"Our Conversation"

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20

"Our conversation." I am going to get straight to the point this morning by asking you a question-- what do you spend your time talking about? What does your usual conversation consist of? Is your conversation centered around worldly things or godly things? Is your conversation always negative? Are you always murmuring and complaining, belittling, criticizing and gossiping about someone else? Does your conversation encourage or discourage others? Do the things that others hear you say relay a message of defeat or victory to them? Do your words inspire those who hear them? Do they bring them hope? Is it easy or hard for others to tell that you are a follower of Jesus by the conversations they hear you engaged in?

We may not think that our conversation has much of an influence on others but it does. The things we say can either build up or destroy; bring life or death; bring hurt or healing. Perhaps you haven't been giving much thought to the things that you say, or to the things that others hear you say. Often, those who don't know Christ as Savior are turned off and don't want Him for two reasons- 1) they don't see Him in those who profess to be Christians- instead they see hypocrisy; 2) they don't hear the things coming from our mouths that would give them a reason to desire to know Him.

It's time that we start becoming more aware of what we are saying. Our speech should always be "seasoned with grace"- pleasant and wholesome. Kindness should always be in our mouths. Words of faith should be at the center of our conversations. Praise for the Lord should be continually in our mouths. Our words should always edify and never pull someone else down. They should be full of wisdom. They should never speak that which is evil. Our words should be truthful and not deceitful.

There is far too much to say about our words and conversations than I can write this morning, but the Bible puts great importance upon them. My primary focus was on how our conversations either help bring someone to Christ because they hear uplifting words that glorify Him, or they turn them away because they hear the opposite coming from someone who professes to know Him. If God uses preaching- that's our words- to spread His gospel, then by the same token, our words can also hinder the spreading of the gospel if they are not the right kind of words.

Have a great day. What is the topic of most of your conversations, and what kind of words are always coming out of your mouth?

For further reading:
Colossians 4:5
Proverbs 3126; 10:20; 18:21; 15:2
Romans 10:8
Psalms 34:13

"Rejoice In The Lord"

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Not everything that happens to us each day causes us to "rejoice". There are situations that arise, events that take place, circumstances that occur that we can't rejoice over. Today we might get a bad report from the doctor- that is nothing to rejoice over. Our teenage daughter might tell us she is pregnant out of wedlock- we can't rejoice over that. We might find out our spouse has been cheating on us- no one can rejoice over that. The boss might give us the pink slip and tell us to pack up our things we no longer work for them- that is not something we can rejoice over either.

The scripture doesn't tell us to rejoice about the bad things that come our way. It doesn't mean we are to rejoice because some bad or evil thing happened. The rejoicing that it is talking about is in the Lord. In the Book of Philippians we are told to, "Rejoice in the Lord always", and it is even repeated, "And again I say, rejoice".

The rejoicing is not in the thing that happened but in the Lord. I will rejoice because even though this or that happened it can't separate me from the love of God- He will continue to love me. I will rejoice because, even though it was bad, the Lord will make all things work together for my good. I will rejoice because even though some terrible thing has formed against me, the Lord will see to it that it does not prosper. I can't rejoice when evil comes, but I can rejoice in the Lord who will deliver me from evil. I can't rejoice about the battles that rage against me, but I can rejoice in the Lord because He fights my battles for me. I will rejoice in the fact that the Lord is still in control- not my circumstances. I will rejoice in the Lord because I know He sees what is happening and will not leave me nor forsake me but will make a way for me.

While I can't rejoice about a bad thing that may happen in my life today, I can rejoice in the Lord who does not change and who is with me always. Therefore, I will rejoice in the Lord today even when bad things come my way.

Have a great day. Our rejoicing is in the faithfulness, goodness, tender mercies and grace of God- not in the bad things that happen.

For further reading:
Philippians 4:4
Isaiah 61:10
Psalm 97:12; 34:1,2
Habakkuk 3:17-19

"The Right Time"

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23

Often when we think about our steps being ordered, we think in terms of "where" they are ordered. As in the Lord ordering our steps in this direction or that direction, to this place or that place. But His ordering of our steps also means "when" they are ordered. Our steps are ordered to go at a particular time as well as to a particular place.

I know from experience that there have been times I knew the Lord was leading me in a matter, or I needed to be at a certain place, but I could not seem to get there when I started to go. Obstacles and hindrances kept coming in my way. When I finally did "get there", the timing could not have been any more perfect. I did not arrive at my destination one minute early or one minute late, but just at the right time.

We need to learn how to rest in the fact that our steps as believers are truly ordered by the Lord. He orders them where to go, but He also orders them when to go. Let me make it clear that I am not talking about laziness- just sitting back and never moving forward at all. I am talking about resting in the fact that as you are following the Lord, He will direct your steps to be where they need to be and when they need to be there. A perfect example is the story of Jesus and Lazarus. Jesus received word that Lazarus was ill and his sisters asked for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus did not go immediately, as He had at other times when requested by someone to come and heal a person. He waited four days then He went. By that time Lazarus had already died. Both of Lazarus's sisters accused Jesus concerning His timing for coming, "Lord, if thou had been here, my brother had not died". In other words, "If You had come sooner he would still be alive, but You are late. Jesus was never late- or early, for that matter- Jesus was always on time. In our scheme of things Jesus was late, in God's scheme of things He was right on time. As a result of His waiting, yes, Lazarus died, but a greater miracle took place that day. And it happened because the Father ordered Jesus' steps, not just to the right place but to the right place at the right time.

The timing may look "off" to you, but just know that our time is not God's time and if we follow His timing, it will always be the "right time".

Have a great day. The Lord orders our steps to "where" they need to be, and "when" they need to be there.

For further reading:
Proverbs 16:9
John 11:1-45

"God Has A Plan"

"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." Genesis 45:5

Not everything in life goes the way we hope, desire or plan. Situations arise, plans get changed, things happen. We may not, and usually don't, understand why it is happening. I can only imagine what was going through Joseph's mind when his brothers took hold of him and threw him in a pit. From that moment on his world would forever change, all his dreams and hopes lay behind him, all his plans ended, his future looked uncertain.

When we read the story of Joseph, we are able to read it all at once. We can start at the beginning and skip to the end and know the outcome immediately. Being able to skip right to the end gives us the ability to see that God had a plan for all that happened to Joseph. Joseph did not have that advantage, he did not know from day to day what would happen to him. He did not know how his life was going to end. He didn't know while he was in the pit that he would one day be a ruler in Egypt.

Like Joseph, when we are going through situations that we don't understand, we don't have the luxury of knowing the outcome. I am sure that during the years in prison Joseph didn't see that there was a plan behind what was happening to him, but there was. Again, like Joseph, we can't always see that there is a plan at work behind what is happening to us. But there is. There was for Joseph and there is for us.

When we don't understand what is going on or why this thing is happening to us, we need to remember-- God has a plan. Don't let it shake you- God has a plan. Don't let it rattle you-- God has a plan. Don't worry- God has a plan. The situation may look bleak, but God has a plan. The furnace may be hot, but God has a plan. The lions may be roaring all around you, but God has a plan. The Red Sea may be before you, but God has a plan.

God is aware of what you are going through. It hasn't taken Him by surprise. And He will make all things- this included- work together for the good, because He has a plan.

Have a great day. Whatever you are going through this morning, you may not understand it, you may not have the ability to see the outcome, but remember this- God has a plan, and this will work together for your good.

For further reading:
Romans 8:28
Genesis 45:6-8

"Blessed Are The Merciful"

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 5:7

The dictionary defines the word mercy as: A refraining from harming or punishing offenders, enemies, etc. Kindness in excess of what may be expected. A disposition to give or be kind. The power to forgive or be kind; clemency. Kind or compassionate treatment. Blessings.

According to the definition, mercy is always directed toward an offender, enemy, a transgressor, etc. It wasn't until after Adam and Eve sinned against God by breaking His command that they needed mercy. When they sinned, God's mercy and grace stepped into the picture. Mercy withholds what is deserved. They deserved punishment, and while the consequences of their sins came upon them- they lost that intimate relationship with the Lord, a curse came upon them and the ground, they were driven out of the Garden, they had to sweat and toil in their work, they would begin to have pain, sorrow and suffering, and were under the death sentence and brought that sentence upon all mankind- the punishment for their sins would be placed on Jesus at the cross. This is where God's mercy and grace stepped into the lives of humanity. Our punishment was taken by Jesus (that's mercy) and the opportunity was given through His punishment for us to have forgiveness of our sins and everlasting life (that's grace).

God's mercy has stepped into our lives more times than we realize or could count. The greatest evidence of His mercy was when we came to Him in repentance for our sins and received Jesus as Savior and Lord. He did not turn us away and reject us. He forgave us and welcomed us into His family. And even now that we are His children, there are times when we fail, disobey or act stubborn, but God's mercy and grace are still being poured out on us by loving and forgiving us each time.

Beloved, if God has shown us so much mercy, should we not do the same to others? We have freely received His mercy, should we not also freely give it? He gave it to us when we were His enemies, when we were the offender, when we sinned against Him, should we not do the same to those who offend us? Yes we should.- for two reasons. 1) We should show mercy because we bear the likeness and character of our Heavenly Father. So as His children we should be like He is and do what He does. He is merciful, therefore, we should be merciful. 2) There is a Biblical principle that says- you reap what you sow. If we are not merciful, then we won't receive/reap mercy when we need it.

Today you need to check your "mercy level". Are you walking in mercy by being merciful with those who fail or have offended you? Are you giving to others the same mercy you have received? As God's child are you exhibiting His character to others by showing mercy? Or are you being merciless- taking revenge, holding a grudge, being cruel and unkind?

Have a great day. Mercy is not needed if there is no offense, but when there is-- are you merciful?

For further reading:
Matthew 10:8
2 Samuel 22:26
Psalm 18:25
Galatians 6:7