Proverbs 18 - 8.28.26
Scripture: Proverbs 18:8
"“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
Observation:
In the dictionary, gossip is described as: idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others. I think we have all had a person in our life who is a gossiper. Its use tears down people. It negatively affects one's heart and sinks into their soul. As a manager in a secular business, it is hard to stop this behavior in people with hardened hearts. If it occurs in a church, it can split the church.
Its effects can be life-lasting. I can still remember someone said something untrue about me in my youth that was later proven wrong. I can't forget it to this day and I still don't know who started it. I was not the only one who was hurt. I believe youth in schools are most vulnerable to damaging gossip. We need to pray for our youth.
Application:
How do we avoid gossip? The scriptures teach us:
Ephesian 4:29 - “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Colossians 4:6 - “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Hebrews 10:24 - “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
In the last couple of weeks, Tina has led us in pre-service prayer to spur one another on and to see the good things in people. It fills us with joy to encourage others.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, let me be quick to listen and slow to speak, following your word in Psalm 141:3 - “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Let my eyes see the beauty in people. Give me a heart to love people. You showed grace to me, O’ Lord, let me show grace and mercy to others. Let me encourage others, Lord, for you are a good good Father. Amen
- Robert Oberg
Romans 2 - 8.27.26
SCRIPTURE: Romans 2:1 – 4
“1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
OBSERVATION
Criticism, judgement and repentance. In verses 1 and 2 are the answers to the questions in verses 3 and 4.
We aren’t perfect and have the same faults as those we criticize. We must never forget because of the fall of man in the choices of Adam and Eve, we are born with a nature to sin (fall short of God’s best) that has consequences. BUT WE are blessed with the “riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance.”
“Got Questions” shows the definition of repentance as “The word repentance in the Bible literally means “the act of changing one’s mind.” True biblical repentance goes beyond remorse, regret, or feeling bad about one’s sin. It involves more than merely turning away from sin. In its fullest sense it is a term for a complete change of orientation involving a judgment upon the past and a deliberate redirection for the future.”
APPLICATION
Matthew 7:3-5 says “3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”.
First look at our own weakness before we criticize the weakness of others, wrong actions or words and pass judgement. Often when we see a weakness in others, it is the same weakness we have or we wouldn’t recognize it. One way or another these scriptures have great application to show kindness, forbearance and patience before we speak.
The application is to Watch your words!
The bible offers many profound insights on looking in the mirror, emphasizing self-reflection and spiritual awareness.
"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror; for he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." James 1:23-24
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, my savior, my teacher, let me read your word and show me what I am to learn, change and give to others. Lord, I truly do not want to be hypocritical of others but this creeps up. And Lord, I know that I have no idea why others may say or act the way they do because of pain and suffering in their families or life style. Lord, if I see someone I might be critical of, let me show them kindness, encourage them, and pray for them. I cherish you, my father, who brought me out of the darkness into your light. I ask that I see clearly. I want the light of your glory. Thank you for your words, Lord and for the mirror of your truth. I cherish every word and I am humbly asking for the riches of your kindness, forbearance and patience, so that I show these to others. Amen!
- Charleen Zakarian
Proverbs 16 - 8.26.26
Scripture: Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Observation
Today I am filled with gratitude for my church family at Desert Streams. I am thankful for your partnership, your prayers, your love and your support. I am so lucky to be surrounded by a church who loves God with their whole heart and loves each other. Although I am thankful for each of you, I forget to say it. God has been working on me, showing me the importance of speaking words of encouragement and lifting each other up.
Application
God created us to live in community and to support each other. He created us to need each other. And throughout the Bible he encourages us to lift each other up.
I asked Google how it impacts someone when we share kind words:
· Receiving a genuine compliment activates the same brain region stimulated by receiving cash or a physical gift.
· Kind words cause a release of dopamine, the brain's feel-good chemical, which can make the positive feeling persist for hours or days.
· A sincere remark makes people feel seen, appreciated, and valued for their unique efforts or personality rather than feeling invisible.
The goal of sharing kind words is not to flatter someone, but to encourage them and promote spiritual growth. And it strengthens our relationships and makes us feel good too!
I Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Romans 15:2, Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Prayer
God, please continue to remind me of the importance of not holding my words of encouragement, support, and thankfulness in, but to freely share them with others. Forgive me for the times when I think of sharing, but forget to follow through. Help us to encourage one another daily and continue to grow in love. Amen
- Debbie Dunn