptor…

At the beginning of the business, it mostly consisted of jewelry art. These days, my father's occupation is Judaica Art, that is handmade in his studio, located in our home in Haifa, on the Carmel Mountain, a beautiful place that lies on the seashore of the Mediterranean Sea. The inspiration and spiritual sources for these designs are the Israeli culture and nature. It combines stories from the Bible that accompany the Israeli tradition, and influenced by ancient cultures that lived in the region, and so is the inspiration for the materials that are used in the items, infusion of olive wood, silver, gold, various stones and gems. Now, the time has come and I happily join our family unique business.

I set up our virtual shop, Where you can buy our products.

Currently, the number of items in our shop still small, we’ll keep adding more items as we go, to your enjoyment. Hope you follow us for more...!

Visit our website: http://www.landesman-shraga.israel.net/index.html Like us on facebook photos used by permission

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See more from this artist at

Yulia Tsukerman

Welcome to my shop of modern ceramic tableware, home decor and sculpture.

My name is Yulia and I am a ceramic artist. All of my products are designed and handmade by me in my studio in Tel Aviv. I create functional housewares along with sculptural objects. My design guideline is to keep all products simple and elegant. Attention to details and high-quality work are very important to me and I work with all my heart on every piece.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you are interested in making wholesale orders.

Visit my website: http://www. yuliatsukerman.com/ Like me on facebook Follow me on Instagram

photos used by permission

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See more from this artist at

Bags Design

see our other Etsy shops:

galit64jewelry JudaicaArtDesign BOGUSARTS EnjoyGold 12

photos used by permission

more from this artist at galit64jewelry

see our other Etsy shops:

JudaicaArtDesign BOGUSARTS BagsDesign EnjoyGold

photos used by permission

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My interviews with women of God. I have known Jaime all of her life. Literally. She is my daughter, the younger of my two. I have watched her grow from childhood, mature through adolescence, and make some life-changing decisions in her young adulthood. Here is a little bit of Jaime’s story, about the path that God has been leading her down, and her aspirations for the future.

Grace Point!: How did the concept of an equine assisted ministry come about?

Jaime: I have always loved horses, and I knew I wanted to grow up and have a career involving horses. As my faith grew, what I wanted as a career choice quickly became what I wanted as a ministry choice.

I have felt the calling to have an equine assisted ministry for over three years now,

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and I am currently getting the education I need to not only own and operate such a facility, but to also counsel and minister to those who would use it.

I have volunteered at several equine assisted therapy centers, to see how they operate on a day-to-day basis, as well as to observe to see how the horses and clients react to each other, and what the they learn from the experience.

Grace Point!: What specific occurrence, if any, led you in this direction?

Jaime: I recall specific events from my childhood that led me in this direction. When I was in the company of horses, it was like an escape from my outside troubles. The memory that stands out the most was when I was twelve, and a friend of the family had bought a miniature horse that was very shy. She wanted her children to be able to pet it without it running away, so she asked me to help her out. I went every Saturday for two months, spending time petting and brushing the little guy. When I was finished, the kids could pet him without him being scared and running away.

Jaime, with her unit, returning from a year’s deployment in Afghanistan, August 2014, Ft. Bliss, TX.

Grace Point!: What people-group are you the most drawn to help and make your ministry available to?

Jaime: I hope to work mostly with the veteran population. I want to help those that suffer from PTSD, physical limitations and emotional scars due to war injuries, and those that need help re-entering society after long deployments. I also want to help at-risk youth, their families, and individuals overcoming addiction. I hope to incorporate a retreat where people can come to worship and become closer to God while they heal.

Jaime receiving a promotion to the rank of Sergeant.

Grace Point!: How has your military training and experience helped you to achieve this goal?

Jaime: My military experience has helped me by providing me the opportunities to work with a variety of people, both here in the USA, and while deployed to Afghanistan. Also, because of my military service, veterans and their families have a special place in my heart.

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TM

These who have turned the

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ScrollWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

world upside down have come here also.

Acts 17:6 __

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by Bishop Michael Kanyoli PRAISE CHAPEL LIVING WORD OF GOD CHURCH ( PCLC ) ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE 2015 PCLC FRONTLINE NEWS PCLC Annual General Conference took place in Blantyre City from Thursday, the 12th of November till Sunday, the 15th of November, 2015. Our theme this year was "Shepherding with Integrity." Pastors Joseph and Emily Sortino from Georgia, USA, were our Guest Speakers. The attendance was overwhelming. All of our Pastors, Leaders, and Workers from all of our daughter Churches in Malawi were in attendance. The Lord did a great work in our midst: prophecies, healings, deliverances, and many other miracles were performed.

Praise Chapel Living Word of God Church needs true Biblical leaders who walk in the footsteps of Christ and have divine ability to lead others to walk in that same way. Now as always, God is looking for leaders who will be people "after His own heart" (1 Samuel 13 : 14). May PCLC be a tool in God's hand to shape leaders in homes, congregations, communities, and the entire nation of Malawi.

The Conference started by ordaining Pastor Michael as BISHOP and Christine Kanyoli as PASTOR of Praise Chapel Living Word of God Church (PCLC) in Malawi. It was yet another colourful occasion that was well attended by different Pastors, Bishops, Apostles of various Churches in Blantyre City .

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Thank you all our readers and well-wishers for partnering with us 2015. Your best is yet to come! I trust that God's richest blessings are overtaking you in every part of your life.

As we close out the year 2015, look forward with great anticipation to what 2016 will bring to us as we serve the Lord together. My wife, Pastor Christine and I, would really want to meet with you 2016 God willing, it is our prayer! Hope we can find all your support ministry-wise, and face-to-face interactions. Nothing is nicer than having someone who: appreciates you in the smallest things; accepts you in times of hardships; comforts you when you’re troubled; loves you no matter what; and is simply happy for having you in their life .

May you always be blessed with joy, contentment, peace and abundance! I pray the Lord's bountiful blessing upon your every endeavour. I wish our Lord to bring all sorts of Heavenly blessings to you !

Please continue to uphold our Ministry - Praise Chapel Living Word of God Church ( PCLC ) in your valuable prayers. May God's blessings fall like spring rains upon your life, family, businesses, ministries, etc.

Blessings for a happy 2015 !

BISHOP MICHAEL & PASTOR CHRISTINE KANYOLI, MALAWI

contact me via: facebook/Michael Kanyoli michaelkanyoli@yahoo.com 19

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Nested high in a large tree, a little bird decided it was time to venture from the nest, and soon found itself in the grass underneath, surrounded by cattle in a huge field. The bird sat there for a while, trying to figure out what to do next, when it began to shiver from the cold.

A cow ambled by, so the little bird asked if the cow could help him out by getting him warm.

The cow indicated she could, and promptly turned and relieved herself on the little bird.

The bird thought, “How rude!� and was about to complain when it realized that what it was covered with was nice and warm, even if it did smell a bit. Before long, the little bird fell asleep in the warm manure.

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StoryWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

After a while, the bird woke up and, realizing that he was stuck in the manure after it had baked in the sun, he began calling for help.

The cows had moved on, and the little bird was all alone. He continued to call for help, and after a bit, a lone fox showed up and offered his assistance.

The little bird graciously accepted, so the fox tore away the manure in a swipe of his paw, and proceeded to eat the little bird in one bite.

The moral: Not everyone who puts you in the manure is out to hurt you. And not everyone who gets you out of the manure is out to help you.

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Christmas!

What a complex time and sensitive topic this has become for many people and families today.

There are Christian families today who approach this holiday no different to any secular person, families who like to keep the focus on Jesus, and families who simply choose not to celebrate this holiday due to their belief this holiday is tied to the pagan celebration of the winter solstice and its tie to ancient Roman Catholicism, and because scholars are divided on the exact date of Jesus’ birth.

Before I was born-again, honestly I celebrated this holiday just like any non-Christian in Australia; it was a time of gifts and lavish food and drink with family and friends which I must admit is very similar to a pagan festival‌Yet we understand this when we comprehend Jesus saying we are either for Him, or against Him. There is no fence sitting when it comes to Jesus.

When the first Christmas came around (about 6 months after being born again) I was challenged by my previous attitude and traditions. What previously had been a time of avoiding anything to do with Jesus (like even listening to Christmas songs) and focusing upon the fantasy of Santa bringing gifts, became a time to remember the story of Christ’s birth and a time to be hospitable to once-a-year church goers.

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I no longer wanted to have a tree in my home with thousands-of-dollars’ worth of gifts under it because I no longer desperately craved love! You see, the gaping hole which I, or anyone else could not fill, had been filled with God’s love. I no longer delighted in tales; I delighted in the truth of liberation through Jesus Christ and wanted to share this with my family and strangers.

Christmas for me, has become a holiday when we gather to reflect upon Christ’s birth into our world – Jesus’ Birthday – even if the date isn’t right which my family and I can discuss. I want the focus to be on Him above ourselves and our wants. It is here in Australia a public holiday, yet in my mind no different to any other day I live leading my family in Christ. It has become just another opportunity to show Jesus’ love to others and wow this is so freeing. I mean seriously, if I cannot catch up with people any other time of the year, only Christmas, then what does that say about our relationship and my Christianity? Am I somehow going to be different because I am desperately holding it together for one day? How stressful and un-Christ-like is that?

Jesus said His disciples would be known by their LOVE – and Jesus defined this love as love for one another. It is NOT someone saying they’re Christian and that they follow Him – We’re known has His disciples by loving other people because we have His LOVE to share! Yet sadly this holiday has become a time for many (including Christians) which is so far from simple, it can be mind boggling and anything but joyous and loving.

Jesus’ birthday is the physical birth of LOVE into our lost world (God being born a human being to make the way for forgiveness and reconciliation). I find it very interesting that God has not allowed us to know that exact date, and I feel there is such wisdom in that. Because, in my opinion, ONE DAY shouldn’t be more important than another – We should walk each day in the love and freedom Christ gives to His followers. It is this that I want to pass onto my children!!

I do not want to push the way my family and I approach this holiday season onto anyone else and I want to respect other people’s convictions, as I do believe that what doesn’t extend from a clear conscious is sin for that person, based on Romans 14:22-23. But, I do like to think things through with The Lord, for I believe this is what makes our relationship with Him…For if we’re not willing to listen to Him how can we mature and stay close to Him? He just doesn’t save us to remain the same!

What will be the focus for you and your family this holiday season?

This article is not meant to be condemning in any way. If you are personally challenged by it remember, God is so gracious, just simply call upon Him in prayer and lay all of your stuff tied to Christmas down at His feet. Ask Him to continue to guide you, and soften your heart more and more to be better able to live your life in His will of loving Him and others each day in the way which glorifies Him and honours others. To keep dying daily to your flesh, which we are all in battle with, so that you can grow as His disciple and extend His grace and love to even those who really challenge you…and be a faithful role model and steward of our faith to your children!

God bless you and your family – from an ordinary Aussie Mom who is also trying each day to faithfully serve The Lord. see more from Melanie Baker-Nash at Life of an Ordinary Aussie Woman

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ImageWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

What does this picture say to you?

Is life passing you by too fast?

Are you on nowhere?

the

fast

track

to

Do you feel like everyone else is moving except you?

Are there opportunities that are just passing you by?

Is there people you want in your life, but they have moved on without you?

Have you arrived too late for something, only to realize that you have missed the only opportunity for it?

Sometimes in life, we feel like we are either on a fast-moving train, missed the fast-moving train, or have been hit by a fast-moving train.

Whichever applies to you, take a moment to reflect where you are, compared to where you would like to be, and make the adjustments in your life to reach the goals you set.

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for and about today’s young adults

My daughters got along so well when they were small children that it was disappointing to see them argue constantly when they reached their preteens. My younger daughter constantly copied my older daughter's every action. I urged her to 'be her own person' and 'have her own thoughts'. My older daughter would criticize her for constantly being the copy-cat. My interventions came with warnings that one day, when 'they live 3000 miles apart' they would miss each other, and regret all the bickering. (Now, they live 10 hours apart, and see each other only once or twice a year, remember their youth, and regret that portion of it.)

There is a story in Scripture of criticism between siblings. In 1 Samuel 17:28, David's oldest brother ridiculed him for coming to the battle. He automatically assumed David came on his own out of nosy curiosity, not bothering to take into account that David brought food from home at his father's request. Also, by this time, David's reputation for soothing Saul with music, and his likability, was made known to his family, as well as to the public in general. Could Eliab have been jealous of David being chosen to be king? Did he feel that, being the oldest, he should have been the one anointed? Is jealousy not a basis of criticism, especially among siblings?

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YouthWorksTM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM | read more at The Maiden's Portion

From David's reply, he must have heard criticism from that brother often. 'What have I done now? Did I not have a reason for coming?' But, when it came time to act, David didn't let the critical words of his brother hinder what he knew he and 'the God of Israel' could do together. He was sure of his stance in the Lord, and convinced Saul by his testimony of God's delivery of him from the lion and the bear.

When we endure a critical spirit, whether it comes through physical family, or our spiritual one, we should use it as an opportunity to make us stronger.

The critical person actually shows their weakness; they have no confidence in themselves. That can come only through who they are in God, just as David was sure who he was in God. The key to helping our children learn to be positive within themselves is to seek their identity in Christ.

When He begins to direct their steps, there will be no need to be critical of anyone else, because the security of who they are is in Him.

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by Olivia Carpenter

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I would like to take a moment to talk about disappointment. I've been disappointed a good bit lately. I've torn ligaments in my wrist right before our big cheerleading competition, I've discovered that one of my very good friends doesn't want to be part of my life anymore, and on top of all this, my great grandmother passed away. That'd be enough to make you angry, right?

Well it shouldn't be. There is no excuse for you to get angry because you've been disappointed.

Take it from Cain and Abel, they know this story better than anyone.

Cain got angry at Abel because God liked Abel’s sacrifice better than he liked Cain’s. Cain was disappointed and angry, so he killed his brother.

Well, I bet you're thinking we don't normally go kill the people were angry at. But, sometimes we can do things a whole lot worse. We yell at people we love, use profanity, and act up and do things we end up regretting later on in life.

The things we do when we're angry go against everything God wants for us. God doesn't want us to do things without thinking about them, especially if it's out of anger and spitefulness. God wants us to take a deep breathe, relax, and figure things out. He doesn't want us fighting with people every time they let us down. He also doesn't want us to hurt that person in the process.

Two wrongs don't make a right! God wants us to show people how they're supposed to deal with things, he doesn't want you to let the devil get the best of you in bad times. He needs you to look on the bright side. He needs you to be the bigger person, not the angry fool.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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