Proverbs 13:3 NLT, “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.“
There is so much good that comes from choosing to guard our tongues. This can be easier or harder depending on personality and temperament. But regardless of, it is wise to control your tongue. It often takes wisdom to know when to speak and when not to. And when we do speak, it takes wisdom to know what and what not to say. The good news is that we can ask God for help.
Photo by: Brett Jordan of England 🏴
The average person, probably does not set out to ruin everything. However, this verse warns us that ruining everything is possible when the tongue is not under control. The tongue is a powerful weapon. The words we speak can hurt or bring healing; they can bring death or life (Proverbs 18:21).
As I mentioned, God is willing to help us discipline our tongues. The Holy Spirit will guide us and impart the wisdom we need to use our tongues for good. And it’s a blessing that doing so can lead to a longer life.
Romans 15:13 NIV, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
If you live here in the U.S., welcome to Fall! I hope that you had an enjoyable summer. Or whatever part of the world you’re in, welcome to your new season! My daughter is spending some time in South America and she says they just entered spring, which is my favorite season. I consider her lucky to get to enjoy spring twice.
At the beginning of the year, I shared that persevere was my word for 2024. Almost ten months into the year, I can definitely see why the Lord gave me that word. I have certainly had to persevere through some difficult things. As you reflect on the word persevere, I am sure you can think of multiple things you too have had to persevere through. Or perhaps, you’re still in the battle.
Photo by: Yelena Odintsova of England 🏴
I have been thinking about hope lately, and I think that to remain hopeful takes courage, determination, and perseverance. Especially in the midst of the many changes that life often brings our way.
I saw this simple definition of hope from Oxford languages, “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” This definition alerts us to the close relationship between hope, expectation and desire. When we’re hoping in someone or something, we usually have expectations and desires attached to that hope.
We all know it can be disappointing when our expectations are not met, and our desires go unfulfilled. Even sometimes when we hope in God and have expectations of Him, we may feel He has somehow let us down. However, I love it when God’s word reminds me of His faithfulness in the midst of my anxious thoughts…
Psalm 145:16 NIV, “You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
Psalm 37:4 NIV, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
I believe there is hope in the fact that God always sees and hears us and will ultimately do what is best for us. Even when we don’t see the results right away.
In my own life, I have had to decide, sometimes daily, not to give up on hope. Romans 15:13 tells us, God is called the God of hope and He is willing to fill us with joy and peace that will cause us to overflow with hope. This promise assures us that we can keep persevering in hope, by His grace.
Photo by: Lynnelle Richardson of Australia 🇦🇺
My biggest hope is to live eternally in heaven with Jesus, but as long as I am here on Earth, I have hopes for this life. I trust God to meet my needs and show me His goodness in this life. I encourage you to keep trusting Him as well.
Psalm 27:13 NIV, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”
Even in the midst of persecution, trials, difficult people or disappointing circumstances, decide not to lose hope. Decide not to give up on the God of Hope. He is the Giver of Hope and of all good things.
James 1:17 NLT, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
Remember, God has not forgotten you and He never will. So don’t lose hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I have been thinking a lot lately about how the Lord sometimes brings change into our lives to bless us. Change allows us to experience new things. I came across this post by Vivian, “Step Into The Unknown”, it was an inspiring reminder not to be afraid to go where God is leading you. When things change, we can trust God to use the changes to work out what is best for us. It is part of His plan. Change can be scary at first, but knowing God is with us as we go through the change brings peace and joy.
Photo by: Nextvoyage of Sweden 🇸🇪
Change can lead to the desires of our heart that we have been praying for. At times, God answers our prayers in unexpected ways. Life’s greatest adventures sometimes come when we are willing to make changes, some big and some small. Trust God and embrace change.
“No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39 NLT
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One thing about the Lord that I love is that He loves us. He not only loves us, but He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Therefore, there is nothing we can say or do to earn His love. He gives it to us freely. Even when things around us are unpredictable, God’s Love is the one thing that will never change. We can be sure of His perfect love. It’s true, nothing can separate us from God’s love. When we go through hardships, His love is there. When we feel alone, His love is there. We live in a world that wants to separate us from God’s love by denying His existence, but even through the denial, His love is still there. We don’t have to worry, because His love lives inside of us through His Spirit. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
I encourage you to remember God’s Love for you as you face this day, and I pray you find peace in knowing that His love is always with you.
Just in case you missed Parts 1 & 2 by Kelly and Deandra, you can read them HERE.
As I read Matthew 21:1-11, the word “GO” that is found in verse two popped out at me, and has lingered in my thoughts over the last several days.
Matthew 21:2 ESV reads, “saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.”
Jesus said, “GO”. I thought of how, like the disciples, we must be obedient when the Lord tells us to GO. The command to GO doesn’t always have to mean becoming a missionary in a foreign land, although that is a wonderful thing. We can see from this verse, that GO can be simple. GO can be something that seems menial to us, yet has an impact that changes the course of our lives or the lives of others.
What if the disciples had questioned Jesus when He told them to GO? What if they had refused to obey Jesus, because they reasoned that his request for them to GO didn’t make any sense? Things would have certainly turned out differently. I’m thankful they obeyed.
Matthew 21:6 ESV, “The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.”
The Lord prepared the way for them as they set out on their task. According to verse three, all they had to say if anyone gave them a hard time about taking the donkey and colt, is that, “the Lord needs them”. Jesus said in Matthew 21:3 ESV, “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”
When we are about our Fathers business, He will supply all we need. He will also intervene on our behalf when people or other obstacles try to rise up against us. Sometimes people will be completely unaware that they are instruments being used for God’s purposes. He has all the details arranged, we just need to choose to obey.
The Lord commands us to GO in many ways, big and small. He will strengthen us and equip us for the tasks He calls us to do. I pray that every day, our hearts would be willing to GO as the Holy Spirit leads us. Our Heavenly Father has purposeful and rewarding work for us to do, work that has an eternal purpose.
James 1:2-3 NIV, “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Joy may not always be our first response when faced with trials. Instead it may be fear, worry, confusion, or anger, just to name a few. Trials cause us discomfort, and tend to alter our lives in someway, and of course that is not something we are eager to embrace.
However, because we have Jesus, we don’t have to walk through our trials alone. He is always by our side. His presence with us is the reason we can, “consider it pure joy” when faced with trials. God’s Word assures us, that as our faith is tested, we learn to trust Him more and develop perseverance.
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Maintaining our faith in Jesus, and not giving up in the midst of trouble, puts us in a position to experience the joy of the Lord. Everything that occurs in our lives may not be good, but God has promised to work all things out for our good when we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Whatever trials you may be facing today, take heart and know that God is with you. I pray His joy and love will fill your heart, and that praise to Him would continually be on your lips, as you keep hoping and trusting in His holy Name.
Last week I shared part 1 of this series, Jesus, a donkey, and His Father, by Kelly @ The Simple Preacher. Kelly reminded us of the importance of keeping our priorities straight like Jesus. This week I’m sharing part 2 by Deandra @ Imago Dei. I was enlightened as she shared from the donkey’s perspective. I never knew there was so much to a donkey! Enjoy! 🤗
Happy Tuesday everyone! My prayer is that you all are doing well today and that ABBA has been speaking to your heart in some way, shape or form. Last…
Drawing Closer to Christ 