The Mouth / The Heart

“For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”

Matthew 12:24

Another way to check and see if someone’s heart is godly.  If they have a critical spirit, a caustic mouth, a need for constant drama, or they gossip or backbite, then you want to steer clear!  Don’t be fooled, if they are nice with you, but others tell you a different story, listen!  A heart filled with Scripture and love for the Lord will speak encouragement, joy, and love.  Check your words of late.  If you fall short, spend more time with God.  Filling up your heart with the right stuff, will make the bad stuff go away!  Where there is light, darkness must flee!

Matthew goes on to say, "...I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for ir in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words youw ill be condemned." 

before you speak.  Think before it comes out of your mouth.  This is a habit that is hard for some (Me!), but it can be learned!  What words should come from a heart set on God?  A quick study through Pslams will tell you the answer: praise, words of righteousness, songs of praise, and rejoicing. Today may the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable in the sight of God, your Rock and your Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Good Fruit

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good,

or make the tree bad and its fruit bad;
for the tree is known by its fruit.”
Matthew 12:33

 Great way to decide on friends and acquaintances!  Especially over the long haul.  We can all play good for a time, but eventually, when we are squeezed, our true nature shows itself. 

 

A Godly Man

“But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;

The Lord hears when I call to Him.
Tremble and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.”
Psalm 4:3-4

Set apart = holy.  You were made holy and are set apart for the Lord.  You are His.  He hears your prayers.  Walk in righteousness and do not sin.  But rather think about the things of God – His works and His words, and be still.  When we are still, we will hear God.

 

Pretty simple directions to leading a godly life, but it takes years of practice and making it a habit.  God is there to hold up His end of the bargain.  Are you living up to your end?  If not confess, repent, and be set apart in your thoughts, words, and actions and call upon the name of the Lord.

 

Want Peace?

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,
through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:2-3

 That’s what we as humans want the most – grace and peace!  The answer?  Knowledge of God and Jesus.  When we have the true knowledge and base our lives upon that knowledge, God’s power grants us everything pertaining to life and godliness.  He can do this because of His own glory and excellence! 

 
Everything pertaining to life and godliness is a broad statement.  But I have found that it is true!  Yes, my basic needs are met and many of my wants, but even beyond that, He has given peace in the face of rejection, He has brought contentment in the moments of pain, He has guided us through times of despair and uncertainty.  When I am anxious, I look to God and His excellence and I am at peace to let Him rule and control!  Our God is good.  There have been times when I thought me needs were not met (especially the need for friendship) but He has drawn close and I have found the best friend ever!  Growing in godliness requires suffering.  He provides just enough to make us turn to Him, but not enough to break our spirit.  We may feel that we are being asked to trust beyond our ability, but then His Holy Spirit comes and we are made able!  He is ever near and He cares for us.

Fear

“But God has not given us a spirit of fear,

but of love, and power, and discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

I will always see a three year old Garrett and a two year old Nathan marching down the hallway past the basement door in Minot, ND and chanting this verse!  It worked.  Eventually they were no longer afraid to go by that dark doorway.

Discipline seems to get most of us.  But a life of discipline – doing what is right, reading God’s word, making Godly decisions, etc…will gain you great rewards.  Rewards of peace and love and power and self-respect and a right relationship with God.  Fear will keep you from these things.  Fear is Satan’s weapon.  It is not something that a Christian should put into their arsenal!  Remove fear far from you and trust in God Almighty!

God Cares

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that He may exalt you at the proper time,
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7

They that wait upon the Lord will gain new strength!  Waiting is the hardest thing that God asks us to do!  I often hear myself saying,” I don’t really care which way things go, but I want to know now so that I can adjust my life and thinking.”  God is teaching me to live one day at a time and not to borrow troubles from tomorrow.  But that takes practice and patience.  I can do it, and so can you, if we cast all your cares upon Him.  He cares for you and will take care of you in His infinite wisdom and timeless grace.  So don’t worry.  Wait with excited expectation about what God is going to accomplish in you, through you, and for you!

 

Job's "Pride" - God's Acceptance

“…because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has…and the Lord accepted Job.”

Job 42:8b-9b

 I was taught that Job did not sin, but then somewhere along the way, I heard the teaching that Job’s sin was pride.  That has been the prevalent teaching about Job for the past several years.  But we find at the beginning of Job that “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” (Job 2:10b) and then in chapter 42 that God accepted Job without the sacrifice that He required for Job’s friends.  What this tells me is that honest questioning and arguing and even being angry with God is not a sin if our heart’s desire is truth and revelation.  Jacob wrestled with God.  Dara has wrestled with God.  I bet you have too!  But the wrestling is not sin.  Pride would come after God revealed Himself and one was to say, “Too bad, I will do it my way.  I won’t trust God.  I don’t believe Him.”  What pride that would be! 

 Jesus is still the answer.  If He is not enough, go to Him and ask Him to reveal Himself.  Be ready for a storm though.  That is how He answered Job.  God takes the tough things in life to draw us to Him.  Don’t resent the bad times, but rather use them to draw near to God.