Put your "knife" away!

Ever felt so terrible when you go all way out to help somebody genuinely, not only there is no appreciation nor affirmation (oh well, it's ok cos you just wanna help-so you comfort yourself) BUT instead, you got "told off", sarcastic remark and all?? gee!!!....

was sharing with God this morning (better to share with Him than humans cos these are not edifying and if shared to another person, you will never know who this other person will share with! Ha!), and as I open the reading for today, it was entitled "CUTTING REMARKS"!!!

Taken from Daily Bread reading today, Prov 12:17-22 shed some wisdom in how we need to put our "multi-bladed swiss army knife" aka TONGUE that gossip, slander, hurt, wound, sows discord, boasting, lying away and use our words to help and heal. That is the only way to rule our relationships as well.

These outburst are only the tip of the iceberg. What lies underneath are actually unhealthy attitudes of anger, irritation, frustration and impatience- even disappointment, stress, guilt and insecurity which flows from within us and contribute to our damaging speech.

So dun let these fuel in your heart, don't let them fester. Deal with them the minute it's been "detected".

God has graciously given us forgiving love, grace, mercy and truth.
How far are you from each of this?
How much are they contained inside of you?

Dear Lord, search my heart today and replace all of the unhealthy attitudes with your attributes so that my words may be pleasing and edifying and build others up at all times. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

MISSION IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF CHURCH

...it is not meant to be a department by itself...

...rather, MISSION should be the VERY essence of God's body...

...MISSION is our response to "God's invitation" who formed the nations and is constatnly at work amongst them...

Rev 7:9-10 (PICTURE THIS!)

...Our response??? Not someone else BUT each of us...
Not just a submissive heart, but a yielded heart that says "yes Lord", not "what Lord" (what do you want me to do there? What can I offer?...) first...

Thank you, Joe for a powerful sharing on MISSION.

Dear Lord, prepare us (J Family) to be ready to respond to your call wherever you call us. May we have a "Yes Lord" posture before you and may your purpose and will be fulfilled in this family that you have put together, both young and old. Amen.

Then why do we still face trials???

I read with much thoughts about what Ps Rick shared in his e-devotion today, where he referred to the scripture in Isaiah 43:25 "God forgives our sins and will not hold our sins against us."

Defensive Jo was quick to question: If so, why does trial and terrible things happen if it is not to discipline us??....

But as I reflect, realise that more often than not, if we just allow the Spirit to guide us, it is not difficult to see that it is carnal selves who have caused trials to happen over time, our attitude, actions and even speech...

Yes, while it's true that sometimes we are badly treated, wrongly accused and the list goes on. But, how we react to every situation makes alot of difference. Spend some moment to think about it, everything does has its implications as we think deeper...

God does forgive our sins and will not hold our sins against us. And He allows things to happen only to sharpen and refine us. Before we point fingers and start blaming others, let's do a self check by first committing ourselves to the Lord in prayer:-

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me
and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psa 139:23-30)
In Jesus name I pray, amen