2020
What a wild & crazy 7 months it has been! Where do we go from here? BLM, Antifa, Defund the Police, Covid19 & the list just goes on & on. There is a simple solution to all of this mess not only America but the Global Community are dealing with today. Allow me to share 2 simple tidbits of wisdom.
James 3
1. Taming the Tongue
1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.True Wisdom from Above13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
2.
2 Chronicles 7:14“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Ok I'll admit it is not that simple! Biting my own tongue is often a very hard thing to do even though I know it is the right thing. Keeping my opinion or my emotions to myself are not one of my strengths. How about you? Do you find it hard to hold your peace especially when you are sitting & listening to someone sprout a bunch of non-sense! Well join the club Brothers & Sisters! So from the scriptures above we need to glean one simple principle about Taming the tongue. Say Something Positive, Instructive, & Do Not Create Envy, Strife or Confusion. That does not just start & stop with personal conversations of discussions it should include Social sites like FaceBook, Twitter & others too.
Last but certainly not least we Christians need to Pray For Our Country! However do not forget a most important part of the Scripture 2 Chronicles 2:17 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves....I can tell you from experience if you approach God with a humble heart you can then GO BOLDLY BEFORE the throne in prayer. Then you can expect God to hear, act & answer your petitions. Wow such a simple simple solution and yet Christians seem to forget their instructions on how we handle all of our problems.
Finally remember Who or maybe more specifically What your enemy is! Whew! That is a tough one especially when you have a flesh & blood person standing right in front of you sprouting vile or poisonous comments. Here again is a simple solution that we Christians not only should know and use but one we must employ if we expect to win.
Ephesians 6 New King James Version (NKJV) Children and Parents 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters 5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that [a]your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
The Whole Armor of God 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.