Tongue

http://bible.us/111/JAS3.9.NIV With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Bible.com/app

James 3:9 NIV

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness

What an amazing verse.  It is so true.  I think I get myself in more trouble with my tongue. Even when I am hurt, it is when someone says something.  Why do we speak poorly of people?  Believers or otherwise?  People I don't like and people I don't know?  Lord, when I develop a thought that is offensive, please put a guard at my mouth so that it doesn't come out. 

Imagine a world where people really only said kind things??  Or at least honest, using words not meant to harm..... I say things to be funny, that end up hurting someone... (Although I do put my Natalie comment in here, I was not being unkind with Alyssa....).

Judgement and mercy

http://bible.us/111/JAS2.12.NIV Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, Bible.com/app

James 2:12-13 NIV

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Just last week the sermon was on judgement. And mercy.  Lord, give me a discerning heart, that comes from you.  Please give me your wisdom and your love.  May those I come in contact know I am yours by the love I show. 

Liberated by abounding love....

Lord Jesus, it is your abounding love that i need.  I need to feel it, and i need more, to show it to others in all of my dealings with people.  I become so easily offended that a parent would go to the school board.  Why is that father?  I have assisted this parent in having Wendy not report things to her any longer.....yet when i kindly explain a dress code violation, ....

Father, you know all of the details.  Lord, i lift up to you your school, and those that you have there. Thank you Jesus for your word.  Please lord, give me serenity, love peace and joy.  Thank you for your work on the cross. 

  Thhttp://bible.us/Phil1.9.NIV And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

What I need is Gods wisdom and discernment.  I also need His love, as the great of these faith, hope and love is love. 

Hebrews 12:1-3, 12-13 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Today's devotional
LIBERATED

Michelangelo saw the task of the sculptor as that of freeing figures from their marble prisons. In each block of stone, he saw some "person" then chipped away until that form emerged. Sometimes he failed, as with St. Matthew. This famous statue is only half-finished because Michelangelo could not get the stone to release the figure of the brilliant apostle.

Paul saw God as the Sculptor Who frees men from the prison of their carnal nature. He wrote to the Philippians that God was doing a great work in and on their lives and encouraged them to have confidence in His work. He assured the new believers that God is perfectly capable of "finishing" us as He desires, for His (and our) greatest good. This Master Sculptor never gives up, and no prison is too strong for His skilled eye and learned hand.

In yielding ourselves to the direction of the Master, we are being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11). All believers should remember that today's bumps and bruises may merely be the Master chiseling, working away at our lives until we are conformed to the image of His Son. Thus we relax, even though the chisel may bite, for we know His work is sure and the result well worth the moment's inconvenience.

Praying for lost loved ones

http://bible.us/Eph1.15.NIV For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Father, please open the eyes of our heart lord, that we would live you and desire to serve you more.   Jesus, thank you for changing my life with Miranda and Deven. Lord, I have done so many wrong things, even after I learned about you.  Jesus, please forgive my sin.  Lord give me your power and strength to live life in the way you would choose for me to live.  Change lives through me.  Draw others to you.  Lord Jesus, I desire to serve you.  Please use my life to reconcile people to you.  I lift up Miranda and Deven and Zach.  I pray that you go before Ian's funeral today Lord, and draw many of the young adults to you.   

Pray for our leaders....for a revival

I am praying for a revival...in my heart....my home...my church...my workplace...my city..?my state...my country.  Lord may you use me to influence those around me.  Show me how to love my husband. 

IMPROVING THE PREACHER

The Scottish pastor John Carmichael, serving his first church, was young and very frightened. He felt he was doing badly and that his people were looking at him with pity and contempt. One day, to his terror, the stern elders of the flock filed into his vestry. "Next Sabbath," they told him, "before you begin to speak, we ask you to say to yourself, 'They're all loving me.' And it's true; we will all be loving you very much." That meeting changed the young preacher's life, and he became recognized as one of the finest preachers Scotland ever produced.

Paul understood the pressures of the pastorate. He also understood that people could be a tremendous blessing to young Timothy as he tried to lead the church at Ephesus. Therefore, Paul told Timothy to admonish the people first of all to pray for their leaders. Praying people produce good pastors.

This advice is still good. And it goes for all men in positions of leadership. Before we criticize them, judge their actions, or disagree with their decisions, we are first to pray for them, intercede on their behalf, and thank God for them. We must always temper our complaints with prayers. May we pledge today to pray, as God's Word demands, for all those in authority.

http://bible.us/1Tim2.1.NIV 1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

So much good stuff

http://bible.us/John14.23.NIV Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

How to Experience His Presence in Your Everyday Life

Life is busy and filled with distractions. It's so easy to get caught up in our cares, errands and worries that we lose sight of what matters most.

There's an interesting little story at the end of Luke chapter two about when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem for Passover when He was twelve years old. After the festival was over, they left to go home, supposing He was with them.

I wonder how many times we suppose God's with us when we've wandered off to do our own thing?

Now here's the interesting part. Mary and Joseph had traveled a day's journey before they realized Jesus wasn't with them and then it took three days to find Him. Three days! The message here is that it's easier to lose that special presence of God than it is to get it back once we've lost it.

We need to be careful to remain in the presence of God. When we do, we make God feel at home in our hearts.

This simply starts with being obedient to His Word. A commitment to turn from behavior that offends God is the number one sign of spiritual maturity. It shows you care about what He thinks.

That means you choose to be generous toward others, you learn to forgive, let go of your offenses and live in peace. When we choose to be intentional with our words, giving thanks to God and lifting up others, we'll feel connected to God all throughout the day.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for making Your home in my heart. I need Your presence today, Lord. Help me to honor You with my thoughts and my words and to be a blessing to those around me.  Joyce Meyer

Teach me to love like you do

http://bible.us/1Tim1.5.NIV 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.