Author Archives: Blanche

Monuments Or Listeners??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 06

04 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Choose You This Day!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Love Is Action, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.06 Monuments Or Listeners???

 

In recent days there has been a lot of talk going around about building a monument to a recently departed man of God, and it occurs to me that we’ve missed the point! But even Jesus’ disciples wrestled with this “monument” mindset, yet God clearly redirected their focus!

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother,

and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2 And was transfigured before them:

and his face did shine as the sun,

and his raiment was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them

Moses

and Elias

talking with him.

4 Then answered Peter,

and said unto Jesus,

Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt,

let us make here three tabernacles;

one for thee,

and one for Moses,

and one for Elias.

5 While he yet spake,

behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:

and behold a voice out of the cloud,

which said,

This is my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased;

hear ye him.

6 And when the disciples heard it,

they fell on their face,

and were sore afraid.” Matthew 17:1-6

Jesus took three disciples, Peter, James and John, with Him up into the mountain and Matthew records the account for us. We find the disciples with the Lord at a most important occurrence—Jesus was “transfigured” before them: “his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light”! Jesus revealed a measure of His heavenly glory to these three disciples, and they must have been overwhelmed at the sight. But that wasn’t all! They also saw Moses and Elijah (Elias) as they were “talking with him” right before their eyes. What an awe-inspiring sight to behold and yet they allowed the ‘sight’ to distract them from their “focus”.

Once again Peter steps up and with his usual grace—seeming to open his mouth and inset his foot:

“Then answered Peter,

and said unto Jesus,

Lord, it is good for us to be here:

if thou wilt,

let us make here three tabernacles;

one for thee,

and one for Moses,

and one for Elias.

As we consider what Peter said, we see that he at least recognized that it was “good for us to be here”, and he asked for permission to build tabernacles/monuments to Jesus and the two men who appeared with Him. The writings of Solomon remind us that some things never change:

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing

under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9

As much as the enemy of our souls tries to convince us that this “new” thing will make life perfect—this ‘new’ gadget, this ‘new’ look, this ‘new’ job, this ‘new’ idea or that—anything that will get our eyes and our minds off of Jesus! Even the disciples had their focus taken off of Jesus (And He was right there!), and onto ‘monument’ building. God clearly reminded them, and us, that our work is to hear and obey.

“While he yet spake,

behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:

and behold a voice out of the cloud,

which said,

This is my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased;

hear ye him.”

God reminds us that our attention is to be on HIM and HIS SON, Jesus! HE wants us to understand that it’s Jesus who is to be our focus—He is our hope – our only hope–our everything!!!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race

that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy

that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

It’s all about Jesus not monuments to the accomplishments of man, no matter how godly and successful they are or were. Our monuments ought to be a godly life lived and given to God and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord to do with as HE pleases. We are to live for Jesus in all we do!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

We are saved to be the monuments to our God—not stone and metal. We are the living work of God. It’s what HE saves us for!

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

It is God’s grace that saves us, and His power that makes us “new creatures” who are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works”—God’s workings made manifest in His own children—to His glory and for our good!!!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed

unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

We are saved to be God’s ambassadors to a lost and dying world—by living for Jesus rather than building monuments of wood and stone! So I ask of us all, are we seeking to build monuments or are we heeding God’s command as living monuments:

“This is my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased;

hear ye him”

We must keep:

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith.”

And as we look at Him, we will be all that He has saved us to be.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable

unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

It’s all about HIM! So don’t worry about “monuments” being built for anyone—we’ll just set your eyes on Jesus and you and I can “be” the monuments that God is interested in using to display the grace, love and salvation that He has provided in the blood of Jesus. We simply need to abide in Him and allow His Spirit to produce fruit through us!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth

much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:1-5

So let’s not spend our time calling for monuments, but hearing the voice of God speaking to us and obeying His Son and His Word! Let’s determine to do things God’s way and not our own way!!! Let’s not be like Israel and do “that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6 & 21:25. In whose eyes are you doing right? God’s? Or men’s? Choose wisely there is a test at the end! Amen and Amen!!!

In The Shadows??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #441

02 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God of all comfort!, Growing in Jesus!, I Will Never Leave You, Love, Perseverance, Shadows, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY, Troubles

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #441        In The Shadows???

 

There are many around us today who are going through difficult circumstances, trying times, and deep sorrows and grief, so I thought we’d take a few minutes today to remind ourselves that even though the “shadows” come, we serve the God of light—He is light, and He walks with His own—even in the dark!

Daniel rehearsed the character of God as he praised HIM for answering his prayer for help along with his three friends, who were in peril of their lives. It is an amazing reminder of who our God IS, and that we can praise HIM also! Today!!!

“Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.”    Daniel 2:20-22

God knows the valley that you are going through—no matter how dark it seems, no matter how long that valley may seem, and He is with us through it all.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.”   Psalm 23:4

I pray that this brief post will encourage your heart today no matter where you are, or what you may be going through; and that you will remember that God never wastes any opportunity to use our circumstances to grow us in His grace– and to display His love and grace in us, making us a beacon of His love, light and grace to a world that needs Jesus!!! A world that is in the dark!

“Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort

wherewith we ourselves

are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ

abound in us,

so our consolation also

aboundeth by Christ.”   2 Corinthians 1:2-5

And this “God of all comfort” is ready to comfort and encourage you today; won’t you look up and open your heart and mind to see His hand extended to you! And as I close our time together today, I’d like to share an old gospel song that God brought to my mind as I sat here writing this post. May it comfort and encourage you and it has my heart so often through the years, especially when those “shadows deepen, and my heart bleeds”!

We’ll Talk It Over

By Ira Stanphill

“Tho’ shadows deepen, and my heart bleeds,
I will not question the way He leads;
This side of Heaven we know in part,
I will not question a broken heart. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye. 

I’ll trust His leading, He’ll never fail,
Thru darkest tunnels or misty vales.
Obey his bidding and faithful be,
Tho’ only one step ahead I see. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye. 

I’ll hide my heartache behind a smile
And wait for reasons ’til after while.
And tho’ He try me, I know I’ll find
That all my burdens are silver lined. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye.”

May you recognize that our awesome “God of all comfort” is simply waiting for you to reach out to HIM!!! Have a blessed day my friend and know you are loved and prayed for. Amen and Amen!!!

Our Life Or His??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #440

28 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Approved Unto God, Choose You This Day!, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Salvation, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Only Way, The Word, Thy Will Be Done, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #440        Our Life Or His???

 

As we talked last time about “blooming” for The Lord where He has planted us, I’d like us to dig a little deeper into how we are to bloom. We are called to be a reflection of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, not self!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ

liveth

in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself

for me.”   Galatians 2:20 

If we will learn to keep this powerful principle before us, we could see so many things change around us—mostly ‘me’! I/we are called to let Christ be seen in us! So let’s take a few minutes this morning to remind ourselves of what He has called us to be—and do. For if we don’t “be” His, we can never “do” His work (pardon the grammar, but you get the point: doing comes out of the being, never vice-versa!)

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.”   John 10:27-28

When we are HIS sheep we will hear His voice—the Holy Spirit—and we are to follow HIM, not self—HE is Lord!

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.” John 10:14

Jesus is “the good shepherd” and when we are His, He knows us and we will know Him. And as we dig into His Word we will see Him more quickly, respond more promptly, and walk more faithfully before God and man. Paul gives us a great reminder of the import of God’s Word, and the priority it ought to be in our lives—it’s our life compass!

“Study

to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

And I always like to point out that just as we are called to “rightly” divide/understand God’s truth, the implication is, that as there is a “right” way to divide/understand God’s Word, there is also a “wrong” way! And there seems to be a lot of folks “wrongly” dividing—twisting what The Word says. Yet when we will diligently pursue the understanding of His Word, God will help us to not only understand it, but also to apply it consistently and to “order our steps” His way!

“All scripture

is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:16-17

As we pursue living the crucified life, we will come to see what God has for us in His Word. And as we bring this post to a close, let’s consider some things that the Psalmist says to us about pursuing God’s ways, and having His presence and glory evident in our lives.

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

“Trust in the LORD, and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment as the noonday.”   Psalm 37:3-6

He is the shepherd—the supply—and the sufficiency—today, tomorrow and each day we are given, so may HE ever:

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

Amen and Amen!!!

Blooms Are Worth The Wait!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 05

26 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Growing in Jesus!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Perseverance, The Only Way, Time, TODAY, Wait on the Lord, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.05 Blooms Are Worth The Wait!!!

 

I love flowers. I love the beauty, the aroma (most of the time!), and the joy of watching those spikes and leaves pop up through the earth and produce the wonder of blooms. The daffodils, and crocus that peep through the cold ground to remind us that spring is on the way, are a delight to my soul. And then the forsythia and iris that make that amazing and wondrous show across the landscapes of our communities. I just love it!

Today, I thought we would take some time and consider the reality of blooming. Blooms are the yield of waiting—we plant many of the early-blooming bulbs in the fall, down in the earth—unseen, unnoticed—unaware of the growth that is going on ‘out of sight’. Yet while we can’t observe it with our eyes, those bulbs are putting down roots, nourishing that bulb to be able to bloom. We all love the show of the blooms, but seldom do we consider the cost of the wait—and if there isn’t the proper winter nourishment and time to develop, there won’t be much in the way of the beauty of blooms. The blooms are growing and preparing in that dark earth, the cold earth of winter—under the ground, under the snow, under the ice—doing what is necessary to be what God created them to be: flowers blooming where they were planted. Placed there for a purpose, placed there whether by design or just the propagation of nature—the blooms are still beautiful and the wait is still necessary. The same is true of our spiritual lives!

We can’t expect to be great, beautiful, awe-inspiring blooms if we’re not willing to endure the difficulty of the winter growing seasons! Yet oh my friends, it’s worth the wait! And while the blooms are often short-lived, we enjoy their beauty for that time, and God has a purpose and a plan for our ‘winter’ too, and our blooms can yield eternal results!

“The wilderness and the solitary place

shall be glad for them;

and the desert shall rejoice,

and blossom as the rose.

2 It shall blossom abundantly,

and rejoice even with joy and singing:

the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon,

they shall see the glory of the LORD,

and the excellency of our God.”   Isaiah 35:1-2

While the literal desert will bloom (And it is already blooming in God’s land of Israel—promises are being fulfilled!), we need to let God prepare the desert areas of our heart to begin to bloom. We must give Him our all, our dark places (and we all have them hidden from view—but not from God) so He can do His work in us, and no matter how long the winter, God can bring the blooms as we yield to His spiritual gardening skills.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:1-5

Jesus reminds us that only as we “Abide in me, and I in you”, can we grow as we ought, and see God bring forth the blooms. We so often try to “force” the blooms to come before the time, instead of learning to “abide in” Jesus! You can’t rush spiritual growth, although we are to pursue it and learn to yield to Jesus, and allow His Holy Spirit to take us to the heights of glory as we seek His face in His Word, in prayer and by spending time in His presence! It is only in dying to self, and living to, for, with, and through HIS Spirit that the blooms will abound—in HIS time!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

Jesus is the root, the provision and nutrition for our life! Will we allow His Spirit to accomplish HIS purpose and will in our hearts and lives, or will we keep on trying to “force” our blooms in our own way, with our own strength or “Miracle Grow”—which isn’t a miracle at all, but self-will. But when we don’t practice the “crucified with Christ” life, we miss the joy of genuine blooms; when we don’t practice the “abiding” life, we miss the joy of His presence and work in us; we miss the beauty of blooms that have been grown out of sight of the world, and then amazingly in HIS time, they come forth to bring truth, beauty and life to the dark and dreary winter of the world around us—JESUS in us!

Jesus told a parable dealing with the contrast between “self” blooming or the true work of God, of being His or being master of our own soul!

“And he spake a parable unto them, saying,

The ground of a certain rich man

brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying,

What shall I do,

because I have no room

where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said,

This will I do:

I will pull down my barns,

and build greater;

and there will I bestow

all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul,

Soul, thou hast much goods

laid up for many years;

take thine ease,

eat,

drink,

and be merry.

20 But God said unto him,

Thou fool,

this night thy soul shall be required

of thee:

then whose shall those things be,

which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure

for himself,

and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples,

Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat;

neither for the body,

what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat,

and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens:

for they neither sow nor reap;

which neither have storehouse nor barn;

and God feedeth them:

how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought

can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able

to do that thing which is least,

why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow:

they toil not,

they spin not;

and yet I say unto you,

that Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass,

which is to day in the field,

and to morrow is cast into the oven;

how much more will he clothe you,

O ye of little faith?”   Luke 12:16-28

While Jesus isn’t saying not to be productive, He is telling us to trust our all to God, and not “fret” about tomorrow (or even later today!), but trust God to provide in those dark winter days, as well as the sunshine of the blooms! He’ll do HIS work in HIS time for HIS glory and our good! Oh, to be found faithful when He comes, or when He calls me to Himself! How about you

Jesus also had a message for those who claim to be “His” within the church, those who thought they had “it all” themselves, much like the rich man above! In my own vernacular—“saying so, doesn’t make it so”! Knowing the Master and Lord who is “the way….the truth….and the life…” is the only way to have a ‘genuine’ life that blooms for God!

“I know thy works,

that thou art neither cold

nor hot:

I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither cold

nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love,

I rebuke

and chasten:

be zealous therefore,

and repent.

20 Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:15-18

Without going into all of the contextual interpretations of the “who” or “what” specifically in these verses, my purpose today is to simply see what Jesus said to some who claimed to be His own, and if I might amplify that part it for us today as we bring these thoughts to a close, I’d like to leave you some food for thought to ponder throughout your day and week. Who is your Lord? Where is your treasure? Are you in a dark time of winter, waiting for the blooms? If so Jesus is sufficient to the task, and God has a plan at work—don’t rush His timing (And oh, I know how hard that is to practice—that “waiting” is just about the hardest thing that God asks us to do, but with His grace we can “wait”, and the “Blooms are worth the wait!”) Are you running your own life, trying to save and provide for your own soul? Is God about to say to you what He said to the rich man we looked at? As Paul said to the Philippians “think on these things….” (See Philippians 4:8-9)

Jesus said, “I KNOW”–

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”   2 Timothy 2:19

Jesus said, “You say….but don’t know!”!

“….without me you can do nothing…”

You think you are self-sufficient, but you’re not!

Jesus said, “YOU are blind”!

What you say doesn’t match what I see or say!

YOU “knowest not” your real state!

Jesus said, “buy from me” what only faith buys!

 What you have isn’t equal to save anyone.

 “For by grace are you saved”

Not by works, wealth, power, prominence,

Self-righteousness, there’s IS only ONE way!

Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock”!

(He was on the outside of His church!)

Self-righteousness will never save anyone!

You measure by what you see, not what is!

Jesus said, “open the door”!

If you are on the throne, Jesus can’t be!

Is He on the outside?

Or have you invited Him in?

Jesus said, “I will come in”!

Jesus will come in to those who bow before Him!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”

Jesus wants to help you bloom where you’re planted, but first we must bow before The “Master” gardener, and trust it all to HIM, that we might “be conformed to the image of his Son”, reflecting HIS glory as we bloom—right there where HE has planted YOU! The blooms are worth the wait!

Watch MY Words, Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #439

23 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Free Speech?, Knowing God's Word, Speaking, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, Words Matter

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #439   Watch MY Words, Really???

 

We talk about the right to “Free Speech” in our country, and while we do have the “Freedom” of “Speech”, speech isn’t free. Speech comes with a cost! The words we choose to use—out loud—do have a cost: a cost to our relationships; a cost to the feelings of others; a cost to the influence that we bear and how it affects others–either for the good or for the worse; a cost of honor or shame; a cost of attention-be it good or bad attention. Yet our speech is often used without thought or regard for the effect of our words—we just don’t always ‘Think’ before we ‘speak’. So I’d just like us to take a few minutes this morning to remind ourselves to, as a favorite secular proverb says, “Watch your words, and keep them sweet, you never know, which ones you’ll eat!”

Our tongue can spread great joy and goodwill, or we can change the air around us with our lack of wisdom and self-control.

“If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”   James 1:26

Our words reveal to others who we really are and what we believe and feel. Jesus told us about this very thing.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”             Matthew 15:18-19

What we choose to speak with our “mouth” in reality will “come forth from the heart”; and while we may smile and say, “I’m just joking!”, people will eventually see that our motives are often less than pure! We who are following Jesus ought to speak out of a heart full of love for Him and others. And God’s love always does that which is best for the recipient! After all, He gave us the standard, “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “love thy neighbor as thyself”! And we all know that while the children shout “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” it is far from true, and “words” do hurt—often to the depth of the soul. So we ought to be careful how we use our words, for love makes a difference! James had a lot to say about the tongue.

“Even so the tongue is a little member,

and boasteth great things.

Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire,

a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue

can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.” James 3:5-8 

How about you and me? Are our words poison or blessing—are we uplifting others or putting them down? We are called to be a blessing to the world, not poison!

“Finally, be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life,

and see good days,

let him refrain his tongue from evil,

and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil,

and do good;

let him seek peace,

and ensue it.” 1 Peter 3:8-11

So may we each go forth today and render blessings with our words—never compromising the truth–but calling others to the cross, to the Savior who loves them so much that He gave His life for our salvation!!! May our words spread the peace of God with the world around us, rather than discord!

“And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”    Philippians 4:7-9

So “think on these things” today, and each day………and speak accordingly!!!

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”   Psalm 19:14

Amen and Amen!!!