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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 853 July 7, 2003 Words Over the past couple of years of writing Gleanings From The Word, I have often mentioned the lake that Genni the wonder dog and I walk around. The words I have used to describe our walks have created an image in the mind of each reader of what the lake looks like. No two of you will have exactly the same picture of "our lake". That's why I have never posted a photograph of the lake. It's much more personal and special as we envision it in our minds. As a writer and Bible teacher, words are the tool of my trade. Sometimes I use them to great effect and other times they communicate something other than what I had envisioned. I'm always trying to be sensitive to the message my words contain. Words are strange and powerful things. They have the ability to create and destroy. They have the ability to fuel the human mind to greatness or depravity. With words you can communicate images and ideas. The words we use can hurt or heal. I thinks that's why James was so blunt in speaking about the power of the tongue. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:3-12 NIV Do your words make peace and heal wounds? Or do they wreak havoc and destruction leaving division, hurt feelings and chaos behind? Do you words tell truth or lies? Do they build up or tear down? Can a stranger identify you as a disciple of Jesus Christ by what comes out of your lips or would he simply think you're just another person of the world? Until next time, may the words that come out of your mouth be words of blessing not curses. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are called to bless and promised blessing in return. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 NIV Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you. HELP FOR THE HURTING You've been hurt by words. You've probably hurt others by your words. Perhaps you feel there is no hope of reconciliation or restoration. You can be reconciled to God, made right with Him and filled with His love simply by asking. You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines of: Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved
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