Interests:Pugs, my pool, having pretty flowers, my church Expertise:CPA, not suzy homemaker (hubby accepts that), Occupation:Purchasing Agent for major reg Industry:Higher Ed
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8
In recent years superheroes have been making a comeback. Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Underdog, and Iron Man are back in theaters saving the world with their super powers.
Did you know that we have super powers? They are bound up in our tongues. The words we speak to others, and the words we withhold from others, have super powers to heal, encourage, and build them up; or they wound, discourage, and destroy them.
Lex Luther is the villain who always tries to control Superman's powers. Satan tries to control our tongues in much the same way. Kryptonite is the weapon of choice for Lex. Self is Satan's number one weapon against us.
Since you and I will never have he power within ourselves to control our tongues, we must depend on God's Holy Spirit. Surrender your tongue to Him today before your mouth gets the better of you.
Father, I surrender my tongue to You. Control it with Your super power to bring encouragement and healing to others.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4
While you were growing up, were your parents good at keeping promises? If Dad promised to take you to the ball game, did he keep his word? If Mom promised you could have a sleepover, did she stick to her word or change her mind at the last minute? Many parents treat their promises flippantly. Without realizing it, they build or destroy their children's trust with each little promise kept or broken.
God promised a Savior. He kept that promise in Jesus of Nazareth. Through Jesus we not only have eternity with God but can participate in becoming like God. We can enjoy daily fellowship with God's divine nature through His Son.
Also, through Jesus we can escape the corruption of this world. We can run from our sinful tendencies into the protecting arms of Jesus -- not just in eternity but in the here and now.
Father, thank You that You've kept all Your promises in Jesus Christ Your Son.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Matthew 11:6
Most Christians know about the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. But Jesus sprinkled other blessedstatements throughout His ministry. In the book of Matthew the word blessed appears 18 times and means to be supremely happy.
We've cheapened the word happy to apply to a wide spectrum of circumstandces. Jesus spoke blessedness to people living under conditions most of us would find intolerable. He spoke blessedness to those whose only reason for happiness in this life was the peace and joy Jesus gave them.
In this case Jesus was speaking to two disciples of John the Baptist, who was in prison--not a very happy place. In effect He told them not to be offended by the simplicity of the salvation He offered. Here's what I do, Jesus implied. It is enough.
Do you want to be supremely happy? Embrace Jesus. Don't be offended by the simple gospel message.
Father, I want to be blessed--supremely happy. May I find that happiness in knowing and loving You.
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. I Chronicles 28:20
King David wanted to build a magnificent house for God. He gathered tons of precious metals and stones. He collected costly hardwoods ad fabrics from distant lands. He received detailed plans from God. But he didn't build that house. Instead, God called David's son to build the extravagant structure.
I imagine the new king accepted the written plans with trenbling hands. I think David saw in Solomon's eyes the fear of accepting this responsibility. So, along with the plans, David offered words of encouragement to give Solomon confidence for the task.
Have you faced a task that was much bigger than you thought you could handle? Take courage. God is with you. He will not fail you nor leave you. Like Solomon, you have His promise.
Father, give me courage and confidence to do that to which You have called me.
