Wellspring. Karen Moore

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СКАЧАТЬ 13

      What You Say Matters!

       I tell you that people will have to answer on Judgment Day for every useless word they speak. By your words you will be either judged innocent or condemned as guilty.

      —Matthew 12:36-37

      This has to be one of the scariest Scriptures in the Bible. After all, most of us do a lot of talking. This verse is a good reminder of the benefits of being brief and holding our tongues when the need arises.

      What causes us to go on and on when we would be better served to remain silent? Jesus gave us an example of effective silence and limited commentary when he was in front of Pilate, being accused of things that simply weren't true.

      Many of us have a tendency to either overexplain or demand detailed explanations from someone else, and before we know it anger erupts and caution is thrown to the wind. We spew things out of our mouths that if we choose to rewind the tape later and listen might cause us to wince.

      Our lesson then is to be very aware of what we say. As we lean in on the Lord, we will have the grace and the kindness to treat others with respect and love. Words like that bless everyone, and apparently even bring blessing back to us. Let's be kind today.

      In the Flow

       Lord, help me remember that what I say to anyone is important. Let me speak only with forethought, with kindness, and with love. Amen.

      March 14

      What It Means to Be Truly Happy

      The truly happy person doesn't follow wicked advice, doesn't stand on the road of sinners, and doesn't sit with the disrespectfuI,nstead of doing those things, these persons love the LORD's Instruction and they recite God's Instruction day and night! They are like tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don't fade. Whatever they do succeeds.

      —Psalm 1:1-3

      Imagine you're a blossoming and beautiful tree; your branches bring shade to those who need to rest, your fruit nurtures hungry souls. You're perfectly designed, standing tall, bringing life and breath and sustenance. Your days are calm and cool and your leaves never fade.

      What a refreshing thought! What bliss! In this form, true happiness is fulfilling the purpose of a tree and is bringing the gifts of what you have to share to others. Yes, you're absolutely a breath of fresh air.

      The psalmist wants us to take a stand. When we rise in the morning and choose to share our day with God, spending time in his Word, offering prayers for his response in love and mercy, we are firmly placed in a loving relationship. Not only that, but we give God the control over what we do and he then has every opportunity to cause us to succeed.

      Success brings happiness when we get to fulfill the purpose for which we were designed. We want to lift our lives up to him to sustain us every day. When we do, we have every reason to smile.

      In the Flow

       Lord, help me come to you first, dip my toes in the refreshing waters of your presence, and be washed anew every day. I know that then I'll be happy in you. Amen.

      March 15

      Sprinkled Clean

       Therefore, let's draw near with a genuine heart with the certainty that our faith gives us, since our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies are washed with pure water.

      —Hebrews 10:22

      It's always refreshing to come clean! Sometimes you're in a showering cascade of water that begins your day, other times you're getting the refreshment that comes from confessing your fears and sorrows at the feet of Jesus. Whatever way you do it you're always a little stronger, a little more ready to face whatever life brings next.

      This wonderful reflection from Jane Truax helps illustrate the point. "Botanists say that trees need the powerful March winds to flex their trunks and main branches, so that the sap is drawn up to nourish the budding leaves. Perhaps, we need the gales of life in the same way, though we dislike enduring them. A blustery period in our fortunes is often the prelude to a new spring of life and health, success and happiness, when we keep steadfast in faith and look to the good in spite of appearances."

      Work today to keep steadfast in your faith despite what appears.

      In the Flow

       Lord, you know that trials and sorrows come to all of us. When they come to me, help me remember that you are there, keeping me rooted in you and your love. Bless this day and help the winds of suffering cease to blow in the lives of everyone who seeks you today. Amen.

      March 16

      When You Sign Up With God

       I'm convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.

      —Romans 8:38

      The good news about planting your feet squarely in God's territory is that once you do, unless you put in a big request to be removed from the space, you are connected to him for all eternity. You're his child and you get the benefits of a relationship that's like no other.

      In fact, Paul says with great certainty that "nothing" can separate you from the love of God. Those are big words. Those are words to hold on to because they affect you today and tomorrow and always. You are part of God's family, in his will for the rest of eternity. You inherit all that he has for you.

      When you discovered the faith in your heart, the faith that desires to walk with Jesus, the faith that is tutored by the Holy Spirit and led by the God of the universe, you signed up forever. Not only that, but God signed up forever with you. It was a mutual agreement.

      Today, tomorrow, and always remember that you are never far from the love of the One who bought you at a great price.

      In the Flow

       Lord, thank you for being with me, not just today, but always.

       Thank you for loving me even more than I really understand.

       Amen.

      March 17

      Does Anything Ever Stay the Same?

       Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Don't be misled by the many strange teachings out there. СКАЧАТЬ