The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

Psalm 37

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. v30-31

I know that "the tongue is also a fire" (James 3) as I have used my words to tear down others, including people close to me.  I also know that when I focus on "being transformed by the renewing of the mind" (Romans 12), my heart and my life are transformed.  As a result, more of my words are used to build up and to encourage one another.  

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:13-14     

Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

 

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God in that Your Word is flawless and it never fails.  I know that apart from You I can do nothing (no good thing).  You are such a great teacher, full of compassion, patience, mercy, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God as I am not  compassionate, patient, merciful, etc. with others as You are with me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me use my words to encourage and to build up others (vs tear them down).  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. v10-11

God desires us to live with and FOR each other.  

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

On the above count, I need God's help.

My Prayer:  Lord, You are an awesome God full of love, patience, encouragement, etc.  I am not worth such patience and encouragement because I often fail to be patient and encouraging with others.  Thank You that You bless me and love me anyway Jesus but more than anything I need Your forgiveness!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be encouraging to my family.  Help me NOT exasperate them.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6

Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. v4

This one is a tough one for me.  I know I have, many more times than I care to remember, exasperated Zach and Dustin.  I know the Lord is doing a work in me to help me avoid doing this...at the same time God wants to me demonstrate that I am bringing Zach and Dustin "up in the training and instruction of the Lord".

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

My Prayer: Lord, You do not exasperate...no au contraire!  You encourage, teach, inspire...You are gentle, merciful, compassionate, patient, just, etc.  You are all of the fruits of the spirit.  I on the other hand, am a work in progress.  I am lazy and selfish to name just two of my sins...thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for these sins and help me instead turn towards You Jesus!  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me avoid exasperating my children and help me impress Your commandments and words on them instead.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.