From Messes to Miracles

"A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." (Proverbs 18:7)
We have what we say. As believers, we know that's a vital biblical truth. We can see it in Mark 11:23, Matthew 21:21, James 3:2, and many other verses. Yet we often let it slip.

We allow ourselves to begin talking like the world instead of talking the Word. And eventually we get what we've been asking for--a big mess.

If that's happened to you, remember, whatever you have in your life is a product of what you've been saying. 

Sticks and Stones

Written by Barbara Alpert

It’s been said that we are all the walking wounded. You can help come alongside wounded people by applying to be a mentor. Your prayer and kind words can make a difference. Apply today!

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

Many have heard or even recited, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me”. How false the second part of this old time saying is! Cruel words spoken to or about us do hurt. In fact, many people, regardless of age, remain wounded for years because of hurtful words tossed at them. The power of just one unkind word can crush a person’s spirit for a very long time.

Up in Smoke

"The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." (James 3:5-6)

Words. Use them right and they'll move mountains. Use them wrong and they can cause your entire life to go up in smoke.

"Now, Brother Copeland," you may say, "I find it hard to believe that major catastrophes can be caused by a few simple words. I just can't see the connection."

Look again at the phrase James used. "How great a matter a little fire kindleth!" Have you ever lit a few little pieces of kindling wood and set them in the fireplace beneath a stack of logs?

What happened?

What Did You Say?

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

Friend to Friend

Fruit is one of my favorite foods. When I go grocery shopping, it always takes me longer to get through the fruit section than any other area of the store. I spend what some might consider a ridiculously long time picking out what I hope will be the juiciest apples, the plumpest grapes and sweetest bananas. Experience has taught me to quickly discard any piece of fruit that is bruised, mushy or discolored. I shake cantaloupe and thump watermelons. Ripe strawberries have a unique sweet scent and only the reddest cherries will do. Plums and tomatoes must be firm to the touch, bright in color and wrinkle-free while the more wrinkles the better when it comes to choosing passion fruit.

Wisdom From King Lemuel’s Mother

Scripture Passage:  Proverbs 31:1-31

INTRODUCTION: King Lemuel wrote the last chapter of Proverbs but he credits his mother with the wisdom contained in his words. Whereas most of Proverbs deals with a father speaking to his son, this chapter contains a mother’s wisdom that she gives to her son. Mostly, she deals with the danger of alcohol and the need for a virtuous woman.

1. THE DANGER OF STRONG DRINK (Proverbs 31:1-9)
1. The Wisdom of This Chapter (Proverbs 31:1-2)
1. The words of King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1
   )
2. The prophecy that his mother taught him (Proverbs 31:1
   ): NOTE: a mother has great power to influence her children; consider the influence that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had on him (2 Timothy 1:5
   ; 2 Timothy 3:15
   ).
3. Given to her son (Proverbs 31:2
   )
1. Her own son – “my son”
2. Her physical child – “the son of my womb”
3. Her chosen child – “the son of my vows”; she had made vows to Lemuel’s father in marriage, but she had also likely made vows to God concerning her son and his upbringing. Compare Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11
   ).
2. Common Dangers for Kings (Proverbs 31:3-4)
1. That they would give their strength to women (Proverbs 31:3
   ; Deuteronomy 17:17
   ; 1 Kings 11:1-8; Nehemiah 13:26
   )
2. That they would give their ways to destruction (Proverbs 31:3
   )
3. That they would give themselves to drink (Proverbs 31:4
   )
3. The Warnings Against Strong Drink (Proverbs 31:5-7)
1. Destroys the rule of kings and princes (Proverbs 31:5
   )
1. Causes them to forget the law
2. Causes them to pervert judgment
2. Fit only for those who are losers (Proverbs 31:6-7)
1. The recipients (Proverbs 31:6
   )
1. Those ready to perish
2. Those with heavy heart
2. The benefits (Proverbs 31:7
   )
1. He will forget his poverty
2. He will forget his misery
3. NOTE: Christians are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37
   ) and will never have reason to fit in the above categories.
4. The Righteous Use of the Tongue (Proverbs 31:8-9)
1. To speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8
   ); consider Esther in Esther 4:13-16.
2. To plead the cause of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:9
   ; Psalm 82:3
   )
2. THE VALUE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN (Proverbs 31:10-31)
1. Her Purity (Proverbs 31:10-11)
1. She is virtuous (Proverbs 31:10
   )
1. Ruth (Ruth 3:11
   )
2. A crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4
   )
2. She is valuable (Proverbs 31:10
   )
1. Like the faithful man, she is hard to find (Proverbs 20:6
   )
2. Like wisdom, she is more valuable than rubies (Proverbs 8:11
   )
3. She is vigilant (Proverbs 31:11
   )
1. Her husband trusts in her (1 Peter 3:1-4)
2. Her husband depends on her; having no need for spoil
2. Her Loyalty (Proverbs 31:12
   , 23)
1. She does good for her husband (Proverbs 31:12
   )
2. She increases the influence of her husband (Proverbs 31:23
   )
3. Her Industry (Proverbs 31:13-19, 27)
1. She is a master buyer
1. Buying wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13
   )
2. Buying food for her family (Proverbs 31:14
   )
3. Buying a field (Proverbs 31:16
   )
2. She is an accomplished craftsman
1. Working the wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13
   , 19)
1. Spindle: used to twist fibers into thread
2. Distaff: the staff on which the wool or flax is wound
2. Planting and reaping a vineyard (Proverbs 31:16
   )
3. Making good merchandise like candles (Proverbs 31:18
   )
3. She cares for those in her household
1. Giving meat to her household (Proverbs 31:15
   )
2. Looking well to the ways of her household (Proverbs 31:27
   )
4. She diligently accomplishes her work
1. Rising while it is yet night (Proverbs 31:15
   )
2. Girding her loins with strength (Proverbs 31:17
   )
3. Eating not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27
   ; see1 Timothy 5:10
   , 13)
4. Her Economy (Proverbs 31:14
   , 16, 18, 21-22, 24)
1. In purchasing and working flax and wool (Proverbs 31:14
   )
2. In purchasing and providing food (Proverbs 31:16
   )
3. In making merchandise, probably to be sold (Proverbs 31:18
   )
4. In clothing her house well (Proverbs 31:21-22)
5. In running a home business (Proverbs 31:24
   )
5. Her Charity (Proverbs 31:20
   ; Romans 16:1-2)
1. Stretching out her hands to the poor
2. Reaching forth her hands to the needy
6. Her Dignity (Proverbs 31:25
   )
1. Clothed with strength
2. Clothed with honor
3. Preparing for the time to come
7. Her Courtesy (Proverbs 31:26
   )
1. Speaking with wisdom (James 3:13-18)
2. Speaking with kindness
8. Her Testimony (Proverbs 31:28-29, 31)
1. Her children rise up and bless her (Proverbs 31:28
   )
2. Her husband rises up and praises her (Proverbs 31:28
   )
3. She excels the daughters of virtue (Proverbs 31:29
   )
4. Her own works praise her in the gates (Proverbs 31:31
   )
9. Her Sanctity (Proverbs 31:30
   )
1. She ignores the deceitfulness of favor
2. She ignores the vanity of beauty (Proverbs 11:22
   )
3. She exalts the fear of the Lord
4. She receives praise for her wise choice

David Reagan

http://www.learnthebible.org