'Be angry, AND do not sin' (Ephesians 4:26)

“So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, 'Is it not written, ''My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations"? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.' "(Mark 11:15-17)

Jesus went into the temple and 'drove out', 'overturned', 'disallowed' any activity which was not in accordance with His Father's will for 'a house of prayer' for all nations. He did nothing that could be considered beneficial to Himself. His actions appeared angry, but He did not sin. He did not depart from the Father's righteous call.

"Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another. 'Be angry, and do not sin': do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.'(Ephesians 4:26,27)

"Let no CORRUPT WORD proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for NECESSARY EDIFICATION, that it may IMPART GRACE to the hearers."(Ephesians 4:29) We must be imitators of Christ's example: no corrupt word from selfish ambition or bitterness, but what is necessary to edify the the church. Jesus' actions when He went into the temple were a breath of fresh air to the remnant who were there for prayer; bothersome to those who were not: but necessary!

Even Amongst Those 'Opposite' You

"Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, 'Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. And if anyone says to you, '''Why are you doing this?''' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."

"So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. But some of those who stood there said to them, '''What are you doing, loosing the colt?''' And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go." (Mark 11:1-6)

Bethany was known as 'the house of figs'; Bethphage, 'the house of immature figs'. Those of the village 'opposite' them were immature relative to those following Jesus. Jesus sent those two disciples to a place where they may not be welcomed to retrieve a colt that would carry Him into Bethany where He was welcomed/honored. Through the Gospels, Jesus showed His disciples: at His word they should follow, just as He commands.

Our cross in Him: Our Works (Matthew 16:20-27)

"Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one He was Jesus the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'Far be from it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!' But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.' "

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."

"But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18)

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)

Otherwise, you will be 'holding the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality'. Ask the Father for the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ for understanding in this.

Have What Jesus Said, Ending Fruitlessness

"Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, 'Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.' And His disciples heard it."

(Mark 11:12-14)

"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.' So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, '''Be removed and be cast into the sea,''' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he WILL HAVE WHATEVER HE SAYS. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:20-26)

This one, when they approach or are approached by fruitlessness, will stop it in righteousness, according to His purpose.

What Elders Do, the Younger Need to Know

(1 Peter 5:1-12)

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' "

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

"By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand."

There will always be discussion of grace in our gatherings; I think we should agree that this is the standard to uphold.

The ‘Thorn’ Comes to Kill the Flesh

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

(2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Most have experienced the piercing of a thorn. No matter where it enters into the body it elicits a response: retraction away from the insult; looking at, and reaching to feel the site of entrance; vocal confirmation of discomfort. When a 'thorn' comes, it gets your attention. From a spiritual perspective, let it do it's work. We must understand, the Lord revealed to Paul that His grace is sufficient. The will of man is capable of transgression, even in an abundance of revelation as Paul had received, and was receiving. No one would leave an actual thorn sticking into their body, but would pull it out. When you recognize a messenger of Satan, the Holy Spirit will empower to 'most gladly' overcome.

Earnestly Desire to Prophesy, According to the Scriptures

"Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you---unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as one born out of due time." (1 Corinthians 14:39-15:1-8)

Our professing should also be according to the Scriptures, as the body of Christ Jesus!

"And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who HAVE THE TESTIMONY of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' "