Love you all, praying for you.
Praise God. I just love how practical God’s wisdom is. Praying that you never miss your PRISM time each day – those 5 things you can do in God’s Word every day – change you. Because His Word changes you. It’s a guaranteed return on your investment. God challenging me recently. Proverbs 26:20 - Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. Gossip is one of those things that people do, but don’t think they do, or don’t admit to themselves they do. "It’s not gossip, it’s just being honest, its just sharing, it just seeking counsel." No, it’s gossip – a talebearer – to talk idly about the affairs of others. To prate – to talk much, and without weight, or to little purpose. Continued talk to little purpose, trifling talk, or to slander – a false tale or report maliciously uttered, and tending to injure the reputation of another by lessening him in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Slander – that worst of poisons, ever finds an easy entrance to ignoble minds – Noah Webster. God is saying less gossip, less quarrels. The fear of the LORD is just the opposite – the Fear of the LORD is to turn from evil, tremble in His presence, fully obey, and say nothing harmful about others (Psalms 34:13). And then God challenged me – your words can cause quarrels between others (when talking about others to others), but your words are also what causes quarrels between you and others. Without wood a fire goes out. When was the last time you were in a quarrel – that you didn’t say anything? Actually, never. A quarrel just like a conversation – requires two participants. How does every quarrel start? Someone says something that another takes offense at. Either you say something offensive to others, or you take offense at something someone else says to you or others. While some people will be offended no matter what you say, most quarrels that you are a participant in – are self inflicted. You either unwisely spoke in timing or content, or you unwisely took offense. Quarrels most often occur with those you are closest with. And quarrels start by words ill chosen or ill-spoken. Sometimes a mere request or disclaimer of not wanting to miscommunicate – or asking for understanding – when feeling the need to be direct, can set a tone of humility that prevents quarrels. But most of the time – merely asking God if you should even say anything at all – can stop most quarrels from even starting. And the opposite side of the coin – walking in the humility that just declines to take offense, when someone else speaks out of more emotion than consideration – by choosing to be unoffendable – but rather – seeking to understand - can head a quarrel off at the pass – before it even gains momentum. And finally what if you find yourself – through ill chosen words, or lack of humility – in the middle of a quarrel. What if you chose to decline... decided to cease your participation? What if you chose not to have the last word, but graciously bowed out. God says every fool is quick to quarrel – that means the wise are slow to quarrel – they just don’t, they decline. Praying that you will practice God’s Word and God’s wisdom first with those closest to you… your spouse, and immediate family members. Praying that you will choose not to use words that could start quarrels, and that you would not let any ill-chosen words by others – entice you into taking offense. And praying that you would always choose humility – beforehand – to seek to understand before being understood. Praying that your PRISM time is maturing you in the mind of Christ. Love you all, dad
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