Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Out of the good treasure of his heart a man brings forth good things ... for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:34-37
Words are spiritual containers with an expected end, Genesis 1. Words contain blessing or cursing depending on our attitude when we speak. We can sow (speak) mercy, forgiveness, hope, enthusiasm, or choose to gripe and complain. A thought sows an action, an action (saying the thought) sows a direction, a direction sows a destiny. The deceiver hopes you will SAY the adverse thought he gives you. TRUTH: What we say is what we get. This God-given power gives us authority over whatever circumstances come against us. Mark 11:23
If you hear a negative voice, it is NOT Father speaking! "Do not meditate, beforehand, on what you will answer, for I will give you a mouth and a wisdom which your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist, and it will turn out for you an occasion for testimony." Luke 21:13-15
When a dynamite blast scared the foal, he ran through a barbed wire fence and cut his breast muscles until we could see his heart. The grown-ups thought to end his misery. We children didn't know Matthew 18, nor did we, yet, understand mustard seed faith. We did know a 'black salve', in Dad's medicine chest, would cure anything, so we faithfully applied the salve to Navajo's wound, twice a day. Our hope and love rubbed in along with it. Our comforting words, as seeds of life, encouraged him to live. Father God heard them, too. Soon Navajo was up, then running. We delighted in every sign of progress. Our 'harvest' came in a true partner, ranch and cattle horse. He took us wherever we needed to go, did the required work and carried us safely home. No 'magic' in salve. No virtue in youth. An illuminated picture of God's great goodness! Genesis 1:26-28.
In Exodus 33, Moses expresses longing to see God's Glory during the wilderness years. He knew possessing the Promised Land would take more meekness and resolve than the people demonstrated just then. He said, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. Show me Your Glory!" Seeing Moses reach for an Acts 2 advent of Holy Spirit, God said, "OK". Then, "I will make My goodness pass before you, for you cannot see My face and live. Here is a place beside Me. While My Glory passes by, I will cover you with My hand in the cleft of the rock. You shall see My hinder parts, but My Face will not be seen."
O, Friend! Even in these perilous times, because of Jesus, we can recognize His Face, His Goodness, here, in our place! "I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears! O taste and see the Lord is good!" Psalm 34:4, 8
Next Week: Say What?
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