WATCH YOUR WORDS

In Matthew 12, verse 36 Jesus says that on the day of judgment we will have to give account

for every careless word we speak ("I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak").  That is extremely serious.

When I was growing up most people were more careful of their speech than people in this day and age.  I still remember my mother teaching me that I shouldn't even use common expressions of exclamation.  In her opinion those words were just softer ways of using God's name in vain.

Now, whether you believe that or not, what we say matters.  Carelessness in our speech leaves us open to more and more sinful speech.  The Bible has a lot to say about how we talk.  Consider Proverbs 13:3  "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."  What comes out of our mouth can ruin us.

I know of someone who was carefully raised.  He was taught to avoid needless words and expressions.  As he grew into adulthood he became careless.  He took on the speech of those around him.  He heard a lot of cursing and foul language at his workplace.  Because of his

carelessness, he began using such language.  Careless speech is a grave danger.  He will have to answer for those careless words.

But, cursing and bad language is only one aspect of careless words.  Words spoken out of temper, gossip, unkind joking.  All these are other forms of careless speech.  The parent who gets frustrated with their child and tells them to just shut up.  The neighbor who gets angry over the way the neighbor's dog barks in the mornings, and shouts insults over the fence.  Or, what about spouting an opinion about something you really know nothing about.  

We need to think before we speak.  Consider these proverbs: "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Proverbs 21:23 (ESV) "Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding."  Proverbs 17:27 (ESV) "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."  Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

As Christians we need to "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."  Colossians 4:6 (ESV).  We must always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

James warns us about how difficult a job it is to control the tongue.  

" 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.  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.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:2-12 (ESV)

We must guard our tongue and we must protect our heart.  When we are exposed to sinful, careless speech, we must fill our heart with God's words.  In this busy world we must take time to meditate on the words of God and fill our heart with them so that what we speak blesses us and others.  Jesus warns us in Matthew 15:18  "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person."

And a final thought:  "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless."  James 1:26

SCRIPTURE WRITING UPDATE

I thought those of you who have been reading this blog might like an update on how my scripture writing is going.  I absolutely recommend it.  It has been a true blessing to me.  I started with Philippians.  Then I decided to write out Colossians since we are studying that book on Sunday evenings.  When I completed Colossians I went on to Ephesians since we are going through Ephesians in our Sunday morning sermons.  I am hooked!  

One of my readers who has tried it is also feeling blessed.  She mentioned liking the slow pace which gives more time to think about each word and phrase.  

One other reader just started and is writing Proverbs.  She keeps her Bible out on the table and stops now and then to write.  

If you have tried it and would like to share your experience, please do!

I know it might not be for everyone but I am so thankful to have added it to my morning routine.

 

POSSESSION 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)

This passage in Titus is one of my recent memorization projects.  I used to think I couldn't

memorize scripture.  Oh, I had memory verses and did some memorization but nothing consistently.  Then quite a few years back, I found a memorization program and tried again.  I found it worked well and even when I completed the program I continued choosing passages and writing them on 3x5 cards and memorizing them.  I review several of the passages daily so as not to forget them. 

One thing I really love about memorizing scripture is the way the passages come to my mind at various times.  Often as I am getting ready to fall asleep one or more will come to mind and if I wake up in the wee hours before it is time to get up.  This has been a true blessing to me.  

This morning the above scripture was what came to mind before it was time to get up for the day.  As I was pondering the scripture I settled on the idea of being a people for God's own possession.

We all have various possessions.  They are more or less valuable to us for different reasons.  Some we paid a lot of money for and some were just found items.  So we understand possessions.  When we moved here we paid a lot of money to buy a car so we would be able to get from place to place.  That car is valuable to us and we take the best possible care of it.  When it gets dirty, we are sure to get it washed.  If something breaks on it, we get it repaired.  

As I thought about what this scripture says about being God's possession, I thought of the price God paid for us.  It says the grace of God appeared and brought salvation.  The grace of God became man and was killed, buried and rose again.  That was a price beyond belief.  Way beyond what we might pay for a house or a car.

God cares for us as we care for our possessions.  He trains us.  He is polishing us up.  He is preparing something wonderful for us.  

We have a purpose.  Most of our possessions have a purpose, even if it is only sentimental.  This passage says that we are to be zealous for good works.  

We are like a finely crafted piece of furniture that has been made by a master craftsman.  He has sawn, nailed, sanded, stained, varnished, polished, waxed--everything to make us what he wants us to be.  We must be fulfilling our purpose, proclaiming the skill of the master.

Just some thoughts that went through my mind early this morning.  Maybe they will bless you.

 SCRIPTURE WRITING

Last year we had the privilege of visiting a wonderful congregation of God's people in Lusaka, Zambia.  It was such a blessing to see how active and vibrant the congregation is.  It was also great to see some of our former students active in the work there.

During the announcements it was mentioned that they had a retreat coming up at which they would be studying the book of Deuteronomy.  In connection with that a challenge had been

issued to the congregation.  Everyone that planned to participate in the retreat was asked to write out the entire book of Deuteronomy before the retreat, if possible!  Wow!  Some who had completed the task were mentioned.  

Later in the day, we were visiting in the home of one of the prominent women in the congregation.  She mentioned that this is something the congregation has done from time to time and she herself had copied out several books of the Bible.  I was impressed as I know that she is a truly godly woman and has a wonderful Christian family.  

But, I really didn't think a lot more about it.

For years, I have been copying short passages of scripture onto note cards so that I could work to memorize them.  I have found that a great blessing as it really makes you stop and think about those verses.

Then, just a few days ago, in a blog I read, an article titled "Scripture Writing" was mentioned.  I was intrigued and wondered what it was about.  As I read the article I realized it was talking about the blessing of writing out entire books of the Bible!  Apparently, that is more common than I realized.  

Some have even joined together in an online group that sends out the scripture to write for that day with a short devotional thought.  

Others find that just choosing a book and writing it out works best.  That can be done up as simply or a fancy as you like.  Some even write their thoughts on the scripture along with their daily writing.  

Some have charts to keep track of which books they have written, which can be simple or fancy as well.  

The process of handwriting causes you to slow down and take time over the scripture.  That is never a bad thing.

I have been thinking about starting my own scripture writing.  I have a notebook and pen. 

Now, I need to choose a book to start with.

What do you think?  Would you like to start your own scripture writing?  Please let me know how it goes for you.

 THE ROCK

I have always liked rocks.  As a child I had a rock collection and I still find myself picking up interesting looking rocks to keep and enjoy.  I always did a geology project in 4-H.  I remember my dad taking me to a quarry near our home to collect rocks to take home and test for my project.  

Rocks are the bones of the earth.  Some rocks are far from the surface and in other places the bones peek through.  

We live in a mountainous country.  Rocks are everywhere.  Naturally, the mountains have

names, but even many of the large rocks have names.  It is said that Sibebe Rock here in our country is the largest rock in Africa.  I don't know if that is true, but it is indeed a large rock.

Rocks have been important to mankind throughout history.  Archaeologists have found well used tools made from rocks.  The American Indians and other hunter/gatherers used rocks to make arrowheads or to fling with their slingshots to hunt game for food.  Rocks have even been used to record events.  Over 2000

years ago the San people (also known as Bushmen) lived in this area.  If you follow a nearly impassable road by car and then hike down the mountain with a guide you can still see the amazing paintings they left behind telling their stories.

Rocks are also the subject of proverbs.  We talk about being "rock solid." "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."  "Rocks need no protection from the rain," and many others.  

Scripture refers to rocks.  Remember when God told Moses to bring water from the rock so the people could drink?  When God wanted to show His back to Moses he used a rock to protect him:  "And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:21-23 (ESV)  

God is referred to as our rock:  “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation," 2 Samuel 22:47 (ESV)  

The church is founded on the rock, Jesus, the Son of God:  "Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:16-18 (ESV)

And then there is the well-loved story of the wise and foolish builders.  “Everyone then who

hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."  Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)

Here is the important point.  We must have the foundation of our faith on the rock.  We live in a fallen world.  We will have problems.  When those times come it can be like a torrential rainfall.  We can wonder through the wind, rain, lightning and thunder if our faith will stand.  But, if it is founded on the rock it will not fall.  Our rock holds us in place even through the most terrifying storms.  

We see so many who face difficulties and lose their faith.  When the rains come if our faith is not firmly on the rock the water will wash the sand out from under us.  The wonderful thing is that we can be redeemed.  Our rock is always ready to hold us up if we just stand on Him.  

Don't be discouraged if you are in the midst of a storm.  Keep firmly on the rock, He will get you through.

 Grief

If you have lived long on this earth you have felt grief.  It is one of the normal human

emotions.  In the past few weeks the anniversaries of the deaths of my parents occurred.  The grief of losing a loved one doesn't ever completely leave.  Some days the grief seems very fresh and other times it is just a little part of our hearts.

As I was thinking about grief I came to realize that even though it is now a normal emotion it was probably never a part of the human experience until sin entered the world.  We grieve the loss of a loved one because of the separation.  Death entered the world because of sin.  

We have a lot of things that cause us grief.  The most common being death.  But, as Christian parents, an even more unbearable grief comes when one of our beloved children turns from the Lord.  

Even though we grieve we have every reason to hope.  Consider 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV)  "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."

Because Jesus himself experienced death and then rose from the dead we have the wonderful hope of seeing our loved ones who have died in the Lord again.  That gives us great comfort.  

Because we can pray and know that God hears our prayers and that God is patient (The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV))  we have tremendous hope even for our wandering children.

Consider that even our Lord experiences grief.  See Matthew 23:37 (ESV) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"  Ephesians 4:30 tells us that it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit.  

My point is that grief comes to us all, even to our Lord.  How we handle it is what matters.  We should grieve with hope.  We should not stop praying.  We should never allow our grief to control us, making us unfruitful.  

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.  Psalm 42:11 (ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

Be a Fruitful Branch

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."  John 15:1-2 (ESV)

This is Jesus speaking.  He is using something that was very familiar to his audience--grape

vines.  Most of us have never been growers of grapes.  But many of us have done some form of gardening or maybe even had some fruit trees.  

Jesus compares himself to a vine and says that we are the branches.  We are that closely connected to our Lord.  Just think of it.  What a blessing!  When we put on Christ in baptism we are part of Him.  He gives us the life and nutrients we need so that we can produce fruit.  

If you have ever had a garden or an orchard you know that sometimes a branch seems to be connected and ought to be producing but it just isn't.  If we are good gardeners we will cut that branch off so that it doesn't waste the strength of the plant.  

Sadly there are those who appear to be connected to our true vine but they are not producing fruit.  Jesus says that the Father will take that branch away.  Such a sad thought.  

Consider this scripture:  Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:10 (ESV)

But we have a patient, compassionate Father.  Consider this parable:  And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’  And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.  Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”  Luke 13:6-9 (ESV)

What kind of fruit are we supposed to produce?  I remember hearing as a child that the fruit of a Christian is more Christians.  We were supposed to reach out to the lost and lead them to Christ.  Now, I firmly believe that we are meant to share the gospel with the whole world in hopes that all will come to praise God.  However, I do not think this is what is meant by bearing  fruit.

We are all familiar with this passage:  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

These are the fruits we are to produce in ever-increasing amounts.  The Father gives us the written word, prayer, worship and all other "Christian disciplines" as the fertilizer to help us produce those fruits.

Now what happens when we are producing fruit?  The Father prunes the branches that bear fruit so they can bear even more fruit.  Ouch!  This must be the most difficult time to practice being thankful in all things.  Sometimes the pruning involves suffering.  None of us desires suffering.  But all the pruning we go through is meant to help us produce more fruit; to be more like Jesus.  

Let us strive to be fruitful branches.  Let us rejoice in the pruning.  Let us long to be more like Him.

What Are You Singing?

My husband got me a copy of the book Devotedly by Valerie Elliot Shepard for Christmas. 

Valerie is the daughter of Elisabeth and Jim Elliot.  Anyone who knows me well knows that Elisabeth Elliot is one of my favorite authors.  Most of you have probably  heard of Jim Elliot, one of the five men martyred by the Auca Indians.  The book is excerpts from the letters and journals of both Elisabeth and Jim from the years before their marriage with text written by their daughter.  I have not completed the book but am reading it slowly day by day.  It is an excellent book and a wonderful view into how the two of them thought and lived in those years.

There are a lot of things that have stood out for me in my reading but I want to focus on just one of them for this post.  Having read almost everything Elisabeth Elliot wrote I know that in her childhood home hymn singing was important.  The family would sing daily and talk about the meaning of the songs.  Valerie mentioned that much of Elisabeth's theology was formed by those hymns.

I think I realized that was true but for some reason this struck me anew.  Hymns and the songs we sing during our worship, whether at home or in the assembly have a powerful impact on our lives.  We should really consider carefully what we are learning and what we are teaching by our hymns.  

So often, it seems, a song becomes popular because it has a catchy tune or snappy lyrics.  But what is it teaching?  Many people today will reject a hymn simply because it was written decades or even centuries ago without considering what benefit there might be in that hymn.  Likewise we might like a song just because it was one we sang in the church where we grew up.  Not all the older songs teach good theology.  If you look at some you will see that they are teaching salvation by works.  Others might teach cheap grace.  We must be careful.

Consider the newer songs, often called "worship songs."  There are some beautiful songs with deep meanings.  In Christ Alone comes to mind.  What a beautiful and deeply meaningful song.  Also some of the newer songs (as well as the older ones) are taken directly from the scriptures, particularly the Psalms.  On the other hand what about the song that says that Jesus thought of us above all when he was dying on the cross?  I take issue with that song because it is clear from scripture that he thought of the Father and the Father's will above all.  

What about the songs we teach children in Bible class?  I am in my sixties and I still remember well and can sing many of the songs I learned in those early years.  

Let's stop and think about what we are singing and teaching through our songs.  Reject those that contain false teaching.  Be sure to sing a variety of songs.  If you have a favorite song evaluate why that is a favorite.  

Whether we realize it or not we are forming our own theology and that of our children partially through our singing.

Be careful and keep on singing!