anger and our words

Stop being angry!
Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—
it only leads to harm.
Psalm 37:8 
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A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1
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Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful/perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:5
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A hot-tempered person starts fights;  but he who is slow to anger stops them. Proverbs 15:8
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Fools vent their anger/feelings, but the wise quietly hold it back. Proverbs 29:11
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As dead flies cause a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. Ecclesiastes 10:1
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But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Colossians 3:8
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With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. James 3:9-10
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Convicted and challenged by these verses. May our anger be controlled by the Spirit of God and our words be well pleasing to Him. Here are a few more that never fail to keep me in check and encourage me. 

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Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3
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Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23
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Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
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A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls (aka vulnerable). Proverbs 25:28
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Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2
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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
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Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:25
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The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. Isaiah 50:4

birthday surprise! It's Melissa.

Happy Friday! 

Today's guest writer is a wonderful woman by the name of Melissa. She is lovely, graceful, and radiates the glory of God. From observing Melissa's life, anyone can see that she is madly in love with Jesus <--- that is her best quality. Without further ado, read on, be blessed, be encouraged and be that lily among thorns. 

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Sticks and Stones – a Lesson in Meekness

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One of my all-time favorite movies is You’ve Got Mail. There’s one specific scene that is engrained in my memory because I identify with it so well. Meg Ryan, who is justified in her dislike for Tom Hanks, insults him in a most poetic way. With a stunned look on her face she tells him, “I just had a breakthrough, and I have you to thank for it. For the first time in my life, when confronted with a horrible, insensitive person, I knew exactly what I wanted to say and I said it.” I think everyone can identify with that feeling of satisfaction in having the last word, or getting your point across even if it was a little harsh. We go through that battle within our conscience of trying to defend ourselves by claiming we were simply speaking the truth. I’ll be honest, that game has gotten me in trouble more than once.

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Proverbs 18:21 tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. That’s a pretty bold statement, and rightfully so.  Words can make or break a person; they can aid in determining whether he or she will become another statistic or a transformed life. As children we learn that ridiculous adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Anyone who survived the 5^th grade has probably realized that the old “sticks and stones” bit is nothing more than a vain repetition with which we try to conceal the pain caused by someone else’s words.

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Matthew 5 is one of the most famous passages in all of scripture – Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes have been drilled in my head from an early age – “Blessed are the… for they shall…”. I’m embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t until the past few years that I actually decided to look up what the word “meek” meant. I had heard it hundreds of times and never given it much thought. My study bible clarified that the word does not denote weakness, but rather controlled strength – as in holding back when you could do something. Meekness also requires wisdom and humility. “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” Proverbs 17:27

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James 1:26 alludes to meekness; it reads, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” So when we’re faced with the choice to hold back or open the floodgates of brutal honesty and emotional blabber , unless we learn to control ourselves, our religion is useless. Next time you’re in the heat of an argument, or you just can’t wait to give someone a piece of your mind, turn your eyes upon Jesus, the ultimate example of meekness and humility. Remember we must try to see them through His eyes and allow that to filter our words.

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Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6

let my words be few

Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2

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Wow! This scripture made me question myself, how do I speak? Are my words seasoned with kindness? Am I quick to speak? Do I count the cost of my words? My mouth is one of those areas that right when I think you have it under control, it goes off and blurts out the most insane words... it's called foot in mouth disease! I suffer from it... severely! If you ever hear me say anything that makes sense, know that it wasn't me... any wisdom, any kind word, anything positive that flows from me is of God.

So for those of you, who like myself, take one foot out only to insert the other, these verses are for you. (these verses are 4x4's that God has used in my life to convict and encourage me). I pray they may encourage you:

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? James 3:9-11

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. Proverbs 25:28

When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Proverbs 31:26

As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. Ecclesiastes 10:1

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:41

Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. Acts 15:32

Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” 2 Chronicles 18:12

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.  Proverbs 17:28


God Bless YOU!