guiding the youth

S - Tit.2.6-8.nasb
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

O - This word to Titus from Paul,  is an exhortation on the youthful Christians at a local church, who are learning to walk the faith.    Youthful energy and exhuberance needs to be captured and exhorted, but also focused and shaped to ensure the witness they bring about in the how they do the work of the ministry is as much a witness as their public proclamation of faith.

A - The application for me is to understand how I might partner with the youth and young adult leaders to instruct, encourage and shape them to be the leaders of God's church.  Specifically for New Hope Manoa the calling to reach the young adults and youth in our community and have a growing connection and love of God.

P -  Dear heavenly Father, help me to apply this scripture to my calling in this season, transfer my heart, and guide my words and actions so that I might be your hands and feet to serve the youth and young adult leaders.  I pray this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Prayer for soul gladness

S - psa.86.1-5(nasb)
 Incline Your ear, O Lord , and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You.

O - This is the prayer of my heart in this season I am in right now. The psalmist understands that the Lord is our salvation and refuge.  He is our strong tower and capable to deliver us.

A - The application for me is to posture myself correctly and pray this prayer of contrition. Lord right now my soul is weary and desperate to be refilled.  I am trying with all my last bits of energy to focus  on you, your word, and the people you are calling me to.  Lord thank you for your grace, and helping these waves of doubt pass, and allowing my soul to be filled with your healing and for the holy spirits guidance.

P  - Dear heavenly Father, I confess I have been chasing the idol of title CAPT for the significance and security it symbolized in my life.  I repent and turn toward you Lord, Give me strength and courage to follow you into this new season.   In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Surrending your ministry to Jesus

S - http://bible.com/100/2ti.2.1-16.nasb You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

O - Paul here is instructing Timothy who is now disciplining his own ministry in his own church on how to equip the people.     First, he is to entrust the things he learned from Paul to other faithful men in the church who can teach others.    These are words of equipping and words of warning. To focus on the calling and teaching God's truth to other leaders.

A - The application for me is apply this first to my family, to speak God's truth into my girls in a way that gives them a foundation for setting their own foundations for decision making.  My hearts desire  is to see them know God's truth, have a personal relationship with Him, follow the Holy Spirit in them.  The same is for the ministry that I may participate in,  that they have a knowledge of God's truth,  that they know and have a personal relationship with Christ.  That they are able to hear and follow the holy spirits prompting.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for you calling, thank you for your word.  Help me Lord to apply these truths to my life.  I recommitt, reconfirm Jesus you are my Lord and Savior, that I fall short and repent of my disobedience.  Lord I ask that your word would become my words,and that your eyes would be my eyes, and my hands, heart, and mind would serve you.

serving our masters

S - http://bible.com/100/col.3.8-24.nasb But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

O - Paul's words to the church at Colossus was a word of encouragement and guidelines on how to carry out God's mission for the church.    He did not say do everything in your power to build influence and take control of the circumstances so that you may be in charge and tell everyone about the good news.  What he did say is to obey your masters and serve;  however, the difference would be the why and for whom you serve with a willing heart.   We are to work as unto the Lord.

A - The application for me is a strong reminder that I will have masters in and of this world, and I am to serve as a witness to whom we serve.  When we serve with love, passion, and excellence our masters receive a spirit of service that they wouldn't from someone serving out of requirement.   When we serve from a place of the love of God and the love of others, we are able to answer the question why when asked , because God saved me, through his son Jesus from the ultimate bondage, death by sin, my chains have been loosed and now I serve out of gratefullness for the freedom I have found in Christ.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you today for your word and your spirit.  May your spirit fill me and drive out the spirit of doubt, anxiety, and depression , so that I may serve you with a cheerful heart, and glorify your name.

Finding contentment in God and not the world

S - 1 Tim 6:6-19(nasb)

 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.   Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

O - Paul's words penetrate my heart today because I know he speaks to the barriers for me to finding contentment and peace.  Today I fear I have chased something that is not of God but of the world and have wandered from my calling to simply love and follow him.  I am lost in this season because that which I have been chasing these past couple of years, while exciting, motivating, and thrilling, has depleted my soul to the point of despair.    Paul's words encourage me today to fix my hope on God, and to focus on doing good, being rich in good works, generous and ready to share with those God places in front of me.

A- The application for me is to press forward, focusing on what is true and lovely, listening for the spirits prompting and trusting in the ways of God and not my own ways.   Today I am blessed with two great girls who are deserving of all my love and service,  a great woman of God who is deserving of all my love and support.  God has placed great men of God in my life and given me a vision of who he created me to be.  I am confident not in myself but in who He has created me to be. 

P - Dear heavenly Father, today is a hard day for me to wake up and feel confident in what I am doing in this season.  I only know to hold on to your word and you leadership of my life.  In this season, I pray that you sustain me, and help me to be the man that makes you proud.   I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

How to treat one another

S 1 Timothy 5.1-2 (nasb)

 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

O - This is Pauls advice to Timothy as he is likely thinking of the many challenges of leading a local congregation in the the day to day operations of the local church.  I sense Paul has learned that the work of the ministry - to deliver the Gospel to world has the fruit of creating many believers and even some disciples of the work of the ministry.  As this community is building the pastoring of the flock becomes more and more important.   People are coming to Christ from all different stages in life, and while we are transformed and made new - all still carry either of the stigma of who they were (attitude and beliefs) or position in life (whether great or lowly in stature).  But in Christ we are all brothers and equal and worthy of love in the site of God.  Now some are called to be apostles, some pastors, some teachers,  some to care , some to pray.  But how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ is not be based on the old self or the external view (age, wealth, or prominence) but rather with love and respect;  we become literal family members and are to treat each other with the same brotherly or fatherly love God has command us to show our family.

A - The application for me is to understand that I am called to lead, teach, and be led and taught by my fellow members of the body of Christ.  I need to recognize that God has both humbled me to submit to my elders in the church for teaching and rebuking,  as well as to be able to lead with love elders and the youth.  I must not be timid or overbearing, but to teach and lead with confidence in who Christ is in me, and with a gentleness and love that comes from the outpouring of God's gentleness and love for me.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, thank you that you died for my sins, and that you continue to pursue me and my heart through the many seasons of my life.  I am strengthen by your word today and encourage to love and lead as you have called me to do.  I pray that you would lead my heart and mind today to do respond to your word, and your spirits prompting at home and at work.  I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Seek godliness , not self discipline

 S - 1 Tim 4:6-10 (NASB)
    6In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

O -  Paul is letting Timothy know that you have been given all you need in Christ, God's word, and the examples of godly men in your life.   He warns him though that there will still be a temptation to rely on your own self discipline and efforts during trying times, and even moments of success.   We must be sure to avoid the enticements of worldly books and philosophies.  Instead focus on Godliness with your eyes fixed on God.

A -  The application for me is correct back to a focus on Godliness and not self discipline.  To trust more in the spirits leading that my own thoughts.  I am to love, and be generous, for the sake of displaying God's love and generosity.   In this rebuilding season I will have a tendency to focus on my self discipline and what I can accomplish, instead I need to focus on the word of God, and what God is speaking to me through devotions,  and the Holy Spirit.   The warning in hear applies to me as well as to be careful and aware of the temptation to follow teachings of the world.  While God is in many things, there are many attractive things that are not of God.

P -  Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this time, and message for me today.  I pray Lord that you help me to walk by faith and not by sight.   I pray that in the days and months ahead you correct me gently, but correct me when I am going astray from Godliness.

Be sure to stay qualified

S. - http://bible.com/100/1ti.3.2-9.nasb An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

O - these are the high standards of those who are called to be leaders in the  church.  These are not qualifications for salvation of even qualifications to be l loved and shown great compassion.   The great commandment is that we love.. Our neighbor, as God loved us.  These verses more apply to the great commission, to reach the world with the gospel.      

A -  The application for me is that strive to maintain the high standards of the being a leader in Gods church so as not to disqualify myself from a calling good has for me.  The verse I must focus on is to be a man. "holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.".  I cannot lose the awe of serving a God of such love, mercy, as well as power and patience.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, thank you for your word today. May it be planted in my heart. I pray this in Jesus name.

Focus on the truth and goodness of God

S -http://bible.com/100/php.4.8-9.nasb Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

O - Paul says dwell on these things... Knowing that in the life the Philippians were experiencing there was plenty to worry about and be afraid of.  By focusing on the things which are from God they would be encourage by God's presence and goodness.  Their  strength and courage would come from the lord, and examples of this walking in the lord s way. 

A -  During. This season of change and anxiousness God has been reminding me to fill myself with his word and not with responses to my fears and anxieties.  I am thankful for for Paul's reminder to focus on what is pure and lovely and true.  During seasons of uncertainty I entertain far too often things that don fit these categories.

I need to remember to seek to see and dwell on things that are:
True
Honorable
Right
Pure
Lovely
Excellent
Worthy of praise

P - dear heavenly Father, thank you for this time of reflecting and feeling on your word which.  Is true, pure, honorable, excellent, and worthy of praise.  I pray all this in Jesus name, amen.

Following the calling

S -http://bible.com/100/php.3.7-9.nasb But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

O - Paul here speaks to his experience as the Pharisees and now  as a apostle of Christ.  A career of developing his skill and reputation as a Pharisee had to be forfeited in light of is Damascus experience with Christ.  This was a major change in careers though serving the same master, the perspective is far different.  Knowledge of the past wasn't forfeited by Paul, but he did forfeit his rights, by making himself a slave to the gospel. 

O- I am struggling to remember I forfeited myself to Christ years ago.  During this career transition, I need to look to God for the assignment.   I can easily choose a more wayward path, if I don't stay connected to Christ.

P - Lord help me to seek your face, and hear your voice in this season of transition. I am praying for revelation of where you want my heart and mind focused. I pray this in Jesus name.

The conclusion- fear God and follow him

http://bible.com/100/ecc.12.13-14.nasb The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Remove an offense spirit

S - http://bible.com/100/ecc.10.1.nasb Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.

O- this proverb basically says you can be the world's best human for 95% of the time, but when you respond or act poorly for even for a moment it carries a large weight onto  your quality in the eyes of others. With God their may be grace, but in the eyes of others an offense overshadows the love you may already have deposited.

A - The application for me is to recognize that I do this frequently.  I erase what deposits in the hearts I love most with harsh cutting words in moments of frustration.  I need to repent when I do fall short, as well as work on not giving up on being a better representative of God's love by denying the spirit of retaliation or offense.

P - Lord I need your help.  I stumble over the same issue for years, I pray you would remove this defensive and retaliatory spirit in me.  I pray all this in Jesus name.

Answering the calling of pastor and teacher

S- EPH 4-11-12.(nasb) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

O - Paul here is writing to the church at Ephesus to remind them of the keys to the local church thriving.  God's provision is in each individual through the Holy Spirit but he has given each a very specific calling and gifting, to be woven together in the church for the building up of His kingdom and advancement of the Gospel.   

A - The application is an exhortation to me to live my calling and use my gifting.  I gifted in teaching and called to pastor Gods saints for the work of service and building of the body  of Christ.   I need to seek out God and ask him who, where, and how.  It has been a season away from the intensity of organized ministry.   I know the lord is calling me to relationship and action in the church, so as I stepped out and reflex some previously developed but possibly atrophied muscles I must do so with boldness and confidence that Christ is in me, but with the meekness and humbleness as one who has great fear and reverence that the Lord know the way and I must seek Him.

P - Dear heavenly father, thank you for today's devotion, may it be planted deep in my heart.  My hearts desire is to obey and fulfill your calling on my life.  I ask now for the courage, strength, wisdom, and right spirit to do so.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name,Amen. 

Gathering wisdom with a fear of the Lord

S -http://bible.com/100/ecc.7.5-18.nasb It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.

O-  wisdom, like wealth has its limits of good.   Solomon proved both in his lifetime.   To seek wisdom and understanding is good,  to seek  excess in each will lead to a pride which changes you. Pride draws us away from our fear of the Lord. 

A - application of wisdom and knowledge while maintaining a healthy fear of the Lord is essential.  The pursuit of excellence and personal mastery can be used for Gods glory or my downfall.  I must choose to continue to chisel away at my pride and respond with a new found, God oven humbleness and love.

P. -  dear heavenly Father, thank you for your daily deposit of wisdom and truth in my life.  I pray that you continue to allow me to grow in wisdom of your ways,  and maintain a humbleness necessary to apply your wisdom for your glory. In Jesus name I pray.

Go before the Lord to listen

S - http://bible.com/100/ecc.5.1.nasb Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.

O - this advice was literal at the time written but has relevance today.  At the time their was an actual temple, and a holy of holies.  Those approaching would truly offer sacrifice he's according to the law of Moses.   The intent of that sacrifice was to put you to right before God, so that there could be communion.  The wisdom of the proverb says he important part is that you are ready to receive confirm before the Lord, to listen,   not merely offer your sacrifice and hope it is enough to have God do your will.

A -  the application for me is to recognize my own service and sacrifice unto the Lord cannot be for the purposes of having him hear me o or give me the life I want.  I first must present myself b the Lord and just listen.   if I go into action mode without first listening mode I will be working to please the Lord but be disappointed when he does not bless all I try to do.  I simply must come before the Lord and listen.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the word of truth you have spoken to me.  I repent for all the times I came to you wanting something but not listening.   I pray all this in Jesus name.

Correcting children

S -http://bible.com/100/pro.29.15.nasb The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

O - this is a great parenting word of advice from Solomon.  Or ability as parents to unconditionally love and correct or children, is for their best and our best.  

A-  I find this particularly applicable to me not because I am a soft dad.  I know at times my children understand I have a rod, but it my times of being tired of disciplining them that I allow them to disobey our values that I both injure their future and dishonor my wife.  I must seek to be consistent in love and reproof.

P - dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's word. Please help me to live your words. In Jesus name I pray.

The importance of vision in action

S -http://bible.com/100/pro.29.18-19.nasb Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response.

O - my observation of this scripture is that there is much behind this proverb.  This is a leadership truth and yet it is a. Word to Gods leaders of his people.  The lord leads with great vision, and give His vision to His people.  When the last does not clearly share this vision to those being led, they work in many directions, vice aligned in direction.  The leader must remember this is t is role to cast clear vision and direction.   The people that choose to follow a leader enjoy being bound by a vision and structure laid by the leader.  Verse 19 goes even deeper to  understand that those we lead, even though fully committed as b slaves to the mission, require more than words of a vision,  but require action of the leader in the direction of action. Quire simply leaders cannot cast vision and walk away, they must walk it out.

A -  the application for me is both general and specific.  The lord wants me to lead those he has placed in front of me well.  I must cast clear vision and am responsible to lead it with my actions the whole way.   At work I must let my leader know I need more than a general vision, but a clear direction and leadership by action.  In the church specifically at Manoa I need to support Rod in leading Gods people with clear direction, led with purposeful and engaged action.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your wisdom, passed down by your servant Solomon. I pray this lesson would be deeply implanted in me so that I may lead those you put in front of me well. I pay all this in Jesus name amen.

Serve those in need

S -http://bible.com/100/pro.28.26-27.nasb He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

O -  I wonder if when Solomon wrote the Proverbs if proximity to the verses had any significance.  At times they  seem related one verse to the next, but today I made a connection that has caused me to pause and see the depth of Solomons wisdom. These verses in reverse order show us that if you give to those in need you will never want. The barrier to doing this is our own hearts which are so easily misled.  Trust in wisdom and truth and the paradoxical statement, he who gives never wants.

A - the application is part of what God has asked me to do today. Start serving those in front of me, without notice and with out desire to be compensated directly or indirectly.   There will be times in which my feelings or heart won't be in it, but I must just keep continuing to serve those He had placed before me.

P -  dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord give me the right mind to see what you see and do what you would have me do and lead my heart back to you ways. In Jesus name I pray.

Discretion the key to controlling my response

S-http://bible.com/100/pro.19.11.nasb A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

O - I lack discretion.  Because of my lack of discretion, I all to overlook a tension and allow it to insidiously develop false truth in my heart.

A - the application is to recognize that Solomon had this wisdom which has escaped me... Until now.  I must seek to have the lord discretion by slowing down my response, allowing the holy spirit to win the battle in me. 

P dear heavenly Father, I am at my weakest and most vulnerable right now, help me to break through.  I need you.   lord show me your view of circumstances, show me your heart to love those you have placed in front of me.

submitting to the Lord

s http://bible.com/100/pro.30.27, 32 .nasb

 The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in ranks; 

If you have been foolish in exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil,  put your hand on your mouth.

O - These proverbs are a reminder to me that only God is Lord and King, and that I as man have desired more from my leaders and expected more of myself as a leader.   I must trust God's leadership of me and others.  The Church today has no king on earth,  but we have a God who is Lord of all.  We are his people and we can be like locust and go out if we follow God.  At times I can believe God is giving me something to lead and expects me to be a local king for him.  However, there is great risk in this that we cannot carry the weight of that authority well and we often fall short of the Lord.

A -  I must humble myself and serve.  I must trust the Holy Spirits daily instruction to me.  I need to put my hand over my mouth when my instinct tells me to say or do something , submit it to the Lord and stick to the truth's he has set before me.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank  you for your daily grace.  Thank you for pulling me back to your original calling on my life.  Lord please guard my heart, mind and control my mouth. In Jesus name I pray, amen.  

humble yourself before the king

S -  Proverbs 25: 6-7    NASB

6Do not claim honor in the presence of the king,

And do not stand in the place of great men;

7For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here,"

Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,

O - Solomon really understood the folly of men, and in his wisdom wrote these reminders to us that we might give pause in the moment we begin to exalt ourselves and become prideful. This can be with respect to both men and God.  We are to continue to serve and develop ourselves and when in the presence of the king, or the king of kings we are to humble ourselves and allow the leader of our life and the Leader of our soul to exalt us.

A - The application for me today is to recognize that I struggle in the presence of the king, and I am not trusting my promotion from the Lord.  I am called to be a Timothy,  a man of legendary companionship and faithfulness to the leaders I serve.  This causes tension in me when I think I deserve more title or influence or recognition.  I am reminded today to continue to serve those leaders God places in my life. I am to seek God and where I am to serve,  to trust in this placement, and to rejoice in my unique calling to serve leaders.  I am not to seek to stand in the great men I see around me,but rather serve them.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your direction  and your affirmation in me of my calling.  I pray you help me change my attitude and anxiousness toward circumstances where I feel undervalued and unmotivated.   I desperately want to move toward your best in my life, and live in the peace of serving others exactly where you want me to be.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

An angry man must accept discipline and counsel

S - Proverbs : 19-20
19A man of great anger will bear the penalty,

For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

20Listen to counsel and accept discipline,

That you may be wise the rest of your days.

O - Solomon spoke from wisdom and experience his proverbs.  God granted him wisdom without experience as he put him on the throne.  As God asked Solomon what he wanted most, he asked for wisdom and discernment to lead the nation;  and God granted it to him, along with peace and prosperity.   I suspect as Solomon ruled, he faced many people in his service, in his opposition, or seeking his judgement or guidance and in this he saw men you faced the consequences of their anger.  His solution for people is to always be willing to accept discipline and wise counsel.

A -  The application for me is critical in the season I am.  Despite rest,  I find myself still emotional unstable and willing to over react in circumstances.  I find myself in my own head too long, and the next thing I know I snap and unleash word of anger and condemnation.   I can see this pattern over my life.   I know God's word has truth as to how man should tame the tongue and temper anger.  I need to seek wise counsel, and receive discipline and correction when it comes.

P - Dear heavenly Father, help me to control my anger,  I so desire to represent your love, and lead your people well.   The stumbling block of my anger feels like a thorn, and if you are willing I would pray you remove it from me; however, your will be done through my life.  In Jesus name I pray.