Guard my Mouth Lord

The tongue is a very powerful thing. James illustrates the relationship of the activity of the tongue with the rudder of a ship. James 3:4 'Look also at ships; although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.'

That small rudder enables the pilot to steer the huge ship where he wants it to go. A slight pressure on the rudder of the ship will control it's course. James pointed out that no matter how adverse the circumstances through the fierce winds, if the rudder can be controlled by the pilot, the entire ship can be controlled. If the believer can maintain control of his tongue in adverse circumstances, he can maintain control over his entire being. As believers, if we are to maintain control, then we need to turn the control over to Jesus Christ right. He needs to be in the driver's seat. We need to surrender our live over to Christ. When Christ controls the tongue, then we need not fear saying the wrong things. David knew this, that is why he said in Psalms 141:3 'Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.'

God is our Hope

Every follower of Jesus Christ can live every moment of every day with hope if they remember three important truths:

1. Life on Earth is Temporary; our home is in heaven.

Peter reminds us over and over again throughout 1 Peter that we are strangers in this world, that this life is not all there is. When you really concentrate on the fact that this is just temporal - it helps to endure whatever may come your way in this life.

2. God uses adversity in this life to strengthen our faith.

Peter reminds us that we will suffer "grief in all kinds of trials" 1 Peter 1:6, yet we can still have hope because God never wastes a hurt. He uses them to strengthen to us and that we can in turn help someone else that is going through same trial. Peter encourages us to stand firm even through adversity that God would be glorified through our lives.

3. The end of all things is near.

My friend, we are living in the end days which should make us want to live every day for Christ making every moment count for eternity. These truths that Peter reminds us of throughout 1 Peter should act as a powerful source of hope every day of your life. When we focus on Christ, we can overcome and God will transform suffering into glory.

Peter has given to us a precious letter that encourages us to hope in the Lord no matter how trying the times may be. Down through the centuries, the church has experienced various fiery trials, and yet Satan has not been able to destroy it. The church today is facing a fiery trial, and we must be prepared. But, whatever may come, Peter is still saying to each of us: “Be hopeful!” The glory is soon to come!

Our study on the Book of 1 Peter: http://empoweredbiblestudy.sermon.tv/First_Peter

 

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My Refuge and Fortress

Isn't it an awesome feeling knowing that we have a God that watches over us and protects us! Psalm 91:1-2 says: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”


Let's look at this; He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High ~ He who has his thoughts always on God is said to 'dwell in him' thus the Almighty; the Shaddai, is our constant companion, who is able to do all things for his people. When we place our total trust in God, we will find in Him all that we need or desire. So let us say with the Psalmist 'LORD, you are My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Thank you Father

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. ~ Psalm 103:13

Storm Watcher or Snowbird

Some people spend their time running from storms. They continually move just prior to the weather turning bad; always trying to be in the Sun Belt Region. They are known as Snowbirds.

The problem is, many Christians are the same way, always trying to escape the storms of life, when in reality we should be embracing the storms. You see, it is through the storms of life that we grow the strongest. For example, when the storm winds blow, the trees dig their roots down in deep to keep from falling over; the more storms that hit, the stronger the tree is. When the storms of life hit us, we need to dig deep into the Word of God where we will gain our strength from God. ~ Philippians 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'

My friend, don't be a snowbird, become a storm watcher and embrace the storms in your life. James 1:2-3 'Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.'

Imagine a life that is always sunny - always easy going... It would really make us weak Christians because we would have no need to dig deep. We can embrace the storms of life because we know the one who will carry us through and Never leave us; the one who will give us the strength to face each day.

God's Perfect Timing

The secret to peace with God is to discover, accept, and appreciate God’s perfect timing and His sovereign control of our lives.


Solomon’s point in this scripture is that God has a plan for all people: Ecclesiastes 3:1 'There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven'.

We set out on our journey in life with a certain plan in mind. As we turn each corner or face a fork in the road, life throws obstacles that seem to take us down certain pathways. My friend, the key to this verse is that God is in control. Notice Verse two goes on to say: 'there is a time to give birth and a time to die'. I have had women come to me broken-hearted because they haven't been able to conceive a child and yet if we look to this verse, we see that it is God who appoints the time to give birth - not us. We must accept God's timing ~ a set determined time, when everything shall come into being, how long it shall continue, and in what circumstances; all things that have been, are, or shall be, were foreordained by God.

Find comfort in these words as the Lord calms your spirit! Trust in The Lord to direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6), as He will work everything out according to His will for your life. (Romans 8:28) Remember Who God is and place your Trust in Him.

Taste and See

The body needs a steady diet to remain strong. Notice the Lord gave the Israelites just enough food for each day in Exodus 16:4 Then the Lord said to Moses "I will rain down bread from Heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day."


The same goes for our soul my friend. A steady diet of God's word over a lifetime builds a healthy soul and mind. The key is to be consistent, make time to study God's word at least a little bit each day. Feast on God's word daily to prevent spiritual starvation. Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! ~ Psalm 34:8