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Do “I” Hear the Words Coming Out of My Mouth?

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

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.  Proverbs 10:19 NIV

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Proverbs 13:3 NIV

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.  Proverbs 17:27 NIV

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV

Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 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.  Tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:4-8 NIV

Observation: Throughout the bible the dangers of our tongue, mouth and words are taught.  It’s not enough to just “think before we speak,” as my Mom used to say when I was growing up, we must PRAY before we speak.  I did a bible study by Beth Moore titled “A Heart Like David.”  In that study I learned that sin begins as a thought.  Once it becomes a spoken word there will be little or no time before it is put into action.  Think about any sin. Take divorce for example.  What do you imagine the conversation(s) were prior to the couple separating?  What was the argument that made the two sides feel the only way out was divorce?  I wonder, how do my words affect everyday life of those around me?  Do I cause feelings of hurt, shame, embarrassment, insecurity, or jealousy with my words?  I heard once that the human mouth is very dirty environment because of bacteria and germs.  Sadly my words can be just as dirty and cause someone’s spirit to wane.  On the other hand my words can create friendships, win hearts, raise spirits, comfort the hurting, and teach truth, cause laughter and express love.

Application: How did Jesus continually speak words of encouragement right up until his crucifixion? Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth today you will be with me in paradise.”  Luke 23:43 NIV I need Jesus’ gift of speaking truth in love.  When it comes to family that has hurt me deeply  in the past my first instinct is to strike back at them and cleverly let my words remind them of that pain.   Now that I’m the righteous one in Christ, they deserve to feel some of that pain I suffered, right?  Now that I’m saved I can use my Jesus knowledge to show them how they hurt me, right?  Wrong!  I think of what patience, love and forgiveness Christ showed the very men who arrested, tortured and killed him, WOW!  I must surrender my tongue.  My tongue that is a sharp knife, wounding those I love in a very sneaky kind of way.  I’m not very Christ-like when I wound others am I?  I need to meditate upon his word before every conversation.  I need the Holy Spirit to cleanse my lips and teach me how to communicate without hurt.  I need to let the forgiveness of Christ work in my heart towards those who have sinned against me.  Hum…forgiveness, I could write on that over and over.  My ability to forgive needs continual refinement. I need to let my words be a beautiful fragrance to the Lord.  I must do the following to guard my tongue and edify when I speak and not tear down; (1) pray before opening my mouth and be slow to speak,  (2) study his word and find a mentor who will keep me accountable,  finally (3) allow the Holy Spirit to direct my thoughts and the Lord’s course for my life.

Prayer: Lord I need your help in my thoughts and in my mouth.  Cleanse my Heart and mind and conform it to you, Heavenly Father, teach me  how to communicate according to your plan.  Let me be a woman who speaks in an aroma pleasing to you.  Please help me to live out my life learning how to share through conversation the gift of Christ-like patience, love and forgiveness.  I ask for the honor to create friendships, win hearts, raise spirits, comfort the hurting, teach truth, cause laughter and show the world your love.   Please Lord allow my family, friends and those you send to me to hear of your love and to be blessed by my words. Specifically, Lord help me to honor my Mom with your patience.  Help me to lovingly guiding her in making good decisions for her health and life. Amen.

Laurie

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Names (பெயர்கள்)

The following blog entry is compliments of Pastor Leon Hiebert, Community Care Pastor of Generations Church, Andover, KS.  Pastor Leon sends his S.O.A.P. out via email to many people with whom he regularly corresponds.  The top S.O.A.P. is his original post; the bottom is the same S.O.A.P., transcribed into the Indian language by a pastor and friend of Pastor Leon’s who acted as translator when he was on a mission trip to India a few years back. The Indian transcription was sent throughout India and potentially reached and was read by millions of saved and unsaved in India.  Pretty cool, huh?
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 2:27 The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel: Maaz, Jamin and Eker. 28 The sons of Onam: Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab and Abishur.
Observation: These verses are the middle two of a chapter full of hard-to-pronounce names. And this chapter is both preceded and followed by similar chapters. I may not be able to pronounce these names, but God has no trouble. These names might not be important to me, but they are to God! I may not be acquainted with the people named here, but God knows them perfectly.
Application: And so it is with me. Others may not know or be able to pronounce my name, but not God! Others may not even be aware that I exist, but not God! He knows my name! He knows me! And as he was careful to have these names included in the Bible, he is careful to have my name recorded in heaven. When I was born into His family by receiving Jesus’ as both my Savior and my Lord, He wrote my name in the Book of Life. (NOTE: Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12&15; 21:27; 22:19 These verses give the importance of my name being written there—and it not being removed!)
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so full and free. Amen. And thank you, Lord for writing my name in the Book of Life! Amen!
1சாமுவேல் 13, 1 நாளாகமம் 2,3; 2கொரிந்தியர் 12
பெயர்கள்
Scripture வேத வசனம் : 1நாளாகமம் 2:27 யெர்மெயேலுக்கு முதற்பிறந்த ராமின் குமாரர், மாஸ், யாமின், எக்கேர் என்பவர்கள்.
28. ஓனாமின் குமாரர், சம்மாய், யாதா என்பவர்கள்; சம்மாயின் குமாரர், நாதாப், அபிசூர் என்பவர்கள்.
Observation கவனித்தல் : இந்த வசனங்கள் உச்சரிக்க கடினமான பெயர்களைக் கொண்ட ஒரு அதிகாரத்தின் நடுவில் உள்ளன இந்த அதிகாரத்தின் முன்னும் பின்னும் வரும் அதிகாரங்களும் இதே போன்றே உள்ளன. இந்தப் பெயர்களை என்னால் உச்சரிக்க இயலாது போகலாம், ஆனால் தேவனுக்கு உச்சரிப்பதில் எந்த பிரச்சனையும் இல்லை . இந்தப் பெயர்கள் எனக்கு முக்கியமானவைகளாக இல்லாதிருக்கலாம், ஆனால் தேவனுக்கு அவை முக்கியமானவை! இங்கே குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருக்கும் நபர்களுடன் எனக்கு பரிச்சயமில்லாதிருக்கலாம். ஆனால் தேவன் அவர்களை மிகவும் நன்றாக சரியாக அறிந்திருக்கிறார்.
Application பயன்பாடு : இவ்வாறாக என்னைக் குறித்தும் கூட தேவன் அறிந்திருக்கிறார். மற்றவர்கள் என்னையோ அல்லது என் பெயரை உச்சரிக்கவோ அறியாதிருக்கலாம். ஆனால் தேவன் அறிந்திருக்கிறார். நான் இருப்பதைக் குறித்து கூட மற்றவர்கள் அறியாதிருக்கலாம், ஆனால் தேவன் அறிந்திருக்கிறார். அவர் என் பெயரை அறிந்திருக்கிறார். என்னை அறிந்திருக்கிறார். இந்தப் பெயர்கள் வேதாகமத்தில் சேர்க்கப்படுவதற்கு அவர் அக்கறையுள்ளவராக இருந்தது போல, என் பெயர் பரலோகத்தில் பதிவுசெய்யப்படுவதற்கும் கரிசனையுள்ளவராக இருக்கிறார். எனது ஆண்டவராகவும் எனது இரட்சகராகவும் இயேசுவை ஏற்றுக் கொண்டு நான் அவருடைய குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்த போது, அவர் எனது பெயரை ஜீவ புத்தகத்தில் எழுதினார். (கவனிக்க: பிலிப்பியர் 4:3; வெளிப்படுத்தல் 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12&15; 21:27; 22:19 எனது பெயர் அங்கு எழுதப்படுவதற்கான முக்கியத்துவத்தையும், அதிலிருந்து என் பெயர் கிறுக்கிப் போடாமலிருக்கப்படவேண்டும் என்பதையும் இவ்வசனங்கள் கூறுகின்றன)
Prayer ஜெபம் : என்னை இரட்சித்ததற்காக நன்றி கர்த்தாவே. என்னை பூரணமாக்கியதற்காக நன்றி ஆண்டவரே. கர்த்தாவே, உமது பெரிய இரட்சிப்பை எனக்கு முழுமையாகவும் இலவசமாகவும் தந்ததற்காக நன்றி . ஆமென். மேலும் எனது பெயரை ஜீவ புத்தகத்தில் எழுதியதற்காகவும் நன்றி! ஆமென்
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I am Ruth

Please read the whole book of Ruth when you have an opportunity.

Scripture: But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.   Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”  Ruth 1:16-17 NIV

Scripture: Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  Ruth 2:11-12 NIV

Observation: To understand my connection to Ruth I need to give you a little history.  Elimelech and his wife Naomi along with their two sons Mahlon and Kilion left Judah during a time when there was a famine and settled in Moab.  During that time Mahlon and Kilion married Moab women.  Mahlon to Orpah and Kilion to Ruth.  Moabites were not believers in the God of Abraham.  They were pagan worshippers.  In the years that followed Elimelech, Mahlon and Kilion all died.  This left the three women alone.  Naomi desired to return to her home in Judah, so she told her sons’ widows to return to their mother and father to be with their own people. Ruth begged Naomi to allow her to stay with her as she now believed in the same God that Naomi did.  She knew going back to her people would lead her back into the Moabite lifestyle of sin, (my interpretation).  She also felt a responsibility to care for Naomi.  So together they travelled home to Bethlehem in Judah.

Observation: The Lord gave me the same opportunity as Ruth.  Let me explain.  I was raised in a home of non-believers.  My parents worshipped each other and their god was the god of prosperity.  I spent most of my life trying to understand the ways of Christ.  I always fell terribly short since there was no Christian faith practiced in my home, let alone modeling Christ like values for me and my brother.  Our home was full of self-centeredness, distorted family values and  continual worship the idols of this world.  Just to bring reality home for you, during a conversation with my mother she was telling me about a “really good” person see had met.  I asked her what made this person good.   She replied,  “he has a lot of money, he’s a doctor, and he’s good-looking.”  Her impression of what “good” was had nothing to do with the character of this person.  He literally could have been an axe-murderer.  As you might imagine this way of thinking was a huge influence on me as I was growing up.   Many times I prayed for deliverance from myself.  I knew God was real, I just didn’t understand how personal he could be and how he wanted to provide guidance and safety for me. I read in the Bible how he loved me and that I was his child. After many years of prayer and declaring the Lord as my King he answered my prayers.  Just like Ruth the Lord gave me an opportunity to leave my past and seek out a place where I could grow as his child.  For Ruth it was Judah; Laurie it is Kansas.  Ruth had the responsibility of caring for her Mother-in-law, Naomi.  I was blessed with the responsibility of helping a wonderful Christian man raise his two amazing children Andrew and Ashley through their teenage years.  People who don’t understand may say “she ran away from home.”  However, believers understand that sometimes it takes a paradigm shift for someone to break the chains of sin and live a life of freedom according to God.   Just like Ruth,”May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge,” Ruth 2:12 NIV, married a good man named Boaz, I have prospered in so many ways with Doug. He is a blessing from the Lord to me.  As for those I left in California the Lord has told me he will redeem them in his timing.  I pray for the Lord to be speedy in that.

To those of you that are struggling as Christians, look at your life.  Pray for the Lord to instruct you in what areas of your  life you are struggling with sin and ask for deliverance.  Remember to stay the course in obedience to Him.  Share your deepest concerns, he can’t help you unless you confess to him.  Wait on the Lord to give you counsel.  Christ wants you at your best with the ability to worship and serve him without distraction.  He wants you to be strong with the ability to weather any storm that comes.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your deliverance.  Without your patience and love I would be lost to Satan.  Thank you for seeing my love for you during the toughest times in my life.  Lord, thank you for my loving husband who blesses me with his love for you, his protective nature over me and his wonderful friendship.  Lord help us to share your love and truth with those we have in our family and those you bring into our lives. Lord, give us the strength to face Satan’s attempts to draw us away for you.  Amen

Laurie