Tongue Control

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. - James 1:26 NLT

            Several years ago I had oral surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed. I was not put out for the surgery, I was given novacane to deaden the feeling in my mouth while the surgeon removed the teeth

            After the surgery, it took a couple of hours to regain feeling in my mouth. My lips and tongue had no feeling at all, which made it difficult to talk and be understood. I had no physical control of my tongue! I was glad when the novacane wore off, although it did bring me pain for quite a while when I began to feel the effects of what the novacane was suppressing.

            I am reminded of today's verse in James 1:26, "If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."

            As believers, we should work to control our tongue. Our words have a lot of power, which can be used for good or bad. When we allow our tongues to be out of control, we may not feel it right away but we (and many times others) will eventually feel the pain of our actions. We should be intentional and conscious about our words and how they will effect others as well as our witness as believers.

How is your tongue control?

Look, Listen, and Live

Look, listen, and live. Although the phrase is widely recognized as a way of teaching safety habits when around railroad crossings, it also holds some valuable advice for the Christian.

            To a nonbeliever, the Christian life may simply look like a list of do’s and don’ts. In fact, the list of don’ts can sometimes seem so great that it can discourage people from really committing their lives to God. We’ve all heard the excuse, “There’s too much I’d have to give up if I became a Christian.” While following God should result in a life change, this process has to start with the heart.

The first reason we choose to do God’s will is because we love Him.

Jesus said in John 14:15,  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

            A good leader leads with influence, not out of force. God is all-powerful, but He never forces us to follow Him because it wouldn’t be genuine. God desires true worshippers who follow because they love Him.

The second reason we choose do what God says is because it leads to life.

The book of Proverbs, a book all about the acquisition of wisdom, tells the value of following good instruction.

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for the length of days and years of life and peace will be added to you.”
-Proverbs 3:1-2

“For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is a light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life.”
-Proverbs 6:23

            As Christians, we don’t just obey God or follow His rules because “He says so”. We do it because we know that His plans for us are good. Jesus said that He came so we may live life abundantly, so why do we sometimes act like becoming a Christian puts us in a straight jacket? Let’s start flipping that perspective. Following God is a pathway to freedom, not bondage.

All you have to do is…

1. Look to Jesus
2. Listen to His Commands
3. Live It Out

            And we choose to do this because of the love we have for God and because we know His way is the only way that leads to abundant life!

Hurt Shouldn't Hurt Your Hope

Pain is a part of everyone's path. Don't let pain turn you away from God, let it turn you towards Him. Here are a few reasons why Hurt Shouldn't Hurt Your Hope.

Reason #1
God can bring purpose out of our pain. God can take your worst experiences in life and turn them for your good. Where some may have intended to do you harm, God can use it to help you. Perhaps your scars can carry a greater purpose beyond your own pain. God turns messes into masterpieces all the time. Don't run from the One who can redeem, renew, and restore.

(Verses to Read: Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20, Isaiah 53:4-5)

Reason #2
Pain, like a fire, can purify us. Character is forged and personal growth is sparked when we are tested. Pain can either burn us or build us. It can take our life or take the things out of our life that are holding us back. It's about the perspective you take and the people you are walking with. God will walk through the fire with you. Don't go at it alone and take heart because, "When it feels like you're down to nothing, God's probably up to something."

(Verses to Read: Daniel Ch. 3, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7).

Reason #3
Jesus understands our pain. It is a comforting fact to know that Jesus has experienced the worst that life has to offer and can empathize with us. It is a reminder of the love and compassion that is at the heart of God. Jesus willingly subjected himself to persecution for our sake. He loves us and understands our plight better than we do ourselves. Don't let pain harden your heart, rather to turn to God. Jesus’s hurt is our healing. You will find comfort, communion, and courage knowing that you are not alone.

(Verses to Read: Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

Reason #4
Jesus conquered in the midst of pain and suffering. Jesus not only experienced the worst that life had to offer, but He conquered it as well. When Jesus rose from the grave, He claimed a victory over sin and death. They have no power over Him. He has all the authority. Pain doesn't get the final word. Sickness doesn't get the final word. Cancer doesn't get the final word. Not death, not sin, not Satan. Only Jesus. He gets the final word. Jesus has the power to do something about our pain. And it's not just a momentary measure; it's a permanent plan. One day there will be no more pain because of Jesus our Conquering King. In the meantime, you don't have to be a victim of your suffering. You can have victory in spite of your suffering just like Jesus.

(Verses to Read: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Revelation 21:4-6, Romans 8:31-39).

Reason #5
God's reward is reserved for those with a godly resolve. The Bible is clear that it is the one who endures, overcomes, and is victorious that will inherit God's reward of eternal life. Don't let suffering turn you away from what God has in store for you in Christ Jesus. Don't let today's problem make you miss tomorrow's party. There's no comparison. Strengthen your resolve in the midst of your pain. And what is our resolve you might ask? To put all my faith in Christ's sufficiency to save me from my sins, to sustain me through life, and to secure me for heaven. You have to keep the faith. He's the only way. It's simply Jesus. Don't toss Jesus to the side because life is hard. He didn't come to make our lives convenient; He came to save us. The crown of thorns precedes the crown of glory. Don't let pain make you miss out on God's greatest gift. Hang onto Jesus with every fiber of your being. He is all we really got in the end and He's enough.

(Verses to Read: Romans 8:18, Revelation 2:8-11, John 14:1-6).

Let the Church Bells Ring

In light of everything going on in the world with the coronavirus and with Easter coming up I wanted to share a few things. First, I’d like to share a story I came across that is quite relevant for our time.

Horror gripped the peaceful village of Feldkirch, Austria, early on Easter morning in 1799, when high above the valley in which the town nestled, they spied the tents and the gleaming armour of a foreign army. The uniforms, plainly seen in the clear dawn, were those of Napoleon's French forces.

With the weapons of enemy soldiers glittering above them, and their own Austrian army far away across the mountains, the villagers had reason for desperation. Hurriedly, the town council assembled. Hopelessness pervaded the council chamber.

Someone proposed that they send a peace offering up the steep cliff, handing the keys of the city to the enemy commander and petitioning him for mercy. But up rose the old dean of the church, serene as the sunrise, stout-hearted as the ancient trees upon the hill. "This is Easter morning," he declared, his voice echoing the peace of the first resurrection day.

Confusion instantly subsided among the council members who were calmed by the tones of his voice. "We have been reckoning on our own strength; and it is but weakness. Let us ring the bells and have services as usual. We will leave our troubles in the hands of a Higher Power." His courage was contagious, and the council agreed with him. Soon the village church bells rang out joyously. Gaily dressed villagers, on their way to worship, thronged the streets. The surrounding hills echoed the rich tones of the church bells as they pealed louder and louder, proclaiming the resurrection of the living Christ.

On the heights above the little town, General Massena in command of Napoleon's invading army with 18,000 troops, hearing the sounds of rejoicing, and seeing the carefree, brightly-clothed throngs, concluded that there could be but one reason for such gaiety in the presence of his military might.

He was sure that the Austrian army had come up in the night and might even now be encircling his position on the wooded hill. Massena ordered his army to break camp speedily and depart. Almost before the bells had ceased ringing, long before church services were concluded that Easter day in 1799, the French army was in retreat.

When the worshippers of Feldkirch poured out of the church doors and looked up at the heights, they saw not one tent, not one French soldier, not one flashing sword above their peaceful village!
(From: The Mighty Hand of God by Katherine Pollard Carter)

            I’d also like to take a moment to encourage you. Many of us are combatting an enemy that we cannot see. We face potential disease and sickness. Even though problems may abound, our resolve should remain the same, especially as we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our resolve is this: “We will worship God.” The church cannot be silent in times like these. We must worship. If we don’t worship, the rocks would cry out. Let the church bells ring.

            The willingness to praise God in the toughest of situations and choosing to rejoice provides tremendous strength for the believer. When we feel surrounded on all sides, choose to take a different perspective and look to the joy of the Lord which is our strength. Whether you are alone, meeting in person, connecting via a livestream, going to a drive-in service, or wherever you may be, let the songs of your heart go forth. Praise God first and foremost whether the times are good or bad. When you face the enemy let the church bells ring.

            Our hearts are full because the tomb is empty. Nothing is more powerful and contagious than the love of God, not even the coronavirus. Don’t be stuck in fear. Stand in faith. Even though circumstances may be different, let God be God and simply worship Him. Let the church bells ring.

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
-Nehemiah 8:10

(For further study read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30)