Edification Requires Thinking Before Speaking

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

Ephesians 4:29

When I was a little child, I can recall how often my father would instruct me to think before I speak… Even though I never really paid his instructions any mind, today I have come to know and understand exactly what he meant… Words are powerful; the things that we speak can produce seeds of abundance or failure in one’s life; this is why James writes in the 3^rd chapter of his book about the importance of taming our tongue… In this chapter, he says, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell...”

Your tongue can transform lives or tear them down, your tongue can reap corruption or alter the atmosphere; because of the power that lies in its use, we are reminded today that we must not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouth… When I read this passage, there are two points that jump out to me: either you think before you speak, or you need to just learn to shut up… “What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.” People will always talk about you, they will always say things that you may not agree with or may be hurt by, but the ultimate sign of a true Christian is not your response in words to the accusations, but how you flip this trial so that God receives glory and honor. Isaiah 53:7 says,” He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Bottom line, think before you speak, and if that doesn’t work, just shut up…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Purification Works From The Inside Out

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

1 Peter 1:22

Notice that this passage says that you have purified your souls through obeying the truth by the Spirit. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit residing within you, you can not accomplish anything. We have to be led by the Spirit; we have to have the Holy Spirit abiding within us. Remember Christ spoke to the disciples before His departure and said that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes; we, through the Spirit, have the ability to overcome and be victorious on this earth. It is also through the Spirit that we can love unconditionally; we can help our enemies and be kind to those who show no kindness towards us. This passage emphasizes the fact that I should be able to tell your spiritual makeup by the way you fervently love one another. To be fervent means that you are passionate, eager, zealous about something; I should be able to see all those traits in your lifestyle as a Christian. Remember, greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends! That is Jesus showing his fervent love for us! This is the same love we are to show and will show through the aid and presence of the Holy Spirit… The bible declares that everything is possible through Christ… This has a new meaning for us today as we walk in love; we can love our biggest adversary through Christ, we can smile in times of frustration and adversity through Christ, and we can turn the other cheek even in the most daunting of all challenges through Christ… These traits can be displayed when we are of Christ because we are no longer thinking and acting according to the worldly standards… You have to have a purified soul to obey the truth of what God is speaking to your spirit… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

If You Desire God's Will; Study His Word

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 

There is no exaltation in the kingdom of God without being diligent in the word and will of God… Today we are reminded that DAILY we must study the word of God; we must continue to grow and mature in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… This passage reminds us simply that talk is cheap. Many claim to be Christian, but we are to study to show ourselves approved. We must be immersed in God’s word; this is not to be confused with going to church, or attending Sunday School, but rather that we open the bible to start the day, we meditate on God’s word, and consume what He has given us (Ezekiel, before going before the people was told to “eat the scroll”). When you get to that point where you are about God’s word and studying, then you can be a workman who is not ashamed. This means that you are confident in your faith, knowing that the scriptures are true. Every situation you face, every obstacle you encounter, shows the strides you have taken in the will of God or the lack thereof… When you study, God approves you for bigger and better things. He increases your territory, which gives you chances to witness to others and grow into the man or woman of God that He has called you to be…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You Lift; He'll Draw

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

John 12:32

The promise Jesus makes in the Gospel of John today to His disciples is a promise of simplicity and a promise of power… The simple task we have (which isn’t actually that simple given our sinful nature and natural desires) is to lift up Jesus, and it is through this very act that the power comes through His exaltation, which “will draw all men unto him…” This very passage, recorded in the 12^th chapter, is the key to our life on this earth and serves as a great tool of witnessing for those who do not know Christ or have gone astray... As a Christian we have the faith that Christ is the center of our being. This says that if we lift him up, He will draw. In all things, focus on Him; continue to lift His name above your pain and suffering, lift Him in your worry and tribulation, exalt Him during your storms; knowing that if you focus on Him, He will bring you out. He will deliver you from the muck and mire; and you will be just like a tree planted by the waters; you shall not be moved!!! When something is lifted it is exalted, raised or elevated above. This speaks to the true heart of a Christian! It is very easy to praise God when you or your family and friends are blessed, but is His name lifted in and through your life when storms rise? Is He receiving your praise when tribulations come knocking on your door? Christ is posing a thought to us today, “if I be lifted up…” He is seeking for you to lift Him above every situation; He wants you to speak His name over every obstacle and blessing you incur or encounter… Don’t lose sight of God’s goodness and the power that lies in the name of Jesus! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You're Here Because of God's Patience

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 2:4

I was once told you can tell a leader not by their title but by how many people are following them… In today’s focus verse, Paul is writing to the religious leaders of the Church of Rome… This church had not been visited by Paul; however, the religious structure and advancement of the church were brought to His attention, which compelled this letter… Paul is instructing the leaders to look within themselves before they pass judgment on another person! Oftentimes, we find ourselves downplaying the sins that we have committed by trying to magnify the sins of our colleagues… We take a stance of being “holier than thou” and not having any fault within us. Paul is saying that we must remember that God has tolerated all of our sins, we must remember that He will stand as the judge, and that He desires for all to be saved… We have all been guilty at times of “despising the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering…”  This simply means that we belittle the things that God has done despite the many flaws we have… We don’t give life to the grace and mercy that He has dispensed upon our lives; however, we want to be critical about the paths that others travel… Whether we want to admit the truth today or decide to live a life of deceit, God knows that it is only by His desires for all to be saved and to repent that we are not consumed by the temptations and lust set before us by the enemy… We make mistakes, but we must know that God has given us a way to be victorious through His son, Jesus Christ. By His Grace, By His Mercy, By His Longsuffering are we here and have been presented the opportunity of a lifetime… Take advantage of this chance, but more importantly, don’t condemn others… Allow them a chance to experience God’s love just like you…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Cares For And About You

"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him."

Deuteronomy 32:11-12

Despite what people may want you to believe, you are here by the grace, mercy, and directive of God… The bible records in the book of Jeremiah that God knew you before “…you were formed in your mother’s womb…” In Luke 12:7, we are informed that “God knows the very hairs on your head and therefore we should not fear for He knows what we stand in need of…” God is the creator, and you are the creation. Each person on this earth was designed for a specific task in the divine plan and will of God… You are a unique creation, one which literally means everything to God. This is the very reason why He sent His only begotten son and why He will watch over you just like an eagle who oversees her offspring… Make no mistake about it today; even if you have accumulated multiple degrees, obtained a sound financial future and a good job, God is with you and has been with you in every facet of your life… In today’s focus verses, the historical book of Deuteronomy compares the care of God to that of an eagle with her young… 

Look back at these verses and notice how many different avenues the mother takes to ensure the security of her offspring… She “stirreth the nest, fluttereth her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them and beareth them on her wings…” Remember in Isaiah we are told that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they will mount up on wings like eagles… Know today that there is no point in time in your life where God is not present… A baby, as it grows, never really knows all the avenues and paths that their mother has taken to ensure their protection and security… When a child is born, it doesn’t know how a mother goes to check the temperature, the baby doesn't know how the mother takes time to make sure the baby is clothed correctly, a baby doesn’t see how much the life of their parent revolves around them and very rarely even come to understand how many things are sacrificed to tend to their needs; likewise, as we grow in Christ we never really understand how much effort, attention and love is poured out upon us from the windows of heaven each day of our lives… God has a hedge around you, a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you if you make the Lord your dwelling place… God cares for you; He shows it every day in every way possible, just like an Eagle over her young…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Don't Worry; The Lord Will Deliver You

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

Psalm 34:19

Make no mistake about it, as a child of the Most High God, you are guaranteed afflictions along this Christian journey… When you are walking upright, in honesty and blamelessness throughout this world (which are all characteristics of righteousness), you are assured to be persecuted and afflicted… There are none on this earth who are righteous; however, through the bloodshed of Jesus, we can be clothed in righteousness and therefore walk in victory as opposed to darkness… I state this about righteousness because it is important to understand that when you face trials because of your desire to walk in righteousness, you must remember that the attack isn’t’ against you but against the one you are clothed in… This is why the psalmist states that even though we are afflicted, “…the Lord delivereth him out of them all…” This battle is about the God you serve; remember this in the midst of your storm because it will help you to know that you are not alone and not fighting this battle within your own abilities… This Christian walk isn’t green pastures, it isn’t fields of orchards or streams of rivers, and despite what you may want to believe, you must understand this so that you don’t find yourself susceptible to the attacks within your mind by the enemy… In times of adversity, God is going through it with you; that’s the only way that you make it out every single time, and this is the greatest example of love…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!