Listen Before You Speak
Proverbs 18:13 provides clear instruction to listen before making comments or decisions. How often we give our conclusions and judgments rather than listening to get the full story. Speaking quickly and harshly is an indicator of a deeper problem, a “heart problem.” We are reminded by our Lord in Matthew 12:34 “. . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” So we must conclude that when we speak harsh, judgmental, and insensitive words, we often do so without knowing all the details and with the intent of making others look guilty.
The Pieces Don't Fit
After looking at the pieces of a 1000 piece puzzle spread out on a card table and trying to make them fit to form a beautiful picture, one may conclude that they just do not fit together. This is often the way we feel in our life journey as we experience “pieces of our life puzzle” that just don’t seem to fit. However, for the child of God that has chosen to honor and follow the Lord, the promise of Romans 8:28 bring great joy, peace and blessings.
The Best Remedy
At this time of year, allergies affect many people. Sneezing, coughing are watery eyes are the daily companions of millions who are subject to various allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can be so annoying that people are willing to try about anything. Suggested remedies may vary from a new pill developed recently to a concoction that grandma used many years ago. Well, sometimes the remedy works, and sometimes it does not. The following remedy does not relate to allergies, but it does “work.” If applied carefully with the right motives, this remedy brings drastic change.
No Water!
When we arrived at the village, all of the students lined up and prepared for a special presentation for the visiting Americans. The village people came for this meeting under the big trees. They knew the visitors were bringing medical supply gifts for the little clinic where the shelves were empty. The students shared a drama which focused on the dangers of drinking contaminated water. Village leaders prepared kind words of thankfulness for the much-needed medical supplies in this place so far away from the big city that no one really seemed to care about the medical needs.
Weapon of Mass Destruction or Tool of Blessing - James 3:1-12
Have you noticed how important “little things” can be? For instance, one “little” plug makes a great difference whether an appliance works or not. On one “little” cell phone, a person can talk with a friend around the world. One “little” gauge on the dash of your vehicle is very important, especially if it is the gasoline gauge.
The Danger in Serving Others - Ephesians 6:7-8
"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."
Today... You Only Have it Once
I Corinthians 9:24-27, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 3:12-16, Romans 12:1-2
The Key to Freedom
As we journey the roadway of life, we encounter many people and circumstances. In the process, hurt and injury often take place. Hasty or hurting words, neglect, misunderstanding, untruth and other conflicts often are not settled, and thus remain as "open sores" in the inner person. This corruption of the inner man builds and sprouts into other complications. The resulting interactions with people divide friendships, cause splits in churches, and create hotbeds for anger, irritation and physical problems. Unless these situations are handled Biblically, we can sets ourselves up for arguments and a life of bondage and torment over an "unresolved conflict."
Character is the Key to Greatness
The Key to Greatness Is not found in position or power but in character. Of course, this thought is contrary to what we hear and see in our culture. But we should not be surprised that the teachings of the Word are far different from the world. Jesus often asked His disciples, "where did you hear that?" and He was referring to some human, worldly response to a life situation.
Searching for the Right Gift?
The thrill and excitement of opening a gift can be breathtaking; but in a few moments of time, the gift is usually forgotten or discarded. Many times children play with the box and not the gift. Often we spend hours walking though crowded stores searching for the "right" gift, when we have already have "the gift" that really makes the difference in another's life. That is the gift of caring and sharing.
