Be Swift To Hear But Slow To Speak

Devotion for Wednesday July 25, 2018

Sing A&M 194 (Abu 177) – Jesus Meek And Gentle

Topic: Be Swift To Hear But Slow To Speak

Text: James 1:19 – 20

According to Rick Warren “God gave you two ears and one mouth. He wants you to listen twice as much as you speak. But we get in a hurry. What you need to do is try to understand the perspective of other people. Don’t just look at the situation from your point of view”. St. Francis of Assisi also said that “people should seek to understand before seeking to be understood.” James enjoined believers to cultivate the habit of thinking before acting and not just responding to situations emotionally or impulsively. In life it has been observed that nothing done in anger has ever given a good result and so it is always not pleasant at the end when you respond to a situation without giving a serious thought to it. One thing God require from those who profess Christ is self-control and it is one of the fruit of the spirit. I once read a story about a man who at point of stoning his wife hit his only son which rendered the innocent boy permanently brain damaged and the family living in perpetually sorrow because of that. Anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything. All of us can be angry and sometimes have been. It can come when things don’t turn out the way we want. It might be a reaction to something which is said of us or to us. We may experience it when people don’t behave the way we want them to behave. Perhaps it comes when we have to wait for something longer than we expected. We might feel angry when others can’t see things from our perspective. There seem to be countless possible reasons for anger. Ephesians 4:26 charges us to be angry but do not sin. It means we should have self-control. By that we will not sin against God or offend man because of our anger.

Food for Thought: He who angers you conquers you so choose not to be conquered, choose not to be angered – Elizabeth Kenny.

Memory Verse: James 1:19

Prayer: O God, my heavenly father, help me to develop self-control in every situation no matter how devastating it may seem.

Understand When God Is Luring You

Devotion for Wednesday March 14, 2018

Topic: Understand When God Is Luring You

Text: Exodus 3:1 – 6    

That God speaks to us is not in doubt. He loves us and will want to speak to us always but many of us do not take note when He is luring us to a place He can speak with us. Lovers don’t talk in the public. They go to secluded place to talk. That is how God wants to relate with us. Unfortunately, we are always too busy to listen or understand when He is inviting us.

Often times He speaks in a low small voice. If He has a special message for us and He feels we are not showing any interest, He will come in a way that we can’t resist Him just as we have in our text today. God loves to see us employed and doing something. Far above that, He loves to come to us when we are in a lonely place outside the bustles and hustles of life. It was in such serene atmosphere that God appear to Moses in a burning bush to speak with him. Moses opted to turn aside to see such amazing sight (Exodus 3:4). His decision to turn aside made God to call him.

Today, we live in a world of uncertainties and perplexity. We are confronted on daily basis with so many issues begging for an answer. We often shout out, God why, where are you? In our world of today, people no longer make time for God to speak to them. Thus we have confusion upon confusion. Again there are things God wants us to do for Him especially in preaching and healing of the sick. He can only send us when we turn aside to hear from Him. You can turn aside in your personal devotion, retreat, fasting and prayer. How devoted are you to these acts? Always make time to hear from God.

Sing A&M 533; Abu 196

Food for Thought: God speaks to us in lonely places and not in hustles and bustles of life. 

Memory verse: Exodus 3:3

Prayer: My father in heaven, help me to understand when you want to speak to me so that I will not miss my fellowship with you.

In The Multitude Of Words

Devotion for Monday November 13, 2017

Topic: In The Multitude Of Words

Text: Proverbs 10:19

Job 6:24 says, “Teach me and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” The greatest virtue someone can develop in life is the ability to tame his or her tongue. James gave reason for this in James 3:5 – 12.

Our text admonishes us on the importance of governing our tongue which should be our duty for these reasons.

1) It is good to say little, because in the multitude of words, sin doesn’t cease. Usually, those that speak much, speak much idle words which they must shortly give account of (Mathew 12:36).

2). It is therefore good to keep our mouth as with a bridle. See Amos 5:13 and James 1:19. Do you have control over your tongue? James 1:26 says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

The way you talk in the public goes a long way to show the kind of Christian you are. Peter sagely said, “For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit” – 1 Peter 3:10. This is a challenge for us. Many people ridicule their faith by what they say with their mouth. A true Christian chooses his or her words before speaking and not the opposite. Be wise as your faith demands. Have a great day!

Food for Thought: James 1:26

Memory verse: Proverbs 10:19

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the grace to bridle my tongue and to choose my words before I speak so that I will not say idle words.

Gracious Words

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday May 2, 2017

Topic: Gracious Words

Text: Ecclesiastics 10:12 – 15

A Chinese proverb says, “If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.” The words we speak, show what we are – either wise or fools. It is expected that the words that proceeds from our mouth should be decent and orderly. It should be creditable to the person and also acceptable to those who hear us. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious and minister grace to the hearers while a fool speaks without recourse.

The lips of the fool speak at random. The words that come out from the lips of a fool are not only unpleasant to others but often destructive to themselves. What a fool says comes from his own wickedness and weakness. Their words come from fury to injure others and same over and over again (10:14).

Beloved, how gracious are the words that come out of your mouth? Do your words manifest grace to your hearers and how do you react when abused or accused falsely? You shouldn’t react or speak like a fool who would vent his fury on others through your words. Jesus gave us an example in 1 Pet. 2:21 – 23. We should take to heart the admonition of Hannah in 1 Sam. 2:3. Let this be wisdom for us always.

Food for Thought: “Gentle words, quiet words, are after all the most powerful words; they are more convincing, more compelling, more prevailing” – W. Gladden.

Memory verse: Ecclesiastics 10 verse 12

Prayer: God, grant me grace to speak wisely and not foolishly in Jesus name. Amen