A Perverse Or Wholesome Tongue?

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. 

                                                                                     (Prov 15:1-4, 7 KJV)

God does see both the physical and mental abuse that goes on in this world. Nasty tones and attitudes do indeed stir up anger. They stir up hatred. They stir up division. 

It is human nature to become angry when offended. It is more Christ-like not to act upon that anger. It is best to walk away for your sake and everyone else around you. If an angry person is in need of aid help if you can and if they are willing to let you. But, do not become so involved in their lives that you risk the chance of becoming a person filled with anger yourself. Nothing good will come of it. The book of Proverbs reminds us: 

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. (Prov 22:24-25)

The world is full of anger and hate. But, we do not have to be. In Christ we have been born again. We do not have to live the old life that included so much anger. We can live in peace with joyful spirits when Christ abides in us and we in him.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Cor 13:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Storms With Jesus

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Matt 8:23-25

We all have weathered a storm or two or many more. There is a theology running rampant out in the world that tells us that if we are really Christians life will go smoothly; we will have everything that we want; all will go well for those who love Jesus.

The truth is: the followers of Jesus will encounter many storms. In fact, once you begin to truly follow him, you may find yourself  in more storms than you thought was possible and you will live and your faith will be strengthened, through them all.

Following Jesus, means being willing to love and serve God above all things; as well as, loving and serving our neighbors. That's not always looked upon kindly in a world that is all about "me, me, me..." No one likes to be reminded that there is more to life than looking out for "number one" all of the time. No one likes to be reminded that sin abounds in the world and that one might be assisting in the propagation of sin by those who deny the authority and the love of God. And... so there will be storms where the Christian walks. There will be storms around us; because, even as Jesus was rejected so shall the faithful follower of Jesus be.

If you're going to follow Jesus onto the seas, you should take stock and know that storms will surely arise. But, God, in Christ Jesus, will be with you in that boat.

Be not afraid for God is with you through the storms that you encounter for following Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J