Avoid Empty Words

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Ephesians 5:6

Empty words it seems like the perfect phrase for so many of the words filling our lives today. Yet obviously empty words were a matter of concern to the Apostle Paul as he wrote two millennia ago.

We don’t know exactly whom Paul had in mind when he wrote “Let no one deceive you with empty words.” The context suggests that these deceivers might have claimed that immortality, impurity, and greed were really not such a big deal. Perhaps they were Christians who misconstrued God’s grace as an opportunity for amply sinning without consequences. Perhaps they were pagans who objected to the narrow-mindedness and over-reactions of Christians who reject activities that were common in the Greco-Roman world but inconsistent with Christian discipleship.

No matter whom Paul was thinking of when he wrote, he characterized their claims as “empty words.” Why?

Empty words are those that like substance, wisdom, or truth. They are words not filled with reality or matched with action. The famed fourth century preacher. John Chrysostom, said one when preaching on this verse from Ephesians. “There are people among us who want to diminish the force of words… Empty words are words that are for a moment attractive but in no way are proved by deeds.

Paul was concerned that the recipient of his letter might be enticed by purveyors Empty words to reject Christ shaped perspective on life, especially when it comes to sexuality and greed. We have not boarded I’m such empty words today in multiple ways, the empty wordsmiths of our world convince us that life is best when filled with sexual exploits and lots of possessions. We can begin to be persuaded that Christian morality is outdated, irrelevant, and oppressive. Thus Paul’s injunction to the Ephesians deserve a new hearing today. Let no one deceive you with empty words. Listen for the truth of words. Seek their substance. Pay attention to those who lives reflect the solidness of their words. Let the words you speak by full of meaning and love.

Something To Think About:

When you think of “empty words,” what comes to mind?

Do you find yourself tempted to accept the counsel of those who use “empty words?” When? Why?

How substantial are your words? Are they full of truth and love?

Something To Do:

As you go about your day, pay attention to your words. Are they substantial? Are they truthful? Are they loving? Are they really worth saying… and hearing? Choose today to use words that are full of truth and love.

New Year Purpose Statement

At the first of the year, we should always have a goal in mind. One thing planned that we are supposed to accomplish during the year.

Healing For The Broken Hearted

If you have a broken heart. Your goal might be to find relief from the emotional pain caused by life’s hard situations. The heart ache caused by the loss of closed ones, failed marriages, abuse, or any other “soul hurt” can be healed by the love of Christ.

Liberty To The Captives

You can be set free from addictions to alcohol, drugs, sexual perversions or violent behavior, depression, anxiety, and other fear or phobias that have held you in the grip and prevented you from “being free.“

Recovery Of Sight To The Blind

Healing and health from anyone suffering from physical or mental illness, disease, deformity, or any other type of affliction which causes pain or discouragement.

To Set At Liberty Those Who Are Oppressed

Those who feel that “the deck is stacked against them, of that nothing good, ever happens to them, or that everyone else gets all the breaks, can receive help and assurance from God that will release them from those feelings and give them a joyful expectation for the blessings of God in their lives.

Maybe you’ll choose one of these goals or another but take the time to choose a goal and work towards the process of finishing your goal.

I chose to work on getting rid of these migraines. Right off the bat I know I have to get more personal with God. Spending more time with Him, talking, praying, and listening.

Sacrifice some time to make 2022 a better year.

Like 4:18

The Sword Of The Spirit In The New Year

All of us have made New Year resolutions, and all of us have broken them too. Many times our resolutions are abandoned before the sun goes down on January first. And I believe that very often we make New Year’s resolutions that have little to do with our spiritual well-being and our walk with God. Today I have been thinking about 2022 is year for spiritual growth. Let’s not call them resolution, because resolutions seem made to be broken. We’ll call them out spiritual goals for the new year.

Here are a few goals:

1. Read at least one chapter from the Bible every day.

It seems that when I read the Bible every day. I always find things I didn’t notice before. When we are looking when are looking for answers, we find new questions that we have never thought to ask. This is a good thing because we may find ourselves to deep deeper into the scriptures to find the answers and in the process find more questions. But every moment our minds are occupied in the way. God is working on us. And slowly but surely, the changes come. Ephesians 6:17 says that the sword of the spirit is the Word of God. The Bible is our weapon to defeat the lies of the devil. But how can we use it if we don’t know what it is? How will we know it if we don’t read it?

2. Pray for wisdom every day.

A lot of things we pray for, God says no, because we ask for things that will hurt us. But this is one thing we can be assured that He will say yes to, if we have faith.

If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asked, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.

James 1:5-7

Wisdom is the key to si many of the good blessings God wants to give us in the new year

If we have wisdom, we won’t make bad decisions that gets us wi to trouble.

If we have wisdom, we won’t waste time and energy worrying about things we can’t change. If we have wisdom, we won’t say stupid and hurtful things that cause stress to ourselves or others.

If we have wisdom, we won’t bite off more than we can chew.

3. Look for an opportunity to help someone every day.

I truly believe that if we are looking for it, God will constantly send us people we can help. When we help people, we are sharing the love of Christ.

When we help people we are becoming more like Christ.

When we help people, we are helping to rid ourselves of the selfishness that steals our joy.

Here’s an example: a few weeks ago, I was busy doing errands in town. I was tired and just wanted to be done. I was stopped at a stop sign. I lady was walking behind me. As I pulled away from the stop sign she started running after my car. My first thought was to get away from this lady. Was she crazy? Why was she chasing my car, I then had an unction to stop and roll down my window. She said her friend was very ill and needed a ride to her house. So I told her to get in and we drove to her friend’s house. That day I was able to help her and her friend. If I hadn’t stopped. The lady’s friend would been in danger. Sometimes we are so busy thinking about ourselves, we don’t notice what other people are struggling with,

Some people have a saying “God helps those to help themselves.” I believe the more accurate saying would be, “God helps those who helps others,”

I tell you the truth, what they did for one of the least of these brothers in mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

There are always people who want to take advantage of our goodwill. And this takes up back to the previous goal. We must be wise. There’s a temptation just to stop helping altogether because there are so many scam artists. As Christians, we must be willing to help those who are truly in need. We just have to use our heads, and the wisdom that God gives us.

Look for the opportunity to help someone every day.

4. Say to yourself every morning. “Jesus could be coming back today.

We always know this in the back of you minds. I purpose that every day we force it to the front of our minds.

If we keep this truth before us every day, our priorities will be different. This is was Jesus said:

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. (Mark 13:35)

Let us not forget that even if Jesus doesn’t return for another 100 years, we all have an appointment to meet Him much sooner than that.

Righteousness Judgment -vs- Hypocritical Judgment

Did you know as God’s child we are called to judge? This may be a shock to you, due to the fact that many Christians don’t study their Bible aggressively.

Way to many times we hear people wrongly quote the Bible, saying the scripture, “says not to judge!” I even hear this from non believers, like it’s the only verse they know. What’s sad, is often people misquote scripture. Saying something that’s not in context of the verse.

Let’s dive into this, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord open our eyes to see more shrewdly. The verse they misquoted is from Matthew the Tax Collector.

Judge not, that you not be judged. For with judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you judge, it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 7:1-2

Let’s break this down. First let’s find out what judge means. In Greek judge means which is defined in the Strong’s Concordance.

(Strong’s Definition) Properly to distinguish that is decided (mentally or physically); by implication to try condemn punish – avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree,, determine, esteem, judge go to sleep at the law ordain the call in question, sentence to think.

So we understand to judge someone, is to pass a moral sentence against them, or a decree. I see people wearing shirts that say only God can nudge me, which I say Amrn to. But did you also know we are called to judge? We must first understand why and how to judge someone biblically. Instead of what you heard from someone, or false advertisement on social media against someone.

Do you not know that all saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1 Corinthians 6:2

What’s unfortunate about most is that they are “living in sin” and when you come at then with biblical scripture they get irritated or defensive, when they shouldn’t, instead they should receive the rebuke in repentance. Scripture teaches this plain as day.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

Those of you who claim to be Christians and don’t receive correction and are regarded as “fools” according to Holy Scripture. Fool is Hebrew means one who despises wisdom, of one who mocks when guilt, of one who is quarrelsome, of one who is licentious.

Many of you reading this, this may be for you while for others it’s not, because the are humble and receive divine correction.

But he given more grace. Wherefore he said, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:6-7

I’m not writing this to offend you but to enlighten you, because I care about you. “Your eternal security.’ We need to stop running away from the Spirit of God and receive His love and connection. If we wish to be used by Him and to enter into His Kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

This scripture also teaches that if we reject His reproach we can only condemn ourselves.

If we endure chastening, God deals with us as with children; for what child is He chasteneth not? But if we be without chastisement, therefore all are partakers then are we bastards, and not children.

Hebrews 12:7-8

So basically He’s saying that if you reject God’s judgment upon you, for your sin and you refuse to repent. You are a bastard a fatherless child. God is not your Abba like you claim, if you don’t open-heartedly receive His guidance and counsel,

For one to pass judgment he or she must be practicing what they preach, otherwise, they have no authority from God because they are being a hypocrite.

We cannot pass judgment upon others when we are living in sin, that’s a false type of judgment against someone. We are only being hypocrites against someone. See that’s the judgment Jesus was referring to in the cannon.

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the, log that is in your own eye?

Matthew 7:3

Here’s an example let’s say I’m leaving the club and I go tell someone else. Hey don’t go too the club, you know that it’s bad! It’s unchristian. That person would respond in an unkind way, espyif they knew you were just in the club. See that’s my point, you’re being a hypocrite you cannot tell someone else to stop doing something you do yourself.

But what if I’m living for God? I’m not going to the club and living in sin. I tell you that you shouldn’t go clubbing that it’s not a healthy lifestyle and that it’s bad influence on your kids. I have every right to tell you that you need to repent and not only that, God backs me up, because I’m practicing what I preach.

Drinking Poison Is Like Unforgiveness

There’s an old saying that goes like this, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

It’s true – it slowly kills the one unwilling to forgive another.

Don’t carry the poison of u forgiveness around for the rest of your life.

Let it go! You know where this is going. I can sing the whole song if you like. No? Okay, I won’t

For the sake of your health, future, and relationships, let it go and trust God with your pain.

Matthew 6:14 says “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins,”

D

God Doesn’t Make Bad Things Happen

Do you wonder how God can allow so much evil and destruction in the world? Did your parents tell you if you do something wrong God will punish you? I know mine sure did. And every time you do something wrong you still question it. When we face challenges in our lives do you wonder if God is there? Is there a reason things happen the way they do? Are you being cared for?

It is important to understand that God doesn’t punish people. God doesn’t will evil on anyone. God doesn’t hurt people. A family lost a child in a terrible accident. Two church leaders came to their door to offer their condolences. They said that they felt great pain for the family, but they also added, “This was God’s will,” and that “we don’t always understand why God does what He does, but we must accept God’s will. “What a terrible thing to say! When I was 9 years old my 13-year-old brother was in a terrible drowning accident on a church outing. The church leaders came to our door saying this exact thing to my parents. Destroying my Father in the process. I don’t know where this idea came from. I’m sure it didn’t come from God.

God Is Pure Love

He never wishes harm on anyone. The idea that it is God’s will that bad things happen to people is not only misguided but potentially devastating. How can people love a God who wishes ill or has hurt them? The new church teaches that God wills only good for all His people. There is nothing more important to our creator than for every one of us to have happiness and fulfillment as humanly possible. When bad things happen, God feels our pain, is very present with us, and works to bring out the best in a bad situation. But if we’re told “it was God’s will” it can destroy families. If we believe the lie.

What we must remember is that God takes the long view. His goal is not to give us temporary and and perhaps superficial and fleeting comfort in this world, but rather looks to our eternal welfare.

God Brings Good Out of Everything If We Let Him

There is a lot of pain and suffering in the world today. It is important to understand God’s presence and influence in the face of very difficult situations

Swedenborg

It is impossible to see God’s providence in the face, as it is happening, but that we can see it when we look back in reflection on the past. In other words, in times of crisis, it is very hard to necessarily sense that God is the presence and working to bring good out of a bad situation. However, when we look back at such times we can often see the gentle hand of God at work.

Look at the horrible act of terrorism of September 11-2021, something so far from God’s will and even more horrible to be committed in God’s name. However, the love and charity that poured out of all the people, not only in the United States but from around the world, was astounding.

The cynics say that this was temporary and fleeting, but didn’t a part of us change forever! Or, at the very least, did we not have that opportunity presented before us in this horrific time in our lives? God didn’t make this event happen or will it, but God didn’t abandon us. God was there in a huge way, working through the same human freedom and choice He gave those terrorists, but now the choice of thousands was love and compassion, and resolve to rid the world of such hideous efforts.

In times of tragedy we man not be able to see immediately that God is there, leading us to peace and comfort, and so much more. However, we can rest assured that this world has been set up in such a way that all can be bent and turned toward good.

The Choice For Good Is Always Present

God provides constantly that choice for good is always present, and continually lift us up from out pain and our doubt to freedom to live and love again. The real question is, can we trust this? Can we find the good, or at least pursue it, and allow the force of love and life to lift us up! When we do this we can heal and even grow. And this growth is eternal.

There is an invisible and gentle current in each one of our lives that can peacefully carry us to happiness in heaven. It is always there for us, whenever we want to let go and trust the way. Even in what might appear as the worse of times, that stream is flowing and can carry us to all things blessed. We can trust that we are being cared for, that our eternal happiness is the most important thing God has in mind for us, and that all of creation flows toward this end. Our choice is to believe this, accept it, and freely choose it. Wade into the stream. Relax, and enjoy the ride.