Words that add life and light
Have you ever noticed how some words drain the life right out of you? There are words that cause us to feel bad about ourselves and keep us from reaching our full potential. You might be thinking that is assigning a lot of power to a little word, but the truth is, words do have power, especially when they come out of the mouth of someone we love and trust. This is why we should be careful about the words we speak. When we are accusatory toward a loved one, and really all we are doing is trying to manipulate a certain outcome, then we are guilty of speaking words that kill. However, when we speak hope and love and encouragement, then we are speaking words that give life. Always choose words that uplift, and then you will never have to be concerned about trying to call a word back, which is as impossible as calling back the last breath you breathed.
Proverbs 20 and 21 are filled with so much wisdom, and since wisdom is what we are seeking let’s plunge right in. Proverbs 20 begins with warning about strong drink. There is some controversy in the church about drinking alcohol. Some churches say consumption of alcohol is a sin and their members either abstain or drink in secret. Let me tell you if you have to do anything in secret it is something you should not do, whether your church says so or not. Personally, if I wanted to have a glass of wine at night but I know my church is adamantly opposed to drinking, I would find a church where my views and theirs were more closely aligned. One over-riding theme of the Bible is balance. We are to balance work, play, church life and family life. Likewise, if we choose to drink we should do so moderately. It is when we drink too much, eat too much, let our anger consume us–you get the idea–that we lapse into sin.
We are told repeatedly to avoid laziness, avoid excessive sleep, make sure our weights and balances are equal (be fair) and let our words be pure. Why, I wonder, did God think we needed 31 chapters of constant reminders about right living? Because our nature is to live in the flesh, not in the spirit. In other words, our sin nature all too often gets the better of us so God is reminding us that there is another way we should go, and it is the way of the Lord.
Prov. 21:2 says that there is a way that seems right to man, but God knows the heart. Can we ever know our own hearts? There is a saying, to thine own self be true. Sometimes our hearts are deceitful–we don’t want to know what is hidden there. God is so good and so kind that he does not reveal the entirety of our hearts all at once to us. If He did, I believe it would crush us. Therefore, he reveals our sinful nature just a little at a time so that when revealed, we can repent and receive redemption.
Won’t you go before God today and thank Him that although He requires holiness of us He also gave us a Savior to give us redemption–to buy us back from the sin we were in.
The value of integrity
Chapter 19 of Proverbs begins by telling us that the poor who walks in integrity is better off than he who speaks with perversity, who is really a fool. What is integrity and how do we attain it?
- an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting; “the integrity of the nervous system is required for normal development …
- moral soundness
- or, integrity is the way we behave when no one is watching.
How do we achieve integrity? I will tell you with all honesty that the more you immerse yourself in God’s Word, in the life of Jesus, the more you walk as Jesus walked, the greater will be your integrity. It is nearly impossible to act outside of integrity when we live everyday with Jesus.
more to come…
Happy Birthday, Mama
Today my mother would be 95 years old. I wish we could have grown old together, but we’ll have a lot to catch up on when we meet again.
I have to go directly to Proverbs 17:28,
8 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
This verse speaks directly to the saying, It is better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to speak and prove it. Once again we see multiple verses regarding the wisdom of holding our tongues. Can you imagine how much more peace we would live in if we were to follow this simple advice?
Prov 9 says he who covers an offense promotes love. Isn’t that what Christ did on the cross? Jesus covered the offenses of the world (sin) by giving Himself as a spotless lamb. Would that we could cover offenses of our fellow Christians thereby promoting love. I have seen churches split over the color of the carpet, a change in worship service, or a split in loyalty among the congregation. Can anyone believe this type of behavior is acceptable in the Church? If we could learn to sacrifice our opinions and our wants to those of others we would usher in an era of peace and love in our churches that would be unparalleled. Our focus should NEVER be on the minutiae of church administration, but instead on how we can better worship God, fellowship with Christ, and bring others to the Kingdom.
The plans of the Lord
For those of you reading this post who attend Asbury UMC, you should be amazed (as am I) at today’s scripture.
We at Asbury are in the midst of a possible life-changing event at the church as we seek God’s direction in the future of our church. I have spent more than 2 hours praying over the life of the church this morning, and then I opened my Bible to Proverbs 16 and found that the chapter begins with talking of man’s plans vs. God’s plans. Prov 16:1-3 says To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the lord comes the reply of the tongue. 2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Wow. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Father, as we seek your face through prayer and fasting may we truly commit ourselves, our plans, our church to you and may we succeed in bringing others into the Kingdom.
The chapter goes on to speak of pride and we all recognize Prov 16:18: pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. God, deliver us from pride, from haughtiness and save us from destruction.
Where is wisdom found?
We at Asbury UMC have begun meeting again on Wednesday nights for food, fellowship, Bible studies, and a special speaker each week addressing community and social needs. I am increasingly enjoying these Wednesday nights. I attend the series on Growing your Faith, which reveals to us the very foundations of the Christian faith. I find myself more and more drawn to the Standing Stones which stand as monuments to our faith, and am in awe that Jesus would use me as a Living Stone to mark the continuation of the faith.
Prov 15:1 begins by telling us that a gentle answer turns away wrath. Would that I could grasp that truth, meditate upon it, make it a part of my DNA. Instead, I tend to want to persuade others of my point of view, validating MY opinions and turning you from yours. God is saying repeatedly “Be gentle, be wise, speak words of healing, heed correction, be righteous, seek knowledge” and we continue on in our foolish ways.
Prov 15:8 warns that the Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked. When will we learn we cannot live any way we want, and then win God’s favor through meaningless sacrifices? When will we as individuals and as a nation drop to our knees before the Living God and plead for mercy that we might be spared the judgment sure to come?
Prov 15:13-15 talks about a cheerful heart. Do you know what makes my heart cheerful? Being immersed in God’s word brings joy bubbling up from the depths of my heart and literally bursts forth from my lips. Being with my children and grandchildren brings me joy, and makes my heart cheerful. Being among God’s people at Asbury makes my heart cheerful and strengthens my faith and my service.
If you find your heart is not cheerful, take a close look at your habits. Do you take the time to spend a part of the morning with the Lord before you begin your day? Are you in close contact with your family, friends, and church? If your circumstances are such that you can find no cheer in your daily living, then call your church or community organization and find somewhere you can volunteer. I guarantee you there are multitudes of people in worse shape than you. When you reach out to help others, Jesus will restore the joy to your heart–remember, Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. Keeping your priorities in the right order will bring wisdom, healing and joy.
Seeking Holiness 