Tag: mocking

“Evidence of a Healed Tongue”

Date: 11-19-14
Text: — James 3:9-12 — 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? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. [NIV84]
The Big Idea: Simply put, a healed tongue blesses both.

My Thoughts:
What does a healed tongue look like? Well, from the above passage we can see what a damaged or wounded tongue looks like: It is split. Though it praises the Lord on Sunday mornings, it curses people beginning Sunday afternoon through Saturday evening…. Clearly a wounded tongue wounds….

So, the first evidence of a healed tongue is wholeness: Simply put, a healed tongue blesses both. The healed tongue continues to bless the Lord Sunday morning, singing praises unashamedly. And once ‘it’ leaves the celebration service, “it” continues to bless both the Lord and everyone “it” encounter, even those idiots in the parking lot or on the road when we leave.

Lifestyle worshipers, don’t you agree that we need to see more evidence of healed tongues? I know our brother James would be thrilled. How about you? Do you see much evidence? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

— Proverbs 15:4 (NIV84)

Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,

—Psalm 15:1-4 (NIV84)

May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.

—2 Timothy 1:16 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father,  I will put my hand over my mouth if I need to, so to prevent me from speaking ill of my brothers and sisters. Heal my tongue so that my mouth may be a fountain of refreshing water. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“It Is Well Named”

Date: 8-22-14

Text: Proverbs 22:10 10 Throw out the mocker and strife departs, too; furthermore, quarrels and discord will end. [ISV]

The Big Idea: Offering counterpoints and different perspectives in a loving constructive way is truly wise.

My Thoughts: 

Disagreeing is not a ‘bad’ thing. But disagreeing disagreeably is. Those who love contention and intentionally play the “devil’s advocate” are no friend to Peace. And what is more fascinating: Once these contentious mockers are removed from the situation, it is strange how calm returns and discord ends…. Strife leaves with them.  

Lifestyle worshipers, know that the “devil’s advocate” is well named. While offering counterpoints and different perspectives in a loving constructive way is truly wise, when one intentionally offers counterpoints and different perspectives merely to be difficult, or worse, contentious, this is more than unwise: it is ungodly … 

How do we deal with them? To me, this is a good question because somehow they feel they are offering a ‘good’ thing, not realizing their heart is truly in the wrong place….Any suggestions?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

  But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

— John 12:4-6 (NIV84)

   The proud and arrogant man—“Mocker” is his name; he behaves with overweening pride

— Proverbs 21:4 (NIV84)

 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction

— Proverbs 17:19 (NIV)

 

 Lord Jesus Christ, reduce me to Love as You instill in me Your Presence of Wisdom. Keep pride and arrogance far from me. As I offer differing perspectives, may I maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. For Your Name’s Sake, Amen.

Pastor Mike