Date: 10-16-14
Text: — James 3:5-6 — Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. [NIV84]
The Big Idea: If I whine when I get a ‘sliver,’ how will I respond when it is truly a cross?
My Thoughts:
The tongue, James tells us, is small but big. Though it is a small part of our bodies, it sure can make big boasts–boasts so big, in fact, that it can start a huge forest on fire…
Lifestyle Worshipers, do we make big boasts of our walk with Jesus? Do we spotlight the words of our faith neglecting the needs? Are you feeling the prick of the point as I am? Weaving its threads with this devotion is today’s Heartwork Devotion on “Co-Suffering with Christ.” Yep, I was one of those who boasted that I wanted to suffer for Jesus, but then He showed me the difference between slivers and crosses. If I whine when I get a ‘sliver,’ how will I respond when it is truly a cross? “Ouch” doesn’t quite capture it, does it? Your thoughts?
Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. — Proverbs 15:2 (NIV84)
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. — Matthew 7:21 (NIV84)
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. — Titus 1:16 (NIV84)
Heavenly Father, forgive me for promising much but delivering little; for making big boasts with little results. I ask the Great Shepherd of my soul, the Lord Jesus Christ, by His shed blood to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Create in me a pure heart so that I may walk in the Light as He is in the Light. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to match my talk to my walk. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Pastor Mike