Let's Watch What We Say

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

We are all weak in some area of our spiritual life. Every man has a habit that he has recognized and is striving to overcome by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of our sins are obvious and easy to recognize so we are forced to deal with them swiftly so we can be accepted among the brethren. For example we don’t seem to have a problem with anyone wanting to come to church drunk, and we would never condone two of our members living together out of wedlock. There are many things that we are quick to eradicate from among our accepted behavior as Christians. I have not heard anyone cuss lately in the church have you? Thank God we don’t have to provide designated smoking areas either; those who do smoke would never smoke in front of us who don’t smoke anyway. Why not? Is it because it’s a sin against God or because they do not want to look bad at church? I believe it is probably both. The truth is that we all are worried about what others will say about us. None of us like to be talked about. The amazing thing to me is the things that we will allow without saying anything about it. One of the greatest sins in the church today causes more trouble for the kingdom of God than all of the sins listed above put together; yet it is widely practiced by us all on a regular basis. The Bible says indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way (James 3:2 NLT). I know that my mouth has been a great weakness in my life that has caused me to hinder the will of God and hurt others because of what I have allowed it to speak. It does not have to be evil mean spirited words to hurt a fellow Christian’s spiritual health. It does not need to be a lie to be considered gossip. In fact if we speak against someone falsely it’s not only gossip; it is also slander. For our words to be corrupt in the eyes of God they only need to be negative and of a critical spirit. The bible calls it murmuring it is better known to most of us as complaining. I just call it what it is whining like a little baby! My prayer for those of us who seem to habitually need to vent in such a way is that Jesus will truly give you something to complain about. I hope this hits you right where it hit me; right between the eyes! May God have mercy on us all for our unwillingness to take control of our tongues! Have a blessed day.

Focused on Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith

If we are ever to become the disciples that Christ has saved us to be we are going to need to learn how to avoid the distractions of the everyday activities of life here on planet earth. The relentless pursuit of the American dream as a lifestyle has overwhelmed and hindered far to many of us in the church today. When I woke up this morning and began the day that God had given to me I had to make a choice that each of us must make each and everyday. I had to decide what I would focus my thoughts and affections upon as I began another day. Because life is demanding and full of activity we must learn to focus our minds on what is best for us. I can not think of anything greater to focus on each day than Jesus Christ and His word. I have discovered that when I remain focused on Jesus life seems much more manageable and rewarding. Jesus said to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all of our needs would be given too us (Matthew 6:33). To seek after something requires of us to focus upon that which we seek. If we truly desire to live for God, we must focus upon Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. The Apostle Paul said, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek (focus on) those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind (focus) on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2) Our problem is not ignorance of what to do; most of us know all too well what God wants us to do. Many of us want to do God’s will, but we fail to focus on what He has revealed to us. Take the time today to focus on your relationship with Christ and make a genuine effort to obey Him and it will change your life. If you have failed in the past; do not give up forget the past and keep focusing on the future so that you may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of you. The Apostle Paul said, I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:12-14 NLT) It is an undeniable truth that to remain faithful to God we must stay FOCUSED ON JESUS.