Proverbs 13:3 – “He who guards his mouth keeps his life; he who speaks too much shall bring ruin upon himself.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, two words became my focus.   Filter and Faith.   The words of our test are powerfully important. 

In Proverbs 18:13, we are informed that if we answer before we have the facts, it is foolishness and reviles.

Proverbs 17:27 – “He who spares his words has knowledge; and he who is patient is a wise man.”   That means we need to “put a filter on our mouths” and enjoy God’s blessings.  We are to guard against doing harm with our words.  Why do some want to “tell it like it is?”   They have no filter but speak out of selfishness.

Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those who love it shall eat the fruits thereof.”

No filter results in needless harm and ultimately death.   The absence of a filter and patience were exhibited in Luke 1 with Zechariah and Elizabeth when Gabriel visited.   Zechariah asked, “How shall I understand this?”   He was asking for a sign.  Gabriel gave him a sign.  His unfiltered mouth got him in trouble.  

Mary demonstrated both ‘filter and faith’ when she asked for understanding since she was a virgin and would remain so until marriage.  She asked to understand and was blessed.  Zechariah asked for a sign, expressing doubt.   His words got him in trouble, but Mary’s words got her blessed.

Be aware of your words.  Unfiltered words can bring God’s disfavor.   Think before you speak. 

Lord, make our words pleasing to You.  

Joel 2:25 – “I will make up for the years that the ‘arbeh-locust consumed your crops—the yeleq-locust, the hasil-locust, and the gazam-locust—my great army that I sent against you.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was drawn to the reality of judgment. If that alone had been my focus, it would have depressed me. But as I read in Joel, I saw God’s judgment with God’s purpose of restoration. I saw God’s incredible mercy, and I was encouraged and comforted.

There is a chorus that flows from Joel 2, which was once sung about the Army of the Lord.  That chorus always troubled me.  The Army that the chorus described is an army of various kinds of devouring locusts sent for judgment.  They rushed on the city, climbed on the walls, and were called the army of the Lord. It was judgment, and they were bringing destruction. I could not get excited about that.

However, I can get excited about what Joel declares in Joel 2:12-13. The reality is that even in judgment, God is merciful and compassionate, seeking restoration.

In Joel 2:25, we see God’s heart for the repentant. “I will make up for the years that the ‘arbeh-locust consumed your crops, the hasil-locust, and gazam-locust – My great army that I sent against you.”  He continues telling them they would move from lack to plenty.

Then, in verses 28-29, we have that incredible promise of a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But notice how he begins the promise, “After All This…”  After the incredible judgment of the Day of the LORD.  After the hearts have been brought to repentance, the overflow of Revival, Renewal, and Restoration will come!

In verse 32, God’s guarantee is, “It will so happen that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered.” Judgment is coming to this world, but God’s love, mercy, and grace are too! If we seek Him with our hearts, we may not escape the pain of judgment, but we will be delivered. God will not abandon us.   In times of judgment, we need the Body of Christ to be a functioning Body. We strengthen each other. We have hope even in times of hopelessness.

I see the dual or parallel. There will be judgment and revival coming simultaneously. Those who turn to God with a whole heart will be delivered! We will be able to rescue others as well.

Don’t be shaken by the coming shaking. Hang on to your hat; visions, dreams, and a mighty overflow of the Holy Spirit are about to burst forth. As the darkness gets darker, the light gets lighter. As evil abounds, grace abounds even more. As destruction comes, restoration comes to the hungry, surrendered heart.

It is a choice!  God’s love opens the door to victory. Walk through it! Things are about to get really exciting. It will be frightening for the uncertain and rebellious. It will be exciting for those who are fully surrendered and committed.

Although judgment is coming, so is Mercy and out of Mercy Revival, Renewal, and Restoration! 

John 14:1-3 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you….”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, a song came to my mind, and it won’t let me go.   Let me share what I am hearing in my heart, and if it touches you, I rejoice.

It was a song written by Ira Stanphill in the 1950s, during a time of depression and struggle with things going on in his life.  His wife battled addiction and left him for other men, but he forgave her, tried to reconcile, and remained faithful to his vows.  You can imagine the gossip, a preacher’s wife in a life of sin. The rumors and stories that must have been told, and how difficult it must have been for him.

In the book “Turn Your Radio On,” Ace Collins relates the struggle of Stanphill and tells how, in the depths of his sadness, he began to hum a tune, and the next thing he knew, he was singing a song.  He sang about not knowing what was in the future but knowing that God was with him every step of the way.  When he arrived at his office, he rushed to the piano and jotted down the words.  What a testimony and truth that God dropped in the preacher’s heart, and what words that should comfort each of us.

C.S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”  That is precisely what Jesus was telling us in John 14:1-3.

One day, and that day may be soon, we will enter that eternal realm and be forever with our Lord, but until that time, it is good to KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW and WHO HOLDS OUR HAND! I thank God for my wonderful wife, family, friends, and those who touched my life, whom I have never met. They mean so much to me, yet NONE can provide what GOD PROVIDES! Therefore, I say, “Don’t worry about tomorrow; just live today in the light of His love.” 

May God be with you as you read the words of the song listed below:

I don’t know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine.
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow.
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter.
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow.
And I know who holds my hand.

I don’t know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me.
And I’m covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow.
And I know who holds my hand…

May God help you to rise up in faith and confidence and place your hand in the hands of the Lord! Blessings on your journey, and if we never meet again or meet this side of Heaven, I look forward to seeing you over there!

LORD, help us to trust with our tomorrow and our today!

2 Samuel 21:16 – “Now Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, had a spear that weighed 300 bronze shekels, and he was armed with a new weapon. He had said that he would kill David.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the thought of progress and process filled my mind.  Something in 2 Samuel 21:16 stood out. I’ve read it many times, but today, it was highlighted.  David, the boy giant killer, now a victorious king with a history of victory, is afraid of a giant.

That speaks of a negative progression.  Paul speaks of the positive progression and transformation in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.  Reconciled to God through the Finished Work of Jesus.   New Creations becoming!  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 gives reason for hope.  Our physical bodies are wearing out, but our spirits are growing stronger and stronger. (Key to that is abiding in Jesus and His Word abiding in us.) 2 Corinthians 3:4 reveals the source of our strength – GOD! Verses 16-18 reveal the process and progression of becoming!

David was fearless before Goliath.  Elijah was fearless before Ahab and the prophets of Baal.  Both, after great victories, feared.  One, the giant; the other, Jezebel.  Paul’s answer is GOD.  Keep the focus on God.  You didn’t do the exploits in your strength. “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; BUT our strength comes from God.”

In Jesus, we live. In Jesus, we are transformed. In Jesus, we conquer.   If we keep pressing into Him. If we keep feeding on His Word and communing with Him through the Holy Spirit. If we keep our focus on Him, WE WILL progress and defeat Giant after giant without fear. Fear comes from trusting ourselves rather than relying on Him.

Lord, help us submit to the process and progress in You as we become overcomers! Have a wonderful day, but remember that Sunday is coming very soon! Keep Looking Up!

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 – “With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ² If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know. ³ But if someone loves God, he is known by God.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God, the BODY became my focus. Not the human body or the individual spiritual body, but THE BODY OF CHRIST!

A major theme of the New Testament is THE BODY!  1 Corinthians 11 informs us that failure to discern the Body results in bad things.  Paul’s discourse on the Body in 1 Corinthians 12 directly connects to 1 Corinthians 11 and the communion ceremony.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 reveals that knowledge without Agape produces pride, division, and death.   If the hand develops a hand, doctrine, and devalues the other body parts, does that justify us in cutting the hand off?  Isn’t it still needed, although selfish and in error?  Would it not be wisdom to try to bring light to the hand?  If we eliminate parts that have errors or that we disagree with, we hurt ourselves and diminish our effectiveness.

We are THE BODY OF CHRIST.  We have different roles, functions, gifts, abilities, and levels of understanding.  The factor that makes the BODY a well-functioning machine for the Kingdom is AGAPE!

As a body, we need ALL the parts. Our part is not the whole. Our level of understanding is not the whole. Restoration is God’s heart, not eradication or isolation.

Paul said something in 1 Corinthians 15:10 that is worthy of note: “But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace that is in me has not been in vain; for I labored more abundantly than all, yet not I, but God’s grace that is within me.” He shows us the labor of grace and the grace of labor.

Remember, none of us has ALL knowledge. None of us has ALL gifts. None of us can do it ALL.  We are Christ’s Body, or supposed to be. That body works together in AGAPE!

When we criticize and ostracize others, are our words and deeds those of Agape? Are we properly discerning the Lord’s Body?  Open no doors to the devil. Let love prevail.

Lord, mold us into the Body of Christ so we can be Your Bride and Glorious Church!