More than casual conversation

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (Ephesians 4:29)

We might just forget that 'words' are a gift. Each and every one we speak has the power to build up, encourage, point someone in the right direction, confirm, or enable. How many times do we hang onto the ones that do just the opposite? We get all hyper-focused on the ones that didn't actually 'do much for us', or actually weren't meant to 'hurt', but we internalized them as something that hurt us. As important as it is for each of us to watch how we talk (the words that come out of our mouths), it is equally as important that each of us begins to 'weigh' the words we hear for their true value and stop focusing on what it is we thought we heard.

We can 'take' words so many ways, can't we? I could tell you the sky is cloudy today, and you take it to mean we are going to be stuck inside not doing the things we hoped to do outside today. You form a negative 'feeling' based upon the fact I told you there were clouds in the sky. If we were honest about this 'weather report', we might just realize clouds might make for a muggier than desirable day, but it might just hold the temp down a few degrees, making it easier to do those outdoor tasks. Words taken differently - totally dependent on the point of reference we assign to them. If our words are gifts to each other, we might have to change our 'point of reference' on occasion so that we aren't so easily offended when someone says something without thinking it through!

Try as we might, we don't always think before we speak. In fact, there are times when our emotions kick in full-force, and we just get all wrapped up in what we want to say back. We begin to think of ways to 'get back' with our words - something most of us can do without much thinking at all! Although there is a time and a place for casual conversation, it is wise to learn to 'read the moment'. There is also a time for peace and quiet. Words don't always have to be spoken - especially when we can see someone is struggling with something - ruminating over and over again in their minds with something that is bugging them or has them a little concerned. Casual conversation may not be the best in those moments - we may want to remain still until we feel the urge of the Holy Spirit giving us the words we should speak that might actually help the individual sort out what is bothering them.

Words can go very wrong or very right - depending on our point of reference when they are spoken and when they are heard. Indeed, we need to watch them well - being vigilant to consider their impact before they are spoken. We also need to be vigilant in our hearing - so that we don't 'take words' in ways they weren't intended. Casual conversation may just involve words that weren't well thought out and probably wouldn't have been spoken if the other person had of really thought how they could come across to the one hearing them.  Just sayin!

Just sayin!

Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact. (George Eliot)

Have you ever been guilty of having 'too much to say' on a topic? It is like you cannot wait to get your turn to bring up a point. You are chatting at the bit to just get your opinion heard. Too many times we have much to say on a subject not worth saying that much about!

The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words. (Proverbs 10:19)

This won't be a long lesson today, but rather a few points to ponder about the words we choose to speak. Words aren't always the problem - it is frequently the motivation or spirit behind the words that make the greatest impact. You can say one thing, but your attitude speaks something quite different.

Words have an impact - so we must choose them wisely. It isn't just the choice of words it is also the timing of those words. We can have all the right things to say - the point we are about to make is 'right on' and 'truth', but the timing is terrible. The words will have just the opposite impact because the timing was off.

Not everything we say needs to be said - there are just some moments when the things we are thinking are to be kept to ourselves. If we need to talk them over with anyone, it will likely be God, not the people within hearing distance at the moment. The more we lean upon the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, the more he will guide our words, as well.

Wisdom isn't always lengthy. Sometimes it is to the point, but always spoken in love. We may be a little 'timid' at times when sharing the wisdom God gives us, not so much because it is hard to share, but because we don't always believe we should. We tend to give a 'long lead in' when we are nervous about sharing truth. Truth doesn't require a 'lead in' - it requires obedience. Just sayin!

Shut 'em down

Airspace is referred to as the air available for an airplane to fly in, but it is usually subject to some rules because it is over a particular country or area that is 'maintained' and 'governed' by that ruler or a group of rulers. Airspace can also be that 'space' in your life where you either allow others into or not. You may allow them into that space, but with orders to exercise 'caution' as to where they go or what they bring into that airspace. You may not allow others into that 'space' because you have already determined them or what they bring with them to be of 'dangerous intent'. We need to guard our 'airspace' carefully and always be alert to what is attempting to get into it!

A person who talks sense is honored; airheads are held in contempt. (Proverbs 12:8 The Message)

Airheads often speak without thinking - just blurting out whatever will "stimulate" the senses of anyone who is in hearing distance. They don't care about the "shock-factor" of their words - indeed, they may even strive to accomplish some 'wow factor' by their words! In the good old days, the term "airhead" used to refer to the "airspace" the enemy occupied in order to do air drops of more troops or supplies into the midst of the fight. Stop long enough to consider this definition in light of what our proverb is reminding us about and this might just give us an interesting perspective on what an "airhead" really does? They are actually putting more "resources" into the fight - they come into the airspace to lend more ammo!

Don't get me wrong, sometimes we need to hear something which will stir us up from our place of slumber or apathy. Airheads may begin this process by bringing some type of 'disturbance' into our airspace, but if all we listen to is their ranting we will soon be drifting into the negativity of the masses. Look at what God describes as their fate - they are held in contempt. In other words, there words soon come to be viewed as worthless. They speak, but nobody really pays them any mind - not really. The sad part of this is we don't realize the "airspace" they are given in the first place is what opens the doors for them to gain a stronghold! They didn't have access until we gave it to them!

On the other hand, we are reminded about the person who "talks sense". There is something about trying to talk to an "airhead" - someone who packs a huge punch, setting everyone on full alert - we must learn from this passage. First, we control their "airspace" - we don't need to give them an inch! If we control what we allow to be spoken in our "airspace", we control what can gain "influence" in our minds. Second, we don't need to give credence to everything that is spoken - we need to check it out first! The words were spoken to make an "impact" - pure and simple. The "impact" may leave a crater the size of the Grand Canyon if we give too much credence to those 'ammo' words!

Most of the time the best defense is a good offense. We often think we cannot "counter" the words of the "airhead" with anything that will impact the situation in a positive sense - and at first blush we may be right. Their words just hang there like stale air. Sometimes the best thing we can do is to "eliminate" the "bad air" with some "good air" of our own! The best defense is a good offense - the best offense is the Word of God. Nothing shuts down the "ammo" of the airhead any quicker than the gentle reply of one "tempered" by the Word of God. I am not saying you quote a scripture, but you let the scripture "temper" your response - so it is in gentleness, love, kindness, and with boldness. In turn, you almost "close off" the airhead's "airspace". Just some thoughts on dealing with an airhead today! Just sayin!

What are they saying about you in heaven?

There is a longing of heart that almost causes one to feel faint. This passionate response is part of the sense of urgency that one has when some condition just MUST absolutely be met - no if's, and's, or but's about it - there is a need and it demands to be met. It is the type of urgency that God wants us to have as it applies to him being the center of all we are and all we do. There is much we long for in life, but not all of it is truly rewarding. Not all of it will satisfy us. Not all of it will keep us going way past the point others think we will quit. Yet, there are words spoken today - words specifically designed to lift your heart, to call you close, and to encourage you to take that next step - words spoken because you have a need that must be met. Words spoken in heaven have a great influence over our lives - they are like the wind that directs the sails of the great ships of the sea!

I'm homesick—longing for your salvation; I'm waiting for your word of hope. (Psalm 119:81)

Times change all around us - making us feel like we might not keep up, or worse yet, that we are 'going under'. Our psalmist reminds us to put our hope in the Word of God - the promises and commandments that give us the certainty of a reliable foundation for our lives. We are to strain to see the promises contained therein - awaiting with constant awareness (attentiveness) that God never makes a promise he will not fulfill. These are more than words on a page - when spoken by heaven's voice deep into our hearts, they are all powerful and life-giving! Cling to the principles laid out throughout the pages of his Word - even when spiritually exhausted and overwhelmed by the course that we are on, we must learn to cling. Refuse to abandon the truths of God - holding onto them with a tenacity that just won't let go, even when the answer is delayed.

To long for something implies that we yearn for it - there is a desire for that object more than anything else we could consider. When the heart longs for something (or someone), that becomes the constant object of their attention. Both conscious and unconscious thought become consumed by the object of our longing. To cling to something implies that we will adhere to something - because there is constant contact with that which we are clinging to. No child of God can walk close to God and avoid his Word. They go hand in hand. The Words spoken to us and about us are powerful - God knows we need both! To those who will long for God, cling to him with passion, and not faint in their pursuit of him, there is a promise that his Word will stand forever. In other words, every promise contained within will stand true and certain. Whatever is established in heaven can be enforced on earth. I would like you to consider this question: What do you know for a certainty is established (spoken and agreed upon) about you in heaven?

That which is established about us in heaven can be enforced upon this earth. In other words, if God has established in heaven that we are a new creation (old things passed away, all things becoming new within us), then the fact is that we can enforce that on earth. We no longer need to be bound by the old (the past) - we are set free to pursue the newness of life that God gives. The first truth established in heaven about you is that God loves you immensely. His love is unconditional - no matter what we have done, will do, or are presently doing, his love is reaching out to us. This truth should cause us a sense of awe when we consider God's faithfulness toward us even when we were (or are) engaged in our sins. This truth is certain - God loves us. Whatever is established in heaven is certainly worth establishing on this earth, as well. Isn't it time that we begin to cling to the truths proclaimed about us in heaven? Just askin!