His Lovingkindness...

When we go through times of difficulty and are wondering the outcome or consequences of situations, it is very difficult to keep up peace of mind. Though we may focus on prayer and try to keep up faith, sometimes it is may be tough to look at things positively. That is the time we look at whom we trust and His wonderful love.

Psalm 42:8 (NASB)
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;And His song will be with me in the night,A prayer to the God of my life.

As long as He is with us, we can go through any dry time in our life believing that His lovingkindness is there with us throughout and He will not allow anything that is damaging to us (our soul and life)
Amen.

Loyal?

Nobody can be like our Lord when it comes to faithfulness. Loyalty is one thing which is hard to find in this world. For all the love the Lord showers upon His creation, what is that one thing that He expects from us? The Word of God says,

2 Chron 16:9 (NKJV)
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

Our Lord looks for loyalty from us. The question we need to ask ourselves is - Are we loyal to Him? Do we go to Him in prayer to seek Him, love Him better and know Him more?

May the Lord find us to be as faithful people, we who are called by His name.

Prayer:
"Lord help me be faithful to you and never let me pass a day without you...for in you I find my completeness."
Amen.

His faithfulness...

Often I have wondered whether I weary the Lord with my prayer list. Day after day our prayer lists never decrease, we go on and on with our needs and petitions. How would we feel if we have someone at our door always needing of something? Wouldn't we at some point feel tired of meeting those needs or answering the door?

Though God is not us, and He is full of love and compassion for His children, I wondered how God felt about this. I found a very consoling word in the Bible which changed my whole perspective.

Lamentations 3:22, 23 (NASB)

(v.22) The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. (v.23) They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

The word that His compassions are new every morning gave my heart a great solace. We can go to our heavenly Father without any hestitation. Great is His faithfulness indeed.

Speech of the Wise - 2

Let us take one more day to see how the wise speaks...

People who are wise do not sing praises of themselves, their praises are sung by others. Nor they are people who give advice and instruction to others unless asked for. Their maturity is something that is obviously seen and not spoken by their own tongue.

Like what the preacher in Ecclesiates says, "Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips" [Ecclesiastes 10:12 (NIV)]

Wise people speak only when required and what they speak always makes sense. Humility and wisdom goes hand in hand. Where there is no humility there is no wisdom and where there is much talk, there wisdom is absent.

Proverbs 16:23 (NIV)

A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

So let us learn to be wise as God's children and speak the right words appropriately when required and avoid godless chatters and be all that God says...

Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV)

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Speech of the Wise -1

People of this world think that those who are well versed in speech are the ones who are smart and intellects. The amount of words used does not reveal knowledge or wisdom, but the way we use the words and the time it is used is where true wisdom lies.

A wise person knows what to speak, when to speak, to whom to speak and the manner to speak. But only a fool blabbers too many words assuming that him or her is the most intelligent of all. The one who thinks that they are too wise or knowlegeable is a fool. But a wise person is one who always assumes that one is still learner no matter how much they know.

So here is the difference and let us learn to be wise with our words...

Psalm 37:30 (NIV)
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.
Proverbs 23:9 (NIV)
Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

Judging- Right or Wrong?

When it comes to judging others we are too quick to do it. None of us are exemption when it comes to judging. The matter lies with the fact whether we are judging rightly or wrongly about others.

People who judge others in a wrong way are often ones who are less considerate. They are too quick to judge others with their words. Whereas people who judge rightly are the ones who give a lot of consideration to others views and perceptions. They don't criticise negatively and do not carry an opinion that they are always right. They respect everybody's view and perceptions and do not go to interfere with others perceptions unnecessarily. They never carry a sense of pride in them.

As children of God let us always be people who are less judgemental for we know what God's Word warns us.

Mt 7: 1,2 (NIV)
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Fighting!?

Do children of God fight? Why not? Are we not also humans? declares a Christian somewhat snobbishly. It is true that we get angry like anyone else, but the expression of our anger need not result in outburts and fights, for it is not Christ-like. There is always an appropriate way of dealing with the expression of anger or disagreement.

I like what Rev.Selwyn Hughes states about disagreeing agreeingly meaning when we disagree with someone, we do it in an agreeable manner not in an unreasonable way. In any form of speech we are to reveal that we are Christ's children indeed, however provoking our opponent may speak.

Galatians 5:14-15 (New International Version)

(v.14) The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
(v.15) If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

If we truly follow this command we can disagree agreeably even with the most irrational opponent.

Hypocrisy

There are many people who speak words and that cannot be counted. They usually wear a facade and it is very difficult to find their true colors unless they are exposed during certain situations. They sound highly spiritual in their talks and prayers yet there would be flaws in their character and attitude. What they are and what they speak do not match. Such hypocrisy is something not right among God's people. The Lord loves those who are honest with their hearts and tongues.

Proverbs 16:13 (NIV)
Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.

Even the King of Kings (Jesus) takes delight in honest lips. Jesus hated such hypocritical teachers of the law who exposed a very pious outlook but inside were rotten.

Luke 20:46-47 (New International Version)
46"Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.

This is a warning for those who use hypocrisy in their speech. We are to be God pleasers and not people pleasers. So let us talk what we mean from the heart and not speak for the sake of pleasing the hearer.

Slander - No simple issue

When talking about others we may at times mistakenly say something bad about them, without realizing that we are saying things based on our assumptions and not on reality. This is what is called slander. Slandering is no little issue. It is simply saying wrong things about others.The Word of God says that the Lord will put him or her into silence who slanders (Ps 101:5). And no can live with the Lord if they slander.
Look what God's Word warn us in a powerful way...

Psalm 15:1,3 (New International Version)

(v.1) LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
(v.2) He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.
(v.3) and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman

So let us be careful not to fall into the sin of slandering for the penalty is heavy. Let us always consider before we speak something about someone, so that we talk with a sense of realization and truth. Amen.

Sarcasm

Some people use words of sarcasm that hurt others. No one has the right to inflict words of hurt on others. But there are seldom people who use sarcasm in their speech. They think that they are shrewd and skillful in speaking thus.

Proverbs 12:18 (New International Version)
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

We cannot change such people, but only avoid in-depth conversations with them. But let us atleast learn a lesson from such people and practice to speak words with wisdom that brings healing, comfort and consolation to the hearers.

Dangerous honey

Many of us easily gossip. Though we know that it is not right to gossip about somebody, talking others story is sweet like honey at times. Sometimes without our own knowledge we may be doing hard-core gossiping.

Even believers in the New Testament times got into the habit of gossiping and Paul warns in his letter to Timothy about them.

1 Timothy 5:13 (NIV)

Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.

Sometimes when we gossip we tend to make the story bigger by adding our version to it. Therefore let us not fall trap to gossip when sharing genuine concerns about someone.

Twin evils

1 Samuel 2:3 (New American Standard Bible)
Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge.
And with Him actions are weighed.

What are powerful warning to those who can afford to talk words of arrogance and pride. The Word of God is punchingly warning us that our God sees all that we speak and the words of our mouth are weighed by Him. Look what the Lord says,

Proverbs 8:13 (NIV)
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

So let us be careful before we speak and not utter any words of arrogance and pride, for the Lord will put an end to arrogance and humble those who are proud (Isa 13:11).

Tactics?

It is said that a man is known by the company (of friends) he keeps. So are people known by their tongue. As the Word of God says, "For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Lk 6:24) (NKJV) , so are people known by the kind of talks they speak.

Even among the circle of believers you will find people who talk craftily to get their work done. Like a tree is known by the fruit, so is a person known by his/her words.They will use tactics to use people. We should be cautious of such folks.

Job 15:4-5 (New Living Translation)

(v.4 ) Have you no fear of God, no reverence for him?
(v.5) Your sins are telling your mouth what to say. Your words are based on clever deception.

Only people who lack God's holy fear will use tactics assuming that they are smart. But look what Bible says,

Proverbs 12:2 (NIV)

A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man.

So let us be people who will use things and love people rather than crafty folks who love things and use people.

Over Praises?

Praises and appreciation are good things when done honestly. But when overdone can turn out into flattery. As God's children we should avoid flattery to get our work done through someone or even to impress somebody. These forms of communication are something that God will not be pleased with...

If we look into the Bible, flattery is a form of communication that describes cunning and crooked people. Everywhere in God's Word, flattery is attributed to people who are deceivers including the devil (Dan 11:32)

Look what Job says,

Job 32:21-22 (New International Version)

I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man;
for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.

Flattery is such a destation to the Lord that He will destroy the flatterer. So let us avoid it and not use flattery to obtain ends through meanest means...

The Power of the Tongue

As we are seeing in this series of meditations, the importance of verbal communication, there is one important aspect about what we speak. The Word of God says that our tongue has got a tremendous power. Power to make things happen. That is why we are exhorted time and again to confess our faith and the promises of God through our tongue, so that we receive what we believe. If we believe and confess with our tongue it happens.

Look what the Word says,

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

If we confess positive things about ourselves, our life and situations, positive and good things happen. But if we confess negatively out of frustration and anger, negative and bad things will turn out. So it is better we speak only positive stuff regarding our problems, situations, family members, work, ministry and also about ourselves so that we get to see the power of our confession becoming real for us...

Lying casually?

What does the Lord expect from us when it comes to speech that we should refrain? If we search the Bible we find that speaking lies is something the Lord abhors. Lies and deceit is an abomination (detestation or hatred) to the Lord.

Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.

How often we as believers speak lies in the form of excuses? We do not have the holy fear that God is watching us and it is something He hates. If we are determined to please Him, we cannot take lying casually but be aware that we are answerable to Him for taking such sins light.

Psalm 34:13 (NIV)
keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

Blessings or curses?

What kind of words proceed out of our mouth everyday? Are they words of blessings or of curses? Sometimes even we as believers when raged with anger say words of curses not knowing to tame our tongue. But the Word of God says that we should not be doing so...

James 3:10-11 (New International Version)

(v.10)Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

(v.11) Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

Therefore let us be careful to use words even when angered. Let us choose to pause before we say anything. For again the Word of God exhorts in James 3:9 (NIV)

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.

Don't we call names when angered with people. Let us forbid this and learn to use words appropriately which is fitting in the eyes of the Lord.

Real Wit...

It is become a common practice even among the believer's circle to cut jokes that are ugly. Humor is a fine skill yet has to be used in a way which will be healthy and comical. As God's children we should not communicate words which are indecent or improper or i.e hurtful to others. For some, earthly jesting is presumed as a way of casual talk or joking but there is no place for such things in a Christian life. Wit has to prove its quality of appreciation and applause when it brings laughter to the hearer by making a heart lighter.

Ephesians 5:4 (New International Version)
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

So let us use humor in a very appropriate manner bringing cheer to others...

Well composed like Him ...

We are all good talkers but poor listeners. Most of us are very skillful when it comes to talking. We can go on for hours if given a chance. But we seldom listen to others. We all have a bad habit to hurry up while talking, due to which we don't wait until others finish. We are quick to reply but very bad to pause and consider. Myself included, I believe that most of us are like that...

But God doesn't expect us to be good orators but He expects us to be good listeners. Jesus is the best listener in this whole universe. Even when He lived on earth, I believe He would have given time for people to finish what they desired to tell Him without hurrying to answer them.

As Rev. Selwyn Hughes points out Jesus never hurried, worried or flurried. So should we be and learn to be a like Jesus who was quick to listen but slow to speak...

James 1:19 (NIV)

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Seasoned with salt...

One of the difficulties we face in speech as believers is when we are confronted. We can always learn to talk appropriately as long as the conversations are smooth. But when we are offended or humiliated or criticized or judged wrongly, how are we to communicate? Should we keep quite or should we give a fitting answer?

I guess both seems to be little on the inappropriate side. Sometimes to defend ourselves we need to speak and not be quiet. In such instances keeping quiet may prove unfit for the situation. At the same time when humiliated or criticized we should not burst off for we may be responding like an unbeliever. But we should speak calmly yet firmly like the way Jesus did when He was confronted by the Pharisees and the Sadducee's.

Colossians 4:6 (New American Standard Bible)
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

What a wonderful exhortation for speech. May the Lord give us all wisdom and grace so that we may know how to speak with grace. Amen.

Wholesome talk

What kind of talks should we speak which would please the Lord? This consideration is very important for us as God's children.

The Word of God has a clear cut instruction on this...

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

We are to speak in a way that would build others not tear them, edify the listener and not hurt. Words of encouragement, consolation, emphathy, consideration, understanding are some of the forms of wholesome talk.

People should feel the comfort level when we communicate to others. Even correction and discipline should be done without harshness of the tone in an appropriate manner, so that it convicts the listener. In short as the Word of God says our talks has to build people in the Lord.

Let us be careful with respect to the way we communicate to people and show Christ's reflection through our speech...

No tongue slipping...

We cannot use unfair or bad-tempered words to someone and then say that we did not mean it. Nothing can slip out of our mouth which we have not pondered or thought about in our minds. In our daily conversations we say so many things to people we associate with, and when we say something we are communicating a meaning to them. Even simple words do convey a meaning to the receiver. What we miss at times is the weightage we add to those words. We may at times not add much weightage to what we say but surely it does to the receiver.

Luke 6:45 (New King James Version)
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

So let us keep our hearts clean and good, so that out of its abundance we may bring forth good words...

Sealing our Lips

In the days to come we will concentrate on verbal communications that would please God. We see that King David prayed in Ps 19:14 saying, 'Let the words of my mouth ... be acceptable in your sight O Lord...' (NKJV).

Sometimes we may say words such as slang which may not be acceptable in God's sight. Though we find it hard to control usage of such words, they seldom come. Talking slang at times would have become so much part of a habitual sin that we may no longer try to overcome them. But that is not the solution to handle the issue. We need to pray all the more to break free from the habit of using slang.

That is why King David prayed in Psalms 141:3 (NIV)

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

So let us make this our prayer and take every effort unless and until we get rid of this habitual sin...

Dwelling our Minds

Have any of us ever been in a situation where we allow our minds (or thought process) to take off for a day? Nope. I don’t think that happens, except when we fall ill and when we are too tired to think. Most of the time when we are awake we are thinking. We think of the tasks that we do or need to do, things that happened or are going to happen, people, life, plans, problems, concerns, etc.

Our mind is full of thoughts. I have always wondered what kinds of thoughts are healthy and spiritual and will come under God’s approval. For our thoughts determine the way we feel, in making decisions, molding attitude and framing our perceptions.

King David prayed [in Ps 19:14 (NASB)]
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

What a prayer to imitate. I have made this my personal prayer too. But before I start meditating I need to be cautious about what my mind is dwelling on every single day. It may be day to day affairs or ordinary things; the things which I allow my mind to continuously dwell upon do matter.

When pondered this I found the answer in Philippians 4:8(NASB)
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

This scripture sounds like a simple exhortation but when looked at with pause and consideration it is quite powerful.

When taken lightly one can say, ‘I am thinking right or good.’ But considered again in the light of God one can know the truth. We can always realign our thoughts with the above scripture, especially with the thoughts we often dwell on…

When decisions cost...

As children of God, we know that we need to please the Lord by the way we are and the way we live. Even the Word of God encourages us that we need to find what is pleasing to the Lord.

Eph 5:10 (NIV)
and find out what pleases the Lord...

By simple reasoning we can say that the way to please God are by our speech or talks, our character, personality, attitude, thought process and the way we live by our daily choices and decision-making. The Word of God has a guideline for each aspect for our being and living, so that we can indeed reflect Him and please Him.

So let us focus on each issue of our life in the forth coming devotions so that we will together be able to find the ways to please God...

Proverbs 16:7, (NIV)
When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Oh! What a privilege to live that way. So let us decide to please Him no matter the cost...

Rules or Grace?

Have you ever felt like fleeing away from God? Ever felt like giving up walking with Him and just be like unbelievers? Many feel this at some point of time I guess...

A pastor once told me that at times he felt like quitting Christian life, for he felt that it was really difficult to keep up to God's standards. Strange as it may sound, but it is true that even strong believers in God feel that.

When we strive really hard to live perfectly and find that it is beyond ones reach, the feeling of inability can drive us to such thinking...What we need to concentrate is our focus on God. God understands our weaknesses, knows our short comings. Isn't He all knowing and hasn't He chosen us in spite of having a foreknowledge of us? Surely He did...

If we look at Christian life as rules, we will feel like quitting but if we look at it as grace, then we will cling more to Him.

Is the life Jesus offers just rules or His grace for salvation?

Psalm 139:7-8 (New International Version)
(v.7 ) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
(v.8) If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there

Sure, we would not want to go away from Him... What do you say?

How are we living?

Psalms 139:1-4 (NIV)
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

How many of us live like the Psalmist with a powerful realization that confirms the above truth ? It is very essential for us as God's children to be careful about what we speak, the way we respond to people and situations, the way we make choices and take decisions etc, for we have a God who is watching over us - Our holy Shepherd.

We are to give account for how we live and for what we are... We cannot opt to live without a holy fear...

Hebrews 4:13 (New International Version)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Veiled or Unveiled?

Are we able to say that we are better from what we used to be before? Are people able to see that we are more like a Jesus kid after becoming a Christian? (i.e after accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior).

If answer to that is positive, then we are surely being changed and transformed by the Lord. We no doubt are in the process of sanctification (purification)...

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

If the answer is doubtful or negative, then a serious thought and consideration is required. The very purpose of we being chosen by God is to be remade into His image... That is the reason why the heavenly father chose us.

Rom 8:29 (NIV)
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

So let us be careful not to be hard hearted by not yielding to the Holy Spirit's corrections, otherwise we may not be counted for His kingdom...

Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)
As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."

Preserving the precious gift...

Is salvation a one time event? I certainly don't think so... Of course when we say the sinners prayer for the first time, all our sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ and we are promised salvation (deliverance from sin and its penalty -eternal death). But it doesn't stop with that... for salvation is a continuing process. We need to work hard on it, so that we repent and turn back from every form of sin in our lives. Our carnal nature slowly wearies out and we are clothed with a new being.

I like what Rev. Selwyn Hughes says about salvation - "Salvation is a gift and an event; it is also a process and goal to be attained. We are both saved and are being saved, and are heading for a salvation to be realised when Christ comes again."

So let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling so that we may not fall short of it...
Phillippians 2:12 (NIV)
...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Christ Control...

Rom 7: 19, 20 (NIV)

(v.19) For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
(v.20) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Like Apostle Paul each one of us struggle with some kind of weakness of the flesh or sin though we may not want to do it. For instance, I hate to use slang words when angry with my kid, but many a time it comes as a slip of the tongue and I call her names or whack her. Afterwards I feel bad for having done so and I repent. I keep feeling bad the whole day for not behaving Christ-like...

Sometimes we lie easily, we easily use slang , manipulate easily with others and keep committing wrong in many forms of sin. We don't take this big for we consider them as small sins... Yet sin is a sin.

I have prayed for many days for self control, so that I can be rid of calling names... I pray everyday for more of patience, tolerance, gentleness and self-control, to handle my weakness of the flesh. Each one of us may have different forms of weakness of the flesh and may be trying our best to get rid of it.

The best way is to pray desperately for fruit of the Spirit to take root and grow in us. The Spirit of the Lord will surely work in us and help us to get trained in our minds so that we may have the fruit of the Spirit cultivated in us. And for sure will get the carnal nature out and the new being come into us which is Christ-like. The only criteria is... we need to keep praying and changing until we become renewed in Him.

Ephesians 4:24 (NIV)
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.