FREE SPEECH, REALLY?

Let your speech be always with grace,
seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6

We're hearing a lot about free speech these days. Our forefathers , the originators of our Constitution would probably be shocked at the attention free speech is getting in our day. Perhaps they would be more embarrassed than shocked seeing the spectacles people have made of themselves over the subject. Most Americans at this point I believe are willed with pure disgust as we view rebellious college students, professors, various demonstration groups and now the infection into the professional sports arena with all the verbal rampages and uncalled for behavior. As disgusted as it makes me, my thoughts go to the millions of children and teenagers who have such an admiration for these over-paid spoiled adult brats and what those children are learning from supposed heroes.

Perhaps others I know have had the same experience as I have had through the years. In the jobs I held over the span of 50 years, I never had a job where I had freedom of speech. If I had even uttered disgust at anything or made threats in a rebellious way, I would have been out the door, looking for another job. The simple fact is, we don't always have freedom of speech anywhere in America. There are places where authority takes charge whether we like it or not. One football team over a year ago, allowed a rebellious punk player kneel during our national anthem and did nothing about it. Look where we are now. Rebellion and rotten attitudes don't stop on their own. If not brought under some control, there is chaos. Most athletes taking their stand (or their kneel) don't even know why they are doing such other than because of peer pressure.

The simple thing to consider is that our speech of any kind whether in words or action come as a result of what is inside of us. Good people don't behave like so much of what we are seeing in our streets or athletic arenas. We are consistently be reminded of the need of Jesus in the lives of all people no matter their occupation, lifestyle, identity crisis, race or personal beliefs. Jesus is the only answer to anyone's attitude and resulting speech problem.

We Christians are admonished by Paul in our opening verse as to what our speech is to be and he leaves no doubt about it. In other places in the New Testament we are told how to speak in ways that honors the Lord. Even in Scripture, we are instructed as to how we are to conduct ourselves verbally.

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” I Corinthians 3:7

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members of one another.” Ephesians 4:25

“....as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” Philippians :14b

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:8

The list from Scripture is impossibly long in dealing with speech. By the way, we are free to speak in the ways the above verses list. Even in some areas of religious speech, we have to be wise and discerning should it look like we are trying to force our faith on someone else. One of the most important ways we can speak on behalf of others and our own is through the power of prayer. There's no speech like it and always lovingly received by our Father.

I have full confidence the Holy Spirit will lead a Christian in ways of speaking and acting out before others. However, He will begin in our hearts to change us in every way including the way we treat others. As people follow Him lovingly and consistently, God will change any person's attitudes for good and for His glory.

Beware...as easy as it is to sit in judgment right now of some behaviors that are really irritating to us, we should examine our own attitudes that may need God's hand of forgiveness in our own lives. He stands ready to forgive instantly when we go to Him in repentance.

Father...things in our culture are such a mess right now and so disturbing. Whoever is involved in it all is still loved by you and I pray for them that they will somehow be drawn to You. Forgive my attitudes and times I speak in ways that don't honor You. I love You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

FREE SPEECH, REALLY?
Let your speech be always with grace,
seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6

We're hearing a lot about free speech these days. Our forefathers , the originators of our Constitution would probably be shocked at the attention free speech is getting in our day. Perhaps they would be more embarrassed than shocked seeing the spectacles people have made of themselves over the subject. Most Americans at this point I believe are willed with pure disgust as we view rebellious college students, professors, various demonstration groups and now the infection into the professional sports arena with all the verbal rampages and uncalled for behavior. As disgusted as it makes me, my thoughts go to the millions of children and teenagers who have such an admiration for these over-paid spoiled adult brats and what those children are learning from supposed heroes.

Perhaps others I know have had the same experience as I have had through the years. In the jobs I held over the span of 50 years, I never had a job where I had freedom of speech. If I had even uttered disgust at anything or made threats in a rebellious way, I would have been out the door, looking for another job. The simple fact is, we don't always have freedom of speech anywhere in America. There are places where authority takes charge whether we like it or not. One football team over a year ago, allowed a rebellious punk player kneel during our national anthem and did nothing about it. Look where we are now. Rebellion and rotten attitudes don't stop on their own. If not brought under some control, there is chaos. Most athletes taking their stand (or their kneel) don't even know why they are doing such other than because of peer pressure.

The simple thing to consider is that our speech of any kind whether in words or action come as a result of what is inside of us. Good people don't behave like so much of what we are seeing in our streets or athletic arenas. We are consistently be reminded of the need of Jesus in the lives of all people no matter their occupation, lifestyle, identity crisis, race or personal beliefs. Jesus is the only answer to anyone's attitude and resulting speech problem.

We Christians are admonished by Paul in our opening verse as to what our speech is to be and he leaves no doubt about it. In other places in the New Testament we are told how to speak in ways that honors the Lord. Even in Scripture, we are instructed as to how we are to conduct ourselves verbally.

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” I Corinthians 3:7

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members of one another.” Ephesians 4:25

“....as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” Philippians :14b

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:8

The list from Scripture is impossibly long in dealing with speech. By the way, we are free to speak in the ways the above verses list. Even in some areas of religious speech, we have to be wise and discerning should it look like we are trying to force our faith on someone else. One of the most important ways we can speak on behalf of others and our own is through the power of prayer. There's no speech like it and always lovingly received by our Father.

I have full confidence the Holy Spirit will lead a Christian in ways of speaking and acting out before others. However, He will begin in our hearts to change us in every way including the way we treat others. As people follow Him lovingly and consistently, God will change any person's attitudes for good and for His glory.

Beware...as easy as it is to sit in judgment right now of some behaviors that are really irritating to us, we should examine our own attitudes that may need God's hand of forgiveness in our own lives. He stands ready to forgive instantly when we go to Him in repentance.

Father...things in our culture are such a mess right now and so disturbing. Whoever is involved in it all is still loved by you and I pray for them that they will somehow be drawn to You. Forgive my attitudes and times I speak in ways that don't honor You. I love You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their waves.
The Lord on high is mightier than
the noise of many waters, yea, than the
mighty waves of the sea.
Psalm 93:3,4

For someone in another country, he might not be able to picture floods and hurricane activity that many in our country have been experiencing. I realize other countries have such but it just seems like our country has been hit in some unusual ways as of late. There are prognosticators, some spiritual in nature and some not, who seem to know all the reasons for such events. The simple fact is that nothing has happened in our country or elsewhere that would cause our sovereign God to say, “Ooops...I didn't catch that one.” We don't understand the why's of devastating events nor should we try to figure those things out. I just know that there is nothing of any kind that can touch my life without those things first filtering through the fingers of God.

My husband and I have a daughter and family living in Tampa, Florida. This past weekend, they let us know they would be staying in their home during the hurricane activity. We gave our children to God a long time ago and trust Him completely with them in the palm of his hand. May I say from the momma part of me that there's still something in me that wants to go to the rescue of my children. Again though, some precious word kept running through my mind in it all, “Trust Jesus...trust Me.” Even though I know there must have been other family and loved ones feeling what I was, they too were concerned for all of our recent flood and hurricane-affected loved ones. Despite being a part of that special fraternity, I was still feeling like an “only one.”

This past Sunday was a tough day. I knew the Florida hurricane was going to begin to hit hard that afternoon where our children are living. With our children on my mind, I was praying almost incessantly. Our music pastor came before our congregation with some words literally from the Lord. Sam is a man very sensitive to the things of Scripture and ministers more to us than he can know. He asked for a show of hands of any present who had loved ones in Florida and the oncoming hurricane. I was amazed as I tried to look a little around me to see so many hands raised. For one thing, I now saw I wasn't the only person feeling a very deep concern...I was in good company.

After that recognition of my friends in common, Sam read to us the above verses. I know I've read that Psalm more times than I can count, but all of a sudden, they came to life for me. Could there be verses more graphic to the situation we all found ourselves concerned about. How precious those verses are to me even now. Grateful, too, for Sam's sensitivity for bringing to many of us a reminder of our God who is never out of control.

As I have read those verses over and over, I'm thinking of some folks I know who aren't even getting their feet wet, but who feel some waves of life completely overtaking them. Those waves can be anything from cancer to financial problems, a negative doctor's report or a wayward child breaking a parents heart. Those waves can seem as loud as any stormy waves beating a shore or winds that slam a family home, sounds most deafening. Those waves make themselves heard with almost every breath one takes. They just won't stop. Such waves don't seem to decrease but increase in pitch to the point we feel overwhelmed, drowning in a deluge from which we can't seem to escape.

Physical, watery waves may be something we can't do much about until God and nature take care of the water situations. We know water and waves can do a great deal of damage. The waves of life we face can also do damage and be destructive. However, we have a distinct advantage in that we have a Heavenly Father who is Sovereign, in control and can handle anything life's waves throw at us. He speaks and works above the noise and although we may be inconvenienced for a time, He always knows what He's doing. His love never changes and His presence is constant.

No matter our waves, I pray we will be able to see some good and growth in it all. In the highest wave of life, we might be surprised at the blessings lurking below. Such might sound impossible, but I smile as I think of the places in my life where I saw my Heavenly Father at work in my waves and realized the blessings in the waves that were there.

Father, thank You for your protection and presence in my life. I know there will be waves in this world that will overcome me at times. I know You have only my best interest at heart. I'm so grateful for the assurance You are in control of all things. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

GOD'S TOOL BOX

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord
unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every
good work, and increasing in the
knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10

The Word of God is called by many names....Bible, Word, Scripture, etc. I don't know what we would do without it. Something I often think of when it comes to God's Word is its usefulness to me as a tool box. For the last few weeks, some dear friends and I have met together on Monday mornings for a special time in God's Word. The needs of each of us in that room are completely different...widowhood, health issues, concern for children, heavy teaching responsibilities, etc. Those are pretty common problems among Christians today that can affect any of us at any given time. We may have need of encouragement, comfort, instruction and even correction at any given time that the Word of God speaks to.

I learned early in our marriage that any time Brian and I went on vacation, the first things to go into the trunk in our car even before luggage were two tool boxes. Our car never pulled out of our driveway headed out for anywhere for an extended time but what those tool boxes were in our car. I think I can only remember one time when Brian needed to use a tool, but still they were in our trunk even for that one time. In our Monday time together, I have shared with the ladies principles from the book of Colossians. In studying toward closing the study, I found how Paul listed some very practical things that apply to our everyday living...tools for the task of being all we can be for God.

This list of tools isn't in any respect the only things from the Word we can make use of in our living for Jesus. The following are some of those tools I found important for our consideration as we strive to be all for Jesus we can be. These are concepts I found just in the latter chapters from Colossians. These concepts from Scripture are all the best of tools for us to use not just when something is broken in us. I often need spiritual repair work or just recharging...these are the handiest of tools I can keep not in the trunk of my car, but in the hollows of my heart.

PEACE & THANKSGIVING (3:15)

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

RICHNESS OF THE WORD, SINGING, SHARING (3:16)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

SERVICE (3:23)

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

PRAY (4:2)

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

WISDOM (4:5)

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, *redeeming the time.

*Redeeming the time is also mentioned in this verse. It is important for us to make the very best use of the time we are given in this life to serve and bring glory to God

SPEECH (4:6)

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

In every case, the tools listed require some action on our part. God hears, answers, strengthens us for tasks and directs how to be good Christians. Where there is no prayer, there isn't an answer. Some of these verses begin with the word “let” which indicates some act of cooperation on our part. God wants us to be “Jesus with skin on” when it comes to our service and even speaking with others. God loves our praise even if we can't carry a tune. A church building isn't the only place we can sing to the Lord. Just as we loved hearing our own children sing, our Heavenly Father also loves to hear our singing directed to Him.

Every tool we find in God's Word is meant to be used heartily and with the Holy Spirit's hand on our hand as we work for Him. Wisdom only comes from God and He will grant that to us just for the asking as we work our way through a very troubled culture.

These listed are tools are just a few to keep in the boxes of our hearts, that we take wherever we go, so we are always ready to serve Him heartily.

Dear Father, thank You for not just throwing us out into the world to fend for ourselves. Thank you for Jesus, Your Holy Spirit and Your Word...the perfect team to guide and use us however You see fit. We love you....Amen.

.

THE GIFT OF GUIDANCE

I will instruct thee and teach thee in
the way which thou shalt go: I will guide
thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

One of the careers available in most of our public schools is that of being a guidance counselor. It, in many cases, can be a very thankless and unappreciated job. I came to know many of them while a case manager with foster children. One of my jobs was to keep in contact with each child's school and that was generally done through a guidance counselor and at times a vice-principal. One of their frustrations is that they often have the same students coming to them with the most trivial of issues, often just to get out of class. I saw many of them grieve over those students who really needed help and counseling, but would never darken the counselors office for fear other students might see them there.

We all need guidance. If nothing else, there are times we just need to talk to someone, seeking a word of wisdom from another person. All of us find ourselves in need of counsel at one time or another. However, I hasten to say that very often, folks may not be careful with regard to who they choose to confide in. I have often said, “Everyone has a best friend.” That means that even though one may promise confidentiality, they may be tempted to tell another person.

When an adult is in need of guidance of some sort, there is nothing wrong with seeking advice or even more in-depth counseling. I can't imagine even with regard to seeking the simplest of advice, going to a non-Christian for that advice. Scripture tells we women to go to an older godly woman for our counsel or to their husband. Women should stay away from counseling sessions with pastors. Many a pastor has ended up with moral problems after lengthy counseling sessions with sobbing women. In seeking counsel, we must be careful who we approach for such.

I feel such a sense of security knowing no matter my problem or concern, I have available to me the BEST guidance possible provided by my Heavenly Father. Much of the advice I need can be found in God's Word. His Word is very in depth, not as simple as some would think. God's Holy Spirit is ready and willing to reveal His wisdom into our lives if we seek it. For instance, the Spirit can teach us and advise us from the Word. 

Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. John 16:13

Jesus was introducing the Holy Spirit's work to His disciples prior to His leaving and the Spirits coming. The Holy Spirit would guide them (and now us) into all truth, especially of the things of God. Every time you and I open our Bibles, the Spirit stands ready to teach us the things of God that will guide us into truth. If we read the Word, meditate on it, many of the answers we seek in this life would be answered. The world would tell us that such is just too simple. With God, nothing is simple.

God's guidance is continual:

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11

We don't have to make appointments for counsel, guidance or even encouragement from God's guidance in our lives. We often run to others for those things without bothering to consult God and what His will might be for us in any given situation. His guidance will benefit us in every way.

For this God is our God forever and ever:

He will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

This precious Guide of ours is a forever thing with God. It makes no difference where we are, He is there an available to us. This guidance isn't just for certain stages of our lives. God wants to guide us not only every moment of our days but until the end of our days.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How an I except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:30-3

God may choose to use us to be guides and speak through us in being of help and counsel to others. This becomes a tremendous responsibility for us when God entrusts us with guiding another into His Words of truth. All of we who are God's children will have these opportunities to be guided by the Holy Spirit to someone or someone to us who needs spiritual guidance.

We are a blessed people. We weren't adopted by salvation into God's family and then left to fend for ourselves with no direction for our lives. He is too loving a Father to do that. He takes His parenthood in our lives in a most serious way.

Father, You are so wonderful in all Your provision for us. You care about our every decision and personal concern. We are a blessed people as we see how You do everything because of Your love for us. Thank You! In Jesus' precious name. Amen