God Word: Spiritual Dimension

Hello sweet friends! I am glad you have stopped by today. This post begins a six weeks series regarding the six dimensions of life presented in the book One Word. These writings are crafted to deepen your God Word journey and allow the Father to impact your life on a grander scale. The goal is to strengthen the God Word process in three areas: application, accountability, and assessment by taking a closer look at each area of life.

Let’s begin with our first priority-God. He is the ultimate goal of any God Word. May we always remember the purpose of seeking our God Word is to bring Him glory and intensify our relationship with Him. Although the authors of One Word claim it brings clarity, power, passion, and life-change, we must never lose sight of the truth-It isn’t the actual word, it is the almighty God who delivers true discernment, miraculous power, unexplainable passion, and complete transformation.

The Refining application of the book is purely defined as drawing closer to the one and only by doing everything we can to stay under His refinement for a lifetime with an eternal mindset.

Week 1: Spiritual

What does spiritual mean? It has often been defined as something relating to or affecting the spirit or soul of a human. The world has various perspectives on the subject and even deems the concept as broad.

For the sake of our God Word and purpose stated previously, spiritual is defined by our devotion to God. It is the sanctification journey, growing toward God, which is His will for our lives (1 Thessalonians 4:3a). Therefore, the spiritual dimension is solely about the Father. Dr. Charles Stanley once stated, “God’s grand plan is wrapped up in one word-Sanctification-by God, for God. To radiate the character of God and the person of Jesus Christ.”

So, in order to examine the spiritual dimension of our God Word, the focus is on developing oneness with the Lord and Savior. It is not about being “spiritual” but about being open to God’s ways, positioning ourselves in His presence, and exercising feet of obedience. It is our opportunity to exam our relationship with the Father and take the steps to develop and increase our faith.

Scot McKnight sheds some light on being spiritual when he states, “First, we need to practice the spiritual disciplines that promote presence with God…prayer, meditation and contemplations, Bible reading, and a solid diet of good Christian influences, including movies and books…Second, we need to discipline ourselves to practice acts of goodness, holiness, justice, love, compassion, and beauty…say yes to good friendships, church participations; and acts of compassion,…Third, behind it all we need to remember that we do not make ourselves holy.”

So, how is your God Word helping you intensify the spiritual dimension of life? Does it keep you ever mindful of being continually connected to God and separated from the ways of the world? Can your God Word heighten your devotion and allegiance to loving God and others? How can you apply it to your everyday life so it strengthens your spiritual walk with the Father?

Application: Application is simply taking your God Word and understanding how the Lord wants to use it to grow you spiritually over the twelve-month timeframe.

For example, my God Word is posture. Spiritually for me that means lots of things: Developing a yes posture towards the Lord. Keeping an open posture to all He has for me. Taking a stand and carrying out a no posture for unholiness (even the overuse of dark chocolate!). Positioning myself in His presence with a faith posture more consistently.

Accountability: Accountability is aligning your life with what the Bible says. It is using verses regarding the spiritual area and getting real with God and your “iron sharpens iron” friends. Let your God Word hold you accountable to doing what God needs to you do in the spiritual area of your life. For example:

Loving Him-And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
Loving Others-A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have love you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Caring out His mission-Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Periodically chat openly with your accountability partners regarding your God Word. Use God’s measuring stick as a conversation starter. Be open to hear what the Holy Spirit reveals to you as well when reading and studying Scripture. The Bible has a way of keeping us accountable if we press into God’s Word and allow it to transform us.

Assessment: Ask those hard questions in your quiet time with the Lord. How am I measuring up spiritually in life according to your will Oh Lord? Where do I need to apply my God Word more to increase my faith? Father, you gave me this word for a reason so please guide me and give me your discernment. Open my senses to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and help me carry out your will.

Be transparent with yourself. Allow your downfalls to inspire you to get back up and keep moving forward. God gave you a special God Word for this season of life. Embrace your spiritual dimension and let Him stretch and mold you during this time.

Oh, my friend…there is so much more to be said about the spiritual dimension of life. I hope this post has at least given you a glimpse to applying your God Word in this important area.

May we just remember that the God Word method is created to pull us nearer to our one life source-The Almighty Father!

August 30, 2020 1

God Word: The Six Dimensions

Hello! Welcome to a six weeks focus on the book, One Word.

This little read was introduced to me in 2013 by a boss who had just survived her first cancer encounter. It is now a cherished process and a simple technique I use in my daily life. I refer to it as a God Word and rely on it to keep me accountable to the Father’s ways and not my own. Also, I incorporate this resource in the Refining study to help others strengthen their relationship with the Lord.

If you have used the book or maybe you are thinking about it, let me encourage you to do so. It brings focus and clarity to many areas in life and opens a door to drawing closer to the Lord. For those who have gone through the process, can I get a witness? How about an AMEN?

When you begin living out your God Word, it is important to find accountability methods and gauge your growth in the six dimensions listed in the book: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, financial, and relational. God wants us to continually grow and strive to attain more of a likeness of Christ. This requires us to self analyze and question our goals, actions, intentions, priorities, etc. A God Word can aid in this process.

It has been so much fun celebrating with several women once they receive their God Word. I love when we come together and share the amazing things God is doing. (Yes, even the hurts, trials, and deep valleys). The testimonies that come from living out a God Word over a twelve-month period are remarkable. Then, the excitement of receiving a new word for the upcoming months is always a joy.

With all that being said…I must make a confession about a major downfall when using the One Word book. I have not focused much attention to the six dimensions. Whether leading myself and/or supporting others living out a God Word, I have rarely visited these areas as a way to measure progress and effectiveness. The Holy Spirit has really placed this on my heart over the past month.

So, for the upcoming posts I will be featuring one dimension a week! I pray is will assist each of us in living out our God Word on a larger scale than before. Each dimension will be backed with Scripture and an open invitation for everyone to reply. You each have amazing insight and personal take-away which can inspire so many. Let’s do this!

Come join the Refining walk through living out your God Word with a deeper passion and focusing on your spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, financial, and relational areas.

Be sure to reply to this post and share your God Word! See you soon…

August 29, 2020 2

3 Reasons for Embracing a God Word

Within the Refining study, several weeks are dedicated to working through a book entitled One Word. The primarily reason for using this resource is to jump start a closer relationship with the Lord and improve upon listening to God’s directives.

Refining refers to One Word as a God Word because we rely on the Father for the word and are open to the Holy Spirit to reveal it. The belief is God has uniquely set aside a word just for us for the upcoming 365 days. We know the Lord holds our future and He is fully able to direct our pathway if we place our trust in Him.

I have been embracing this process for several years. There have been times when I received my word with confusion or even disbelief. However, after several months into the journey, it begins to make perfect sense. It has always proven His ways and perspective are so much wiser than my own. The journey has drawn me closer to Him and strengthened my relationship with the Lord.

Let me share three reasons to live out life through a God Word:

Simplicity-God delivers one simple word. A word for you to press into Him for daily living. A word to apply to the six dimensions of life which the book categorizes into: spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, financial, and relational. For example, if your word is strengthen-then your effort is to work on strengthening things in these main areas through your daily application. It permits you to rely on God and the helpmates He has provided: Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

Accountability-It gives you an easy way to assess your progress. In your prayer time with God you are able to talk with Him about areas of concerns. It becomes very obvious the life categories God needs you to focus upon. It spotlights where you can grow and increase your reliance on the Lord. Also, it allows you to share your God Word with others who are doing the same thing. During the year, you can come together and talk about what God is showing you through your word and the progress you are making. This gives you another level of accountability.

Focus-A God Word cuts out the long “To Do/Should Do” list we normally create. It narrows your attention to One Word you can apply to every action, decision, thought, etc. You begin asking yourself, “How would this align with my God word? Does this decision/action increase my relationship with the Lord? What is God’s perspective on this situation?” When you make your word visible and stay surrendered to the Lord’s authority, you bring attention, concentration, and emphasis on doing life God’s way and not your own. It centers your life around the one and only reliable source-GOD!

The basic premise is to plug into God and ask “What do you want to do in me and through me over the next year?”

He has a word meant for each of us for a particular time frame. God wants us to draw closer to His side and embrace our sanctification by allowing Him to shape and refine us. The Father longs for us to daily rely and ask for His help in exhibiting our God Word and growing in our relationship with Him.

I would encourage you to give it a try and let God speak into your life through simplicity, accountability, and focus of a God Word. One Word can be more powerful than you ever imagined.

August 25, 2020 3

“Spirit-Prompted Gifts”

Do you like gifts? Have you ever questioned a gift you were freely given? What about a time when you received something you really didn’t want? Or, how about that gift you longed for before it came to fruition? What happened to all the gifts you have ever obtained? Who did these presents have the greatest impact upon?

Scot McKnight, author of Open to the Spirit, talks about a different type of present in his chapter entitled Open Yourself to a New Orientation in Life. He refers to a “spirit-prompted gift” as an endowment given to Christians in order to serve others, not themselves. (Think about John 10:27, Matthew 22:37-38, and Mark 12:31.) He goes on to explain that every gift comes directly from the same source, God, we may be given more than one, and the gift is designed as a contribution to the Body of Christ.

I love how the Lord not only created us for a purpose but grants each of us a calling. Then He equips us with special gifts which the Spirit distributes. It is all perfectly planned to see His work through to completion for the timeframe in which we were placed on earth. McKnight takes it even further by explaining God’s vision-a beautiful picture of each member using his/her gifts appropriately to “bring the church into a unity of worship and fellowship (the way of Christ)”. Therefore, every member is important! The puzzle is not complete without all the pieces present.

Do you wonder what “spirit-prompted gifts” you have been granted? Have you ever taken an assessment to help you determine? There are all types of tests available. Just be cautious and mindful that spiritual gifts are directly from God and to be used for God. Try not to get caught up in the gift itself and remember it is not about you-it is all about advancing the Lord’s kingdom.

McKnight says it best in his writing, “When we all exercise our Spirit-prompted gifts, we are drawn out of ourselves and toward one another.”

My favorite part of the chapter was when the writer states that our gifts are best managed when we do so through the use of the Spirit’s fruits. What fantastic advice. So, may we each be encouraged to use our spiritual gifts with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and goodness.

Can you imagine the results of fulfilling your purpose according to His calling by utilizing your spiritual gifts through incorporating the fruits of the Spirit? I accept the challenge.

McKnight, S. (2018). Open to the Spirit. New York: WaterBrook.

August 17, 2020 0

Sufficient Giver

For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

Our great creator freely designed all things in heaven and on earth. He perfected each item with an eternity mindset. Amongst His amazing plan, He thought of you. We each play a role in God’s plan.

Do you see God in everything everyday?

Psalm 139:14 reminds us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The writer, David, praised the Lord for His amazing works. Each time I think about this verse I have to stop and ask myself, “When was the last time you praised God for making you?”

I don’t know about you but, I find myself complaining about my imperfections and frailties more than thanking God for His design. Praising Him for my existence is a struggle. Why? Because the enemy has told me differently over and over and I listened to his “hogwash”.

So I have to reel in my thoughts and focus on the words “your works are wonderful” in Psalm 139:14. If I truly believe these words then I have to realize that includes me. That includes you! The Lord created us on purpose for His divine plan. We are wonderfully made.

Not only did He form us in our mother’s womb but, He makes a way for us to walk alongside Him for eternity and provide for us. He promises to stay with us and work in us and through us if we are willing.

Think about nature. The Lord looks after his creation and gives it everything it needs. It is fascinating how each animal and plant is sufficiently giving the nutrients needed. And yet God loves us even more as we read in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

When was the last time you sat at His feet and thanked Him for creating you? Have you spent any time expressing your gratitude for Him as your sufficient giver? You are valuable to the Lord. Press in and give Him praise.

July 24, 2020 1

Guest Speaker: Lisa Ives

https://acappella.org/store/praise-and-harmony/worthy-god/

“Have you ever wondered what it will sound like in Heaven?”

Yes, I have wondered and I think I know the answer. I think every time I am blessed to record with Praise & Harmony, a ministry led by brother Keith Lancaster, that I get a small taste, glimpse and sensation of what it will be like to sing in Heaven surrounding God’s throne.

As a teenager growing up in the church, I first heard of the singing duo Acappella at a youth series night of worship. Keith Lancaster and his friend Rodney Britt joined together to form that first group -to write and sing songs from scripture that were made using only the very finest instrument created by the hand of God – their voices. As soon as I heard and sang along with their songs, I was a fan for life. Little did I know, I would be able to one day meet Keith and sing along with him to record over 14 Praise & Harmony albums with countless other brothers and sisters. The mission of the Praise & Harmony project is to create congregations who love to sing and to help them learn songs in 4 part harmony. Albums are created with a mix of both contemporary songs and traditional hymns.

The recording experience is truly surreal. The process itself is a grueling grind of physical and emotional exhaustion that takes you to the mountain top heights of worship and down to the depths of the valley of despair – a true emotional rollercoaster with blessings beyond measure. Surrounded by anywhere from 125-250 other singers on these recordings, you feel totally engulfed in the songs and their powerful lyrics that remind us of what a wonderful God we have, what a magnificent Savior died for us, what pain and suffering feel like and what joy and blessings are only found in Him. The messages are powerful and cut to the core of your Christianity, causing you to meditate and think on spiritual things as you are drawn out by the melodies and harmonies created by you and around you. It is so powerful, it is truly difficult to find words that are adequate in describing what a blessed experience happens. I often find myself moved to tears and unable to sing as I just listen to those around me.

For weeks prior to the recording date, singers are all practicing the arrangements to tracks provided by Keith to perfect our part as either a soprano, alto, tenor or bass. The preparation he and his team put forth to lay the groundwork for us is amazing and helps make the final product even better. Before COVID-19, we were blessed to be able to gather together at a location provided by a home congregation. We were able to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends as we all pushed through the 3 day recording process to churn out an album of 25 songs. The albums are produced with 2 CDs of identical songs. One CD is the entire group singing, while a second CD is produced as a “training disc” providing audio of only one singer for each part, allowing a listener to easily hear the part they want to learn as they sing. The training CD is a vital part to the Praise & Harmony mission to equip everyone, regardless of vocal ability/musical knowledge, to do as scriptures teach and , “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” Ps. 47:6 ESV

God doesn’t want just the best singers – He wants YOUR best. He doesn’t call you to be “recording quality”, He calls you to worship him in song with YOUR voice, which is beautiful to His ears. I encourage you if you don’t sing, SING now. We all have that ability – think about the last time you sang along to the radio in your car – the joy it gives you, the feelings that wash over you. If you can do that for yourself, how much more important you DO THAT FOR GOD. It’s my prayer that you use song to show God how much you love him and if you do, it’s guaranteed you’ll be blessed.

If you’d like to listen to samples of the Praise & Harmony albums and even purchase them (CD or direct mp3 downloads), go the website: https://acappella.org/store/

July 13, 2020 0

Choosing Wise Freedom

Blog post dedicated to **Audra Rea** (one who exercises freedom to serve others according to God’s wisdom)

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

What comes to mind when you think about freedom? The right to choose-free from bondage-carefree living-being your own boss-able to speak your mind-etc. America prides itself on the term based upon the foundation of the country. Many questions come to the surface when we go back 244 years ago.

Was their way of living better than dictatorship? Did they get everything correct when trying to establish a new country? Were they able to agree on everything? Does it really take trial and error to be a wise country? Are we a more united nation today from the struggles we have endured over the years? Do we really understand what the term freedom means? Is our focus on what is right or wrong more than what is wise? Are we better off in 2020 than they were in 1776?

I am not sure I can craft complete answers and thoughts for every question presented above. However, I can attest to freedom out of control. Self-centered rights taken to the extreme with very little grace or mercy extended to others. Retaliation seems to be the theme in exercising the “American Way”. The unity to be “one nation under God” somehow has taken a backseat and replaced with Self-preservation for One and One for Self-preservation. How often do we make our decisions on what is right or wrong personally according to our thinking without any regard to what is wise according to the Lord. (I am so guilty as charged!!!)

As I have been traveling through the book of Proverbs, wisdom and folly are presented verse after verse. Solomon was a leader of many and wanted to acquire the wisdom of the Lord. He carried out James 1:5-7 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord”. Solomon exercised his freedom to seek out what was wise through his fear of the Lord. He had regard for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation yet he even had transfer issues—difficulty living it out in all areas of his life.

Choosing wise freedom under biblical authority is not always easy (or popular for that matter). However, it is essential for us to understand the source of perfect knowledge – “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). Proverbs 2:6 reminds us that wisdom comes from the mouth of the Lord through knowledge and understanding.

So, when we grasp God’s insight and apply it to our freedom according to His wise counsel, maybe it should also reflect the seven attributes stated in James 3:17. Boy, do I have some work to do! As I process this knowledge and begin to let it penetrate my heart, I am really convicted.

On this 4^th of July, I have realized my “American freedom” lacks God’s purity and may even reflect the freedom of folly. As for me, my freedom focus has been altered by this single verse.

I pray this post has given you a different stance of freedom and made you think about what is wise for your life more than what the world says is right or wrong.

1. Peace-loving-inclined to avoid conflict or aggression

2. Considerate-careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others

3. Submissive-ready to conform to God’s authority; meekly obedient

4. Full of mercy-compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm

5. Good fruit-to produce God-pleasing goodness

6. Impartial-treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just

7. Sincere-free from pretense or deceit

July 4, 2020 0

How to Weed-out the enemy!

*Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2)*

Annual weeds, biennial weeds, and perennial weeds—They ALL frustrate me! Those annoying garden enemies drain my happiness and take up my time. Our beautiful flowers, shrubs, vegetable plants, and herbs lack encouragement and attention because I am focused on the invading schemes of the weeds! No doubt-they get more attention than they deserve but, I refuse to let them prevail.

How often have you allowed the enemy’s plots to derail your faith and focus? The lies, fears, and flat-out conspiracies can engulf life quickly. It takes a purposeful plan of intentional living to annihilate the devil’s ploys much like deliberately eradicating those pesky weeds in the yard.

So, how can we eradicate the “weeds” of the enemy without losing focus on the Lord? It is not easy to keep our thoughts on God when the “earthly things” begin to choke out our heavenly vision.

Identify the enemy – Weeds will not go away on their own. Those selfish suckers want to take over, soak up all the moisture, and ingest every surrounding nutrient. If you do not identify them and deal with the issue, they will continue to flourish. Sound familiar? Ignoring the strategies of the enemy will not make them dissipate. Call the adversary out by name! Deal with it! Claim God’s power over the enemy.
Practice maintenance – Safeguarding a yard from wretched weeds takes routine prevention. Pre-emergent plans have to begin months prior to the arrival of the antagonists. Lawn experts have to “get ahead of the game” to ensure some control over the war. In order to keep the enemy at bay, we have to do the same. It takes daily preservation through prayer, studying and infusing Scripture, and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.
Nurture goodness – Dealing with the weeds can rob your joy. It is easy to forget to “stop and smell the roses”. Make time to praise the Lord and thank Him for His goodness, protection, grace, love, faithfulness, joy, hope, mercy, devotion, steadfastness, presence, eternal promises, provisions, etc. Extend His attributes to those around you without bias or partiality. Build up others and feed into them. Help their roots spread and eventually choke out the enemy.
Use the right tools – There are numerous tools on the market with promising results. The best ones are those that “get to the root”. The Lord has given us two helpmates-His Word and the Holy Spirit. God wants us skilled in using His sword and relying upon the Holy Spirit. We have to get to the root of our problems and issues by using His tools. So, declare the enemy powerless and saturate his plans with death-defining means through implementing the right God-given devices.

Weed-out the enemy. Remember, there are better things requiring your attention and focus. Satan has no place in your garden of life. Let God grow you to your full potential.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as you reward.

(Colossians 3:23-24)

June 30, 2020 0

I’m offended! What’s next?

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Yes-today we are going there-straight to the topic of being offended. Dare I say if you haven’t been offended a time or two in life, you may be the one and only. Offenses seem to occur as often as a windy day in the panhandle of Texas. They both will whip you around and leave you highly frustrated. The debris they bring into your pathway can be downright annoying. It is never welcomed and doesn’t exactly bring out the best in a person.

Offenses can happen in many forms but it usually stems from someone’s words or actions. You know-those sly cutting remarks made by a co-worker, the off-hand statement by a family member, the “grandpa” or “raging” driver, the person who just let their car door slam into your vehicle, the twenty-fifth call about an extended warranty on your vehicle, (P.S. stop calling me-the car is 11 years old!) or let’s just say it—the media!

Try going one whole day with either not being offended personally or not running across someone who was offended. Riot, chaos, looting, as well as many other actions fill the TV screens, radios, and social media pages due to being offended. It seems to be present every day of our lives regardless of where we go. People feel betrayed, ignored, misrepresented, neglected, etc. and anger and bitterness begin to rise. Honestly, it stirs up so many emotions within us.

Most offenses can be defined as an “annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one’s standards or principles”. They hurt and 9 times out of 10 we feed them and allow the offense to become a sin on our part. Usually, that’s what’s next.

But, what is God’s perspective?

1. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us to rely on the truth of God’s Word and not our fickle heart. Unfortunately, it can be deceitful.

2. Scripture tells us to do everything possible to overlook an offense and rely on God’s wisdom (Proverbs 19:11).

3. Extend love through God’s perspective and do not seek revenge or hold a grudge (Leviticus 19:18). Romans 13:10 reminds us that love is the fulfilling of God’s law.

4. Remember the redemption you received on the cross while Jesus was crying out “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!” Jesus forgave while being offending—right in the smack dab middle of it! So, decide ahead of time to embrace forgiveness as your response and give it over to God.

5. Bring your thoughts under God’s authority. Cling to 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 and choose patience and kindness at all times. Take your anger to the throne room and leave it there.

6. Invest in the fear of the Lord. Have reverence for His ways and allow Him to reign over your heart, mind, and soul. Refer to Proverbs 19:23 and remind yourself of the life and contentment found in fearing the Lord.

My friend, you will be offended. But in the midst of it, will you choose to honor God or offend Him? That’s what’s next.

June 18, 2020 1

Two Ways to Prevent from Being a Contaminated Friend

**Tribute to Diane Reid**
*One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.* Proverbs 18:24

When I think about friendship, my thoughts immediately go to the song You’ve Got a friend in Me by Randy Newman and Lyle Lovett. The lyrics exemplify the definition of a true friend who “sticks closer than a brother” for me. You know, the person who knows your quirks and flaws yet, loves you anyway. Those who protect your head and heart by caring about your feelings and guarding their words because of their admiration for you.

Proverbs extends words of wisdom regarding friendship in numerous ways. I love how it delivers prevention methods to keep us from being a toxic friend. As I have been reading and studying the chapters, I have had to accept many corrective words. Ouch! – my toes have definitely endured some agony. However, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s promptings opened my eyes to several means which warrant being a noble and wholesome friend. Let me share a couple with you.

Your Lips: Yes, as lovely as they can be, they can release lethal poison. Proverbs 10:19-20 reminds us to be cautious with our words and double check to see if they are beneficial and worthy. Proverbs 12:17-23 heeds direction to utter kindness yet, be cautious in the overall flapping of the lips.

We find in the first few verses of Chapter 13 a promise of blessings for those using wise speech and pleasant words. But what about those times when provoking situations occur? Truth – they happen even in the best of friendships. Proverbs 14:29 reveals the solution is to restrain the lips and exhibit self-control over our responses. Proverbs 15:1 portrays this as having a soft reply and avoid harshness at all costs.

Then there is gossip. Yuck – the destruction it brings. Passing on all those juicy morsels and having no regard for someone’s reputation. It stems from a need to elevate self. Somehow it tends to capsulate half-truth, hearsay, etc. We can even become entangled in the web without initiating it.

Be on guard with your lips. Let your words speak life. Prepare to listen more and truly hear what others express. Make good use of your lip actions, avoid gossip, and be a friend indeed.

Your Heart: Have you ever found your heart to be in the wrong place? Self-centered living is an easy path to stumble upon. Proverbs 14:12 reveals that our “self-righteous” living may even be deceiving in its blessings because it is not sustainable. The truth is – it is a heart matter.

Luke 6:45 reminds us to guard our heart for the primary purpose of staying pure for God. We have to be mindful of what penetrates our heart and be very intentional to keep our focus on living for God and bringing Him glory, not ourselves. Proverbs 14:30 encourages us to have a “sound heart” because it generates “life to the body”. When embracing this lifestyle, we will be a friend who does not entertain a deceptive, harden heart and can offer love and goodness with the right motives.

Although there are numerous ways to produce great friend qualities, these two areas are primary issues that can make or break a relationship. Our motives and mouths can create excellence for His glory, but it requires discipline and righteousness of the Lord.

So, what does it really boil down to? A choice to love at all times regardless (Proverbs 17:17a) and to accept correction for our overall behavior for a lifetime. Not an easy decision but rewarding results – being “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” and receiving the same. A worthy blessing bringing pleasure to God.

June 11, 2020 1