Death and life are in the power of the tongue...

"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." Proverbs 21:23

This morning while having breakfast, I heard a verse being read on the radio that made me stop. Even though the verse was known to me, I had forgotten it...

It was such a welcome reminder... one that I needed to hear. 

" Death and life 

are 

in the power of the tongue..." 

Proverbs 18:21

I realize how I need to feed on His WORD daily... because only then can I grow up in Him in all things.

The Word of God is quick and powerful... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.(Hebrews 4:12)

How often we let our mouths speak... without stopping and contemplating the result it may bring to the hearers.  We dismiss the fact that our words ought to be few... 

Words can either destroy or uplift... we can live in the flesh... or walk by the Spirit.

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, 

but that which is good to the use of edifying, 

that it may minister grace unto the hearers." 

Ephesians 4:29

Yes, to be carnally minded is death... and to be spiritually minded is life. (Romans 8:6)

Do we speak out of pride and selfishness... or do we speak in humbleness and lowliness of mind?

Do we walk in the flesh(and are carnally minded) or do we walk in the Spirit(and display the fruits of the Spirit)? 

And so this morning I was encouraged yet again to take heed of my words... and seek the Lord's strength to overcome the fleshly tendencies... and speak words that build up and edify.

O Jesus, I have promised

  To serve Thee to the end;

Be Thou forever near me,

  My Master and my Friend;

I shall not fear the battle

  If Thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway

  If Thou wilt be my Guide.

Oh, let me feel Thee near me;

  The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle,

  The tempting sounds I hear;

My foes are ever near me,

  Around me and within;

But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,

  And shield my soul from sin.

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,

  In accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion,

  The murmurs of self-will;

Oh, speak to reassure me,

  To hasten, or control;

Oh, speak, and make me listen,

  Thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised

  To all who follow Thee

That where Thou art in glory

  There shall Thy servant be;

And Jesus, I have promised

  To serve Thee to the end;

Oh, give me grace to follow,

  My Master and my Friend.

Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,

  And in them plant mine own;

My hope to follow duly

  Is in Thy strength alone.

Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,

  Uphold me to the end;

And then to rest receive me,

  My Savior and my Friend.

John Ernest Bode (1816-1874)

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit which brings to remembrance the preciousness of your Word. May you gird us with strength and help us to heed the words that come out of our mouths. Lord, may we be conscious of our role as followers of  Jesus Christ and exemplify meekness and lowliness even in our words.

May you be encouraged today to edify and build up those around you.

~Ellie

"Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty."

 "And the Lord hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

Sometimes I find myself so unworthy of God's love towards me... and wonder " how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean ". And yet I marvel at God's perfect redemption, that He would send His only begotten Son to pay the price required to make me clean, justified and forgiven of all debt.

So  this morning, my thoughts were on the death and suffering of the Lord Jesus... and His redemptive work on my behalf.

Isaiah 53:4,5,6

"Surely HE hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem HIM stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed.

 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all."

How thankful I am for the beauty of the Lord Jesus, seen in the eyes of the Father... for He alone was worthy to become the propitiation of our sins. And in His beauty, love was demonstrated ... in all obedience to the Father, in granting us pardon, and in making intersession for us transgressors. 

What blessed hope and reason to rejoice! The Lord's suffering was not in vain... for eternal life was granted towards us sinners.

One day, our eyes too, shall behold the King in all His splendor and beauty. 

"... for thou wast slain, 

and hast redeemed us to God 

by thy blood 

out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

 Revelation 5:9

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain 

to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, 

and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." 

Revelation 5:12

Father, how can we thank you for the  pardon offered through the blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb without spot or blemish? Teach us to put away all pride and no longer live for ourselves. May the death of the Lord Jesus Christ be manifested in our lives today. Help us to magnify the ONE who is worthy of all honor and praise.

" Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 

that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." 

2 Corinthians 4:10

May you be reminded today of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection, bringing us eternal salvation.

~Ellie

The LORD Is My Shepherd...

"And Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

Sometimes, I find new things in "old" things. You may wonder what I mean.

Well, have you ever come across a verse or a passage from the Bible that you're familiar with ... or maybe you're actually quite familiar with it? You've read it over and over again, you've heard it quoted many times, and maybe you've even memorized it. You may even know exactly where you can find it in the Bible.  And yet, while you've read it many times before, it suddenly  touches you one day... in a  very "new" way.

Several weeks ago, I read Psalm 23. I think most of us are quite familiar with the passage. A passage often recited at funerals... linked with giving hope to the dying.  And while it's perfectly appropriate to be read at funerals, or to someone on the deathbed, I suddenly gained a  "new" perspective while reading Psalm 23.

The psalm starts out by saying, "The LORD IS my shepherd..." He is my shepherd always. Hudson Taylor said it best, " Not was, not may be, nor will be. The Lord IS my shepherd." That means I can trust Him to be my Shepherd, not only today, but tomorrow... and always. Not only on Sunday, but on Monday as well... and the rest of the week. I can fully trust Him to be my shepherd at home... or when I am away. He is my shepherd when I lack , and when I am in abundance. He is my shepherd when I am alone, or when I am surrounded with others. He is with me when I doubt, and when I have faith... when I am sad, and when I am joyful. He... my shepherd... leads me on!

What a beautiful thought, that the WORD is always new... Shamefully, even when I may make it "old".

Isn't it grand when you suddenly gain a new perspective and the verse that was so well known to you... now has a special meaning? Yes," The Lord is my shepherd" has given hope to the dying... but there's hope to the living as well.

Praise be to the LORD, who "Leadeth me in paths of righteousness...".  I especially like how it has nothing to do with us, as HE leadeth us, " For His name's sake." Psalm 23:3.

These couple of verses from the well-known hymn "How Firm a Foundation" emphasizes God's never-ending love to us.

It says it so well:

“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

May the Shepherd guide and lead you in paths of righteousness today...

~Ellie