SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 15:1-2, 4, 7, 28 (1) A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (2) The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (4) The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (7) The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. (28) The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
OBSERVATION
Wow! In just this one chapter of Proverbs are all of these cautionary words about how we use our tongue. And, of course, this same topic is covered in so many other places in the Bible. Is it any wonder? It must mean that it's a topic we need to hear from God about over and over and over again, until it sinks in. Or does it ever? I love to read the verses that address what I need to work on in my life because they are good reminders and keep me on track.
APPLICATION
Okay, Sylvia, here's another verse for you to put on a 3X5 card (I'm going to run out of room for all of these cards). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Check your words before they leave your lips. Do they build up or tear down? Do they encourage or discourage? Are they words God would use or are they of man? We can do more damage with what we say than in any other fashion. Likewise, we can certainly build people up and encourage and love.
PRAYER
Lord, I choose love. Please keep Your words on my lips. Remind me, Holy Spirit, to think before I speak. Amen.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
How to Be Saved
SCRIPTURE
Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with you mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
OBSERVATION
Sometimes we make salvation a complicated thing particularly when we are explaining it to the unsaved or to children. As I read Romans 10:9-10 I thought, "How simple is this?" Confess and believe. I love the last sentence - with our heart we believe and with our mouth we confess and are saved. I've added so many other sentences to these simple truths even when leading someone in a salvation prayer.
APPLICATION
I want to make salvation as simple as possible for any who desire to KNOW the Lord. I'm going to memorize these two scriptures and keep them in the back of my mind so that I don't make it too complicated for anyone.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for your word and for the opportunity to learn more and more each time we delve in. I pray you will continue to give me opportunities to share the simple truths of You with others. Amen.
Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with you mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
OBSERVATION
Sometimes we make salvation a complicated thing particularly when we are explaining it to the unsaved or to children. As I read Romans 10:9-10 I thought, "How simple is this?" Confess and believe. I love the last sentence - with our heart we believe and with our mouth we confess and are saved. I've added so many other sentences to these simple truths even when leading someone in a salvation prayer.
APPLICATION
I want to make salvation as simple as possible for any who desire to KNOW the Lord. I'm going to memorize these two scriptures and keep them in the back of my mind so that I don't make it too complicated for anyone.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for your word and for the opportunity to learn more and more each time we delve in. I pray you will continue to give me opportunities to share the simple truths of You with others. Amen.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Do Not Swerve
SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 4: 24-27 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.
OBSERVATION
There are several places in the Bible that are so direct about how to live life or how not to live life. They are like a 'how to' for life. Proverbs is one such place. I read these verses not only for myself, but to refer to in teaching my children. God gives specifics in these verses about how we are to talk, where we are to look, where we are to walk. He has a specific path for us. It is a path that leads to a prosperous, fulfilling life. He wants the best for us. If we stay on that path and do not swerve to the right or the left, we will benefit greatly and have more of what God wants for us in this life. I love how this chapter ends - 'keep your foot from evil'.
APPLICATION
I need to remember that God watches and hears my every action and word. That when I swerve to the left or right of his righteousness, I am stumbling along. It is not what God wants. I need to guard my words, my eyes, my ears and my steps very closely. I want what God wants.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me on Your path for my life. Help me to think before I speak or act. Help me to find opportune moments to pass this wisdom on to my loves ones. Amen.
Proverbs 4: 24-27 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.
OBSERVATION
There are several places in the Bible that are so direct about how to live life or how not to live life. They are like a 'how to' for life. Proverbs is one such place. I read these verses not only for myself, but to refer to in teaching my children. God gives specifics in these verses about how we are to talk, where we are to look, where we are to walk. He has a specific path for us. It is a path that leads to a prosperous, fulfilling life. He wants the best for us. If we stay on that path and do not swerve to the right or the left, we will benefit greatly and have more of what God wants for us in this life. I love how this chapter ends - 'keep your foot from evil'.
APPLICATION
I need to remember that God watches and hears my every action and word. That when I swerve to the left or right of his righteousness, I am stumbling along. It is not what God wants. I need to guard my words, my eyes, my ears and my steps very closely. I want what God wants.
PRAYER
Lord, keep me on Your path for my life. Help me to think before I speak or act. Help me to find opportune moments to pass this wisdom on to my loves ones. Amen.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Who Will Rescue Me?
SCRIPTURE
Romans 7:21-25 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!
OBSERVATION
I love these verses! They describe so clearly the war within each of us. The war between flesh and spirit. I can relate to the part that says "when I want to do good, evil is right there with me". But interestingly, it goes on to describe the war of our minds, making us prisoners of sin within our body. The daily battle between good and evil; between our old self and the new self, redeemed by the blood of our Saviour.
The end of this section then appropriately, and in exasperation, screams out "what a wretched man I am (or woman, in my case)! Who will rescue me from this body of death? And, of course, it is our Superhero, Jesus. And I also love that the scripture ends with "thanks be to God".
This is the most human of all segments of the Bible to me; the one we can all relate to on a daily basis.
APPLICATION
So what do I do with this? What's the key here? Awareness. The spiritual battle going on for my very soul and spirit is a very real one. One one side, Satan and my fleshly, sinful self. On the other - the victorious side - JESUS. We know who wins in the end. But, daily I must fight on Jesus' side - the side of righteousness and holiness. I must strive to be more like Jesus each day, reaching for perfection even when I know I can never be.
PRAYER
Father in heaven, help me to be alert and ready each and every day to fight the good fight - not only for myself but for others as well. Thanks be to God - for Jesus! Amen.
Romans 7:21-25 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!
OBSERVATION
I love these verses! They describe so clearly the war within each of us. The war between flesh and spirit. I can relate to the part that says "when I want to do good, evil is right there with me". But interestingly, it goes on to describe the war of our minds, making us prisoners of sin within our body. The daily battle between good and evil; between our old self and the new self, redeemed by the blood of our Saviour.
The end of this section then appropriately, and in exasperation, screams out "what a wretched man I am (or woman, in my case)! Who will rescue me from this body of death? And, of course, it is our Superhero, Jesus. And I also love that the scripture ends with "thanks be to God".
This is the most human of all segments of the Bible to me; the one we can all relate to on a daily basis.
APPLICATION
So what do I do with this? What's the key here? Awareness. The spiritual battle going on for my very soul and spirit is a very real one. One one side, Satan and my fleshly, sinful self. On the other - the victorious side - JESUS. We know who wins in the end. But, daily I must fight on Jesus' side - the side of righteousness and holiness. I must strive to be more like Jesus each day, reaching for perfection even when I know I can never be.
PRAYER
Father in heaven, help me to be alert and ready each and every day to fight the good fight - not only for myself but for others as well. Thanks be to God - for Jesus! Amen.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
YOU CAN'T WORK ENOUGH OVERTIME!
SCRIPTURE
(Romans 4:4-5) "Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a fovor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness."
OBSERVATION
There is an ever present negative belief that has been passed down most likely due to our human nature. The only way God can be pleased with me is if I do lot's of good things to work off the penalty for my sins. Paul addresses the Roman church on this false belief. No amount of work will justify you before God, only belief in Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION
There is nothing wrong with doing good things and serving God in ministry outreaches. Romans 12 says this is spiritual worship. But if your motivation is to gain favor with God your actions are an exercise in futility. You can't work enough overtime to impress God.
PRAYER
Lord, I can only walk and serve in the cleansing, justifying work of Your Son Jesus Christ. Let my service to You be from a pure heart and a desire to worship.
(Romans 4:4-5) "Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a fovor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness."
OBSERVATION
There is an ever present negative belief that has been passed down most likely due to our human nature. The only way God can be pleased with me is if I do lot's of good things to work off the penalty for my sins. Paul addresses the Roman church on this false belief. No amount of work will justify you before God, only belief in Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION
There is nothing wrong with doing good things and serving God in ministry outreaches. Romans 12 says this is spiritual worship. But if your motivation is to gain favor with God your actions are an exercise in futility. You can't work enough overtime to impress God.
PRAYER
Lord, I can only walk and serve in the cleansing, justifying work of Your Son Jesus Christ. Let my service to You be from a pure heart and a desire to worship.
Friday, May 22, 2009
SO WHAT GOOD IS A GODLY HERITAGE?
SCRIPTURE
(Romans 3:1-2) "Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God."
OBSERVATION
Paul spent most of his missionary journeys telling people that being a jew or living by the law is not what gains you entrance into heaven. It is the blood of Jesus. So what good is it to be one of the chosen people through the promises to Abraham? They were entrusted with the law which Jesus came to fulfill. Without their faithfulness and sacrifice, none of us would have the relationship with God that we do.
APPLICATION
Hebrews 12:1 says we have a cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. To be a bearer of the truth is to be a part of the collective family of God throughout the ages. Your part enables future generations of converts access to the kingdom of God. What an awesome opportunity you have because of your heritage.
PRAYER
Lord, give me eyes to see Your eternal perspective and not my immediate limited view.
(Romans 3:1-2) "Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God."
OBSERVATION
Paul spent most of his missionary journeys telling people that being a jew or living by the law is not what gains you entrance into heaven. It is the blood of Jesus. So what good is it to be one of the chosen people through the promises to Abraham? They were entrusted with the law which Jesus came to fulfill. Without their faithfulness and sacrifice, none of us would have the relationship with God that we do.
APPLICATION
Hebrews 12:1 says we have a cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. To be a bearer of the truth is to be a part of the collective family of God throughout the ages. Your part enables future generations of converts access to the kingdom of God. What an awesome opportunity you have because of your heritage.
PRAYER
Lord, give me eyes to see Your eternal perspective and not my immediate limited view.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
ONE FINGTER FORWARD, THREE POINTING BACK!
SCRIPTURE
(Romans 2:3) "And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgement upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgement of God?"
OBSERVATION
In this discourse Paul is pointing out principles for righteous living. He warns how easy it is to become self-righteous and judge others for the wrong that they do without accounting for our own indiscretions. God says if we remain stubborn or unrepentant for our actions, He is storing up wrath for us in the day of judgement.
APPLICATION
Do not take lightly the instructions of Paul in this letter. Many will try to contextualize the meaning of these words and compromise their application as irrelevant for contemporary society. This is a dangerous practise that will have eternal consequences. There is nothing that is hidden from God. Be careful with pointing a judemental finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at you.
PRAYER
Lord, I don't want to be judgemental in my assessments of situations, but I do want discernment to give corrective instructions in regards to sinful behaviors. Give me Your thoughts and Your heart as I face each daily challenge.
(Romans 2:3) "And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgement upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgement of God?"
OBSERVATION
In this discourse Paul is pointing out principles for righteous living. He warns how easy it is to become self-righteous and judge others for the wrong that they do without accounting for our own indiscretions. God says if we remain stubborn or unrepentant for our actions, He is storing up wrath for us in the day of judgement.
APPLICATION
Do not take lightly the instructions of Paul in this letter. Many will try to contextualize the meaning of these words and compromise their application as irrelevant for contemporary society. This is a dangerous practise that will have eternal consequences. There is nothing that is hidden from God. Be careful with pointing a judemental finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at you.
PRAYER
Lord, I don't want to be judgemental in my assessments of situations, but I do want discernment to give corrective instructions in regards to sinful behaviors. Give me Your thoughts and Your heart as I face each daily challenge.
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