It was January and she said to her friend, “My new year’s resolution was to not put my foot in my mouth all the time. I’ll bet yours was losing weight, huh?”

Yes, that tongue is something else. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

James 1:26 

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

Proverbs 18:21 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

I’ll bet this one really hit home with you.  Sorry about that, but it hurt me too.

Gary

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.                                                 – Lin Yutang

Lin had that one nailed. Some things need our attention and some things don’t. Life consists of a good handle on knowing the difference. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 5:15-17

see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Give it some thought and get the important things done, things that have eternal value.

Gary

Isaiah 1:11

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”
Says the Lord.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
Or of lambs or goats.

Over 2,700 years ago, God put the hammer down on empty religion. God abhors formal ritual when His presence is missing. Bringing it from their town to ours, we examine what the Holy Spirit had Paul write in the following:

Titus 1:16

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

If your religion is a ritual, like those to whom Noah preached, you’re going to miss the boat.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Use what talents you possess: The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. 

–       Henry Van Dyke

No offense, but the truth is this: We are all flawed. Moses expressed that to God way back in the Book of Exodus. God wasn’t looking for a perfect man because none exist. He just wanted an imperfect man to trust Him.

Exodus 3:11

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

No, Moses, it is not who are you, but who God is.

Exodus 3:14

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

Are you ready to go when God calls?  God didn’t go to the higher seats of learning to get His apostles. Give it some thought and apply. You never know what God can do with a man who admits he comes short of God’s glory.

Gary

In a democracy, everyone has two cows, then a vote is taken, and whatever the majority decides to do, you do, and that’s no bull!   You see, being in the majority doesn’t mean you’re right. Does the Bible address this? Glad you asked.

Matthew 7:13-14 

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

In Numbers 13 Moses sent twelve men to check out the land of Canaan. Two believed God and ten didn’t. The people went with the majority and were wrong. They lost a whole generation. Don’t make the same mistake.

Give it some thought.

Gary

If everywhere you go, there is a problem, guess what? Does the Bible address such a phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Philippians 2:3 

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Proverbs 29:11 

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Luke 6:31 

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Your counselor won’t tell you that you are the problem, because you’ll cancel all future sessions. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Mama Tried” is a song Merle Haggard sang out in 1968. Here are some lines:

The first thing I remember knowin’
Was a lonesome whistle blowin’
And a young un’s dream of growin’ up to ride
On a freight train leavin’ town
Not knowin’ where I’m bound
And no one could change my mind but Mama tried

One and only rebel child
From a family, meek and mild
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
Despite all my Sunday learnin’
Towards the bad, I kept on turnin’
‘Til Mama couldn’t hold me anymore

And I turned twenty-one in prison doin’ life without parole
No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied
That leaves only me to blame ’cause Mama tried

Does it have a precedence in history? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.

Yes, there is a long and sordid history of destructive goals in young men, many of whom refused the advice of a godly mother. The same happens to us when we don’t acknowledge the Word of God. Give it some thought.

Gary