I
was watching my wife play “bubbles” with our 2-year-old grandson. The bubbles
from the soap solution would drift through the air and he could not catch them.
They would burst when they touched him. This reminded me of our words, they
drift from our mouths like bubbles; sometimes flying like spears. We can never
catch them or take them back and when the bubbles of our words burst on someone
they have an effect, good or evil.
How
often we catch ourselves saying, “O I never meant that” and desperately try to
undo the harm our words have caused. But a word (bubble) released can never be
taken back. In the Bible, it says that the words of our mouths show the
condition of our hearts (Luke 6:45); they show what’s on the inside of us.
“Death
and life are in the power of the tongue”, the word says (Prov 18:21; KJV). Our
words can bring life, love and encouragement or discouragement and death. God
calls us to love and encourage one another (Prov 16:24; 1Tim 3:2). Let’s commit
to ask God to put a guard over our mouths (Ps 141:3) and only speak as Proverbs
25:11 and 15:1 instruct us, “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in
pictures of silver”; “a soft answer turneth away wrath” Of course words come
from our minds, our thoughts, but that’s a thought for another day.
Speak gently today.
“But
[as for] you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine
(THE CHARACTER AND RIGHT LIVING THAT IDENTIFY TRUE CHRISTIANS) (AMP) (Titus 2:1).
We
are supposed to be easily identified as Christians by how we live. In verse 10
of that same chapter we are exhorted to be loyal, faithful and reliable; Paul
tells Titus our lives should adorn or be ornaments to the things of God. In
verse 12 Paul teaches us that God’s grace has trained us to have nothing to do
with ungodliness and worldly desires and to be self-controlled and upright.
This does not allow us to cheat, be dishonest, tell white lies, gossip etc.
In
2 Timothy 2:22 Paul further preaches that we should grow up as far as sin is
concerned and aim at being like God in our thoughts and actions. We should
aggressively seek to walk in faith, love and peace with all of our brothers and
sisters in Christ. This is kingdom living, this is aiming for perfection (Matt
5:48). I know it seems almost unattainable, but notice it says “aim at and
pursue” It’s good to have something to aim at; we’ll miss the mark from time to
time but that’s better than aiming at nothing.
Remember
that God is always with you and that His word and power will always enable you
to do what he expects of you (Phil 1:6).
Sometimes
we can be overawed or intimidated by the glory and power of God and feel
inadequate or unworthy of Him as we walk our walk upon this earth. It is
important for us to realize that Jesus gave up the advantages and privileges of
Heaven and came to earth as a man, with flesh and blood (Phil 2:5-8). He had to
be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to minister on this earth just like
you and I have to be (Matt 3:13-17).
In
Hebrews chapter 4, verse 15, we are told that Jesus can identify with us as He
was tempted in all the same ways as we are, while He was on this earth, but He
did no sin. Do you get the picture? Jesus came here as a man with flesh and
blood and walked in our shoes just like us! He knows our state, our weaknesses
and temptations, our trials and tribulations. He dealt with the same things
while He was here.
Jesus
knows where we are at and the word still says: “I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13; KJV). Nothing is impossible if we
have Jesus inside us!
Be
encouraged today, Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebr 13:5).
Isaiah 40:31 is a wonderful verse: “But they that wait upon
the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (KJV).
One spring Jean and I were parked in our car on the south end
of Waskesiu Lake in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, having
our prayer time. There were 6 or so golden eagles feasting on dead fish out on
the melting ice. After a while the eagles took off and gave us 30 minutes of
the most glorious flying and gliding display right in front of and over our
car. What amazing, powerful and graceful creatures; such colors and majesty,
such strength. Isaiah 40:31 truly came alive for us.
God is so obvious to all in His creation (Rom 1:20). This is
the strength He has for us. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteous." (Isa 41:10). It's
God that does the strengthening and holds us with His hand. God tells us not to
fear, He is the one who fights our battles for us (Deut 31:6).
And, yes, this is New Testament as well: "I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil 4:13). Did you notice
that was all things, not some things! Trust God, cast your cares on Him and
lean on His strength today. We can't do it on our own; my, how we need our God.
Pass this on to someone.
In
Ephesians 5:18 we are encouraged to be filled with the Holy Spirit and then in
verses 19-21 we are told of ways that demonstrate this. One of those things is:
"Giving thanks all ways for all things".
We
are all very familiar with the fact that we are supposed to be thankful;
however, it is easy to go through our day without remembering to do this! If we
want to live a spirit led and spirit controlled life, then we need to develop
this attitude of thanksgiving because apparently there is a connection.
In 1 Thesalonians 5:17 we are told to: "pray
without ceasing" and then right after that, in verse 18, we are told again
to thank God in everything, despite the circumstances. According to these two
verses then, giving thanks is as important as praying. (by the way, please note,
it says to thank God in everything not for everything).
Colossians
4:2 says almost the same thing, that we should continue in prayer and be
vigorous with thanksgiving. Let's not forget Philippians 4:6, which tells us
not to be anxious but to pray with thanksgiving. There seems to be a definite connection
here between prayer and thanksgiving. Finally, Psalms 100:4 and 95:2 tell us to
come into His presence with thanksgiving.
When
we pray we are coming into God's presence, so what better way to begin our
prayer times each day than with praise, worship and thanksgiving.