The Tongue

by | Sep 14, 2015 | James

James 3:1-2

The weight of being a teacher is costly.  This is why James says not just anyone can be a teacher because our tongue carries such influence.  The tongue is the bridle or harness of the body.  Such a small organ that yields tons of power.  It guides us.

James tells us that our tongues and body should align. Our actions will follow what we say.

When we are speaking what God says, then we are breathing life into those we are around through praise, love, acceptance and truth.  But when we are not it brings death through gossip, anger, pride, slander or arrogance.

Our tongues are like spiritual meters… what is your tongue saying about your heart?

Just like a parking meter shows when our time is almost up, we can gauge our tongues by how tired we are, frustrated, or weary.  Those are signs to add more “coins”.

To tame the tongue is to dive into His word so what comes from your mouth is God breathed and your body is filled with joy.

 

One of the ways we can work on this is to give God control of our tongues.  We must take responsibility for the things that come from our mouths.

Our hearts, grounded in the word, need to come out with love, grace and a touch of firmness. What flows in our heart will surely flow from our mouths.

 

Photography: @bdebard

 

Opportunity for Joy

by | Sep 2, 2015 | James

James 1: 2-4

An opportunity for joy may not present itself to you in typical fashion. In fact, it will be the last thing you think of when a trial hits. As humans we automatically go on an emotional roller coaster. Jamespresents it as an ideal time for your joy to radiate from the inside out.  To depend on the steadfastness of joy.
Have you missed an opportunity for joy?
His Word. Our joy.
Tucked away in the book of Jeremiah, he states how God’s word is his joy and heart’s desire.  Considering means we have a choice. We can consider how we will handle the troubles. We can choose joy or a “woe is me” moment. Joy is having God’s word hidden in your heart. This leads to an unswerving countenance in your soul. Doesn’t mean the trials are easy. Joy, not in the trials themselves, but joy over what those trials will accomplish by deepening our faith.
Endurance cannot be built unless we have trials. Each trial is a stepping stone for the next. God needs to build our endurance. This results in being found perfect and complete, needing nothing.
It’s our desire to be found this way. Don’t miss your next opportunity for joy. It probably won’t be the first thing you think of when it arrives and the experience will produce the endurance. But, oh, remember how you long to be perfect and complete.  Joy will be the sustaining power.
Consider…….
Jeremiah 15: 16
“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight.”
Photography: @mattglenn