The flavor of our words

Friends,

How often do we transform our words for the moment? How many times do we bring forth words of praise and thanksgiving at Bible study, only to rip into our brother, sister, or neighbor on the drive home?

Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.
My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
James 3:10-11 [NKJV]

The verses that proceed the above passage describe the enormity of the challenge that is represented by the taming of our tongue. Yet it is a challenge worth pursuing. For in doing so, we elevate our current circumstances... we bring forth the Kingdom of God.

Sisters and brothers, let our words be encouraging and edifying. Let them be spoken in love, rather than hate or vengeance. Let them be words of wisdom and of reverence.

Be encouraged, Jose

The measure of our words

Friends,

The next time you are about to let loose a subtle dig at your neighbor, stop.
If you are about to gain a laugh for yourself at the expense of the next to you, stop.
When you have the urge to react to the one who has insulted you with biting sarcasm, stop.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)

Brothers and sisters, there is no room - none whatsoever - for destructive words in the Kingdom of God... and His kingdom is indeed at hand. There will be a silence that results from each one of us taking a moment to resist using words that tear down. And into that silence we can pour words that edify, that encourage, that strengthen, that comfort, that forgive, and that bless.

Be encouraged, Jose

All Things Working Together

Yesterday, I read about the comely parts of the body being necessary. That really struck a major cord with me. I am currently suffering through a physical issue where all my comely parts are not working properly. At the end of the day, I have a massive headache and am very tired. I realize that my body has to work much harder to care for the parts that are not functioning properly. We have all had some condition in our life where we have had to carry the weight of someone else not doing their job. It can be tiring and frustrating while we hope that everyone will eventually pull their weight.

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. I Corinthians 12:23-25 [KJV]

When the body of Christ, which we are all a part, has non-working members, we all who are working have to work harder to compensate. We may have to work out of our zone in order to get the goals that Christ has accomplished. We need to remember that "many hands make light work". While that is not biblical, it does mean that if we all do the jobs (walking worthy in our vocation) that we are assigned, the Kingdom of God has a much larger reach than if we rely on someone else to do our part. So all people working together accomplishes the goal of spreading the Gospel further and more efficiently than just the one with everyone else watching.

Be Encouraged,


Martin