Have you ever been around people who seem to be negative most of the time? Do you really enjoy talking to them? Do you not find them to be draining on you?
In Scripture, Job in the midst of all his tragedy, had to deal with the biting words from his friends. Their words were accusatory and just added to the troubles that Job faced.
What difference would it make if our words were those of encouragement? I think of what the apostle Paul wrote, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6. Think of the difference our words can make if they are uplifting.
I believe that all of us want to know that there are others who believe in us and want us to use our God-given talent and reach our full potential. We want to know that we are accepted and that there is still hope for us, even when life throws an ugly curve at us.
How much do your words bring life to others? Can you remember a time when you wanted to hear such words and they were absent?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Speaking the Truth
Do you recall a time when someone lied to you? Maybe you didn't know it right away, but only later found out about it. How did you feel? Betrayed. Angered.
While our words can be used for good, they can also deceive. Oh, yes, we talk about those little white lies. We might tell such a lie to save face or eleveate someone else. If we tell one little white lie, it can easily snowball into more and more lies. That's just the nature of not telling the truth!
The Eighth Commandment commands us not to bear false witness against our neighbor. This commandment is directed toward our words. We are to speak the truth, especially when it comes to defending our neighbor.
At all times, we must be aware of what we are saying. Jesus said, "But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:34-37 Jesus seems to be saying that the necessity of an oath means that we might not always be telling the truth!
As we do speak the truth, even "speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15), we are manifesting Jesus' love to others.
What about your words? Where would you reside on an index of truth-telling? Do you ever feel like you have to lie to justify yourself? What might be some standards we could adopt that would help us to make the difficult choice to tell the truth?
While our words can be used for good, they can also deceive. Oh, yes, we talk about those little white lies. We might tell such a lie to save face or eleveate someone else. If we tell one little white lie, it can easily snowball into more and more lies. That's just the nature of not telling the truth!
The Eighth Commandment commands us not to bear false witness against our neighbor. This commandment is directed toward our words. We are to speak the truth, especially when it comes to defending our neighbor.
At all times, we must be aware of what we are saying. Jesus said, "But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:34-37 Jesus seems to be saying that the necessity of an oath means that we might not always be telling the truth!
As we do speak the truth, even "speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15), we are manifesting Jesus' love to others.
What about your words? Where would you reside on an index of truth-telling? Do you ever feel like you have to lie to justify yourself? What might be some standards we could adopt that would help us to make the difficult choice to tell the truth?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
To Bless or to Curse
One of the characteristics of us as human beings is that of speech. With our ability to speak, do we recognize the power of our words? They can be uplifting, encouraging, or they can be offensive and hurt others. Do we even speak the truth all the time?
This Sunday, I begin a sermon series on "The Power of Our Words." My message this Sunday will focus on us being aware of what we say. Jesus said, "I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter." Matthew 12:36
There is an eternal significance to the words that we speak. Sometimes we say something that we didn't mean to say. Can we recall that word and take it back? That is why are words are important! That is why we must give attention to what we say. Once spoken, our words are in eternity.
In James 3:8-10 we read, "No one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing." The tongue is a powerful instrument! Would that we would use it for good.
As you look over the words that you have spoken recently, have they been for blessing or for cursing? What might be helpful to control the tongue?
This Sunday, I begin a sermon series on "The Power of Our Words." My message this Sunday will focus on us being aware of what we say. Jesus said, "I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter." Matthew 12:36
There is an eternal significance to the words that we speak. Sometimes we say something that we didn't mean to say. Can we recall that word and take it back? That is why are words are important! That is why we must give attention to what we say. Once spoken, our words are in eternity.
In James 3:8-10 we read, "No one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing." The tongue is a powerful instrument! Would that we would use it for good.
As you look over the words that you have spoken recently, have they been for blessing or for cursing? What might be helpful to control the tongue?
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
I believe baptism is one of those events, that if it has happened in our lives, we probably have given little attention to it through the years. In fact, if you have been baptized as an infant, you probably have no recollection of it. Yet, it stands as a powerful sacrament to bring us God's grace and also to empower us in Christian living.
This Sunday, January 11, is the Baptism of our Lord. We would recall that Jesus himself was baptized with a baptism that came from John the Baptist. His baptism was not for seeking forgiveness or God's grace, but to establish solidairity with us. It was also stood at the beginning point of his public ministry! Shortly after his baptism, he would face temptation!
Baptism connects us to Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote: "Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:3-4
We have been brought into a new age where we live connected to Christ's death and resurrection. As such, we are to die to sin and live the new life Jesus has given to us. Our baptism out to make us feel that we can overcome temptation, and that we can put away a sin that keeps nagging away at us.
Do you know on what date you were baptized?
Do you recall your baptism very often for giving you strength in your life?
This Sunday, January 11, is the Baptism of our Lord. We would recall that Jesus himself was baptized with a baptism that came from John the Baptist. His baptism was not for seeking forgiveness or God's grace, but to establish solidairity with us. It was also stood at the beginning point of his public ministry! Shortly after his baptism, he would face temptation!
Baptism connects us to Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote: "Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:3-4
We have been brought into a new age where we live connected to Christ's death and resurrection. As such, we are to die to sin and live the new life Jesus has given to us. Our baptism out to make us feel that we can overcome temptation, and that we can put away a sin that keeps nagging away at us.
Do you know on what date you were baptized?
Do you recall your baptism very often for giving you strength in your life?
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