During my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning I believe God gave me a word for someone today… Distance yourself from temptation quickly! Don’t delay, dally, or entertain it or you may be drawn in by it, be deceived by it, yield to it, and be defiled! (Check out James 1:13-15)
This is from my Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord”… (No commentary needed…)
Need healing?
Need a miracle?
Need forgiveness?
Know someone who does?
Read the following passages… and let faith arise!
Acts 9:32–35
“Now as Peter went here and there among them all… he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.’ And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”
Acts 9:36–42
“Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha (or Dorcas). She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, ‘Please come to us without delay. So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise!’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 4 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”
James 5:13–16
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working!”
Next to guarding my heart from which “everything else flows” (Proverbs 4:23), my mouth comes in a close second! In fact the Bible tells me the two are related, so I better pay close attention to both of ‘em (Matthew 12:34)!
Every day on the news or in less obvious contexts we observe the sad and destructive results of an unguarded, unruly mouth! Something or someone “pushes one of our buttons” wrong and we “pop off” and say something we regret… something that hurts others… but most of all, something that displeases our Heavenly Father. Ever been guilty? I have, to my shame!
During this morning’s Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” He reminded me of this issue and issued a healthy warning… Glad I was listening! Later in the day, I can tell you I needed it! Here was the warning God gave me…
“We all stumble in many ways… If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. We put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us and we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness…The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God! From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things ought not to be so!” (from James 3:2-12)
So here was my prayer that followed His warning this morning (right out of the Bible!)…
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer! Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth! Keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalms 19:14 and 141:3) Yup, I prayed it! And I meant it too!
