The Bible mentions the tongue in a few places. James 3:5 and 8 say, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." 1Peter 3:10 says, "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile."  

I have a buckin' bronco in my mouth that spews words that fly like poison darts! I use my tongue for a lot of things. I protect my "self esteem" with it. I also protect my "pride." I put people "in their place" with it. There are plenty of stupid reasons I can come up with!

God has been helping me with this horrible problem I have. I still have a long way to go before I can say I have the problem licked. (Ooh, is that a pun?) It is very hard to do anything about it myself! Even as I hear my words floating in the air I know I shouldn't have said them!

 I pray that God "set a watch before my mouth and keep the door of my lips." I need His help in slamming that door of my lips before any ugly things are spoken. I can't do it by myself! He is willing to help with this problem.

Thank God!!

In many circumstances we do things differently depending on who is looking and depending on who will benefit from what we are doing. We do not always give everything our best effort. Many times we do things unwillingly and with a grumbling spirit. Try doing as the scripture suggests and do everything as if you are doing it for God and not for men.

 If you feel you never receive the recognition and appreciation you deserve that will change. God always sees what you do and always appreciates the fact that you are doing it for Him. You will be rewarded in some way. Your most immediate reward is you will lose the angry and grumbling attitudes that you might have had. You will enjoy what you are doing because you know it is appreciated. Remember, it goes for whatever you do. . .making meals, shoveling doggy poo poo, cleaning toilets, taking out the garbage, scraping gum off the sidewalk. . . .everything! What will it hurt to try it?

The Bible encourages people to assemble together in the name of Jesus. Matthew 18:20 tells us that Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." That would be one good reason. Other Christians need our encouragement, help, love, and friendship. Without that it is too easy to slip into the worldly ways and attitudes of our secular friends. The strongest and best friendships come from Christian friends.

Of course, the biggest hurts can also come from Christian friends. Christians are humans and as humans they have weaknesses and faults. If they choose to not treat you with love and kindness as the Bible tells them to do then that is their choice and you get hurt. You, too, have choices on how to treat people and how to act. I encourage you to get together with other Christians at a church or in a Bible study. It will benefit you.

Oh yes, if you are the one with the excuse of not wanting to fellowship with hypocrites then think about this. . .by not fellowshipping you are disobeying the scripture above. By calling others hypocrites you are judging them. In Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus said:

 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Leaven is yeast. To make bread you need to add yeast to the flour mixture. The yeast causes the dough to increase in size by fluffing the dough up with air. It only takes a small amount of yeast to cause a large amount of dough to rise.

You are probably thinking by now, "And your point is?" The things that we do and say are like rotten apples or yeast. One small thing can become a very large out-of-control thing.

Having had three sons, I have learned that my sons' behavior often hinged on what type of friends they had. It is a common thing for kids to get involved in a bad activity as a group when as individuals, the kids would never have become involved in that particular activity. Often, it is only one kid's idea to participate in that activity. If the kid is a persuasive individual or has assumed a leadership position then the others tend to follow along even if they know they shouldn't. The one "bad apple" causes the entire group to become "rotten."

The "rotten apple" process can also take place in the life of an individual. Have you ever noticed what happens when you allow yourself to do something you know is wrong? We think one tiny discretion won't make a difference. Then we find ourselves doing the same and more once we have opened the door to that temptation. If one tiny one is OK then what difference does it make to do another tiny one, then another, then a larger one . . . ?

That process can also be applied in a reverse fashion to the things we should do and we don't. I have found that if I deviate from a pattern of reading my Bible every day it becomes easy to not read it for two days in a row, then three, etc.

We need to continually examine our lives for rotten apples that need to be removed. We also need to be careful not to allow any to enter our lives in the first place!

Throughout the day, what are you thinking? Are you thinking about the concerns you have about money, health, or family? Are you thinking about current projects, bills, or repairs needed on your car?

God knows what you need to survive in this world. He knows the things that are on your heart and mind. Remember, Matthew 10:30 tells us that God has "the very hairs of your head . . . numbered." Verse 31 tells us not to fear because we "are of more value than many sparrows." (This follows the scripture where it tells us that God even knows when a sparrow falls to the ground.) He loves you and knows all about you and what you need.

If we only set our minds on Him instead of the things in this world that seem so important, He will take care of us. Who is more capable of taking care of you? If you said it was yourself, think about the fact that God created the entire universe. Think about how perfect each plant and animal is made. Think about how the air we breathe is formed. Think about how each snowflake is different. Think about how each person is different. Now, answer that question again. The answer is - - God is more capable.

"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:31-33)

Find out what God wants you to do, think about, and say. Turn your mind on Him. He will take care of you because He loves you.

I'm going to give you a word and I want you to analyze what your thoughts are when you hear the word. The word is: television.

Done analyzing? Most people will have the thought that they watch too much television. The fact is that nearly everyone watches too much television. I had my Sunday school class do a project that may help explain to you what I mean. I had them make a chart with two columns. One column was headed, "God likes," and the other was, "God doesn't like." I asked them to put the list next to where they sit to watch TV. They were to write the name of each show they watched in one column or the other. Why don't you try it and see what happens?

There are many television shows that seem innocent enough. Maybe they are. However, what things would you do if you had not turned on the TV at all? What things would God want you to do? When you look at it that way the "innocent" show becomes less innocent.

When two people are watching television together, they are not "together." They are physically together, but mentally separated. Usually the only conversation that takes place is during commercials, if at all. Families, in general, have pulled away from family activities such as games, projects, and talking. Individuals that say they do not have time for prayer and reading their Bibles are probably finding time to watch TV.

I used television as an example of setting a "wicked thing" before your eyes. It is, for the most part, created by "them that turn aside" as the scripture says. Satan uses TV as a tool to keep people separated from God. Think about it.

The things you set before your eyes cleave (attach themselves) to you. Have you ever heard the phrase, "garbage in, garbage out?" What you put in your mind is what will end up coming out. The things you put in front of your eyes will affect your mind and heart. Your mind and heart will affect your family, your friends, and anyone you come into contact with.

It's not just TV. It's books, newspapers, people you hang around with, places you go, and much more. Why don't you find out what you should be doing. Listen to what the Lord places on your heart. If you feel it is wrong to be doing something then the chances are that the Lord is helping you to make a decision.

My main problem is with the things I say to my husband. The poor guy, he sure has to take a lot from me. Now, I've got some really good excuses for saying some of the things that I say. I just started on hormone therapy (is that what it's called??) because I've been suffering from some major heat flashes (have you noticed how the southwestern portion of the United States has been unseasonable warm lately?) and I'm experiencing some weird mood swings. Plus, my allergies have gone berserk and are the worst they've been in years. My eyes are watering as I am typing right now. When my sinuses begin acting up it wears me down physically and then mentally in a short period of time. I guess you can sum it all up as, "I'm a woman on the edge!"

So, you see I can't help what I say and how I say it. WRONG! I usually know it's wrong before it ever exits my mouth. Then if it turns wrong midstream, I know it is wrong as I hear it floating in the air in front of my mouth. What can I do??

1. Pray that I only speak the words that God wants me to speak.

2. Shut my mouth and resist the temptation to be "right" to be "smart" or whatever I think might be gained by saying something I shouldn't.

3. Apologize immediately for the things I shouldn't have said or for the tone of voice I used to say something that was OK to say.

Now, back to our scripture. The words you say are like the firebrands tied between the tails of the foxes. The foxes take off running and spinning in all directions lighting things on fire as they go. The destruction is unpredictable and probably widespread. Imagine your words ripping through a person, doing damage as they go. You know that they are hurtful when they leave your mouth, but you really have no idea how badly your words are hurting as they go.

God doesn't want you speaking things you shouldn't. He will help you. You have to be willing to accept the help and, more importantly, you have to be willing to stop saying the things you shouldn't. Pray each morning as you get out of bed that you would only speak the things that God wants you to speak. Keep your mind on Him all throughout the day. He will warn you when something you are about to say is not right. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. You CAN do it! (If you have a relapse just do #3 above and keep trying.)

There are many reasons why we become conformed to this world. We are surrounded by it. Society expects you to conform. You will look like an oddball if you don't conform. Your friends and family do it. You were probably brought up by your parents to do it. It's the easy way.

If we are to be representatives of God, Himself, we have to reflect Him. People have to see Him in us or our witness is worthless. We will have nothing different than anyone else. We can become unusable by Him.

We have to renew our mind. How? Let's use an object lesson. I used to use these when I was teaching kids in Sunday School. Let's imagine a cup full of coffee sitting in the sink. Let's pour water into it. What happens? The water mixes in with the coffee, the coffee is weakened, and the excess runs out off the top into the sink. Pour more water into it. The coffee becomes weaker. More water. Weaker coffee. Now add lots and lots of water. Eventually the coffee is gone and the cup contains water only.

The water represents the Word of God. The coffee is worldly ideas. The difference is that the world is continuously pouring more coffee into your cup. You have to continuously pour the Word. Once you slow down on filling with the Word then you will find yourself having more and more worldly thoughts and ideas. I know. I've been there over and over. Let's look at more scriptures on the topic.

Ephesians 4:22-32, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Colossians 3:1-2, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Read the rest of chapter 3 yourself)

1John 2:15-16, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

1John 5:18-21, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." Idols don't have to be statues of other gods. Anything that causes you to focus attention on something other than God can be an idol.

Go read chapter 5 in Ephesians. It is too long to put here.

What will happen if you don't conform? People who don't understand will stay away from you. They will probably talk about how weird you are to other people. Worldly people will not be comfortable around you. People who know they shouldn't be doing certain things will feel conviction and probably won't like it. Keep in mind, however, that it isn't you that they dislike. 1Thess 4:7-8 tells us, "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit." You will get the brunt of it since it is you that they see and hear, but it is God, Himself, with whom they have the problem.

Those that are seeking peace and seeking a better way will be attracted to you. They will see glimpses of the love that is God, the peace that He gives, and the comfort He bestows. You will become a people magnet of sorts. God, Himself, will be drawing people your way. If you are filled with the Word, and if you are sensitive to His Spirit, then you will be ready to minister. You will be a useable vessel, fit to be used by God.

It won't be easy. You will have to continuously work at it. You have to keep reading your Bible. I mean KEEP reading. Don't stop once you have read it through once, twice, or even three times. If you don't enjoy plugging through then mix it up. I've read the New Testament many more times than the Old. I've read some parts of the Old more than others. I've done mini Bible studies of my own on different topics. I'll pick a topic, such as baptism or salvation, and look up verses in my concordance and Bible dictionary. One verse will lead to another.

All the while I have to be praying that God open my eyes to what I am reading. It is important that we not only fill ourselves with the Word of God, but that we stay in continuous physical contact with Him as well. By physical contact, I mean we have to be listening to and speaking to God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If you don't know how to pray then you may want to read Praying More Effectively.

He placed us here on purpose. We are all part of the "times before appointed," God's plan. We are each gifted differently. We are each part of a giant puzzle. We are designed to fit in a particular place. We are not here for ourselves, we are here for each other. He created us to love one another and to love Him. He created us out of love. It really is as simple as that.

Notice the choice we have. We can seek Him if we "might feel after Him." If we feel like it we can seek Him. He isn't going to force us. Then, I love this part, we will find Him, yet He isn't far from any of us. We feel like we've discovered a new thing when we "find" God. I remember when I first got saved how I felt like I had found something that had been buried for a long time. I wanted to share with everyone because I felt like I, personally, had discovered God. One day I thought it through and realized that, since the beginning of time, there was always someone who loved God and had a close relationship with Him.

I actually felt like God had been kept a secret from me. Well, in a way, He had. I got saved in spite of the church I was attending. I guess they didn't want to offend anyone so they only touched on mild topics that seemed to center around the "good people" God wanted us to be. There never was an altar call.

Acts 17 goes on to say a few more interesting and important things. In God we live and move and have our being. It is only because He gave us life that we exist.

We are His children. He is our Father. He is not something we can create, such as a statue. He is not someone we can control. We have, as a general rule, tried to contain God in a box as we would a precious gem. We stand back and admire Him and worship Him from a distance. He isn't gold or silver or gems. He is God, our Father. He is life and love. He wants to interact with us every minute of every day. He wants to communicate with us. He wants us to seek to become closer to Him.

It says he winked at this ignorance, but no longer. If he demanded repentance back in the times of the first apostles, what do you think He demands now? Look how much farther we, as a world, have drawn away from Him. Look at how He and His Word are treated. Look how Jesus' name is feared and rejected.

Do you feel the Holy Spirit drawing you to a closer relationship with God? Do you? Have you been postponing it because you are too busy? Have you been pushing those urges away? Give in. Quit fighting and struggling. When He calls, try answering. When He nudges you, embrace Him. Today is the day of new beginnings. Don't wait until New Year's Eve to make this decision.

TODAY is the day of new beginnings.

Don't wait until you have more time.

TODAY IS THE DAY OF NEW BEGINNINGS!

I need to know what He is thinking. I need to know what He wants said and done. I need to be so in tune with His will that I am sensitive enough to Him that I can be guided by His eye. (Psalm 32:8)

There are two things I must do to be able to be walking in the Spirit. I have to be filled with the Word. I must be reading my Bible over and over and over. The second thing is I must be constantly communicating with Him. I must be listening as well as talking to Him. I must be praising Him and worshiping Him as well.

He brings me to His banqueting house. He desires to have me in His presence. He places a banner over me to proclaim His love for me!! OH, GLORIOUS THOUGHT! He blesses me with gifts, with protection, with His presence. I am filled with love for Him. He embraces me because He loves me! Is there anything else in the entire world that is more wonderful? There is nothing that compares or even comes close!

You are no less special to God than I am. He wants you at His banqueting house. He wants to embrace you. Reach out to Him. Seek to know more about Him. Read your Bible. Learn about how He loves you. Learn about His thoughts, His desires, His ways. Talk to Him. He is there. You can't see Him, but He is there. Speak to Him and then listen. Listen for His still, small voice. He is speaking. He is reaching out to you. Step into His embrace!

The past few weeks have proven otherwise. I've been separated from my spiritual encouragers. No, I didn't go on a crime spree or start using gutter language again! I did, however, find myself having less patience with my family. I began doing a lot of muttering and murmuring about the things they did that upset me.

I also found I was spending less quality time with the Lord. I was having difficulty focusing on Him. I was having difficulty hearing that "still, small voice" that is His. By not being around the people that caused me to get into conversations about the Lord I was spending more time in worldly pursuits and thoughts. I didn't pull away from God, but His and my relationship was not the best. I was slowly, but surely, floating in the other direction.

It is important that we encourage other Christians. It is important that we spend time talking about God and the things He's done and going to do with other Christians. It is with the help of other spiritual people that we grow faster in our own spiritual walk! God shows each of us things that we are supposed to share with others. We are supposed to be teaching each other the things He teaches us.

Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." This is important. Seek out the fellowship with other spirit-filled Christians. Spend time edifying each other in the Lord. It is well worth it!!

How can we obtain those things? Gee, it says the wisdom and knowledge are hidden. How can we find them? Let's examine a few other scriptures.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." (John 14:16-20)

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:4-5)

"But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." (1John 2:5)

We have the Holy Spirit in us. Jesus is in us! We have access to the things hidden in Him because they are in us! We can have access to everything that is in Jesus because all those things are in us. In John 14:12 He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

As we have established, Jesus abides in us. Now, the hard part is for us to abide in Him! We have to choose to do that every day. As a matter of fact, we have to choose to abide in Him all the time throughout every day! It is too easy to allow our mind to drift away from Him. Way too easy!

Our job, the phone, bills, family, problems, and every single other thing that comes along in a day serves to take our mind off of the Lord. Ideally, we should approach everything by looking at it THROUGH God's eyes. We should discuss everything with Him before we act or speak. That is what is meant by abiding... continuously living in Him.

We have to force our minds to focus on Him. It helps to be filled with the Word. The Word within us brings to remembrance the things we have read along with solutions to problems. When we don't have our mind on God and the things of God then the communication lines break down. We are no longer in touch with the Holy Spirit within us. We might as well be all alone as that is how we are acting. In most cases we continue on "alone" until the situation gets out of hand and then we turn to God and call out for help!

Abiding is not an easy thing. It takes work. It takes concentration. It is a choice on our part. It is very difficult, yet gets easier the more we work on it. I wonder if I can ever get to the point where I am continuously abiding in Him. I'm going to keep trying! The end results are very much worth the effort!!

God has a path for us to follow. As it says in Luke 3:5, "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth." God can see problems coming and do something about them before they happen. He can guide you in the right direction all the time.

What does it take to get Him to do that? Verses 6 and 7 in Psalm 17 continue on to say, "I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them."

We have to call on Him. We have to communicate with Him. We have to put our trust in Him. We have to develop a personal relationship with Him.

God created you. God loves you. He wants to take care of you. He has prepared a path for you. Walk in it. Learn more about Him so you can find out what He wants you to be doing and saying. Learn more about Him so you can hear Him directing you. That is what you need to do to be able to be guided by the God who can shield you and protect you.

If you are doing it for God, then you pay even more close attention to the details. He knows your heart and motivation. If you are doing it only for the reward you will reap, He knows. If you are doing it half-heartedly, He knows. If you are doing it only because you have to do it and are gaining no pleasure out of doing it, He knows.

Verse 6 says, "Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." If you are focusing on God and doing things for Him then you will be in tune with how something should be done and can make sure it is the way it needs to be.

You will derive more pleasure in doing things that otherwise might be unpleasant. I have something I need to do on a regular basis that isn't fun. I have to clean the toilets in my house. I live with three men (one husband and two grown sons). Get the picture?

If I clean because I can't stand it any more then I am usually grumbling about the mess and imagining what it would be like if I lived alone. If I am doing it as unto the Lord I am doing it because it pleases Him. He is watching me do it. With my mind on Him I am actually lifted up above the job and am in communion with Him. Before I know it, the job is done and I am basking in His love and appreciation. I've done a better job, I've done it for a better reason, and my attitude is GREAT when I'm done!

Matthew 6:1-2 gives another reason why we should do things for God and not for men. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."

I have a feeling that when I get public acknowledgement of something I've done I have received a tiny reward compared to what I would have received had I not received the thanks of men. If I am doing something for the Lord, I don't want to have my name in a bulletin, or be called to stand for applause, or whatever the case might be. I am not doing it for the praises of men. I am doing it because it pleases my Father in heaven. I only want His thanks.

Being in unity is contagious. It is like when you pour oil on something, the more you pour, the farther it spreads. When the dew comes it forms on everything. It isn't selective on where it settles. That is how unity is. When there is an atmosphere of unity it settles on everything and keeps spreading.

People living in unity are doing so because they have chosen to do so. Each one of the people has made a choice to be in unity with the others. In order to be in unity with others it is absolutely necessary to stay totally away from the "what about my needs" mode. Each person must be focused on the needs of the others in the group. Each person must choose to be kind to the others. If one person chooses disharmony over unity then the entire group will probably be infected and the unity will fall apart.

This scripture pertains to two or more people. It refers to married couples as well as nations. The unity is based on the decisions and choices of every single person in that group. Unity truly does begin with one person at a time.

When we choose unity then others around us will feel it. They will be infected with it. Most people will respond very well to expressions of unity. Unfortunately, some people will not choose to reciprocate with deeds showing kindness and caring towards the others in the group. Most of the time it is pure laziness and selfishness. However, they probably will make an effort to keep the peace and will modify their speech to contribute to the atmosphere of unity. It really doesn't take much effort when everyone in the group is doing the same.

The best benefit of choosing unity is God blesses the efforts. It is His desire that we make every effort to live as one rather than as individuals. That is the concept of the Body of Christ. Each part provides for the other parts.

You can't force others to choose unity, but the unity can begin with you. It certainly is in your power to choose it for yourself

 This is going to be a bit of a tricky Bible study. Each verse will have a separate application for each individual so I am going to be purposely vague. Let God show you what He would like to teach you with this study. If you feel pricked about something then be open to what He has to show you.

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" (vs 17) Are you comfortable in your relationship with God? Do you know exactly what He requires of you? Do people know that they have been in touch with God after they speak with you or spend time with you?

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." (vs 18) Jesus is saying to buy gold from Him in order to be rich. What gold? It is something you need to find out from Him. He doesn't want us to decide on our own what we will do, say, or think. He is our source. Notice that the gold is referred to as tried in the fire. That probably means that if we are in a comfort zone we haven't had our gold tried in the fire. Perhaps what we have isn't gold at all.

 Then it goes on about getting white raiment. It seems to me that it continues on as to also buy white raiment from Jesus. White signifies holiness and cleanness. The only way to being holy and clean is through Jesus. There is NO OTHER WAY.

 Are we being blind? Do we need that eyesalve so we can see? Notice that Jesus didn't tell them to let Him anoint their eyes with eyesalve... we must choose to do it ourselves. He will allow us to be blind if we want. Again, are we in a comfort zone where we know exactly where God wants us to be? Have we determined that our service to Him is being completely fulfilled? Are we doing things for God without consulting Him first?

 When we only think about God when we need something or when we are in church is being lukewarm. Not being interested in reading our Bibles is being lukewarm. Not looking to Him for direction each and every day is being lukewarm. Being content to learn about Him from teachers and ministers and not confirming those things with Him is being lukewarm. Thinking that going to church is all He requires of us is being lukewarm.

 Let's choose to put on that eyesalve so that the blind spots can be removed. The blind spots include our own opinions and our areas of ignorance about God and His Kingdom among other things. "God, my Father, please show me any and all areas in my life and in my relationship with You that are lukewarm. Please remove any blind spots that hinder me from seeing what You want me to see!"

 There is no comfort zone with God. There is no easy road. There is no easy to follow path. If we aren't seeking His direction every moment then we are probably not heading in the direction He has chosen. We are probably lukewarm.

He pointed out to me that I could place one of His names in the place of another as I read my Bible.  That made some scriptures much more personal and timely for me.  Then He showed me how using His different names at different times helped me to have stronger faith.  For example, if I am talking to Him and keep calling Him Everlasting Arms or Refuge when I need comforting I immediately feel comforted. 

The wonderful thing about our God is that He meets us where we are.  He is one God and we are many many people.  Perhaps that is why He has so many names.  He wants to be our own personal Father.

I put together a list of the names of God that I've found so far.  I'm sure there are many more.  Go take a look and try using different names for different circumstances.  It's pretty powerful!

Names of God

Those are the two verses prior to our Bible study scripture.  Not quite what you'd expect to hear are they?  Trouble trouble trouble.... and not only that, they say that God can't help. 

NOT TRUE!

God is our shield!  He will lift up our heads when they are bowed down!  He is our strength when we have none.  He is our peace when we have none.  He is our source of all that we need.  We don't have to feel alone.  We don't have to feel hopeless.

If we want to feel crushed and beaten then we can.  If we want to feel hopeless then we can.  If we want to look at the circumstances surrounding us and decide that we can't take any more then that is a choice we are allowed to make.

What will you choose?  Will you choose to let God shield you from your circumstances and lift up your head?  It is your choice. 

There are lots of times when I find I am choosing to feel defeated.  Just last night I wanted to sit down and cry because I felt unloved and betrayed.  I was choosing to focus on the bad things.  I was deliberately choosing not to let God lift up my head.  I was a victim of other people's choices and I needed to wallow in that feeling so I could feel sorry for myself.  After all, if I didn't focus on it, who would?

It didn't last long.  I knew that I didn't have to stay there.  I knew that God had better things for me to be thinking about and doing.  So, I mentally put out that fire I had been stoking and leaned back into the loving arms of God. 

Are my circumstances any different this morning?  No.  Is my attitude different this morning?  Yes.  It was my choice to let God be my strength and shield.  I'm going to look at Him instead of what my eyes of flesh see.  The view is much nicer.

I try to convince myself that it is MY body and I'm not hurting anyone but myself if I let it get overweight and/or out of shape.  I just can't get to the place where I am totally comfortable with that.  God doesn't tell me that I need to lose some weight and get more physically fit in so many words.  You know when someone just watches you when you are doing something wrong and you can see disapproval in their eyes?  It's more like that with God.  He's leaving the choice up to me but I can feel His disapproval.

I have some good excuses, though.  I never really had a weight problem until my hormones started to do their mid-life change that happens to women.  Let's see, how did the Bible put it?  "....it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women."  (Gen 18:11)  I put on 20 pounds in 3 months and have slowly gained more since then.

Then, the more work I do on the Clarion Call, the less time I have to exercise.  Sitting at the computer is not good exercise.

Good excuses, right?  (That's OK.  You don't have to humor me on this one.  They are NOT good excuses.) 

When I am in better physical shape I feel better.  I have less aches and pains.  I sleep better which makes my mind more refreshed.  It causes my mental attitude to be better.  I have more patience.  I don't get so tired when the sun goes down.  I smile more. 

God has been convicting me that I need to eat in a more healthy manner as well as exercising.  If it didn't matter He wouldn't be convicting me.  I better listen and do what He wants.  I have the choice to ignore Him, but I'm not going to do that.  He has His reasons and, as always, they are very good reasons!

If you tell the truth all the time then there is no need to say anything other than what needs to be said.  People that have known you for a while will believe you because they will have never heard you lie.  People who don't know you may choose not to trust you, but that is their problem.  All you have to do is tell the truth.

Verse 16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Honesty is a light shining in a dark world.  It is part of walking in holiness.  Verse 15 says, "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."  If you lie only a little now and then you are putting a basket over the light each time.  Lies poison your mind and poison other people's minds when they find out.

The other day I had a man lie to me for no good reason that I could see.  He was supposed to check the items in shopping carts against the receipts and while he was checking the receipt of the woman in front of me about six people pushed their carts past us and out the door.  He didn't look up at all.  When I got up to him I mentioned that people had "escaped": and he told me that someone else had checked them. 

I saw some of the people go straight out to their cars without being checked and said so.  He again insisted that someone else caught them outside the door and that he had seen them getting checked.  He hadn't looked up once while checking the woman in front of me.  It really made no difference to me whether those people go their cars checked, but the lie that the employee told me infuriated me.  If I ever run into that person again I will not be able to believe one thing that he says.

There is never any good excuse for lying.  It is imperative that we, as Christians, NEVER lie nor should we even hint that we would lie.  We must let our lights shine.  Notice, we must let our light shine, not just glimmer.  We are setting an example to the rest of the world of how everyone should be behaving.  We are being watched and evaluated by the unsaved.  What do they see?

It goes on to tell us to place ourselves (yield) unto God.  We are to position ourselves, to present ourselves, to God and use our bodies as weapons of righteousness.  Just think, everything we do and say is a weapon of some kind, either good or bad. 

So, even if you use the word "instrument" instead of weapon they both mean that they are used to do something, to create an end result.  There will be consequences to the use of the weapon or instrument.

We can't always see the consequences of what we do, but God knows what will happen.  It is important that we listen to that "still, small voice" of His and obey.  We must not allow ourselves to be used by the enemy as weapons of unrighteousness!

Yesterday morning, as I was waiting for my laundry to get done in the campground laundromat, I was talking with God. I told Him how I often it feels like it doesn't matter what I do. I told Him that I understand how I can make a difference to people who know I am a Christian. Those people are observing my behavior and comparing it to what they think a Christian's should be.

Yet, I often don't see what difference it makes to people who don't know who I am, who will never see me again, and who will never know whether or not I am a Christian.

Also, I was wondering what kind of a difference I am making to people who do know me. I don't have a ministry that can be seen because this one at the Clarion is the only one I have right now. All they see is what I do on a day to day basis, which is just generally being myself... another human being in a world full of human beings.

God gently assured me that everything I do makes a difference. It doesn't matter that I can't always see it. If our scripture says that I shine as a light in the world, then I am making a difference in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation!

I don't need proof. I need to have faith that the things I do and say make a difference. I'll let God be in charge of choosing my words, my actions, and even my facial expressions. Then I will practice holiness, which would be actually doing the things He has chosen for me. He will be in charge of making sure that people see the choices I make. After all, He is God and I am NOT!

Yet, we should be waiting every minute of every day.  We need to be waiting every time we open our mouth, waiting for God to fill it with the right words.  We need to be waiting to make sure that we aren't doing things without His prior approval.

Often the waiting is only a split second's worth of time.  If we have already learned of God's nature and His desires through reading our Bibles and spending time with Him in prayer then we already have an idea of what He desires.  We just need to wait that split second to verify that we are going to be moving forward in His will.

Waiting is a hard thing to have to do.  It is something that takes practice.  We have to force ourselves to wait.  We have to cause it to become a habit by forcing ourselves to do it.

How many things in your life have you done that you would like to take back.  Have you ever wished for a "do over"?  Have you ever heard words coming out of your mouth and wish that they weren't?  Have you ever hurt someone's feelings and then wished you hadn't done or said whatever it was that hurt them?

If you had been waiting on the Lord then you would never need any do-overs.   Your words and deeds would be accomplishing God's will.  That doesn't mean that people won't be offended or hurt by your words, but it will be God that is offending them.  That will be between them and God.

Verse four says, "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths."  By waiting on God we will be learning His ways and He will be showing us the paths.