Taming that Tongue

I'm going to start this with Scripture and then tell a good piece I read today that led me to this very subject.

James 3:3-12

3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal.

4 And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

5 So too, though the tongue is a samll part [of the body], it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.

6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our [bodies]; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.

7 For every creature--animal or bird, reptile or fish--is tamed and has been tamed by man,

8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God's likeness.

10 Out of the same mouth come blessings and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way.

11 Does not a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?

12 Can a fig tree porduce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine [produce] figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

"With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God's likeness."

I've read this very chapter over and over and it never hit home until recently just how serious this is. This very verse never hit until lately. Think about it. When we talk poorly of someone, curse, shout or ridicule, we are putting our Lord down! We may bless Him but we still curse Him. How sad is that. Not to mention what we are doing by gossiping, sneering at, ridiculing, etc what that does to a person. Why do we continue to insist on bringing one another; our brothers and sisters; down?

Our tongue is an evil vessel when we do not control it. I'm soooo guilty of having an evil tongue that has started many a fire. This all while being in the flesh, not connected to the Lord. Now I have better control, but still balk at some of the things that escape my mouth. I really believe we all need to remind ourselves daily about how we use our tongue. Keep it in check.

So what brought me to this was a saying I came across today that really touched me. It is sooooo very true. This is the jest of, not the exact wording.

Although a persons reputation may have been repaired, it doesn't take away the fact that people still remember and carry with them, that which brought the scar upon the person in the first place.

So this to me says, control what you say, for you may ruin a person for life. A physical hurt can heal, a mental scar is there forever. Once you have said something you shouldn't have, it's there for good. You can't take it back no matter how hard you try.

Remember to use the "Fruit of the Spirit" when talking and in your actions. Be loving, share a smile, use kindness, love on one another. We never know what is going on in a persons life fully. Don't be their judge, be their friend, or their prayer warrior, or what ever it is that they need. Those that seem wicked, seem dirty, are doing something we don't agree with; need our prayer more than those that we see and know and have befriended. For does it not say in Matthew 5:43-48: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 47 and if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don't even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Hmmm, we are called upon to love our enemies. Do we do anything out of the ordinary? Or are we able to live "extraordinary" lives?

Be blessed everyone. Go out there and love on your neighbors, your "brothers and sisters." As I've heard for years; "If you have nothing good to say, then don't bother saying it at all." Boy was that ever good advice. Better to keep the tongue silent than to start a fire. :)

Praying for the Lost & Unsaved

God is so good! My heart hurts for those that do not know our Savior. I pray that someday soon they will come to know Him and realize how empty life is without Him. Those that know me know that I deal with chronic pain and illnesses at times (often). But you also know that I'm not going to give in to it, for I know there is a reason and God is taking care of me.
Talking with a beautiful woman from CCC; she offered a great testimony of this very thing. She had suffered from chronic pain and illness for years and had prayed, had others praying for and over her. She was in bad shape at times to where she could not even make it to church. She was battling with something out of her control and it had to be broken. Through faith and never giving up, she was finally released. For our God never gives up on us.
He also allows us to go through our trials and tribulations for good reason; to teach us and bring us closer to Him. I have family members that are struggling greatly--yes, we have a generational curse to be broken--and can not understand and tell me that they believe but can't help but wonder why they are allowed to endure so much. I keep reminding them that He never gives us more than we can handle and God is not the one that brings the pain of sin to us, we do that, with help of our ancestors. This all goes back to the very beginning of time with the creation of Adam and Eve, where sin first began. I wish I had the knowledge and the right words to comfort them more, but encourage them to read the Bible. Without the knowledge and reading of the Bible, they won't understand.
Do I ever get frustrated? Sure at times, but stop and remind myself that the frustration isn't going to help. I need to hold to faith and trust in Him to walk me through it. If it is a curse, then I'm going to fight it, rebuke it, and "never" give up. As my friend from church has proven, prosperity will prevail. My dear friends, never give up on Him. He will never forsake us. He loves us and wants us to be with Him. I encourage those that question Him, and/or don't believe in Him to give Him a chance. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Despite the trials, I for one have never been happier. I'm not a true show of how great He is, as I still wander way too much, that's when you see me going through some strange stuff. That's because I'm living the worldly ways and not God's way. Learn from my mistakes please those that know me and have not accepted Him that without Him, that's when live seems dreary.
This brings me to:

James 1:2-6 and James 1: 12-15 (CSB)
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you
experience various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your
faith produces endurance.

4 But endurance must do it's complete
work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

12 Bless is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him.

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, "I am being
tempted by God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone.

14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and
enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

His words are so beautiful! Finally can not get enough of His great word.
The only way you can fully get to know God is to read the Bible. It's the book of His instructions. When you start living by His word, you will experience something so beautiful. Ask Him to come into your hearts now. Get on your knees and pray and ask Him to come into your hearts! For there is no greater strength than to be on ones knees. GOD LOVES YOU! Never doubt it. Believe Him, Trust Him, Follow Him and you will never be disappointed. When your trials come, accept them, knowing that He is growing you and molding you into what He needs you to be to complete His great plan for us all!
For all you beautiful people that do believe, please take a stand with me and pray for the prodigals that He will go and find them and return them to His flock, and for those that are unsaved that they will come to know Him and believe in Him. Pray for Salvation over all our brothers and sisters so that we can all unite and rejoice in His great Name. Thank You Father for never giving up on us; for if you had, I for one would be living in misery. Since coming to you, there has been no greater peace, joy, and harmony. I thank you Father for leading hubby and I to you, for we have become a unit, we have become one in you. Our marriage was once falling apart, and now it is so strong all because of YOU! All the glory is YOURS! Jesus Saves! Believe it! Just ask anyone that has been saved. May the Lord Bless You!

Health Update

Saw the neurosurgeon today. As for the neck pain and headaches, he's thinking it is caused from stress and tension which is causing a pinched nerve, but wants to rule out other possibilities first. So had a neck x-ray done.

I tell you, I must be literally glowing by now with all the MRI's and x-rays taken in a years time.

Then we went on to the feet. This is a downer, but am trusting and believing in the Lord. (more below about my feet, felt compelled to add Scriptures here). This thought just come into my mind when it was filled with the words, Come Lord Jesus come, won't you come my Lord. The song on the next post just seems so befitting for today. Wow! How good is He!

Hosea 6:1
"Come, let us return to the Lord,
He has torn us to pieces;
now He will heal us.
He has injured us;
now He will bandage our wounds."

Matthew 4:23-24
23"Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness."
24 News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon-possessed or epileptic or paralyzed--He healed them all."

Matthew 8:16-17
"That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and He healed all the sick. 17This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,

'He took our sicknesses

and removed our diseases."

Matthew 15:30

"A vast crowd brought to Him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn't speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and He healed them all."

Mark 1:32-34

32"That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and He cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who He was, He did not allow them to speak."

Luke 8:50

"But when Jesus heard what had happened, He said to Jairus, 'Don't be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed."

Luke 17:19

"And Jesus said to the man, 'Stand up and go, for your faith has healed you."

James 5:16

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest power of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."

1Peter 24

"He personally carried your sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed."

All verses were taken from the NLT

There are so many references to God healing in the Bible. I only listed a handful of them. The one most important to remember I believe is 1Peter 24. Because of Jesus' great sacrifice we will be healed. Better known for "by His stripes we are healed." This is why I believe in healing. The Lord is mighty to save. He is the God of Love. The Lord of healing.

As for the results. The neck pain and headaches with the one day of numbness in the left side is still unknown for sure. The feet, I have something neuropathy. It is worse than he first thought. Basically my nerves are about shot in my left foot and pretty much so in the right foot. I have no feeling (which was a shock to me) from the tip of my toes to the top of my ankle on the left and almost as bad on the right.

He feels I have the onset of Type 2 diabetes if I don't already have it. I have to get rid of my belly fat. The way it was explained, when we age, we all will start to get a belly bulge. This happens as our bodies start to decompose inside. The first place it sends the extra toxins is to the base of the body, our feet. It is very important to keep the body fat in the belly down. So an important life style change has to happen quickly. I'm prone to heart attacks and strokes now as well. He is concerned about my feet and told me we are going to have to be very careful.

Also, when we carry the excess weight and the diseases start to occur, we are taking years off of our lives. Basically, I'm setting myself up for an early death in as early as 10 years if I don't start acting now. Talk about getting someones attention! That hit home. Well it all did, but that especially. Hubby and JJ are taking it much harder than I am. I just have to hold onto faith that the Good Lord is going to heal me. He will help me with the hunger pains. He will walk this journey with me. If I don't hold fast to Jesus, then I'm setting myself up for failure, as we can never take the journey on our own.

So there you have it. Change of lifestyle and eating habits, or miss out watching my grand kids grow and enjoy them. I chose to be around for many more years and make my body young again. It's all hereditary darn it. :( Okay, I know, no whining and no negativity. It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...Hee hee, no, no crying here. The Lord has given me a warning, and I'm blessed that He has told me now instead of when it's too late to do anything about it. Thank you God!!!

I so wanted to share this information with you all so that none of you ever have to experience this. Take good care of yourselves. Keep that darned bulge of aging away. I wish you all good health, healing for those who are facing health issues, strength for those facing other trials and tribulations and ask that the Lord fills all areas of weakness in your lives. May he bless you in every way. May you stretch out your hands to Him to give Him thanks and praise!

Thank You Father God for Your wonderful blessings You have shown me today. Thank You for all the wonderful people You have introduced to me through here, building a wonderful community of friendship that goes beyond. You are an awesome God! Thank You!!!

A Sue Happ Society?

Wow, timing! My son is listening to a pod cast right now and it is on hypocrisy. The pod cast is on Searchlight by Jon Courson. The story he shared reminded me of what a sue happy society we've become. It saddens me to hear how so many are suing for reasons that are just too far fetched. Have we become that desperate? I pray that these people will allow the Lord into their hearts and stop the idiosyncrasy's that allow them to react.

The story he was telling me about was a man that went in to have his stomach stapled as he had a serious eating habit. After the surgery, the man became hungry, so he got up, went to the nurses station and raided their refrigerator. In so doing, he popped the staples and ended up having another surgery. He is now suing the hospital for half a mil because they did not have the fridge locked! What????

It's because of people such as they that our medical costs keep climbing. Doctors get worried that they are going to be sued and hence come the higher costs so they can protect themselves from people of greed. Who can blame them?

Proverbs 28:25 reads: "A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper." NKJV

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reads:

9"Do you knot know that the unjust will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: no sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitues, homosexuals, 10 thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom. 11 Some of you were like this; but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God." NKJV

This is why we must pray as a group for these people to be saved. To pray that they will be saved before committing more of these atrocities that continue to hurt more and more people. Greed is a sin, greed does keep one from being with the Lord.

In Luke 12:15 we are warned of this: "He then told them, 'Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions." NKJV

Many areas throughout the Bible talk about Religious Hypocrisy.

Matthew Chapter 23 for instance with v 28: "In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." NKJV

Romans 12:9 reads: "Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good." NKJV

James 3:13-18 reads: "13 Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambitions in your heart, don't brag and lie in defiance of the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favortism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." NKJV

Of course v. 17 was about hypocrisy, but felt it important to add the whole paragraph on that one, as it explains what to and not to do. Luke Chapters 11 and 12 also discuss hypocrisy. Obviously this is a very important subject to take to heart.