Home of the "Special Delivery" Book by James A. Harrison
We must never rely solely on our own wisdom or skills. But it is equally wrong to sit and do nothing when there are still actions we can take to overcome certain problems. Do all that you can to fix the problem then trust God to do His part.
James tells us “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” So in other words if there is something you can do may you be encouraged today to make a positive difference in the Kingdom of God through the love of Jesus Christ…
Within the ministry of God it is unfortunate but true that many wounds are often inflicted on others. Some are direct darts from Satan and many others are simply due to the lack of maturity in the Word of God. When we look upon maturity in Christ it helps to compare this to the fruit on a tree. For not all fruit ripens at the same time for the harvest and it is very wise to recognize the stages of the fruit around us in order to insure their maturity. Another part of wisdom is to be honest in the maturing stage that we are in without acting like something that we are not. For whats wrong with saying,”This is where I am with God and here are my current growing pains?”
Like a child they often think they are ready for something before their time and it is when they receive it that they often discover it was more than they could handle. Within this lesson there are multiple lessons to those with the eyes to see and the ears to hear. Think about it! We learn this lesson through John Mark and Paul among many other parallels throughout the Word of God. For John Mark was commissioned by the Holy Spirit to assist Paul in His first mission but rather than sticking to the mission he left them to go on his own way due to his own lack of understanding and trust in God. In time they were brought back together as Paul instructed Timothy to bring John Mark in a future mission and it was this time apart that the love of Jesus helped to heal the wounds.
One of the vital parts of maturity and understanding is recognizing and acknowledging the lessons that are gained in our trials. These test that are often before us are there to help us mature but far too often we miss the true healing due to not sharing the lessons we learn and wanting to place blame on someone else. It is when we learn to stand on God’s Word and take our trials to the Lord that He will show us the proper Way to reach the other side. So with all this being said this morning may I encourage you to not allow your feelings or your own lack of understanding to move you from where you are. Seek God with a humbled heart and be willing to do as He instructs to witness the healing that can take place in the hand of God…
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:2
James A. Harrison
http://balancedlifeministry.org
http://specialdeliverybook.com
Jesus warned that our words are so important that they will actually determine our condemnation or justification. He said we will be held responsible for all our words, even our careless, idle words. “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37).
Elsewhere, Paul cautioned believers to disallow any corrupt or worthless talk to come from our mouth. Only those things which lift-up, encourage, and are gracious should be expressed to others. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Obscenities, profanity, cursing, dirty jokes, or making fun of others is not something that should ever be found in the mouth of a believer. “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” (Eph. 5:4 NIV).
Thank God there is a remedy for mouth sins. His grace and forgiveness is available for all manner of sin, whatever it may be. Jesus will forgive all sins that we confess to Him (1 John 1:9) — but we must also “forsake” them. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). The scriptures tell us to repent” of sin (Rev. 3:19), that is to “turn away” from sinful behavior. True repentance means that we will make every effort not to repeat our former sins and will seek to walk in the nature of Christ. Since mouth sins really originate in the heart (Matt. 12:34), repentance requires a change of attitude within. Such was David’s desire in his repentant prayer. “Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psa. 51:9-10).
If you realize that your tongue is out of control, seek His forgiveness and allow Him to change the attitude of your heart and your mouth, so they will be pleasing to Him. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, 0 LORD, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psa. 19:14).
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Unfortunately, mouth sins have somehow been domesticated and entertained by the modern church. Gossip, backbiting, and slander have become viewed as “naughty” little habits that aren’t really so serious. However, when Paul wrote to the church at Rome he sternly contended that gossips, slanderers, and bad-mouthers were in the same league as murderers, sexual perverts, and haters of God. Furthermore, he said such sins are worthy of a death sentence (Rom. 1:28-32).
Some believers have experienced problems and misfortune, or fail to get answers to their prayers, because of their mouth sins. Using their tongue to ridicule, gossip about, or to slander their brothers and sisters is clearly sin — and as we know, unrepentant sin cuts off the flow of God’s answers to their prayers. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18). Those who have mouth problems are destined to experience much trouble in their life and will not find it easy to obtain God’s help with their problems. Satan takes advantage of those whose mouths are undisciplined and that are used wickedly. “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles” (Prov. 21:23).
James gave a warning of the evil poison of the tongue. He described some who try to use their tongue as praise and blessing to God, then turn around to use their tongue to speak evil of one another. “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. These things ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10). We cannot use our tongue to curse and bad-mouth others, then continue “business as usual” with our relationship with God. The Bible says that such a tongue behavior is characteristic of hypocrites. “The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor… “(Prov. 11:9).
Don’t be like Eli in 1st Samuel and miss something that has been given by God. If you recall with Eli he did not listen because the Word of God was rare in those days and he did not recognize what was taking place until he saw the persistence of Samuel…
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