Watch your words...

Words make the world go round and also go round the world faster than you can imagine so we need to watch our words. Last week, we said we should T.H.I.N.K. about and before we speak.

Words are like eggs, once spoken (or broken) can never be "contained." It's always more pleasant to break an egg - an make an omelette or something similar than to make a mess.

To help put this in perspective, I've put different renditions of Proverbs 12:18 - a verse I recommend we commit to memory...and meditate on before we speak...

NLT:

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

The Message:
Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.

God's Word Translation:

Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.

Good News Translation:

Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword,

but wisely spoken words can heal.

English Standard Version:

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

NIRV:

Thoughtless words cut like a sword. 

But the tongue of wise people brings healing.

Napoleon Hill gave the same advice slightly differently: 

“Think twice before you speak,

because your words and influence will plant the seed of

either success or failure in the mind of another.”

We are in a unique position to make or mar with our words - the choice is ours...watch your words.

Words travel and act fast...watch your words.

"Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose." (Prov 18:21 - Message)

Watch your words... 

T.H.I.N.K.

Someone blessed me with this by email...so I decided to be a blessing too.

Alan Redpath once formed a "mutual encouragement" fellowship at a time of stress in one of his pastorates. The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial.

T - Is it True?

H - Is it Helpful?

I - Is it Inspiring?

N - Is it Necessary?

K - Is it Kind?

Paul wrote, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  (Philippians 4:8 - NIV)

I like this rendition: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  (Philippians 4:8 - NLT).

In trying to be a virtuous woman and walk worthy of my calling as a Christian woman, wife, mother & Mrs. Pastor, I hold this other verse close to heart:
"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

(Proverbs 31:26 - NLT).

Thinking before speaking takes conscious effort. Speaking kindly is another kettle of fish. I never cease praying that whenever I open my mouth to speak that there is kindness in my words whether it be in the form of advice or admonition. And now I pray: May this acronym guide our thinking and speaking...Amen.

Suggestion or Instruction?

When you read 1 Kings 11:1 - 10, it's crystal clear how Solomon made a mess of his life. How could someone who started so well end so badly...especially for the man who God made the wisest one that ever lived? A really unenviable ending.

As I thought about it and even as I type, I can't help but make a distinction between instructions and suggestions.

An instruction is: a spoken or written statement of what must be done, especially delivered formally, with official authority, or as an order.*
While a suggestion is: an idea or proposal put forward for consideration.**

Busy Bee

I find the story of Deborah very interesting as well as challenging...especially when we talk about "the other ministry."* I love the way she is introduced: "Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time." (Judges 4:4 - NLT)

Obviously, being a wife was more important than being a prophetess...a reminder of the priority for being effective in ministry. We must all attend to Marriage matters before Ministry matters - always. The reason is obvious in 1 Cor 7: 1-5 and 1 Peter 3 verses 1,2 & 7 - I'll let you look those up.

I can only imagine how busy she was - she even had to go to war with Barak - to encourage him to obey God. I'm sure there are times like that when we are so caught up in helping others. We must be careful so the buzz of our busy-ness does us not keep us from "hearing" the silent hints from our husbands/family. 

The second element is she even had a Palm named after her - so she was well-known and highly regarded. In contemporary terms, her husband would have been referred to as "Deborah's husband" rather than how the Bible has referred to her as "Lapidoth's wife." There is a lesson in it - no matter how prominent you are, you must never relegate your husband or let anyone else do that. Despite how successful and industrious the Proverbs 31 woman was, "her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders." (Proverbs 31:23-NLT). The fact is no-one can respect your husband any more than you do.

I know of a wonderful Mrs. Pastor (of blessed memory) who had a very successful ministry that reached out to Single and Married people. Despite the fact that the ministry thrived, extended beyond the church and attracted many people to become members of the church, she always made sure it was clear who the Senior Pastor was. She was one busy bee who modelled total submission despite the fact that she was quite a trail blazer in their Ministry. She also kept emphasizing the importance of her husband and family - they were 2nd & 3rd on her priority list after God. I'm sure there are other examples of such women.  
We too can all become and remain examplary Busy Bees too...God helping us.

Fun Fact:

Do you know what Deborah means? According to Wikipedia - Deborah (Hebrew: דְּבוֹרָה, Modern Dvora Tiberian Dəḇôrā ; "Bee")** She sure lived up to her name - she was one Busy Bee that impacted her generation.

References:

* See posting on June 6: http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2011/06/other-ministry.html

**http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah