Society has it so wrong!!

"A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back."
                                                         -Proverbs 29:11 NKJV

Oh wow, this verse hits home hard!
I have always thought that sharing my feelings with anyone and being "an open book" was a good thing. Our society has it so wrong!! It teaches us that "I" am important. My happiness is all that matters regardless of who I hurt or the cost. We have been taught to allow our feelings to control us. Decisions are based on how we feel. If it feels right or good to us. Many times our feelings are labeled as "God." We confuse them with God.
I am learning (and it has been very hard at times) that my feelings get me into more trouble and hurt rather than help. To many times I allow my feelings to control what I say or how I act. They get in the way of who I am and prevent me from becoming who God created me to be.
God created our feelings for a reason. So that we can be loving and compassionate. So that we can help others and serve Him. He did not create our feelings to hinder us and make us selfish. He did not create them to cloud our vision in right and wrong. He did not create them to control us!
Father, I pray that you will open hearts and minds. Show us how to get a hold of our feelings and use them in the way that you created them to be used. Show us to control them and not allow them to control us any longer. In Jesus name, Amen.
With God's love,
Christian

Would you be willing?

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." - Matthew 19:21

This weekend I spent 15 hours over Saturday and Sunday moving my in laws. We combined two homes with 100 years worth of stuff. So much stuff! They grew up in a world where their parents didn't throw anything away, they didn't throw anything away, and still don't throw anything away. They are trying to cram two house holds with a total of 100 years of stuff between the two into one house with not a lot of room. As we are packing and loading stuff, My husband and I are trying to encourage them to get rid of stuff that is trash or they simply won't use. To no avail we moved everything.

As I was reading Matthew 19:21, I couldn't help but wonder what it would take to get them to let go of some stuff.
If Jesus himself came and asked them too, would they?  Would I? Or would I be as attached to my stuff like the man that Matthew is referring to in this scripture.
This scripture is talking about a man that asked Jesus what he must do to get into heaven that he hadn't already done. And Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and follow Him. The man was unwilling to because he was too attached to his stuff.

I am not one who does get attached to stuff much. If I get something new, it stays for a while until I get tired of it and then I pass it on to someone else. I'm not sure that is a good thing either. Maybe I am not content with what I have. Because of this, I have a hard time understanding why people get attached to things. I have seen people get so attached that it truly controls their lives. The thought of loosing something can cause some people a flood of uneasy emotions.

Would you be willing to sell your possessions and follow Christ, or  would you struggle with getting rid of your things?

Father, I have compassion on those who struggle with the possessions in their life. I pray that you will break the bond that they have with their things so that they can create a bond with you and follow you. Help us all to find true value in a relationship with you and not the things  in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen
With God's Love,
Christian

Like fire, we can neither control nor reverse the damage that is done!

    When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. -James 3:3-6

As we grow from childhood, we are taught what is proper, what words are acceptable to say and whats not. Proper speech isn't only saying the right words at the right time but is also controlling what we say and the urge to say what we shouldn't say. Gossiping, putting someone down, bragging, manipulating others, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying are just a few of the things we should not say. Some of which we don't even realize is wrong. Exaggerating is such a part of our every day lives. " I ran a million miles just to catch the bus." When in reality I only ran maybe a half a mile.

An uncontrolled tongue can do horrible damage. It will divide people and set them apart or against each other. It has broken up families, friendships, churches and has even started wars. Hateful and mean words are damaging and hurt deeply. Once the damage is done it cannot ever be undone, you can never take back what you said.We are often careless with what we say thinking that we can always apologize but the wounds remain. A few small words can destroy a relationship that took years to build. A few angry minutes of time can waist many wonderful years.
Our words are like fire, we can neither control nor reverse the damage that is done. (some information taken from niv study notes)

Father, I pray that you will teach us to bridle our tongues, teach us to speak only with uplifting and encouraging words. Remind us to think before we speak and that our words are like fire causing damage where ever it goes. Show us how to use our tongues in a manner that pleases you. In Jesus name amen.
With God's Love,
Christian