Love Language - Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

“Love Language”

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

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As I continue to seek GOD’s advice on communicating with my spouse, I am starting to realize how much I have just read over the book of Proverbs!  I have been missing some sound communication advice from GOD’s Word!  Not that me and the little lady is having any problems . . . GOD has put the  desire to communicate even better with her on my heart!  Again, this is some good marriage 101 stuff!  

These two words can start some serious arguments and debates!  We found this out early in our marriage and we still make the mistake from time to time!  For example, I could say something like, “You are always complaining!” Now it didn’t matter that she would actually be complaining at the time, but we would have a long “debate” over my choice of using “always”  Then there are the times when she would say something like, “You never say that you love me!”  This would get the tea pot steaming!  It didn’t matter that I didn’t say this on our anniversary . . . how could she use the word “never”

I would argue the fact that I have said it before and she is wrong to use the word “never” And like an idiot, I would purpose in my heart not to tell her I loved her for a long time!  Wow . . . we really did struggle in the area of communication!  We didn’t curse at each other (much), but we did use “trigger” words like “always” and “never” to stir up anger.

Thank GOD that HE has given us a new language!  You see, GOD’s love language teaches us to use gentle words and give gentle answers.  We have done our best to eliminate all “trigger” words.  Here is the key to that success!  We both love GOD!  We both tell each other what words “trigger” that anger!  We both respect each other’s transparency and don’t use it as a tool to strike at each other!  And we use the love language as much as possible, so that it doesn’t sound foreign!  Many times, we don’t want to speak from GOD’s love language until we have done something wrong!  Not only do we do this to each other, but we do it to GOD too.  When we need HIM, we speak gentle and with compassion!  But as soon as things are not going our way . . . here come the harsh words!  Here is another key to success that we have learned from a dear friend . . . speak in the form of a gentle question! She would never tell someone that they are going to hell, but she would ask the question, “Do you know that GOD loves you so much that HE doesn’t want you to choose a place of eternal fire?”  What a wise woman!

I speak this to everyone who is reading . . . I Love You . . . And GOD Loves You More!

Honeycomb Hideout - Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

“Honeycomb Hideout”

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

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This verse is really good marriage 101 advise!  When is the last time you whispered sweet-nothings in the ear of your spouse!  You know . . . that something that makes them smile, and no one else knows what you said.  That sweet-nothing that reminds them that in spite of . . . you still love them!  That something that makes them feel like they still got it!  I am always trying to take my spouse to the Honeycomb Hideout!  I will whisper in her ear, she will laugh, and my sons will say, “I don’t even want to know what you said to her!”  And in her own way, she does the same for me!  Her words (sometimes) are like honeycomb!  We talk about the days of yesterday . . . the good and bad ones, and it helps us appreciate where we are!

Encouraging words are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  When you see that your spouse is having a ruff go at it, take them to the Honeycomb Hideout!  Better yet, next time GOD moves on your heart to encourage one another . . . take that mini vacation to the Honeycomb Hideout!  I can hear the background music playing . . . “turn off the light!”

Blind Date - Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

“Blind Date”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

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Proverbs is full of sound biblical advise and wisdom!  This verse reminds me that flattery gets your foot in the door, but kicked out of the house (that’s old school) and beauty is only skin (that’s a song).  But love for the LORD will earn praise (that’s HIS Word)!  I want you to think about the last time you got ready for a date . . . that you actually wanted to go on.  What kind of preparation did it take?  How long did it take you to choose an outfit, because you wanted to look your best?  How much cologne did you put on because you wanted to smell good?  Did you spend any time in the mirror to make sure everything was flawless?  Tell me this . . . was your preparation for the last date you went on anything like the last time you prepare to have devotion with GOD? We go through a lot to make sure we look perfect and present ourselves flawless for someone we really don’t know . . . but we spend very little time preparing for the One who knows all about us! 

Let me share with you the Blind Date that changed my life!  I couldn’t find the perfect outfit, but I was clothed in HIS righteousness!  I had the smell of stench, but I was showered with HIS love!  I didn’t have time to look in the mirror, but my reflection was of HIS grace!  I wasn’t prepared at all, but I am so glad HE met me where I was!  Listen, I was blind with fear, but now I see!  I saw HIS flawlessness and knew I could not compare, but HE took me on a Blind Date anyway!  It was the moment I gave my life to CHRIST!  Now when I prepare myself to go before the LORD on a date (devotion) . . . HE doesn’t see my sins, but HE sees HIS Blood!  Have you been on a Blind Date yet?  If not, HE is knocking at the door of your heart . . . won’t you let HIM in!

Why Did I Do That - 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

“Why Did I Do That”

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

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Does sexual immorality leave you in a state of “Why did I do that!”  No matter how handsome or pretty the person is . . . when we know it is  wrong, we ask ourselves “Why did I do that!”  We try to mend broken relationships with “that” and we try to convince someone of our love with “that”.  Sometimes we do “that” to try and make ourselves feel better about ourselves, but truth be told, “that” leaves you feeling worst about ourselves!  We do it to feel powerful, but truth be told, “that” leaves us weak and vulnerable!  As Christians wanting a true relationship with GOD, it’s hard to get past “that” without realizing we are sinning against our own bodies!

The reason we ask “Why did I do that” is because we realize that we have sinned against GOD and ourselves.  Have you ever asked “Why did I do that to GOD”  You know it’s not a coincidence that this sin has caused so much damage in our lives!  It’s hard to recover from it and it can be even harder to move on!  You began to beat up on yourself because you did “that” again.  You know the intentions were wrong . . . you know how it is going to end . . . yet you find yourself asking again in frustration “Why did I do that!”  It’s like playing that old game called Russian roulette with your body!  You are hoping you don’t get hurt . . . this time!  You are hoping you are not pregnant . . . this time!  You are hoping you don’t contract a disease . . . this time!  But you are sinning against your own body . . . every time!  Please, don’t try to convince yourself “that” is O.K.  Try looking at sin the same way GOD looks at sin . . . and you will realize HE loves you too much.  HE doesn’t want to see you hurt yourself with “that”

I can’t answer for anyone on why, but I do know that GOD’s Word says that our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit!  With JESUS as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives in you!  Before you open your heart to man (human), give your heart to JESUS, and HE will let you know who to let in!  We can abuse someone else physically and emotionally . . . but we always hurt ourselves with sexual immorality!  Wrapping it up does not protect against the emotional damage.

Then there is the area of sexual immorality that we will refer to as "Self Gratification".  It is also a sin against our own bodies!  The mind should never go where the body is not allowed to follow!  If you know that your body is not suppose to be in the bed with someone other than your spouse . . . why would you let your mind go there?  We are to keep our beds pure, so if your mind goes there in self gratification . . . you are still sinning against your own body and your bed!  You think you are not cheating or sinning, because no one else is involved, but that is so far from the truth!  Not only do you sin agianst your own body, but you put a huge strain on any physical relationship!  No one will ever live up to your standard of self gratification!  So, don't be fooled . . . self gratification is still a sin against "self"!

Tipping The Scale - Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

“Tipping The Scale”

 ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

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I always hear or read about “balance!”  We must have a balanced diet!  We must have a balanced life!  So now I am visualizing a “Balance Scale”  One side has to equal the other side in order for the scale to be balanced!  If you put a 10 pound weight on one side, you have to put two 5 pound weights on the other side!  That’s balanced!

What does this have to do with the passage?  We can get caught up in focusing too hard on balance!  We can become so anxious, worried and concerned about life and all the things of this world, that we end up tipping the scale towards the spirit of depression, anxiety, etc.  Then when we feel the scales are tipping in the wrong direction, and then we try to balance it with GOD’s Word!  We go to church and bible study just long enough to feel better and have a balance.  But this will not give us true joy!  We have to tip the scale in the direction of GOD!  We have to think on whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.  Those things of excellent and those things that are praiseworthy!

I always say, “It takes more preparation than participation”  You can’t balance your efforts with your results.  You will always have to give your best effort to get any result.  Tipping The Scale towards GOD will always outweigh the bad!  It only takes One love to tip the scales away from haltered! 

I began tipping the scales towards GOD when I purposed to have more Christian friends in my phonebook for advise then those who would advise me of what the world would do!  I tipped the scale when I chose to stop watching “R” rated movies and have more Christian DVDs in my library!  I tipped the scale towards GOD when I eliminated worldly music CDs and began to purchase Christian CDs.  I use to try to balance them all, but now I realize that GOD tipped the scale on death when HE gave HIS only Son . . . so surly I can do my part to keep the scale tipped towards GOD in my life!

We can’t stand “On the Fence” and we can’t “Balance the Scale”  Be full of HIS Love!

Note:  If you prepare yourself all week with GOD’s Word, your participation during the Sunday Worship Service will be awesome!  More preparation than participation!

Rejoice In HIS Blessings!

Action Speaks Louder - 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Scripture of the Day

1 John 3:18 (NIV)

“Action Speaks Louder”

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

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It’s amazing how we (our country) can spend millions of dollars to campaign, but we can’t invite a hundred homeless folks over for a BBQ!  We can start programs that sound good, but have no impact on those who truly need it!  Of course I am not beating up on our country, nor can I admit that I am doing all that it takes. But ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? (James 2:15-16)  Action Speaks Louder than words!

As Christians, who say we love the LORD, must always be in action!  We are to pray without ceasing, but that doesn’t mean you don’t take action!  You have heard the “Whistle while you work”, well we should “Pray while we work”  but we must always be in action.  ²¹ Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did (James 2:21-22). Action Speaks Louder than words.  If you don’t believe me . . . give one of your family members a hug without saying anything!  That action will speak!  Try giving a homeless person on the street a blanket and a pair of new socks!  That action will speak!  Now tell someone that JESUS loves them, and then show them how active HE has been in your life!  That action will speak louder than words!  Just imagine if you could not speak any words . . . how would you show love?

Be Active!

Divided By Water - Acts 11:16 (NKJV)

Scripture of the Day

Acts 11:16 (NKJV)

“Divided By Water”

Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

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Two men are talking on the subway, and the conversation about our Great GOD began!  They had a wonderful time talking about HIS goodness and blessings.  They shared their testimonies of what GOD had done for them and their families.  They spoke on spiritual, theological and practical aspects of the relationship with CHRIST!  Even after the subway ride came to an end, they realized that they were getting off at the same stop, and both agreed that it had to be the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit that brought them together!  Then the discussion took a sharp turn when the subject of baptism came up!  One did not believe the bible said we had to be completely submerged in the water.  In fact, he pointed out this verse and said that it states John baptized “with” water, not “in” water!

Wow!  How many of us are divided by the water?  Now as the other man continued to say he had not given that much thought, the arguing man continued on with stating his case that we did not need to be completely submerged in the water.  As the new friend continued to listen, he finally asked this question, “How much does it matter?”  The other man shouted, “What do you mean how much does it matter!”  His friend responded with, “JESUS died, JESUS rose, JESUS lives . . . and we are saved!  How much does the water matter?” 

John 3:16 tells us why we are given salvation.  Romans 10:9-10 tells us how we are saved.  And JESUS demonstrated that baptism is important, for HE HIMSELF was baptized (Matthew 3:16).  Although this topic does develop some interesting conversations, I don’t think it should divide our love for GOD and each other!  Many friendships have been dissolved over this topic and many like it!  Keep the main thing the main thing!  If we all agree that GOD so loved the world, and that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart, then we are saved . . . why would we let anything divide us!  For we are all baptized in the Holy Spirit!

Let us all wade in the water together and live by the Holy Spirit as one! Amen!