This world we live in can sure strike fear in the heart of man. You hear of companies going bankrupt and you fear you will lose your job or something has happened at work and there may be a 'reorganization' thus causing you to be let go. A disease has broken out and you wonder if you may get it. The list could go on. The television news media sure is no friend to maintaining a peaceful gossip free life. Turn on any morning show and let the fear and gossip and speculation begin. 2 Timothy 1:7 says "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." When you start to fear think on that verse.
Part of training ourselves in godliness is to purposely make an effort to think on good things. If you want to start worrying then most certainly keep watching the nightly news and there will be more than enough to concern yourself with. We as believers have to rise above the garbage the world throws at us,much of which is untrue anyway. Philippians 4:8 says "Finally brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things."
If you do what it says in Matthew 6:33 and "seek first the kingdom of God.." then perhaps it would alleviate some of the tension created by useless worries and concerns. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "cast all our cares on Him, for He cares for us." A spiritual discipline would be to cut things out of your life which are dragging you into the muck and mire of fretfulness. This takes practice and rearranging things we do. Turn to God for He is your hope and strength.
It is a deliberate choice. Decide to get up in the morning and maybe do not pick up the paper first or flip on the TV but turn instead to the promises in God's word and see if that does not help you get out of the chasm of doubts and concerns that may be dragging you down. Try delighting yourself in the Lord. If a situation in your life has you unable to concentrate on anything else just pray and realize God is walking with you and He will see you through. John 14:27 says "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Today choose to have peace and not confusion and fear.
PRAYER: Lord I choose this day to think on good things. Worrying about things does not help matters so I chooses this day to think happy and positive thoughts and resist attempts of the enemy to make me think thoughts to put alarm in my heart. I thank you for your word which gives us hope. In Jesus name. Amen.
Note: Just wanted to tell my email readers that I also post this on my Facebook page in blog format and it also goes to Google Blogspot. If you want to see what it looks like in a different format check out this link.
http://www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com/
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
NANNA NANNA BOO BOO
Everyone is probably familiar with this immature child hood chant that is a way of saying.."Look at me..I am better than you" or "look at me I did this and you did not." As a Child of God of any age this is not an appropriate way to behave and is somewhat disrespectful as well. In other words, it is not up there on a list of 'ways to get closer to God'.
Proverbs 24:17-18 says " Do not rejoice when your enemy stumbles and do not be let your heart be glad when he falls or the Lord will see it and be displeased and turn his anger away from him." This type of attitude implies superiority, and that too is not a great Christian virtue to emulate. Also we may not approve of say, 'a political leader' but we are still not supposed to be wishing him curses and evil but are to be praying for his or her heart to change. Likewise we need to pray for our own heart to not be 'acting ugly'. Prayers will not be answered if you are being mean spirited yet naming the name of the Lord. (See Psalm 66:18). It is as if your 'religion' is in vain.
Philippians 2:3 says "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility think of others as better than yourself." Do you sometimes gloat maybe even only privately and think 'look at me?' The Lord does not approve of that either. No one is perfect. We have all 'stumbled' at one time or another. Do not start feeling like you are better than others. Only God is perfect! Matthew 6:1 says "Be careful to not do your acts of righteousness before men. To be seen by them. If you do you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." In other words humility is the key.
Matthew 7:1-3 says "Do not judge or you too will be judged." Remember the saying when you point your 'fault finding finger' at someone three others are pointed right back at you. 1 Corinthians 6:1 speaking of those judging sinners "and such were some of you. You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Let there be no 'nanna nanna boo boo's' coming out of the mouth of a child of God. Commit to memory the following verse and it will help you in all you do in life. Ephesians 4:29 which says " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only that which is helpful in building others up according to their needs,that it may benefit those who listen."
PRAYER: Dear Lord may I never be guilty of a haughty spirit. I desire humility. I also want to be kind and respectful and helpful to those persons you place in my path daily. in Jesus name.Amen.
Proverbs 24:17-18 says " Do not rejoice when your enemy stumbles and do not be let your heart be glad when he falls or the Lord will see it and be displeased and turn his anger away from him." This type of attitude implies superiority, and that too is not a great Christian virtue to emulate. Also we may not approve of say, 'a political leader' but we are still not supposed to be wishing him curses and evil but are to be praying for his or her heart to change. Likewise we need to pray for our own heart to not be 'acting ugly'. Prayers will not be answered if you are being mean spirited yet naming the name of the Lord. (See Psalm 66:18). It is as if your 'religion' is in vain.
Philippians 2:3 says "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility think of others as better than yourself." Do you sometimes gloat maybe even only privately and think 'look at me?' The Lord does not approve of that either. No one is perfect. We have all 'stumbled' at one time or another. Do not start feeling like you are better than others. Only God is perfect! Matthew 6:1 says "Be careful to not do your acts of righteousness before men. To be seen by them. If you do you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." In other words humility is the key.
Matthew 7:1-3 says "Do not judge or you too will be judged." Remember the saying when you point your 'fault finding finger' at someone three others are pointed right back at you. 1 Corinthians 6:1 speaking of those judging sinners "and such were some of you. You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Let there be no 'nanna nanna boo boo's' coming out of the mouth of a child of God. Commit to memory the following verse and it will help you in all you do in life. Ephesians 4:29 which says " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only that which is helpful in building others up according to their needs,that it may benefit those who listen."
PRAYER: Dear Lord may I never be guilty of a haughty spirit. I desire humility. I also want to be kind and respectful and helpful to those persons you place in my path daily. in Jesus name.Amen.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
BEATEN UP BY YOUR FELLOWMAN??
Do you feel like Job in the Bible who seems to have everything go wrong? Has one thing after the other continued to press down on you til you think you can not take it anymore? Have you lost your job? Have friends turned their backs on you? Have you been betrayed by family? Have people told lies about you at work? Have you been wrongly accused of something and are having a hard time proving your innocence? Has there been a death that has left a gaping hole in your heart you feel will never be healed? Are bills piling up but you do not know how you will manage to pay them?
Not everyone has a rosy life. Some people bring on struggles themselves but others have things happen they did nothing to cause.1 Peter 1:7 says "These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Psalm 66:10 says "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver." Sometimes we are put in the refiners fire,so to speak, to test us and grow us and shape us into more of a God like character . We know it says in James 1:2-3 it says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." That is what we are striving for. No one likes suffering. But somethings that happen that seem bad ultimately turn out for our good.
Psalm 145:14 gives encouragement to those who feel like they have lost hope. It says "The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 37:24 says "though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." Psalm 57:6 says "They spread a net for my feet--I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path--but they have fallen into it themselves." Psalm 108:13 tells us "With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies." Psalm 147:3 says "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
What is bothering you today? God is for you so who can be against you?(See Romans 8:31). That is all that matters. Hang on. God has a plan!
PRAYER: Lord God help me to trust you and you alone for all that I need in life. When others come against me and hurt me or ridicule me I know you are all that matters.Help me to learn to forgive those who have wronged me. It is love that covers a multitude of sins and love that will win out.I want to focus on your love Lord so I am not sunk into a pity pit or a cavern of despair. Lord I thank you for delivering me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Note: Please take about 4 minutes and listen to the song by clicking link below. It will lift your spirits in a big way. http://youtu.be/cCwAkJQ4-Io
Not everyone has a rosy life. Some people bring on struggles themselves but others have things happen they did nothing to cause.1 Peter 1:7 says "These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Psalm 66:10 says "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver." Sometimes we are put in the refiners fire,so to speak, to test us and grow us and shape us into more of a God like character . We know it says in James 1:2-3 it says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." That is what we are striving for. No one likes suffering. But somethings that happen that seem bad ultimately turn out for our good.
Psalm 145:14 gives encouragement to those who feel like they have lost hope. It says "The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 37:24 says "though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." Psalm 57:6 says "They spread a net for my feet--I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path--but they have fallen into it themselves." Psalm 108:13 tells us "With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies." Psalm 147:3 says "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
What is bothering you today? God is for you so who can be against you?(See Romans 8:31). That is all that matters. Hang on. God has a plan!
PRAYER: Lord God help me to trust you and you alone for all that I need in life. When others come against me and hurt me or ridicule me I know you are all that matters.Help me to learn to forgive those who have wronged me. It is love that covers a multitude of sins and love that will win out.I want to focus on your love Lord so I am not sunk into a pity pit or a cavern of despair. Lord I thank you for delivering me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Note: Please take about 4 minutes and listen to the song by clicking link below. It will lift your spirits in a big way. http://youtu.be/cCwAkJQ4-Io
Monday, November 28, 2011
PULLING THE WEEDS
How many of you have a garden? One of the worst chores with a garden is pulling those pesky little weeds. The weeds can get in and choke and ruin the crop you are trying to plant. All the time and effort you spent planting is to no avail if you let the weeds take over.
We can have weeds in our spiritual life too. Things that can get into our life and choke our fruitfulness for the Lord or choke letting the word take root in our lives. We can receive or hear the word of God but sometimes it can go in one ear and right out the next. Why is this? Daydreaming perhaps, but more likely it is the type of 'soil' the word has to adhere to. Mark 4:14-20 says "The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”
What type of soil is in your life? To have good soil you need to turn over the cares of life to the Lord and trust Him. Give him the problems in your life and let Him handle them. Purify your heart by getting into the word of God on a daily basis. Ask God to take away the things that are distracting you or keeping you from growing in Christ.
PRAYER: Lord I want to have the word of God grow and bloom and produce 'fruit' in my life. I know the fruits of the spirit can not grow if I am allowing the cares of this world to choke them. Help me Lord as I seek to walk with you each and every day. I will resist the enemy and he has to flee. In Jesus Name. Amen.
We can have weeds in our spiritual life too. Things that can get into our life and choke our fruitfulness for the Lord or choke letting the word take root in our lives. We can receive or hear the word of God but sometimes it can go in one ear and right out the next. Why is this? Daydreaming perhaps, but more likely it is the type of 'soil' the word has to adhere to. Mark 4:14-20 says "The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”
What type of soil is in your life? To have good soil you need to turn over the cares of life to the Lord and trust Him. Give him the problems in your life and let Him handle them. Purify your heart by getting into the word of God on a daily basis. Ask God to take away the things that are distracting you or keeping you from growing in Christ.
PRAYER: Lord I want to have the word of God grow and bloom and produce 'fruit' in my life. I know the fruits of the spirit can not grow if I am allowing the cares of this world to choke them. Help me Lord as I seek to walk with you each and every day. I will resist the enemy and he has to flee. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
BUSY FOR GOD: NOT THE TICKET TO HEAVEN
Many people think working in their church is what God expects of them to get to heaven. You can do all sorts of good 'church things' and be on wonderful 'church committees' but that is not the formula for winning admission into heaven. You can stay so busy you have no time nor energy to minister to those around you. For some people these acts of service seem to be the ticket to life in heaven. Many can not seem to stop filling up their schedules with wonderful Christian activities. You can do so many that you do not do any really well. Then you are tired and worn out and have no time for the family at home that loves you.
I once heard an acronym for BUSY was 'being under Satan's yoke'. There are religious sects that feel that works save them. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Sure once you know Jesus as your saviour your heart will change and you will want to do things for people but it is not necessary to be on every church committee or in every Bible study to enter heaven.
2 Timothy 3:4-5 says we are to beware of people who are "treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." Perhaps this could mean those who are real 'churchy' and 'religious' but do not want to name the name of Jesus or talk too much about Him. Their committees at church will suffice. That is plenty of 'religion' for them. We are to train ourselves to be godly it says in 1 Timothy 4:7, not 'religious'. I often hear people say someone must be going to heaven because they are 'religious'. Being religious is not the way to heaven but knowing Jesus as your saviour is.
Matthew 7:22-23 says "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ This will surprise many who feel they have done so much. It is not the doing but the believing Jesus and asking Him to be your Lord and saviour.
Where is your heart today? Are you connected to the power source, that being the Lord Jesus Christ? Denominations and church membership do not save you nor do 'works' save you. If you are not sure you can ask Him into your heart right now. Say "Lord Jesus I am a sinner and I need you in my life. I want to live for you and follow you all the days of my life. Come into my heart right now."
PRAYER: Father I love you and do like to do good things for people but I know these works alone do not save me. Transform my heart to be more like yours. Help me shine Jesus light around me wherever I go. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Note: I saw the following video clip on NRB TV and it sort of puts in a comical way the way some Christians view their entrance into heaven. Click on link below.
http://youtu.be/3P_fsoFkzXA
I once heard an acronym for BUSY was 'being under Satan's yoke'. There are religious sects that feel that works save them. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Sure once you know Jesus as your saviour your heart will change and you will want to do things for people but it is not necessary to be on every church committee or in every Bible study to enter heaven.
2 Timothy 3:4-5 says we are to beware of people who are "treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." Perhaps this could mean those who are real 'churchy' and 'religious' but do not want to name the name of Jesus or talk too much about Him. Their committees at church will suffice. That is plenty of 'religion' for them. We are to train ourselves to be godly it says in 1 Timothy 4:7, not 'religious'. I often hear people say someone must be going to heaven because they are 'religious'. Being religious is not the way to heaven but knowing Jesus as your saviour is.
Matthew 7:22-23 says "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ This will surprise many who feel they have done so much. It is not the doing but the believing Jesus and asking Him to be your Lord and saviour.
Where is your heart today? Are you connected to the power source, that being the Lord Jesus Christ? Denominations and church membership do not save you nor do 'works' save you. If you are not sure you can ask Him into your heart right now. Say "Lord Jesus I am a sinner and I need you in my life. I want to live for you and follow you all the days of my life. Come into my heart right now."
PRAYER: Father I love you and do like to do good things for people but I know these works alone do not save me. Transform my heart to be more like yours. Help me shine Jesus light around me wherever I go. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Note: I saw the following video clip on NRB TV and it sort of puts in a comical way the way some Christians view their entrance into heaven. Click on link below.
http://youtu.be/3P_fsoFkzXA
Saturday, November 26, 2011
MORNING PERSON FOR GOD
Do you consider yourself a morning person or a night person or in my case, both? Do you struggle to wake up and stay up or find yourself sleeping in if you do not have to be up? Mornings are a wonderful time of day. It is nice to stick your head out the front door or window and see the sunrise or see geese in flight or the morning contrails high overhead of a jet passing by.It is just peaceful and the calm before the storm so to speak.
The Bible even says something about mornings. Psalm 119:62 says "At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances." Psalm 59:16 says "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 118:24 says "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
One thing about the morning is if you work it out it is a good time for quiet time with the Lord. Many have to rush off to work but you can attempt to orchestrate your day to rise a tiny bit earlier and sit down with a cup of coffee and read a few Bible verses. Proverbs 31:15 when speaking of the virtuous woman says "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Oh to be like that. To make yourself not lay around like a sluggard. Proverbs 21:13 says "Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare." Getting out of bed is associated then with taking charge and seizing the day so to speak. I know as an athlete and runner the best time for me to run is in the morning. The day is not busy yet and it is a time to discipline yourself to get out and get fit. Likewise this early morning time is ideal for getting spiritually fit. Psalm 57:8 says "Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn." Also in Mark 1:35 it says about Jesus "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed".
What about you? Are you able to get up a tiny bit earlier and spend time with God? Can you keep the mornings shows on TV turned off and tune in to God instead? It is truly a discipline to be able to do this. There are times I have been tired and did not have something to do and thought of going back to bed but then stayed up and got so much accomplished. Try it. Get up and say "thank you Lord for giving me another day to serve you and share your love in this world."
PRAYER: Father help me to get up and get going each day. Help me to seize the day and the opportunities that await me to be a blessing in someones life. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link to enjoy a wonderful praise song by artist Chris Tomlin to get your day going!
http://youtu.be/QwJV-qVUXuI
The Bible even says something about mornings. Psalm 119:62 says "At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances." Psalm 59:16 says "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 118:24 says "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
One thing about the morning is if you work it out it is a good time for quiet time with the Lord. Many have to rush off to work but you can attempt to orchestrate your day to rise a tiny bit earlier and sit down with a cup of coffee and read a few Bible verses. Proverbs 31:15 when speaking of the virtuous woman says "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Oh to be like that. To make yourself not lay around like a sluggard. Proverbs 21:13 says "Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare." Getting out of bed is associated then with taking charge and seizing the day so to speak. I know as an athlete and runner the best time for me to run is in the morning. The day is not busy yet and it is a time to discipline yourself to get out and get fit. Likewise this early morning time is ideal for getting spiritually fit. Psalm 57:8 says "Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn." Also in Mark 1:35 it says about Jesus "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed".
What about you? Are you able to get up a tiny bit earlier and spend time with God? Can you keep the mornings shows on TV turned off and tune in to God instead? It is truly a discipline to be able to do this. There are times I have been tired and did not have something to do and thought of going back to bed but then stayed up and got so much accomplished. Try it. Get up and say "thank you Lord for giving me another day to serve you and share your love in this world."
PRAYER: Father help me to get up and get going each day. Help me to seize the day and the opportunities that await me to be a blessing in someones life. In Jesus name. Amen.
Click on link to enjoy a wonderful praise song by artist Chris Tomlin to get your day going!
http://youtu.be/QwJV-qVUXuI
Friday, November 25, 2011
RESPOND WITH GRACE
Occasionally when I am stumped about a subject to write about something happens to give me an idea. Thank you God!! My idea came this past Sunday when the airline we were to fly on for our upcoming ski trip called to cancel and wanted to book us on next day. Needless to say this was unacceptable and would mess up our entire trip. When things like this happen we can choose to 'pop a cork' and explode at the poor agent on the phone, who is only the bearer of this bad news, or we can choose to blow it off and go with the flow. Anger never gets any one anywhere. Whether it is to an innocent defenseless clerk at a store, a waiter or even sad to say some family members and friends who bear the brunt of cutting hurtful remarks at times, anger is just not the way to go. James 1:20 says " The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Anger hurts people and breaks things.
What does God's word have to say about the way we respond to people? First let me say we should always make believe Jesus is in line behind us or sitting beside us before we go off on a verbal tirade. If we truly were convicted of what we said being offensive and hurtful to our heavenly father then perhaps some of the 'beating up' on people with words would cease. There is no person on earth who deserves to be talked down to, hurt, and ridiculed. Remember we are told in the Bible we will give account one day for every careless word we have ever uttered.(See Matthew 12:36).
Ephesians 4:2 says "With all lowliness and gentleness with long suffering, bearing with one another in love." Get that! It says to do it 'in love'! Screaming and hurling insults are certainly not loving and I am sure most of us would not talk to Jesus that way. If you think about Jesus being right there with you at all times then it probably brings great pain to Him to hear and see us acting in a less than Christian manner. Verse 7 of this same chapter continues by saying "But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of Christ's gift." What is grace? Unmerited favor for one. It means dignified, polite and decent. When someone hurls insults or hurtful speech at us we can chose to lash back or talk to them peacefully and with love. Believe me, this is difficult to do as human nature wants to get back and get even. This is not God's way. Remember it is Satan who wants us to be in constant fights and turmoil as when we are upset we are not showing the fruits of the spirit. If you call yourself a child of God then you need to practice acting like one. If you are married to someone who talks to you ugly just keep responding in grace as hard as it is. Ask God to help you stay cool, calm, and collected.
If you truly follow God's word and study it daily then you can look up the scriptures on anger and words and there are many. If you are one who abuses people with your words stop now and ask God to help you calm down and show Christian love instead. If you have hurled insults at someone say you are sorry.
Ephesians 4:29 says " Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification that it may input grace to the hearers."
Colossians 2:6 says " So as you have received Christ Jesus, walk in Him." Make believe you are talking to your minister and I am pretty sure the ugliness will end. God is way bigger and important than your minister and he is sad when you hurt others verbally. Be an example whether at home or in the marketplace.
PRAYER: Lord help me to be kind to all people. I know sometimes things make us mad but help me Lord to 'take a step back' and think what I am saying. I know hurting others with words is not pleasing to you. Help me always let my speech be seasoned as with salt. In Jesus name. Amen.
Note: Please say a prayer for Denise Carter. She is my friend who originally got me started doing daily devotions over one year ago. She has been in ICU for over a week with legionnaires pneumonia but thank God is getting better and off her ventilator. Keep her and her family in prayers. She lives here in the Huntsville area. Don't talk about it to other people as that only starts gossip but simply just pray..you and God. Thanks...Love you all. Thanks for reading this blog each day.
What does God's word have to say about the way we respond to people? First let me say we should always make believe Jesus is in line behind us or sitting beside us before we go off on a verbal tirade. If we truly were convicted of what we said being offensive and hurtful to our heavenly father then perhaps some of the 'beating up' on people with words would cease. There is no person on earth who deserves to be talked down to, hurt, and ridiculed. Remember we are told in the Bible we will give account one day for every careless word we have ever uttered.(See Matthew 12:36).
Ephesians 4:2 says "With all lowliness and gentleness with long suffering, bearing with one another in love." Get that! It says to do it 'in love'! Screaming and hurling insults are certainly not loving and I am sure most of us would not talk to Jesus that way. If you think about Jesus being right there with you at all times then it probably brings great pain to Him to hear and see us acting in a less than Christian manner. Verse 7 of this same chapter continues by saying "But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of Christ's gift." What is grace? Unmerited favor for one. It means dignified, polite and decent. When someone hurls insults or hurtful speech at us we can chose to lash back or talk to them peacefully and with love. Believe me, this is difficult to do as human nature wants to get back and get even. This is not God's way. Remember it is Satan who wants us to be in constant fights and turmoil as when we are upset we are not showing the fruits of the spirit. If you call yourself a child of God then you need to practice acting like one. If you are married to someone who talks to you ugly just keep responding in grace as hard as it is. Ask God to help you stay cool, calm, and collected.
If you truly follow God's word and study it daily then you can look up the scriptures on anger and words and there are many. If you are one who abuses people with your words stop now and ask God to help you calm down and show Christian love instead. If you have hurled insults at someone say you are sorry.
Ephesians 4:29 says " Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification that it may input grace to the hearers."
Colossians 2:6 says " So as you have received Christ Jesus, walk in Him." Make believe you are talking to your minister and I am pretty sure the ugliness will end. God is way bigger and important than your minister and he is sad when you hurt others verbally. Be an example whether at home or in the marketplace.
PRAYER: Lord help me to be kind to all people. I know sometimes things make us mad but help me Lord to 'take a step back' and think what I am saying. I know hurting others with words is not pleasing to you. Help me always let my speech be seasoned as with salt. In Jesus name. Amen.
Note: Please say a prayer for Denise Carter. She is my friend who originally got me started doing daily devotions over one year ago. She has been in ICU for over a week with legionnaires pneumonia but thank God is getting better and off her ventilator. Keep her and her family in prayers. She lives here in the Huntsville area. Don't talk about it to other people as that only starts gossip but simply just pray..you and God. Thanks...Love you all. Thanks for reading this blog each day.
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