Oh Hush Up Mouth!

Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. James 3:5

Indeed no man or woman can tame the tongue. It is full of deadly poison that is why it is so critical to attempt to get it under control. How many fights have begun due to misspoken or misunderstood words? Better yet, blurting out  words you did not intend to say. Whoops, too late. Oh my goodness, help me Jesus is all I can say.

There are so many verses in scripture pertaining to words and speaking. I will list just a few here:

Matthew 12:37 For  by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

I challenge you to do your own search of the scriptures to find many more verses on  the power of words. There are over 100. If only you could reign in this little hole in your face to only say good things and not feel like you have to add your two cents every time. So many misunderstandings could be eliminated. So many family squabbles would be history. Many marriages would be saved. Also get a handle on your social media ‘words’ as well and try to be kind and gentle and avoid the unfriend monster. Now you have your challenge ahead of you so go spread kindness with your words. 

PRAYER: Thank you for the gift of being able to talk. Thank you for the creation of the tongue where I can speak,shout,sing,taste food. It is quite a miracle but give me the ability to not hurt others with it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Unsubscribing

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

I just went through the process of ‘unsubscribing’ from unnecessary electronic junk mail and even some worthy emails. After a while it seems it takes forever to wade through the unnecessary to get to what you really need to see. Your life can get like your inbox too if you don’t keep it in check.

Too many club meetings. Too much volunteering and saying yes to every thing worthy. Too many sports and club activities for children. Too much unorganized clutter to deal with at home. You have to ask yourself if you are allowing so much seemingly good stuff in your life you are not having time to be still and hear God’s voice. Even the hours there are no calendar items, you may have your TV blaring or computer on and once again no stillness. You have to make a choice. If you enjoy this chaos then more power to you bit when is enough activity and busyness enough? Do you desire to be still and have less going on in your life? 

Today step back and take inventory of your daily schedule and that of your children. Is it doing you more harm than good. Really think and pray about this and then maybe make some much needed adjustments and do some ‘unsubscribing’. 

PRAYER:I love you Lord and I love being able to simply be still. The enemy is the master distractor trying to keep me on a treadmill that often leaves you far away. I plan to change things and I need your help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Go For The Gold!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23

The 2018 Winter Olympics are now in the history books. They are my favorite as I am a big fan of winter sports. The years of preparation, discipline, sacrifice, money spent adds up to either the ‘thrill of victory’ or ‘the agony of defeat’ borrowing this from the former TV show ‘Wide World Of Sports. The ultimate prize is that coveted Gold Medal although, any spot on podium is good. 

In life are you going for the gold? By this I mean are you striving for excellence in all areas of your life? Not necessarily trying to attain riches but to be an excellent example wherever you happen to be in life. Do you ‘go for the gold’ in your job? If that job is at home are you striving for excellence as a mom and homemaker? When you are in college are you giving it your best? Don’t give up, press on, and know you can do all things with Christ strengthening you(See Philippians 4:13) and do them in a worthy manner. 

Challenge yourself to not be a quitter and call on God to see you through the tasks ahead of you. Ask Him to give you what it takes to finish strong and represent Him well. 

PRAYER: I love being able to shine for Christ no matter where I am. There may be times I have slipped up and done less than stellar but you give me grace Lord and help me as I pick myself back up and charge on. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s Way IS The Highway

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

You have probably heard the phrase “it is my way or the highway” meaning just what it says, agree or leave in a rude sort of way. Well I am here to say that when it comes to God,  HIS way IS the highway. He is the pathway to eternal life, your ‘yellow brick road’ of sorts. 

Also another way to look at this phrase is we as believers should be taking the ‘high road’ in situations and not an ‘in your face’ unloving hateful mode of operating. The ‘high’ way leads to love, joy, kindness, peace, and even repentance. The ‘low road’ shoves their way and their opinions in other faces and tries to make a point. The enemy loves when we get this way as it sure will never win over anyone and seeks to drive them further away. 

So what is your choice today? Love, kindness, respect, or ruining your witness by shoving unkind Facebook posts in people’s faces or trying to make your point. The High Way is His way. Try it today. 

PRAYER: There have been times when I slipped up and took the low road instead of staying high and lifted up and on the path you desire me to follow. Help me let the Holy Spirit do His work and for me to keep on the High Way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Aargh!!

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16

Does this word above ever describe how you feel in some situations? It is quite human at times to get aggravated and exasperated but when you are attempting to live a spirit filled life you need to get a grip on things of the flesh that could cause you to explode. Step back, breathe, pray. Repeat. 

I often urge my friends to take a DAWG day which means a ‘day alone with God’ and step back and regroup spiritually.  You have to schedule it or it will not happen. Granted, moms with babies and small children may have a difficult time having this time alone. Perhaps while the baby is asleep have you time alone.  

Whatever is bothering you today and making you want to scream, try to sit quietly before the Lord and rejoice in His goodness and the things He has done for you. Let go of any anger, bitterness, and junk from the past. Ask God to help you get healed of a wounded spirit. Continue to press on to the joys that lie ahead. 

PRAYER: I want to be a shining light on a hill for you Lord. There are times things push my buttons and I start to regress into my old nature. Help me break strongholds that do this to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Whew!

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.–Proverbs 16:32

All of you probably have days where you say to yourself, I need to schedule a little less and sit and relax a little more whether it is every day life or vacations. When you rush around you can do stupid things like lose credit cards, break your cell phone, misplace a file, drop cash out of your pockets, fall down and worse case scenario is forgetting your baby or toddler is in a car seat in the back seat of your car. Now that is a real red alert. Slow down! 

So what makes people rush and try to do an abnormal amount of activity? When you do work, play, or stay home take time to breathe, sit still, and be realistic about stuff. Think first and foremost.  Force yourself to get organized. Lead an orderly and disciplined life and bring glory to God. When challenges present themselves stay cool. 

It is necessary to above all think. Next be still. Get organized. Don’t let rushing everywhere wreak havoc in your life. Being still is a good thing. Try it sometime. 

PRAYER: When I lose things I get mad at myself but I know part of it is rushing and not thinking. Help me to be still more and be alert. I choose a life of peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Slow Service...Be Kind Anyway

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness,forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?Romans 2:4 

Ever feel like you are being tested as a believer to put your faith into action?

Take slow service for instance. It may be a pain in the neck to be polite when you feel forgotten by a waiter or another service person, but hang in there.

So many tests come our way. Kindness to a beggar whether legit or not. Being polite when others are rude. Ignoring a driver who cuts you off. Once I heard you could be righteously indignant but what does that really mean? 

As you go on life’s journey each day new challenges comes your way. Are you going to be able to smile for Jesus in each of them? 

PRAYER: I need your help daily Lord as I face tough situations which may make me want to scream or curse. I know you want me to demonstrate kindness and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.