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

But HE held His peace...

"And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said,  Why was this waste of the ointment made? 

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. 

And they murmured against her." Mark 14:4,5

While reading through the book of Mark, I came across moments in the life of the Lord Jesus where He displays His character in a most meaningful way.... righteously...  looking at the heart and motive of every individual.

Do you ever find yourself  acting just like the Pharisees, or the scribes for that matter...  or even the publicans. 

I think how often I read of the Lord's admonitions to those who thought themselves "righteous" ... and yet, find my life an exact replica. I'm full of indignation, judgement, and often lack compassion. 

Do we hold our peace and not quickly judge someone's actions because, well,  " they shouldn't have done it that way " or " they could have done something better with ___" . 

I thought how often we jump to conclusions and have no idea behind the motive of a person's actions. We too, can be blind... as were the people who were full of indignation towards Mary's "waste" of such precious ointment.

You know,  the Lord always shows us how we ought to live... we need only to learn His ways and follow in His footsteps. 

"He that saith he abideth in Him

 ought himself also so to walk, 

even as He walked." 

1 John 2:6

May the Lord help us to hold our peace.

"For even hereunto were ye called: 

because Christ also suffered for us, 

leaving us an example, 

that ye should follow His steps." 

1 Peter 2:21

Precious Father, how often we fail to walk as Jesus walked. Forgive us our  iniquities that we commit against you and man. Keep us lowly and meek so that we may not be wise in our own eyes. May the working of our Lord Jesus Christ and His presence  in our lives be evident in the way we speak and act today.

May you be filled with compassion and walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ.

~Ellie

It is enough for the DISCIPLE that he be as his MASTER...

" But when He saw the multitude, HE was moved with COMPASSION on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Matthew 9:36

While reading through the book of Matthew, I was especially touched to read again of the Lord's care and compassion on the multitude of people He touched. 

" He was moved with compassion on them..."

But what struck me most, is that while the Lord healed the people, cast out demons, forgave sins and taught and preached the gospel of the kingdom...

... the people sought to have no part of Him... and wanted Him to depart from them. (Matt. 8:34). 

... they accused Him of blasphemy. (Matt. 9:3)

... they laughed Him to scorn. (Matt. 9:24)

... they accused Him of casting out demons through the prince of the devils. (Matt. 9:34)

The God of heaven encountered all of this and more. Yes, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. 

Have you ever felt mistreated? Have you ever felt the need to retaliate? Have you ever felt pain through hurtful words?  Have you ever been cast out?

And yet looking at our Lord... who had the power to retaliate or revile... displayed His love and had compassion on them!

I often look at myself... and find myself lacking to be like my MASTER. 

" It is enough that he be as his MASTER, 

and the servant as his LORD..." 

Matthew 10:25

How often I lack compassion... and rather judge.

How often I lack discernment... and speak foolishly.

How often I show contempt... and am fool of pride.

How often I see no need to go the extra mile... but rather "give up".

Oh, that Christ would fully control my every action and thought! That I would learn of Him. 

" Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

But made Himself of no reputation,

 and took upon Him the form of a SERVANT..." 

Philippians 2:5,6,7

If we call ourselves disciples of the Lord... 

...then we ought to walk in Him, 

...be rooted and built in Him,

...be established in the faith,

...and abound with thanksgiving. (Col 2:6.7.8)

Yes, through Him we can do all things....for in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 

Father, How thankful I am for the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to do Thy will and had compassion on us. Thank you for your mercy and grace shown  to us through His life, death and resurrection. How thankful I am for the example we have in the Lord Jesus as our Master. May we follow in His steps and bring glory unto your Holy name.

May you be encouraged and strengthened to have compassion on those around you, that Christ would be magnified in your life today.

Ellie