think Archives – Sonshine's Journal

May 27, 2023May 27, 2023

Preparation

Ps. 111- As you read each day, ask God to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him to open your eyes, ears, and heart. Then do as the Psalmist: give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart. [Ps 111:1 paraphrase] Praise Him for His work is majestic and glorious, and his faithfulness endures forever. [Ps 111:3] Praise Him because all his precepts (commandments) are reliable and forever firm. [Ps 111:7]

The Psalmist closes his meditation by exclaiming: “All who carry out/practice his precepts acquire good moral insight.” [Ps 111:10]

Take time today to meditate on these verses from this short psalm to prepare for your day. Then share with us your thoughts.

March 25, 2015

The Power of Words

According to statistical studies women speak far more than men. In fact a study revealed that women speak an average of 20,000 words while men only speak 7000 words in a day. Paul encouraged Titus to “speak (to older men, to older women, to younger men and bondslaves) the things fitting for sound doctrine…speak and exhort and reprove with all authority” This is appropriate for us as well for we are to be about sharing the gospel message of the one who “redeemed us from every lawless deed to purify for Himself” a people for Himself.

As we speak do we speak with all authority? Both Moses and Jeremiah were aware of their weakness in this area: “Oh, Lord God, I really do not know how to speak well enough” God reminded them both: “Who gave a mouth to man, or who makes a person mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” [Exo 4:11] God reached out and touched the mouth of both that they would have the words to speak for Him. The psalmist wrote: “My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding” which only can come when we take time to meditate upon His Word and as Paul told the Philippians to “think about whatever is true, respectful, just, pure, lovely, commendable” and to “practice” it moment by moment. [Phil 4]

May this be our prayer today “You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it would give grace to those who hear. “[Eph 4:29]

July 8, 2013

Worthless vs Ideal Words [ Matt 12 &Prov 16 ]

I love this picture to the left because it reminds me that even if I am faithless He is faithful.

I don’t know if you can relate but often have I cringed at something I have just said and the verse in Matthew 12 comes back to convict me. It is then that I am reminded that I do need to more carefully choose what I say so that I am honoring God and my fellow man.

Pro 25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.

Proverbs chapter 16 begins with these words: The intentions/plans of the heart belong to man but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord; but Jesus teaches: Mat 12:36 I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless [idle] word they speak. It almost seems that these two sides of the coin teach opposing views. It seems like really we have no choice as to what we speak. But is that true? We know that God does not contradict Himself. So our question is….Why are some words worthless and how do we harmonize these two verses?

When men plan/think/reason using the gift that God has given them and trust Him to guide them then the responses we give will be His for we are His workmanship, created to accomplish good works [Eph 2:10]. If however, we refuse to plan, decline to consider, are unwilling to listen to wise counsel, are unwilling to see ourselves in need of wisdom, and allow pride to govern, then our words are idle or worthless and for these we will held accountable. A biblical truth is that God has graciously given us the ability to think and reason. Therefore, it behooves us to ponder and seek that godly wisdom that is given to men who desire His will and way. In that way we will speak and honor Him with ideal words that bring Him glory.

Father, Today may I be certain and give you praise for You because You care about each word, each direction, each decision that I make. I can know that because you say so: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you. May I seek your will and your way that we bring glory to you alone. May I boast that I know and understand that You, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth. [Jer 9]