What Appears to Be?
Since we have been speaking of slander and gossip this week I thought it may serve us well to share and old illustration I have had filed for several years. Perhaps this can be used to exhibit ongoing caution with “what appears to be.” As you read this, please remember one thing....”Vengeance is Mine saith the LORD of Hosts!”
How to Stop Church Gossip
Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused George, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the towns only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told George (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.
George, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny ... He said nothing. Later that evening, George quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house ... walked home ... and left it there all night.
Today is November 14. May we all be very careful with “what appears to be.”
Blessings,
Jim
How to Stop Church Gossip
Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused George, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the towns only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told George (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.
George, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny ... He said nothing. Later that evening, George quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house ... walked home ... and left it there all night.
Today is November 14. May we all be very careful with “what appears to be.”
Blessings,
Jim
The week has been very busy for my family and I, so it was only now that I was able to take the time to read and reflect on this weeks devotionals. As I read and apply each day to my present circumstances I can truly rejoice in the awesome power of a mighty God that we serve. On Monday the Lord blessed my family while He was with my mom during heart surgery and guided the doctors hand while placing two stint's in her right artery. Yes truly "great things". Tuesday, grief began to settle in my heart, but again God revealed his faithfulness to me. As brothers and sisters, believers in Christ Jesus began to minister to us. Emails, phone calls, visitors and words of encouragement began to pour out for us. Let us assume that He can do great and marvelous things and always lift one another up with encouragement as to not give Satan a stronghold of despair. Wednesday came and we planned to travel to see mom. She appeared to have struggled with her recovery this far, she was tired, worn out, yet optimistically hopeful. You see mom is a saint of the most high God, she calls Him Abba Father and He calls her His own. Although some would say that things appeared one way mom and all of us believe that He is still the Chief Physician and can and will heal today as He did in the past and will always do. Replace those false words with the truth, The Word of God. He has something to say about all things. Thursday was now here. After working all day we called mom. She had a friend come and visit her today and was extremely thankful. When we finished talking, prior to hanging up we prayed for a sweet nights sleep for mom and the protection of Almighty God to surround her, for His healing through the stripes He bore and for His unending presence in her life. She heard these uplifting words and I am sure she had a sweet night of rest. My heart rest easier knowing our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus is with her. So here is Friday. I took time to read the daily devotionals, not just for Friday, but also with anticipation to read the earlier devotionals to apply the truths they reveal to my own life. What this week has thought me is "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit" Proverbs 18:21. Will you let life flow from your mouth? What fruit will we eat? I prayer that the fruit of the Spirit would pour out upon us all, that our hearts would be convicted to follow the simple truths as expressed in this weeks devotionals. Speak of the great and marvelous things He has done. Assume nothing until the facts are known. Guard our speech the consequences will be revealed in heaven. Protect our hearing, just because it was said doesn't make it so, there is only one Truth search it and find the answers. Do not let appearances deceive us, "stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." John 7:24 It is with a grateful heart that I give thanks to you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
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