DAY 148 The Overflow of the Heart READ LUKE 6:45, COLOSSIANS 2:6-7, 10 Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Colossians 2:6-7, 10 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness... and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. We all understand the concept of overflow. It s what happens when a child fills a bathtub to the rim and then climbs in. It s what happens when you fill your coffee cup to the top, then try to carry it down the hall. We ve all experienced overflow, but what does that have to do with our WORDS? In Luke 6:45, Jesus said that our words come out of the overflow of our heart. He is saying that all human languages have a profane component, because all languages come out of dirty human hearts. The sin of our heart is never far from our tongue, and it only takes a little bump for the ugliness that resides there to overflow to those around us. Imagine walking around ALL DAY with an open coffee cup FULL OF BATTERY ACID! Think of the physical damage we would cause to things and people around us. This is the natural state of our heart and speech Lord, please save us! How DO we fix this wickedness? The answer goes beyond self-control though that is important too! The cure is to ask God to fill your heart with something different! If our speech is to be pure, our HEART must be filled with something (Someone) pure! God has promised us fullness in Christ and as Christ fills you, your words will change. It will happen naturally they will simply flow! Recall the last five events where your tongue has hurt someone or got you in trouble. Now, write out what was wrong in your heart that precipitated your speech. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) How would the fullness of Jesus inside of you have made your response different in each instance? 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
DAY 149 ace With Gr h Filled Speec(AN D SEASONED WITH SALT) READ PROVERBS 18:21, JAMES 3:5 Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. James 3:5 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. We ve all heard the saying, Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me. If you look at today s Scriptures, however, you have to conclude that old saying is just not true. Words can hurt big time. Unconvinced? Think about the damage that Hitler s words did in WWII to Germany as they enflamed an entire country to follow him into sheer evil. Now think about the opposite effect the impact of the words of Martin Luther, or Martin Luther King, Jr. No wonder Solomon wrote that our words have the power of life and death. That being said, how does God expect us to use our words? The answer to that question God wants us to speak words of grace and words of healing. God wants us to speak words that build and inspire and lead people in healthy directions. Understand that does not mean that all speech should be gentle, or soft, or warm. There is a place for harsh words of truth a place to shout words of warning, words of rebuke, or words of correction. Our Lord certainly never shied away from saying the tough words. Intermingled in even His most difficult messages was a word of hope; a reminder of God s love. Our words have the power to change lives say what needs to be said, but don t forget to include grace. Who do you know that needs to hear a difficult truth right now? How can you intermingle that difficult message with the hope of grace?
DAY 150 Avoid Unwholesome Talk READ EPHESIANS 4:29, COLOSSIANS 3:8 Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Colossians 3:8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. We learned yesterday that our words matter. There is something weighty, important, and almost frightening about our words and the effect they have on other people. Our words have power. That s why Paul encouraged us in Ephesians 4 to avoid unwholesome talk. By that, Paul could have meant any number of things complaining, bitter criticism, unrighteous anger, words that are crude or rude or slanderous. In short, Paul was warning against the use of hurtful words. They do more damage than people realize. How many times have you said something that you didn t really think about, and later it came back to bite you in a way that was bigger than you ever dreamed? It s like those words took on a life of their own. The opposite is true too. If you will consciously use words that edify, strengthen, and bolster the confidence of others, the results will be tremendous. When it comes to words, we don t just reap what we sow, we reap so much more. Think of someone in your circle of relationships who is the most down and out. For practice, write down three or four sentences that you could say to that person that would build them up. Pray and ask God for the opportunity to share this with them now!!!
DAY 151 Your Tongue as a Rudder READ JAMES 3:3-5, PROVERBS 18:21 James 3:3-5 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Your life has a direction, it is going somewhere. If you turn and look backwards at where you have been, then pause to consider where you are right now, you can see movement a sometimes meandering path that brought you here and stretches into the future. If you can look forward, then really pause to think, you can probably even discern where your life is heading right now (unless something changes). In any case, understand, your life has direction. So what is steering you as you move? What is guiding you down the path? We could all give lots of different answers to that question hopefully dependence on God is at the top of the list but today s verse from James 3 gives some surprising insight. James asserts that one of the things that is steering you as you move through life is your words. The words you speak give direction. If that seems confusing, consider for a moment the power your words have to steer your life. A couple that communicates through angry criticisms is headed down a dangerous path in marriage. An employee who fills each workday with complaints about their job finds work to be heavy and miserable. A church member who only complains about what is broken at church finds worship difficult. In each instance, the path being traveled is directed by words. That explains, again, why Proverbs 18 says we have the power of life and death in our words. It s because our words direct us, they steer us. They change our perceptions, which direct the very paths we walk. Our lives are moving, and our tongues are like the rudder steering the direction. What is one specific place in your life where your words steer your direction? What must you do to use your words in a more responsible way?
DAY 152 Humility and Meekness READ PROVERBS 17:27, 2 TIMOTHY 2:16 Proverbs 17:27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. 2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. As we have already seen this week, the Bible has MUCH to say about how we use our words. But did you know that Scripture also teaches that sometimes, it is just better to avoid speaking at all? Proverbs 17:27 says, The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint. Proverbs 10:19 says, Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. Proverbs 29:11 says, Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 17:28 says, Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. In each one of these proverbs, God associates an overuse of words with sin, and quietness with wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. Later, in the New Testament, Paul echoes that sentiment when he refers to godless chatter. The implications are obvious. Paul is saying that sometimes, it is just best to be quiet. But why? As you connect the dots on these passages, it almost appears that the godless chatter the Bible condemns is somehow connected with vanity (pride). The man discussed in Proverbs was always talking, trying to impress people with his knowledge. He used words to make himself seem important, to elevate himself, to be an authority, to win an argument and always have the last word. But God calls us beyond that. He doesn t want us to use our words to build ourselves, but rather to build His kingdom. By the way, sometimes, just being quiet allows us to participate in other means of communication listening, empathizing, understanding, caring. After all, actions speak louder than words. Read Proverbs 10:19. Name a time when you should have held your tongue, but didn t. What are some ways that we participate in godless chatter?
DAY 153 Boldness in Prayer READ LUKE 11:9-10, 1 JOHN 5:14-15 Luke 11:9-10 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him. Words are funny things. Sometimes we use them so freely and recklessly. Other times, just forming them on the tongue seems impossible like when you are trying to ask that special someone on a date; or when you are trying to find the courage to argue an unpopular viewpoint; or when you are trying to find the right words to speak to God in prayer. In today s passage from Luke 11, Jesus told a story about a man who knocked on a friend s door at midnight asking for bread. The friend, who was more than a little irritated at being bothered so late, basically said, Go away. I m trying to sleep. Come ask me tomorrow. But when the midnight visitor insisted, the friend eventually relented, gave him some bread, and sent him on his way. Then Jesus made this point if your earthly boldness in asking for things can produce the results you desire, how much more will your heavenly Father honor boldness in your prayer life? After all, He LOVES you. He is never bothered, irritated, or inconvenienced when we pray. He just wants us to ask boldly and confidently. Praying boldly does not mean God will give you everything you want. Read 1 John 5:14-15 again. How did John explain this?
DAY 154 Love, but Not Just In Word READ JAMES 2:15-16, EPHESIANS 5:6 James 2:15-16 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. We have learned this week that our words matter. God cares about what we say and how we say it. We are called to use our words to love and care for others and point them towards God. As we end this week, it is important to pause for a moment and remember that even though our words are important they are never enough. Words without actions are basically worthless, the two need to go hand in hand. Brennan Manning once wrote, The single greatest cause of atheism today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then go out the door and deny Him with their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. Manning s thought falls right in line with today s Scripture from James 2. Our words have no substance unless we back them up with action. So watch your tongue and use it for good. Let it steer you in good directions and it will lead others to Christ. Speak words of affirmation and encouragement and rebuke when necessary. Pray boldly. In every situation let your words honor God, but never let your words be empty. When you speak concern, act upon it. When you criticize, work towards a solution. When you pray for strength exercise! In everything, let your actions follow your words. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:5-6). One more important point salt causes thirst. Hopefully we live our lives in such a way that we create a thirst in others to know Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 5:6, Paul wrote let no one deceive you with empty words. Give some examples of empty words.