Gracious Words Vs. Destroying Words

Chrissy, Katie and I are reading through, Lies Young Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free.  They have an online website where you can sign up to receive daily devotionals.  They cover all the topics in the book as well as some cutting edge headline news stuff!  About a week ago, the authors of the website spent several days discussing the topic of Homosexuality, from God's perspective.  It was well written.  If you want to check them out, click here: http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/

 

Even though most of the topics are written from a gal's perspective, Truth remains Truth.  So guys, check it out too!

 

Today's Devotional thoughts: "The Power of Encouragement" was excellent! 

 

We've all heard the saying, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  Kinda rings true for all of us, right?  Except, we should purpose to say things that build each other up.  Not in an inflated sort of way, but in a way that makes that person a better person for knowing you.  All our conversations should encourage us deeper in our love for Jesus and for the good of each other.  Gulp.  All.

 

When you think about this, it doesn't rule out having to confront people or talk about unlovely things when it is necessary.  But, what it does do is cause us to search God's Word and "speak the truth in love."  Even the hard things, when spoken in love, will have a way of building another up.  Be careful that you don't try to be the Holy Spirit.  Our jobs are not to convict others, but to reflect Jesus, His love, His grace and His mercy.

 

Here's what King David had to say about God's Word and our words...

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.  (Psalms 19:8-14)

Here's what the Apostle Paul had to say regarding what we say and "outsiders" (unbelievers)....

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. (Colossians 4:2-6)

Check your words (and speech) this week...do you build people up or tear them down?

 

Here's the Devotional from LYWB's website:

 

Copied from here: http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/index.php?id=622

The Power of Encouragement

posted by Lindsey Wagstaffe on 11/22/10

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. —Ephesians 4:29

Building Up

I was working at my computer desk when Mom entered the room, carrying something under her arm. When she laid it in front of me, my eyes widened at the sight of the bag. It was small, it was green, and it was emblazoned with my favorite emblem: B&N.

Earlier in the day, we had been discussing a subject that she knew I was passionate about. As we talked, she made a mental note to stop by Barnes & Nobles to purchase a book on the topic for me. The inside cover was filled with her slanted hand, taking gracious note of improvements in my character, encouraging me to stay the course, and articulating her confidence in God's purpose for my life. I was teary at the end of it.

That day, I had been feeling overwhelmed and incompetent for the tasks ahead of me. Mom's words accomplished a powerful three-fold effect: I was inspired, convicted, and motivated at once.

That was three years ago. I haven't re-read it since, but I remember the content of the letter perfectly.

That's the power of encouragement.

I have to ask myself: If the effect of encouragement upon me is so profound, why aren't I utilizing this power more in the lives of others?

Tearing Down

Criticism, unlike encouragement, is reflexive for me. On any given day, anyone who really knows me (especially my sisters and parents) could fairly point out a dozen of my sins, faults, and weaknesses. And on any given day, I could just as easily expose their sins. For some reason it feels necessary to point out the obvious—

You're in an awful mood.

Stop being so rude.

Someone's grumpy today.

Little comments. Yes. But I've been thinking, what's the root heart condition behind all unloving criticism?

Pride.

Jonathan Edwards nailed me:

"The spiritually proud person shows it in his finding fault with other saints... [he is] quick to discern and take notice of their deficiencies."

Then he goes on to repeat 1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

On this verse, Matthew Henry commented, "The eminently humble Christian has so much to do at home and sees so much evil in his own that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts. Pure Christian humility causes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, to make the best of it and to diminish their failings."

It's so simple. Encouragement stems from a humble heart; criticism stems from a proud heart. When I'm viewing myself rightly—through the lens of the cross—my pride is forced to wither on the spot. And as we receive His grace, the overflow of our hearts—our words—will naturally give "grace to those who hear" as well.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Are you more quick to point out the sins of fellow believers or to notice the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? Why?
2. Practically speaking, how can we become more encouraging? What methods of encouragement have you found especially powerful?
3. How does focusing on the gospel change our pride?
4. What keeps you from encouraging others more often?

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

What are the Lions and Bears in Your Life?

What a few whirlwind weeks since I last posted!

 

I hope you all have been in the Word daily for strength, Truth and intimacy with your God and King.

 

A few major Lions: situations that are more powerful and overwhelming than me and Bears: sins that are nasty, evil and ready to rip me in two have darkened my doorway in the midst of two of the busiest weeks in my year (so far).

 

But for God, I'd be crushed.

But for Jesus, I'd be devastated.

But for His grace and mercy, I'd be drowning in the dregs of sin's sea of despair.

 

As a child of God, I am free from sin.  Romans 6 reminds me I am no longer a slave to sin; meaning, sin has no control over me.  And yet, I still choose to sin all the time!  Living in the Light of God's revealed Word and the powerful prodding of the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sin, I am coming more and more thankful for God's grace toward me.

 

Lately, I've become more sensitive to the whirlwind of sin around me.  Either my own sin, the consequences of another's sin or the continual effect of living in a sinful world...have made me more thankful for God's redemptive mercy toward me and more eager for Jesus' return.

 

It is a basic truth...when we begin to see sin the way God sees it, we develop a deeper understanding of just how Holy God is, and how thankful - to the deepest depths of our soul - for His mercy toward us.  And, we love Him more.

 

This part of Psalm 23 reminds us just how strong and mighty our Great Shepherd is!

 

Bessie TenBoom said it well, "There is no pit so deep, Jesus isn't deeper still."

 

There is no sin too great for our mighty Shepherd.

There is no darkness so bleak His love cannot penetrate.

There is no evil more powerful than Jesus.

 

What are the Lions and Bears in your life?  The Good Shepherd can defeat them, vanquish them and rescue you from them - no matter how big, powerful or hopeless they seem.

 

Trust in Jesus alone for salvation.

May you know peace in the midst of your whirlwhind found only by faith in Jesus Christ.

Trust in Jesus alone to rescue you from whatever you are facing today.

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Psalm 23: Tough Enough Posted: 08 Nov 2010 12:00 AM PST "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4) I don't know many shepherds — especially ones from the time of King David, who wrote this psalm. I tend to think of shepherds as gentle souls who hang out on hillsides and babysit a bunch of fluffy, dumb animals. That's wrong. Shepherds are wicked tough. Listen to what David told Saul about his shepherding days: "When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear." (1 Samuel 17:34-35) Yikes! David was like some kind of ninja with that rod and staff. Don't mess with shepherds! Speaking as sheep, David writes that our great shepherd — God — is strong enough to take on whatever evil might come our way. He's tough enough that we can relax and munch on our grass and not worry. Trust your Shepherd to protect you. Think: Do you ever think of God as being ready and willing to use His might against evil to protect you? Why or why not? Pray: Thank God for His protection in your life against evil; ask Him to help you not to live with anxiety. Do: Read 1 Samuel 17:34-37 to see why David said he was so good at defeating lions and bears in battle.

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--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

Feeling Sheepy...

PW Devos will spend the next few days talking about Psalm 23.

On the heels of what Pastor Phil taught about worship on Sunday, what kind of sheep are you?  Are you the kind that brags about your latest flock of friends, new wooly coat or coolest new pasture to hang out in?  Or, are you the kind of sheep that brags about your Shepherd?

 

We all worship someone or something.

 

As believers, redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb of God, we owe all our worship to Him and Him alone.  He Who is the Creator, Sustainer and Lord of all.

 

He Who is...

 

Messiah.

 

Redeemer.

 

Savior.

 

King of kings.

 

Lord of lords.

 

The Beginning (Alpha).

 

The End (Omega)

 

The First.

 

The Last.

 

The One Who was, and is, and is to come.

 

Jesus, Name above all names.

 

I AM.

 

The Bread of Life.

 

The Living Water.

 

The Vine.

 

God Almighty (El Shddai).

 

The Word.

 

The Light of the world.

 

The Lord will provide (Yahweh Jireh)

 

Wonderful.

 

Counselor.

 

Comforter.

 

Mighty God.

 

Prince of Peace.

 

Emmanuel.

 

The Most High God (El Elyon)

 

Everlasting God (El Olam)

 

Master, Owner (Addonai)

 

The Lord is my Banner (Yahweh Nissi)

 

The Lord is Peace (Yahweh Shalom)

 

The Lord of Hosts (Yahweh Sabbaoth)

 

The Lord your Sanctifier (Yahweh Maccaddsehcem)

 

The Lord my Shepherd (Yahweh Ro'i)

 

The Lord our Righteousness (Yahweh Tsidkenu)

 

The Lord is there (Yahweh Shammah)

 

The Lord, the God of Israel (Yahweh Elohim Israel)

 

Father - A distinctive New Testament revelation is that through faith in Christ, God becomes our personal Father. Father is used of God in the Old Testament only 15 times while it is used of God 245 times in the New Testament. As a name of God, it stresses God's loving care, provision, discipline, and the way we are to address God in prayer (Matt. 7:11; Jam. 1:17; Heb. 12:5-11; John 15:16; 16:23; Eph. 2:18; 3:15; 1 Thess. 3:11).

(Taken from: http://bible.org/article/names-god)

Spend some time today bragging about your Shepherd.  For those of you still stuck in the adoration department in your prayer life, these names of God are a great way to adore Him, worship Him and meditate on Him.

 

And, as a way to immerse yourself in the Word of God, look in the concordance or index in the back of your Bible for these names and check out the passages in the Bible where they are mentioned.  Write them down.  If you are more the Googler type, go to Biblegateway.com and search for these names.

 

Let me know how it goes for you.

 

And, brag about, worship your King today and every day!

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Psalm 23: Talking Sheep Posted: 06 Nov 2010 01:00 AM PDT "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." (Psalm 23:1-3) Ever catch yourself singing a song that's so familiar the words have almost lost their meaning? You might as well be singing "baaa, baaaa, baa, ba." Psalm 23 is like that for a lot of people. They can say it perfectly, but they completely forget they're quoting a sheep. David, a former shepherd, writes the poem as if he were a sheep bragging about his shepherd to the other sheep. It's a funny idea to imagine, but that sheep makes some great points about how reliable our God is. First, when He's your shepherd, you will be provided for in every way. That's a big deal to a sheep. They're not so good at taking care of themselves. And this shepherd won't just make sure you get fed. He'll make sure you get enough sleep and rest and water; he takes care of your soul and your body. Think: Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a sheep? How does your Shepherd provide for your need for food, rest, water, and soul restoration? Do you count on Him for those things? Pray: Thank God for being your shepherd and taking care of you in every way. Do: Unless you know some sheep, find a picture of one in a book or online to keep in your head for the next few days as you think about Psalm 23.

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

Prayer...Knowing and Understanding God's Will

Sometimes we believe we've got the 411 on a situation.  We think we know best and act accordingly. As Believers, followers of Jesus Christ, we are to know and understand God's will.  What is God's will for us?

 

Well, let's look at what God reveals to us through His love letter to us, the Bible: 

 

Romans 8:28-30 (New American Standard Bible)

 

 28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.   

 29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 

 30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

 

Romans 11:33-12:3

 

33Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 

 34For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

 35Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 

 36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things to Him be the glory forever. Amen.

 

Romans 12

 

 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 

 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

 

God's will for us is to make us more like Jesus... to be molded into the image of Jesus Christ.

 

Kinda like we're spiritual cookie dough.  God wants to use His divine cookie cutter to cut away at us until we're in the shape of Jesus.  And, He knows best how to do that.  We're all going to be different spices, flavors and add-ins (some will be nutty, some gingerbread, some chocolate chip...some simple sugar cookies)...but the end result will be the same, Jesus!  Okay, this analogy kinda makes me giggle! :o)

 

And, we should pray for this...read on!

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals 

 

________________________________

 

Changed: Pray for Yourself

 

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 01:00 AM PDT

 

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." (Colossians 1:9)

 

How should you pray for yourself? Yes, you could pray a million different things. But how should you pray for yourself about your spiritual life? Do you ever pray for your own spiritual growth — or maybe the spiritual growth of a friend who is getting serious about following Jesus?

 

It's a great idea to pray for yourself and others this way. How? Notice how Paul said he prayed for the Colossians when he heard about their Jesus-following faith and love taking off. The first thing he said he asked God was to help these growing believers know God's will.

 

Why? Getting to the point in your Christian life where you're willing to do God's will for you is one step. The next one is to figure out what His will for you is. Paul asked God to provide "spiritual wisdom" and "understanding" so these Christians could figure out God's will. Are you looking for God's wisdom? Are you asking Him for it?

 

Think: On a scale from 1 to 10, how willing are you right now to do God's will for you? On that same scale, how confident are you that you know God's will for you today?

 

Pray: Ask God to "fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

 

Do: Read Romans 12:1-2 and notice how those two verses teach us to find God's "good, pleasing and perfect will."

 

 

 

 

--

Mary E.Hickcox

www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org

http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

 

The "He Reigns" Frank Experience... :o)

One of Frank's CRANK-IT-UP-SO-LOUD-MARY-LOSES-HER-HEARING songs is "He Reigns" by the Newsboys.  It IS truly an awesome, amazing song about all of God's people glorifying Him in praise and adoration.

 

And, as majestic as the last few opening ceremonies HAVE been for the Olympics, I think their glitz and glamour would be like a toothpick in the heavenly bonfire of glory we're going to witness, firsthand, in heaven.

 

There is something incredibly wonderful about God's people coming together to worship Him!  Our small group on Sunday Night was discussing this.  We were a little saddened more worshippers in our little church don't just throw caution to the wind and belt out their love, adoration & worship to our King of kings and Lord of lords. 

 

In case you haven't heard "He Reigns" by the Newboys, google it.  Though, I would encourage you to beg Frank for a spin in the church parking lot and ask him to share with you his love and enthusiasm of this song.  For him, I know it captures his heart's cry of love, worship and adoration for our Lord Jesus Christ!  Be warned, however, you won't hear the same after the "He Reigns Frank Experience!"  :o)

 

Here are the lyrics....

It's the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It's the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God's holy fire
It's every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir

It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this

And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they've just heard
'Cause all the powers of darkness
Can't drown out a single word

When all God's children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God's people singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Changed: All Over the World Posted: 28 Oct 2010 01:00 AM PDT "All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth." (Colossians 1:6) Have you ever watched the opening or closing ceremonies for the Olympics? There's something exciting about the idea of people from all over the globe gathering together in one place, nation by nation in an endless-seeming parade, that makes the world feel more connected than ever. Another mind-blowing thing to wonder about is, "How many of the people in that stadium are Jesus-followers who once heard the good news about salvation from sin and 'understood God's grace in all its truth'?" How many of the people from China and Zimbabwe and Russia and Bolivia and Canada are fruit-bearing believers walking the same path you and I are. Paul writes about our connection to all of them, a connection far deeper and longer lasting than just being "fellow citizens of the global community." We are brothers and sisters of a million different mothers and just one Almighty Father. I can't wait for the opening ceremony of eternity in heaven. Think: Do you ever think about all you have in common with believers in Jesus "all over the world." Pray: Pray for all the believers around the world who, just like you, came to God through Jesus. Do: Pick a country or two to look up on Wikipedia and think about all the believers who live there.

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/