Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
Have you ever created conflict by saying something you didn't really mean to say? It is easy to let an errant word or unintended comment slip. But even though they were not planned, they can still be destructive.
When you are around people who believe something different than you, are you aware of the power of your words? Jokes, insults or snide comments can create fires that burn bridges. And they can be destructive to the work God wants to do through you.
While our words can do a lot of damage, they can also do good. Wise words are described in the Bible as having the ability to heal. When we have conversations with people of other faiths, we have the opportunity to share God's love with them. The right words can actually help lead them to a decision to heal their relationship with God. But those words don't always come easily.
God does not expect you to have all the right words all the time. But if you seek him out, he will provide you with the right things to say (Matthew 10:19-20). And as you seek to reveal his power through your words, you can begin to make an impact on the world around you as you reach out to others for him.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
What a Mess we've made
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Isaiah 64:6
There are great products on the market for removing stains from just about any surface; like carpet, furniture, clothes and more. Even with all the advanced technology of today, most of the stain removers still have to display a simple but important warning: "Use a color safe sponge or cloth."
If you have ever ignored that warning and used a dyed sponge, you'll remember how your carpet turned the color of your sponge, resulting in a stain worse than what was originally there.
Our best actions are like a non-color safe sponge or cloth. When we try to clean up a mess we've made, we end up making a bigger mess than before. We think we can use good deeds to clean up the stains our sins have left behind. But no matter what we do within our own power, the stains still remain.
Isaiah compares our righteous acts to filthy rags. We think we can rely on our good works to clean up the messes we've made. But God says even our best actions are stained. Our pride, selfishness or ignorance gets in the way of our actions being pure and clean.
Remember that God is the only one who can clean up our mess. He offers unlimited forgiveness. And when we seek his righteousness, he cleans our lives with the most powerful agent known to man — the blood of his son, Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 64:6
There are great products on the market for removing stains from just about any surface; like carpet, furniture, clothes and more. Even with all the advanced technology of today, most of the stain removers still have to display a simple but important warning: "Use a color safe sponge or cloth."
If you have ever ignored that warning and used a dyed sponge, you'll remember how your carpet turned the color of your sponge, resulting in a stain worse than what was originally there.
Our best actions are like a non-color safe sponge or cloth. When we try to clean up a mess we've made, we end up making a bigger mess than before. We think we can use good deeds to clean up the stains our sins have left behind. But no matter what we do within our own power, the stains still remain.
Isaiah compares our righteous acts to filthy rags. We think we can rely on our good works to clean up the messes we've made. But God says even our best actions are stained. Our pride, selfishness or ignorance gets in the way of our actions being pure and clean.
Remember that God is the only one who can clean up our mess. He offers unlimited forgiveness. And when we seek his righteousness, he cleans our lives with the most powerful agent known to man — the blood of his son, Jesus Christ.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
KEEPER OF THE SPRING
David Langerfeld
May 21, 2009
KEEPER OF THE SPRING
The late Peter Marshall, an eloquent speaker and for several years the chaplain of the United States Senate, used to love to tell the story of "The keeper of the spring," a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps.
The old gentleman had been hired many years ago by a young town council to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise choke and contaminate the fresh flow of water.
By and by, the village became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, the millwheels of various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, in the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semi-annual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid to the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer!" By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.
For several weeks nothing changed. By early autumn the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A couple days later that water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved more slowly, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.
Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they hired back the old keeper of the spring... and within a few weeks the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps once again.
It does not matter what the job is that you are fulfilling, but it is very important that you continue in that job as long as God has placed you there. Never allow the enemy to discourage you to think that your tasks are all in vain and not making a difference. God is the judge and He would not place you in a certain position, unless that position needed your help to make it better. (1 Corinthians 12:18-23) (Romans 12:3-8)
If you have been tempted to give up and quit the job that you are doing because you are not being recognized, I encourage you to endure and continue on because it is the Lord that sees your task and it is God that blesses and promotes. Never look to your boss for your promotion, but rather do your job to the best of your abilities and you will see God promote and prosper you to heights you never thought possible. (Galatians 6:9-10) (Deuteronomy 8:18) (1 Corinthians 2:9)
May 21, 2009
KEEPER OF THE SPRING
The late Peter Marshall, an eloquent speaker and for several years the chaplain of the United States Senate, used to love to tell the story of "The keeper of the spring," a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps.
The old gentleman had been hired many years ago by a young town council to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise choke and contaminate the fresh flow of water.
By and by, the village became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, the millwheels of various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, in the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semi-annual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid to the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer!" By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.
For several weeks nothing changed. By early autumn the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A couple days later that water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved more slowly, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.
Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they hired back the old keeper of the spring... and within a few weeks the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps once again.
It does not matter what the job is that you are fulfilling, but it is very important that you continue in that job as long as God has placed you there. Never allow the enemy to discourage you to think that your tasks are all in vain and not making a difference. God is the judge and He would not place you in a certain position, unless that position needed your help to make it better. (1 Corinthians 12:18-23) (Romans 12:3-8)
If you have been tempted to give up and quit the job that you are doing because you are not being recognized, I encourage you to endure and continue on because it is the Lord that sees your task and it is God that blesses and promotes. Never look to your boss for your promotion, but rather do your job to the best of your abilities and you will see God promote and prosper you to heights you never thought possible. (Galatians 6:9-10) (Deuteronomy 8:18) (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Jesus Calms the Storm
Look at this picture for a moment. The boat represents safety and protection. The storm represents life. We all live on life’s boat at sea. Sometimes the waters are calm and peaceful and other times there is a huge storm happening. The picture represents Jesus and his disciples. If you read the story of Jesus and the Storm in Mark 4:35-41/Matthew 8: 23-27/Luke 8:22-25, you know Jesus had been teaching ALL DAY and was tired. He went below on the boat to get to rest. While he was sleeping a huge storm came about. The disciples being small on faith woke him in a state of panic. They cried “Lord, Lord, don’t ya care, we’re gonna die in this storm.” The Lord got up, calmed the storm and then proceeded to ask them where their faith was. As you continue about your day and come into many storms, imagine yourself in this picture. Imagine Jesus is right there beside you holding your hand and often times carrying you thru. Remember that Jesus loved you enough to die for your sins on the cross. As you are going thru the storms of life there are 3 points of importance you need to think of.
1. Remember the PROMISE of Jesus. He is committed to getting us thru the rough spots.If he brought you to it he will get you thru it. And pay attention,there is a lesson to be learned.
2. Rest in the presence of Jesus. With Jesus, we have no reason to be worried and stressed. Be calm and know he is there.
3. Rely of the power of Jesus to do the things we cannot do for ourselves.
Instead of running below on this ship of life during a storm, be calm and know Jesus is there and he is determined to get you to the other side. You just need to have faith!
Also think about Jeremiah 29:11 on your journey.
Lesson taught by Kip Laxon in Adrian, GA for Revival.
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