Speech
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2024
Random thoughts from my early morning reading to get you thinking:
I wish I did it more often: As a pastor I speak a lot of words-some unsolicited (Hmmmmm), some as part of a conversation, and some much-needed and appreciated. Words of encouragement. Words of guidance. And sometimes…sometimes…words of wisdom. 🙂 It goes without saying that I don’t always have the right answer or, in fact, the right anything. But sometimes I say the right thing to fit the occasion or the person’s need. Proverbs 25:11 says, “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.” (NLT) The ESV translates that verse as “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
Will my words be remembered for the hope, direction, encouragement and wisdom they gave? Now THAT is something to think about!
On faith: I’ve always been intrigued by the story in Mark 9 of the father with the demon-possessed son and his encounter with Jesus. When Jesus comes on the scene, His disciples have been unable to cast a demon out of a young boy. The father than asks Jesus to do it. The exchange is what intrigues me:
- Jesus: “How long has this been happening?”
- Father: “Since he was a little boy…Have mercy on us and help us, IF YOU CAN.” (emphasis mine)
- Jesus: “What do you mean ‘If I can?’ Anything is possible if a person believes.”
- Father: “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Jesus then heals the boy by casting out the demon. The issue is not casting out the demon but the man’s faith. My way of seeing this is like the man is saying (using a ruler as an example), “I have 5 inches of faith. Make it 12 inches.” Simplistic I know. But the man is simply saying, “What I have I bring. Help me have greater faith.” Jesus obliged.
Warning: this is not a name-it claim-it example. It is simply an example of Jesus’ ability to do the miraculous even if all we have is a mustard seed of faith. Bring what we have and trust.
There is more from Mark 9 to chat about but maybe another day. I’ll simply say, “Think on these things.”
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Tags: Christian Living, Faith/Feelings, Faith/Trust, God's Plan, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech
Thursday, July 18th, 2024
I am posting this later than I usually do. I got to the office at 5:00 as I normally do and all the power was out-all the businesses, stoplights, etc. So I went back home until I called the business next to us and she said they had full power. I apologize for being late.
I have written often about our speech and the power of the tongue. I think we all know of that danger. While I had another idea percolating in my head this morning, I was overwhelmed by what I found in Proverbs 18. I’ll write the Scripture out for you here in order to make it easier, but I’d like to suggest that you read your own Bible and highlight the following verses:
“Wise words are like deep water; wisdom blows from the wise like a bubbling brook.” (verse 4)
“Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.” (verse 6
“The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.” (verse 7)
“Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.” (verse 8)Â {Note: we all know how rumors get passed on}
“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (verse 13)
“Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.” (verse 20)
“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (verse 21)
“The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.” (verse 23)
And then to top if off I also read from Matthew 12 this morning: “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (verses 34-37)
That just closes the book on the seriousness of our words. Listen up! Be careful today (and always) of the words you say.
{All Scripture from the New Living Translation}
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God's Word, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Weighing Words
Monday, May 20th, 2024
WISE WORDS TO BE REMEMBERED:
I chose the heading for this devotion based on Proverbs 20:15- “Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.”
I’m suspecting there are many in our world who would vehemently disagree with those words. That shows how truly unwise they are. To think pursuing physical comfort and material wealth (represented by gold and rubies) is the end all is setting that person up for failure and disappointment. But rather than write about the shallowness of pursuing earthly satisfaction, I thought I would highlight a few more of the verses of Proverbs 20 to show why verse 15 is so spot on. Here are some wise words to remember:
Verse 1: “Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.” All of us have seen the devastating results of too much alcohol. An alcohol addiction is serious and must be dealt with. Check out Sober Cycle by Sherry Hoppen for more on this.
Verse 7- “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.” Integrity has been defined as “who you are when no one is looking.” Who better to see us in all our “raw life” away from the adoring crowds than our children? I’m not sure there can be a greater blessing than to see my children follow me as I follow Jesus.
Verse 19- “A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” I heard someone say just last night: “You are who you hang with.” Whether by reputation or guilt by association, being known for being a chatterer is not a badge of honor.
Verse 22- “Don’t say, ‘I will get even for this wrong.’ Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.” Not much to add to that one is there? Elsewhere in the Bible it says, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay says the Lord.”
Verse 29- “The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.” (What about no hair? 🙂 ). Seriously, there is something to be said about age and wisdom.
I would encourage you to read Proverbs 20. In fact, a good practice is to read a chapter of Proverbs a day. There are 31 chapters so in one month you can read through the book. I like to highlight a different verse each time I read using a different colored highlighter. Take a moment to read Proverbs 20. Any wise words stick out to you?
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God's Word, Lifestyle, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Truth Telling, Wisdom
Thursday, May 16th, 2024
There are a lot of ways to destroy a church, a business, or even a friendship. Since my job is the pastor of a church, let me focus on that.
First, it is really important to clarify a term. By church I am NOT referring to any physical structures. A physical structure can be destroyed any number of ways (like many around the world are today), but the church can go on…and does. A natural disaster. A mob bent on destruction. A vengeful act. An act of hatred. Houses of worship can be leveled.
But a more insidious type of destruction is one from within. A wolf in sheep’s clothing can sneak in and spread false teaching. A leader can “ride herd” on a church and bring it to its knees (check out 3 John 9-10 and the story of Diotrephes). There is one type I think that brings more churches to its knees (not in a good way) than just about any other. This verse from Proverbs 16:28 says all that needs said: “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” (NLT)
It’s easy to see. You want to destroy a church? You want to destroy a company? You want to destroy a friendship? Gossip. Be a troublemaker. Or let them go unchecked. Let it go unchecked and watch the dominoes fall. Little by little. Piece by piece. All that will be left is a pile of ashes or rubble. If the enemy can get the people inside bickering, talking smack, spreading poison or something as ugly, he will have found the way to bring the church down. It is the most effective way and he didn’t need a bulldozer to accomplish his feat.
Don’t be part of the problem; be part of the solution. Stop the gossip and the gossiper.
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Tags: Christian Living, Church, Gossip, Grace, Humility, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Troublemaker
Monday, May 13th, 2024
Have you ever gotten the feeling that God is trying to teach you something, or, at least, prepare you? I had one of those mornings.
#1- It started off as I read something by Pastor Greg Laurie. In his devotional book, Every Day with Jesus, he wrote:
A tongue controlled by Jesus Christ can be a great blessing. But uncontrolled, it can do much damage. Just as a horse is controlled by a bit, we are controlled by our words. (Week 20-p.115)
#2- The psalmist, David, wrote, “You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say.” (Ps.17:3)
#3- “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” (Pr. 13:3)
The verdict? No coincidence. There is a lesson to be learned. So I say to myself: Learn it. I suggest to you: Learn it. Watch what you say today (or maybe down the road since God may be preparing you for what is to come). No lesson is wasted.
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Tags: Christian Living, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Tongue, Weighing Words
Wednesday, March 13th, 2024
We have several sayings directed at people who act rashly:
“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”
“Think before you speak.” Or a variant of that is “Think before you act.”
Sadly, we are a people of inflamed passions. I’m not speaking of the sexual, although that certainly can be included. I’m actually referring to our emotional state. How often have you seen (or been guilty yourself) of acting or reacting before you have thought out the consequences? You blow someone’s doors off and the collateral damage is huge. I once confronted someone who had a habit of blowing up at people-telling them off in a sense-and then acting like nothing happened. I asked her, “Why do you do that?” “Do what?” “You blow up at people, tell them off, then act as though nothing is wrong, as though all is forgiven and over.” “I tell them so they will know how I feel, then it’s over.” I said, “So is a tornado or hurricane. It unleashes its fury and then moves on, but look at the damage it leaves in its wake.” I let her think about that for a moment, then left. I’m not sure she ever learned the lesson!
Proverbs 13:16 says, “Wise people think before they act; fools don’t-and even brag about their foolishness.” (NLT)
Don’t be a fool. Think before you speak. Think before you act. Don’t be known as “one of those people.” You know…the kind of person others want to avoid.
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Fools, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Story
Wednesday, January 10th, 2024
The power of the tongue seems to be a common theme in Proverbs. Probably the most forthright and pointed reference to the tongue in the New Testament is found in James 3. Just a few picked and chosen from 3:1-12. “But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire…it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison…” If you have access to a Bible, I’d like to encourage you to read James 3:1-12 in its entirety.
Proverbs 10 is full of verses dealing with the tongue. Please get your Bible and read verses 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 31, and 32. I highlighted verse 19 this morning: “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” (NLT)
This hits home. I’m a talker. I’m very social (they call us “extroverts”). And I am. Jo just shakes her head sometimes when I strike up a conversation with a clerk or a total stranger in the store. I love children, especially those as gregarious as me, and Jo has to remind me to be careful who I talk to. Some parents are leery of adults who talk to their children. At the ball fields this past summer, kids I read to in school would come to me and say, “Mr. Bill!” and then want to give me a hug. (I did group hugs when I was done reading). Some parents stared at me and I had to introduce and explain who I was and how I knew their child. And yes, sometimes I talk too much. Someone said about me that “He assumes a familiarity that is not there.” Guilty as charged.
And sometimes, more so in the past when I was younger and less cautious and disciplined, I said too much. It got me in trouble. You know the old adage, “Open mouth insert foot?” That was written about me. I’ve swallowed a lot of socks in my day. I didn’t always heed Proverbs 10:19 nor did I listen and learn very well from James 3.
Those words on the pages of the Bible are there for a reason. Learn from them. Take it from a recovering talker. Be wise. Keep your mouth shut. You can’t ever regret something you don’t say.
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Extrovert, God's Word, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech
Tuesday, September 5th, 2023
There is one word-in leadership and in life-that never has and never will go out of style.
That one word? I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y.
Integrity has been defined as “who you are when no one’s looking.” That is a pretty spot on definition but in some ways it is almost incomplete. I get what the definition is saying. Many people are one way in public and another in private. The “up front” persona picture people see is no where near the “in secret” persona. I’ll let you pursue that thought on your own.
But I also think that saying might be a tad bit short on meaning. Being who we are behind the scenes as we are up front is vital. But…what do people see up front? It is someone worth emulating? Is it someone worth following?
I was reminded of that this morning as I read Titus 2:7-8- “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Do you see the word “model?” Do you see the words “integrity, dignity, and sound speech?” Those are some serious words! And they come with some meaning and challenge. My translation of that verse is “Live in such a way that when someone says something bad about you people will know they are lying.”
I thought of the Apostle Peter’s words in I Peter 3:16-17- “Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
Integrity means being who we say we are-in private and in public.
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Tags: Character, Christian Living, Integrity, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Story, Truth Telling
Thursday, August 17th, 2023
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9 (ESV)
While many are quick to condemn lying, stealing, adultery, idolatry, homosexuality-you know…the so-called “big sins”- a pass is often given to another devastating and life-ruining sin: GOSSIP. I’m thinking more lives have been ruined by gossip than possibly all the others combined.
No, I’m not downgrading the severity of the so-called “big sins” in relation to a soul, but gossip is carried on regularly with seemingly no guilt.
The proverb above can be looked at two ways. One, it could involve me and another person. If someone does something to me, I could either choose to love and forgive, or spread to others what has been done. That other person and I will likely never again be close friends (if friends at all).Â
Or two, I could be a witness to someone being hurt and spread the event with my tainted opinion. Again, instead of being one who helps others reconcile, I become the one who splits them.
James tells us the tongue is “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8) We can talk about swearing and cursing, but gossip may be the cruelest of all.
Go by this: if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all. Keep the gossip to yourself.
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Tags: Christian Living, Forgiveness, Friendship, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Story, Truth Telling
Thursday, July 13th, 2023
INFLUENCE. Someone has said, “Leadership is influence.” That is a big word which goes both ways. I Corinthians 15:33 says, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” That is true so I hope and pray that when people are around me I encourage them. I lift them up. I influence them for the good. Ultimately, I want them to consider Jesus-a follower of Him or not.
But sometimes it is the other way around and it comes when I least expect it. Yesterday was a perfect example.
At lunch time I met with a young man whom I have known for a little over 6 years. I met him and his young family when they returned from a traumatic time in South Sudan where they had served as missionaries. Their experience, while it had its good points, was very draining. Spiritually. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically. God, in His marvelous way and plan has brought healing. Next week he, his wife, and now three children (it was one when they came home), are heading to Nairobi, Kenya as missionaries. They are going to encourage other missionaries who are in the place they were. Their home will be a sanctuary for recovery and rest. His heart for God and for other missionaries shows God’s power in healing their hearts. I came away encouraged.
Then last night Jo and I took a young family (a young couple and their three children (5, 3, and a newborn) to the Mexican restaurant for a meal away from home. We figured they could use it. 🙂 (And I never heard Jo complain about eating out…ever). They are a wonderful couple/family, obviously in love, and have two delightful children and one who I’m sure will be loved, smothered, and nurtured by mom and dad and big brother and big sister. Jo went away saying, “I like them. They are so real and down to earth.” I agree. She also said she never heard the husband talk so much. 🙂
It did my heart good to be influenced. As a pastor, I am the one who is usually expected to influence and encourage. And I tried to do so in both conversations. But it was also good to be encouraged by simple conversations and shared lives.
So let me ask you: who and how have you influenced people lately?
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Tags: Christian Living, Humility, Influence, Kindness, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech, Story
