Rewards of a Soft Answer

Do you ever just let words fly out of your mouth without thinking? If asked I would have to say I have been guilty. It’s so easy when in a state of anger or disappointment to just spew the first thought that comes to mind. Yet the Lord does not want us to be quick with our words. He wants us to be wise using restraint, grace, and kindness when we are angry. Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace (angry words), is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips (refrains from speaking when angry) is esteemed a man of understanding.”

When in a disagreement we often do not listen to the other person we are upset with when they are speaking. As they try to tell us why they are upset we are already forming the words of our retaliation without really hearing what the other person is trying to tell us. Quickly spoken words never bring good results but the wise will listen, really listen to what the other person is saying before giving an answer. Proverbs 1:15 teaches us that a soft answer turns away wrath but harsh words stirs up anger. More angry words thrown back and forth only intensify hurt feeling, never allowing the disagreement to be settled. James 1 verse 19 says, ““Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift (quick) to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (anger):”

Paul teaches a good lesson on how we should conduct ourselves as a Christian in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 29-32, where he says we are not to allow any bitter, angry or evil speaking to come from our mouth but to use words that edify and minister grace to the hearer showing them kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness.

It’s not always easy to be quiet and use wisdom when in a disagreement. Yet, with the help of the Holy Spirit we can do it. And the results are definitely worth the effort for it gives us harmony in our relationships, allowing us to live more peaceful lives.

Heavenly, Father we come to you today asking you to teach us how to deal with our anger when we are in a disagreement with someone. Teach us how to love and forgive others as you have loved and forgiven us. Instill in us a kind, tender, and forgiving heart. Let our words spoken be pleasing in your sight as we work to settle our differences. In Jesus Name, Amen

Ecclesiates 3:1-2 kjv
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
The Lord has a purpose for every season. The seasons come and go each year from spring to summer, which is a time to plant, and fall and winter, which is a time to pluck up or harvest what we have sown. Our lives upon this earth also have seasons. In the spring of our youth we grow as a person and as a Christian if we know Christ. Our days are filled with new learning experiences and developing a Christ like character, constantly growing more and more into what Christ made us too be.
Time passes and we come into our later years (the fall and winter of our life). In this season if we have developed and grown as we should as a Christian we become more and more of a living example to all those around us. As we watch our children and grandchildren, maybe even great grandchild develop we begin to receive the harvest of what we have sown in them grow and mature. Nothing brings more pleasure than watching our families grow in Christ.
The seasons of our life should never be wasted as they pass away far too quickly. No matter what season of our life we are in we can become a living example to others around us.
Heavenly Father, no matter what season of our life we are in teach us and grow us into the very best example of your love and grace to others. Let your love and mercy show through us, then when our life upon this earth is finished take us home to receive the greatest harvest of all; a home in heaven where we will rest forever in your glorious presence. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen

Sometimes we feel we are rushing through life without ever having time to fully enjoy the moments the Lord has given us. We often feel we just exist; going from one task to another doing what has to be done without any joy in our heart, always trying to accomplish a goal that can never be reached. As I sat down an talked with the Lord today I asked Him why do we so often feel we are in rush with our lives full of turmoil? As I sat in the quiet room I felt the Lord spoke this into my heart; “To often my people dwell on their past and the things they cannot change; or constantly worrying what tomorrow will bring. They are searching for happiness in what they are doing or in the accumulation of things in their life. They worry over their past or what will happen in their future instead of just trusting Me.” I thought how true this is for I am guilty of this far too many of my days.
One truth I have found is we cannot dwell in our past or live our days always worrying about tomorrow. We have to grasp each day and find the joy in it; the joy of knowing the Lord in our heart and the joy of loving Him and loving others around us. When we stop dwelling on our past or worrying about our tomorrows and start walking in the gift of each new day the Lord gives us, our steps become lighter, the sun shines brighter even when its overcast, the beautiful sounds around us become clearer and more pleasing to our ear. Life begins to have meaning and purpose. We then find we have peace and joy in our days again. Each day is a gift from God my friends, embrace it with all your heart and live in the joy of God’s precious gift; “The present.”
Lord, we come to you today seeking your peace, joy and purpose in our life. Help us to see the joy of each new day. Remind us we cannot change our past and only you know our future. Today is a gift you have given each of us to enjoy. Helps us Lord to learn to live in the gift of each day you give us. We thank you for the precious gift of each new day and for your abiding love and guidance in our life. In Jesus Precious Name! Amen

  • AcceptedByHisAmazingGrace

Sometimes fear comes to overtake our mind and steal our peace. Fear brings on anxiety and takes our minds away from all the blessing the Lord gives us each day. One thing is for certain if we live in fear we are never happy or at peace. Yet God’s Word tells we are not to fear but to have faith in the Lord and His love for us. Faith is the opposite of fear. Faith in the Lord brings us power over the things we fear. It gives us a sound mind (a mind at peace no matter what we are facing); and it allows us to live in the love our Lord knowing He is always there protecting us.

Heavenly Father, We come to you asking you to calm our fears and anxieties. Reminds daily of your love and protection for us. Even though the world around may be in turmoil cover us with your peace, joy and happiness. In Jesus Precious Name. Amen

I Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Our greatest treasures are not found in material things but in the family, friends, and loved ones we have around us each day. Yet as great a treasure as each of them are they still cannot compare to the treasures laid up for us in heaven. Joy, happiness and peace beyond anything our mortal minds can comprehend are waiting for us there. Our days should be filled with a desire to serve the Lord thereby laying up for ourselves these wonderful treasures in heaven. Have a Blessed Day! Jeanette

Our Heavenly Father is looking for servants and handmaids to whom He can pour out His spirit. In these days we are living it is so important to be a light of what is good and holy in a world filled with evil and hate. Our world needs the Holy Spirit directing it; this can only happen through those who are willing to give their life over the Lord to be filled with His Holy Spirit and direction in their own lives. Only then can we show others the love, joy, and peace that comes from having the Holy Spirit as your guide.

Under the law everyone had to keep every commandment and law that was given to Moses. There was no way anyone could accomplish this as they were all human just as we are with the same weaknesses of the flesh all are born into. In the Old Testament Aaron laid his hands upon the chosen goat and confessed the iniquities of the people upon the goat which was then turned out into the wilderness (a land not inhabited). Lev. 16:15-16. The goat bore their iniquities. Each year they had to sacrifice a lamb to cover their sins. Yet that wasn’t enough as it only rolled the sins over for another year.  

Aren’t you so glad we have a Heavenly Father who loved us so much He was willing to send His Son Jesus Christ as the final sacrifice for all the sins of mankind? Christ loved us so much He suffered a cruel death on the cross taking all our sins upon himself? Through our faith in Christ and what He did on the cross we can live with the assurance our sins are forgiven.  Completely wiped clean to be remembered no more.

Keeping our faith isn’t always easy but being faithful has great rewards. Through faith in Christ we are saved and given a promise of a home in heaven; living in faith we can walk through our days with peace in our heart and with joy in our life knowing the Father is in control. Galatians 3:13-14

Heavenly Father, we thank You from the depths of our heart for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us from the curse of eternal death. Thank You Lord Jesus for Your love, sacrifice and suffering. Thank You for taking our sins upon Yourself, dying a cruel death on the cross so we through our faith in You we have an assurance of a home in heaven when this life is finished. We love You Lord and give You all the honor and glory that is Yours and Yours alone. In Jesus Precious Name! Amen

Our Heavenly Father truth is pure and righteous but to many times our truth is based upon what feels good to us at the moment. What feels good to our fleshly being is not necessarily true by God’s standards. So how do we know we are living by His truth? We can only know this by studying His Word and staying close to Him in prayer. When we are in a close relationship with Him He speaks His truth to our hearts. His truth gives us peace in our heart and joy in our soul. Following His truth gives us an assurance that one day we will dwell with Him in the Holy Hills of Heaven. What a beautiful truth to know that if we follow the Father we will someday live in His Holy Presence forever.

Thank you Heavenly Father for Your Holy Word which is Your truth! Please clean up my heart and make it soft so it will receive Your truth. Plant Your seed, Your truth into my heart and direct my path each day so I can live my life by Your standard and not this world’s standard. In Jesus Precious Name! Amen

Our Heavenly Father is such an awesome Father, so full of love and forgiveness. All we have to do is ask Him with a sincere heart and He forgives us all our trespasses. Yet at times we are so weak and unforgiving of others who trespass against us. We let our hurt blind us to the fact that the Lord has forgiven us of so much. The Lord said in Matthew 18:23-35 that a servant came to Him owing 10 thousand talents (a million dollars) and begged the Lord to forgive the debt. Just like our loving Father He forgive the man yet when this same man came to a servant who owed him 100 pence (about $10.00), the man was unforgiving of the servant and had him thrown in jail. Isn’t that just like us in our flesh? The lord forgives us yet we are unwilling to forgive other who wronged us or hurt us in some way. I have found in my own experiences how hard it can be to forgive yet when I start to pray for the wellbeing of the one who has hurt me forgiveness starts to take place in my heart. After awhile I can then think of that person with peace in my heart. We all fall short each day, I know I do and I am so thankful for a forgiving Father that loves us so much He never gives on us.

Forgiveness is essential to our physical wellbeing; it allows our bodies to heal but more than this it is especially essential to our spiritual wellbeing. Without forgiveness and forgiving of others we cannot truly have peace in our heart or receive forgiveness from the Father. (Matthew 18:35) Please don’t let Satan fill your heart with unforgiveness. Give your hurt and anger to the Lord, pray for those who have hurt you and watch the Lord fill your heart with peace.

Heavenly Father, we come to you humbly with a heart full of hurt. We ask you to heal us of these painful experiences that caused our pain and suffering. Fill our hearts with compassion toward those who have hurt us and help us to see them through your eyes Father. Help us to understand that You love us all the same. Forgive us Father as we forgive others. Fill our hearts with compassion and love toward others and with a peace that can only come from You. In Jesus Precious Name! Amen

 
This morning as I was reading in Acts chapter 17, I read the verse where Paul was speaking to the men of Athens. In Verse 23 he said, “I found an alter with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOW GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him I declare unto you!
 
As I read this question immediately came to my mind, “How well do we really know God?” Do we know about Him or do we know Him, really know him intimately? Not in a physical sense but in a spiritual sense. When we know someone intimately we know their thoughts, their actions before a word is spoken or a move is made. We are so close that our thoughts transmit to one another. Are we that close to God? To know God we have to have faith that He is real not just someone we talk about but the one we feel deep down inside our heart and being. We believe He is the one who made the earth, everything we see, touch, and feel. He is the sun upon our face, the wind that blows across our skin, the air that we breathe. He is the love within our heart, the joy of each new day, the peace we feel when we lay down at night to rest. He is the beauty around us, the love of family. He is the one that is with us every moment of everyday. He is our thoughts on every subject. He is our comfort and healer when we are sick or heartbroken. He is our strength when we are weak. HE IS OUR EVERYTHING!! He is why we exist, He is our purpose in life and without HIM we are nothing.
 
Paul spoke of who God is to a believer, read with me what Paul said about God;
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
 
If we know God in our hearts, minds and spirit then we are part of God. We are his offspring, a part of Him. He is who we are. His thoughts become our thoughts, His ways become our ways. The love He gives to us becomes the love we give to others. The forgiveness He has shown us we then show to others. HE IS WHO WE ARE!
 
We can drift away from God and He can cease to be who we are. I know from my experiences that we can find ourselves becoming doubtful and weak but remember this, the God that made us is always there. He never moves from us, we may move away from him but He never moves from us and when we are not as close to Him as we should be He is always there reaching out and drawing us back to him, to the peace and love that can only come from being in a close relationship with Him. So today let us renew ourselves to Him.
 
If you feel you are not where you should be today then pray with me and ask God to come into our hearts and make us into what He created us to be.
 
Lord, today I ask you to make me into your likeness. Show me who YOU are in my heart and spirit so I can live my life as a living of example of You to other. Let my thoughts be Your thoughts, my words be Your words and my actions be Your actions. Lord I give my life to You. Use me Lord for Your purpose. In Jesus Precious & Holy Name. Amen!
 
Love & Peace to each of you! Jeanette