Good day sister saints!
I'm rejoicing in the hope that lies before us through the promises of God, what an awesome Father we have to give us such a gift! I'm also rejoicing that we have a whole day of not driving anywhere, not even out of the parking lot lol. That's really rare for us so when we get those days, I appreciate every moment of it. It allows us to slow down and have more time to catch up on line ministry and to have a bit of quiet time to focus on deeper things. I also rejoice when I have time to ponder topics to post here instead of pieces here and there during the day, which is okay too. Anyway, let's all rejoice together in all things good which are of God. Thank you sister for the following picture you sent so I could share it here:-)
Brother Jim did a teaching on words, you can find that HERE, and it was mainly because we've heard people say to him that he uses too many. They then wrongly quote the scriptures to try to back up their claims so brother Jim decided to teach rightly on the subject. This post isn't necessarily about using too many words, although we have to be careful how much we talk lest we lose control and go where we shouldn't...it's more about watching them and how we use them. I made some scripture pictures to go with the topic...
When we read Proverbs 31 we see a godly woman who is well rounded in good works and even to the way she speaks. Of course there are times when a rebuke or correction is needed and sometimes it may be sharp but the love of God that is within us will do it out of a right heart for redemption and correction, not as a power play over someone. In general though, do we have a tone of voice that is kind or do we allow ourselves to be lax (especially with those who are in our lives all the time) and allow it to become sharp when not necessary? You've heard the phrase 'putting on your best behavior' and usually that's in public but we act really nice with those we don't know and then allow ourselves to become impatient and sharper with those who are in our lives all the time, is that not being partial and a respecter of persons, therefore being a hypocrite?
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
James 2:1-4
Is what James is talking about any different than being nice to strangers and not so nice to husbands, children, family members etc? It's easy to fall into being harder on those in your life especially those who might not treat you as well but what does God's word say about that?
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others ? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:44-48
This verse helped (and helps) me remember to watch what and how I say things as we are to ministry grace unto the hearers. That also can be said when we have to correct someone so we must always be careful. This goes along with talking with others about our personal relationships.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:11-12
I know those verses are talking about not doing harm to husbands and we should be very careful what we say to him and to others about him lest we cause harm, but that can also be used for anyone else that we have in our life. We should be doing no harm in our words and we want people to trust us in that, amen?
James has much to warn us about in the area of guarding our words...
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:5-8
I'm sure you'll admit that there are times, when situations get heated, that it's much easier to say something with poison in it than kind words with sweetness.
He goes on to help us see the magnitude of it...
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
James 3:9-12
Jesus rebuked the pharisees for it and we today, need to heed such admonitions.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Matthew 12:34-37
God can help us search our hearts to see what's in there that shouldn't be.
I think of that verse when I see the end times coming as the wicked are growing in number and the saints are so few. The wicked (including almost all the religious denominational people) will be gathered together, turning on the true saints of God and we have to be prepared to be as our Master was when they came for Him. Wise in our words and there may be times that none are more effective than many.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7
Life and death are in the power of the tongue. We can lift up a sister, husband, child, relative with love and grace or we can tear the life right out of them with a few words. We all can say we've had the life ripped out of us with just one sentence from someone looking to tear us down and we've also been lifted up to great heights in joy from a sentence given in love.
It starts in the heart sisters and if we truly have been born from above, we have a new heart, amen?
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Ezekiel 36:24-28
Praise God for His mercies and grace. He gives us what we need to overcome our wicked flesh, walking worthy of our calling.
We have the power to overcome, through Christ Jesus. Glory to God in the Highest! Some day, if we strive on in the faith until our end, we will rest from these troubles but until then, let us beat our flesh into submission to the glory of the Lord!!! Let me know how I can help you in your walk of obedience to the Lord who is worthy. Let's rejoice and give Him glory in His creation...
I read Psalm 29 to encourage us.
Some Titus 2 moments here:
Brother Jim had an errand for me...
I you an iced coffee:-)
And these looked so nice I had to share a picture with you...
I wonder how many of my sisters have been canning or freezing or dehydrating from their gardens already? And if not yet, soon. I love hearing about how all your Titus 2 duties are going as they are a glory unto the Lord so feel free to share!
The gas station by us gives ice away to customers...
So brother Jim harvested some for our cooler after getting some gas for our generator.
I asked a sister a while ago to sew me a couple small purses of which she did and I've been using them every day and love them. I then requested a few changes and asked how many could fit into a basic shipping envelope (they are coming from across the ocean) and asked for that amount. I believe there might be one more added to the count in the picture and I'm excited to have them (whenever we get back to the land to pick them up after they come ashore :-). You can see a post HERE that has her etsy shop linked and many things she's sewn for me and she's currently sewing for another sister here in the states also!
Praise God for good Titus 2 working sisters in the Lord! More praises for the sisters who take the time to edify and encourage one another on a daily basis, not living their lives for themselves but preferring the brethren. Amen, Glory to God!
Brother Jim found this picture he drew quite a while ago and I wanted to repost it:-)
I hope this blog filled with precious words from our Savior and words from a sister who loves you, has ministered grace unto you:-)
Brother Jim has an update HERE.
Tomorrow looks to be a super busy day of work and witnessing so I'm not sure how much or what I'll be able to post here but the love godly will be there regardless.
Hold fast sister soldier saints and keep your eyes on Christ. He will protect us, lead us and guide us (and help us with our words:-) if we follow after Him in holiness and obedience.
In fervent godly love to you all,
Sister Deb
