Today’s Bible
readings are 2 Kings 17:1-18:12, Acts 20:1-38, Psalm 148:1-14, & Proverbs
18:6-7
Acts 20:1-3
When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and
encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia. 2 While
there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then
he traveled down to Greece, 3 where he stayed for three months.
He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews
against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.
What a wonderful thing to know that there is an alternative
to what the enemy offers. Many people are so use to yielding to the enemy &
the flesh that they fail to realize that there is an alternative to what he
offers.
One thing that we must remember about our enemy is that he
perverts things. He takes what God has created, what God has planned, & he
perverts it. It then becomes an altered state from what it was intended to be.
We were never meant to be trouble makers. It was God’s will
& design that we would use our tongue to be encouragers. God wants us to
use our tongue to give live to others. It is with our tongue that we can build
people up. It is with our tongue that we can persuade people to Christ. The sad
reality is that many people use their tongue to tear down what God wants built
up.
People tear down pastors, churches, & others by speaking
selfish, self-centered lies. They do this because they are only thinking about
themselves. The nature of being a Christian is to put others & their needs
ahead of our own.
Philippians 2:4
4 Don’t look
out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Jesus said that we must put aside our selfish ambitions, pick
up our cross, & follow Him. (Mk 8:34) This is the mark of a TRUE Christian.
We use our tongue to bring healing & NOT division & dissension.
Make a choice to put a stop to trouble making. Don’t allow
others to suck you in. Don’t become one. Use your tongue for the glory of God
by building up others. We are to be agents of peace.
Matthew 5:9
9 God blesses those who work
for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
If you want His blessing in your life, & the
life of those around you, chose the alternative & be an encourager. Promote
LOVE & PEACE. This is the sign & mark that Jesus TRULY lives in us!
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