sgys banner books

 

“Endeavouring (working hard) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3

Can we be honest for a moment?

Have you ever wanted God to just rip your tongue out?

CAN YOU RELATE to this? …… As Christ’s followers and therefore members of His one body, we all have sinned and have and perhaps still say things we shouldn’t which wound others.

“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 18:8

Words can seriously wound.

Word are containers of something or the other and when those capsules are filled with hatred, they wound the object they are directed towards.

Sticks and stones will break my bones but words could never hurt me? Wrong!

Evil words spoken against us create “wounds” in us. They “go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” In other words they are deeply embedded and hurt us and can be the source of a “root of bitterness.”  So, they must be dealt with.

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:15

When there is unresolved strife/conflict between members of Christ’s body, there is a “schism” which means to cause a split or gap, or divide.

“That there should be no schism (divide, division) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Corinthians 12:25

Grudges and strife also cause an un-readiness for Christ’s soon return:

“Be patient therefore (endure), brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth (remnant body of Christ), and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

So, when we say something we shouldn’t have and it has wounded another, it’s our responsibility to go to that person and make things right in order to bring healing in that person’s heart/life.

Is such healing not a privilege to display our own gratitude for how God so loved us that He brought healing and wholeness to our relationship with Him by sending His only begotten Son. Is the healing we can help facilitate in the lives of His saints not a blessing?

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14

So, may the LORD bless us to humble ourselves and esteem others above ourselves just as Christ esteemed us above Himself by coming from eternal glory as God to redeem us (Philippians 2:3-5).

Is this part of what Jesus was addressing when He said:

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

First, Christ teaches us here that we should not bother to pray to the Father in His name if we have an outstanding offense with another member of His family. You know, having to go to the person(s) we have wounded is hard isn’t it? And perhaps that pain becomes a motivating factor in leading us to lay down our lives and see God tame this most “unruly” member of our bodies (James 3:8). “Unruly” in the Greek means unrestrained and this is exactly why our lives must be submitted from our hearts to our LORD perpetually.

Helping the Healing

God just wants us to clear an offenses we have committed up by admitting and making amends (James 3:2).

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:1-2

Clearing up the wounds – “offences” – we have created in others by our own offense of them is our personal responsibility.

We must not leave a trail of broken hearts beloved. Jesus came to heal hearts and not to wound them.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Luke 4:18

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3

The Hebrew word for “heart” is leb and means the center (source), the middle. The heart of man is the reservoir from which our words flow. Those words we speak – gracious and otherwise – are coming out of our hearts and so we must keep our hearts before our LORD so that He can keep them pure. That is, He who said “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

The Psalmist knew well the temptations of the tongue and therefore prayed this following prayer we would do so well to offer to the LORD every day:

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14

It is also highly recommended that you memorize this following verse:

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying (building), that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

“If we can’t say something good, perhaps we shouldn’t say anything at all” is not a bad saying.

The Bible speaks about those who have nothing good to say about anyone or anything:

“He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.” Proverbs 17:20

Clearing Things Up

Making messes is something we’ve all done. If we don’t clear things up that we have caused in the lives of others, that wound remains in them. We must love our neighbor as ourselves, right? Yes, and even our enemies! (Matthew 5:44) Would we like others to do to us what we have done to them? The Golden Rule Life.

Otherwise, if we don’t clear things us, that wound we have caused remains in the hearts of those things we have spoken off the mark things to, will fester, and someday in the future explode. Things will get real ugly at that point.

In light of this, it is critical to obey the LORD and to make amends for the wounds we have created in the hearts and lives of others. Great healing in each person involved will result in our simply doing what is right.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1

The things we have done or said to hurt others cannot and must not be swept under the rug or they will be a time bomb. I know this by personal experience because I have wounded people with my words and actions and then tried to ignore what I had done. Yet, ultimately it came back to haunt because God wanted me to deal with it and so I had to apologize to that person and help bring healing to their heart.

The LORD have mercy on us and may He “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” (Psalms 141:3)

The moral of the story is that we cannot imagine that the wounds we have created in the lives of others are not going to come back at some point to haunt us. That is, if we don’t make amends for what we have done. Isn’t that what our King was teaching us in Matthew 5:23-24.

God is not going to bless our lives unless we are willing to sincerely admit our sins, repent and confess them, and make amends (restitution) with anyone we’ve harmed (Proverbs 28:13). In the divine economy, there’s no such thing as being right with God when you’ve done another person wrong, haven’t repented, and haven’t made amends for what you’ve done. Such a person will be outside of the will and blessings of God until he makes things right with God and man (Matthew 5:23-24; 7:12; 22:37-39).

The LORD requires that His people “examine” and “judge” themselves.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?   2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine and honestly judge yourself and amend your ways or God will judge you.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

When we attempt to cover/hide our sins, all of His spiritual progress, momentum and divine favor ceases in our lives. Here’s a very important memory verse which teaches just this:

“He that covereth (tries to hide) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Again, I know this by personally trying to hide my sins from Him. Such is a futile, impossible undertaking and will always come back to haunt. Praise God for 1 John 1:9, amen?

At that, let’s read James 3:

“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Sign up for free email devotional HERE... The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

Who is God Leading You to Correct?

Walking in Godly Integrity Means Paying Restitution Where Needed [podcast]

The Reign of Christ! [podcast]

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Abiding

Modern Day Cult of Personality Exposed [podcast]


What is the Cult of Personality?

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Beware when you see any mere man enshrined, basically worshipped by his followers. This is all too common in today’s church world and sometimes it’s very subtle. When people begin putting what a mere man says above what God says in His Word, when they quote him instead of the Bible, you know you have a cult.

One source notes:

“A cult of personality, or a cult of the leader, is the result of an effort to create an idealized and heroic image of an admirable leader, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.”‘

CS Lewis has a cult following today, 100%. I’ve encountered it first hand. These people don’t care what you show them as far as the blatant falsehoods he spoke, and have soul tied their affections to him and will defend him no matter what.

A quick search on “what CS Lewis said about the Catholic church”…

“As an Anglican, C.S. Lewis shared many beliefs with the Catholic Church, including the Real Presence in the Eucharist, the necessity of confession, and a belief in Purgatory. However, he explicitly rejected papal authority, the concept of papal infallibility, and certain Marian doctrines.

Shared Beliefs

Lewis held a deeply sacramental and traditional view of Christianity, which aligned closely with Catholic theology:

The Sacraments: He regularly went to confession to a priest and viewed the Eucharist as central to the faith.

The Afterlife: He famously argued that “our souls demand Purgatory”, writing that we would naturally want to be cleansed of our sins before standing in God’s presence.

Devotion: He had a high view of saints and appreciated traditional liturgical practices.”


The same is true for modern day celebrities such as Candace Owens. On a recent live broadcast where she interviewed a man, he showed her live on air, that she was wrong about several things and kindly asked her to apologize several times. Regrettably, Candace was unwilling to apologize,  and most of her cult followers backed her up, cheered her on.

She was called to account for false info and didn’t apologize when asked to.

Her followers cheered her on, never stopping to question things.

Their hearts are set on her not Christ (Colossians 3:1-4).

No matter WHAT she says, they believe it.

Wow.

Jesus says:

“I receive not honour from men. … 44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” John 5:41, 44

By saying this, Jesus condemns putting trust in any mere man.

Jesus makes it clear here that anyone who puts their heart affections in a mere man or woman, is unable to believe on the LORD Jesus Christ for eternal life.

“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 

“4:6 He first explains that in speaking about the Christian ministry and the tendency to follow human leaders (3:5-4:5), he used himself and Apollos as the examples. The Corinthians were not forming parties around Paul and Apollos alone, but also around other men who were then in their church. However, out of a sense of Christian courtesy and delicacy, Paul transferred the entire matter to himself and Apollos so that by their example the saints would learn not to have exaggerated opinions of their leaders or to gratify their pride by the formation of parties. He wanted the saints to evaluate everything and everyone by the Scriptures.
4:7 If one Christian teacher is more gifted than another, it is because God made him so. Everything he has, he received from the Lord. In fact it is true of all of us that everything we have has been given to us by God. That being the case, why should we be proud or puffed up? Our talents and gifts are not the result of our own cleverness.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.” John 8:37

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5  Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 139:4-5

A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5

“that no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

“2:5 Paul knew that there was the utmost danger that his hearers might be interested in himself or in his own personality rather than in the living Lord. Conscious of his own inability to bless or to save, he determined that he would lead men to trust in God alone rather than in the wisdom of men. All who proclaim the gospel message or teach the word of God should make this their constant aim.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” Psalms 17:2

“Sentence” here means verdict.

Prayer of Repentance to be Restored to the LORD: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ and by His precious blood He shed to make me one with You, I come to youin my sinful state. LORD, I openly acknowledge that I have departed from You and sinfully rebelled against You in the sin of idolatry. Right this moment, if never before, I call upon You, Holy Father, asking You to forgive my sins, to change my life, to break me to the core of my being. I fully believe that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, that He came in the flesh, lived a sinless life as the very only begotten Son of God, died on the cross for the sins of mankind, was buried, rose again from the dead, and is soon going to return! I love You my LORD Jesus and from this moment forward, I am all Yours! I will follow You according to Your Word and Holy Spirit. Please fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me every day of my life that You grant! In Jesus’ name, amen!

CS Lewis Category

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Abiding

The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]


“Hid with Christ in God”

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Our place of protection is in the love walk with the LORD where we express our love for Him in obedience to Him. Jesus commanded that we deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Him. We are full of troubles and so it should be easy to relinquish all to Him!

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

In Christ alone is our rest from the toil of this life.

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please bring me to the end of sinful self. Rebuke and remove the foolishness of this heart! I love You LORD and thank You that I am crucified with You today and that You are raising up this life for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | ChristologyBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God | 100’s of Christ-Centered, Scripture-Rich Podcasts | Rooted and Grounded in Christ 

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Abiding

“I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness” [podcast]


One source notes:

“‘I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness’ is a famous promise from the Bible found in Isaiah 41:10 (KJB). It is a comforting verse offering reassurance against fear, with ‘the right hand of my righteousness’ symbolizing God’s divine power, justice, and support.”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Help Me Jesus!

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. … For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10, 13

“When we are in the fire of affliction it’s easy to feel afraid and wonder if God is there. Many of the great men of the Bible became discouraged and broken. But the secret was they took it to God in all honesty! In Job 3 he expressed a desire to die. But yet he said in Job 19:25 ‘For I know my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:’ David said in Psalm 56:9 ‘When I cry into thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ And we know Jeremiah, Jonah, Elijah, etc. all had moments of despair and suffering, but the Lord continued to uphold and encourage them. Their faith did not waver even in the midst of doubt and confusion!” Karen Cochran

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalms 118:6

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

“in thy presence is fulness of joy”

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

“at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account!Victory in Jesus | Discipleship | The Glorious Grace of God | The Restoring Love of Our God | God’s Mercy | Spiritual Warfare | JustificationGrace and Good Works [podcast] | Haggai

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Categories

donate button round
sgys-books01

Trending