Category Archives: Gossip

When SHARING isn’t necessarily CARING

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#FiveMinuteFriday and the word prompt is SHARE. Today’s is a tough subject and I am preaching to ME! You all are welcome to listen in…

This isn’t just about gossip, although gossip is a huge problem.

This isn’t just about talking about our friends, family, co-workers, etc., but that is wrong too. We all are guilty.

I’m not just touching on the subject of “Oh, let me tell you about ‘Jim and Judy’ so you can ‘pray’ for them…”, when the time spent telling the prayer request could have been spent actually praying. Ouch.

I have been convicted over the time I have spent talking about needs or faults, and that time gets carried away and turns into counseling sessions where I think I can solve the other person’s problems…and they aren’t even there to benefit from my newly discovered knowledge.

The Lord reminded me of several things on the subject: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV. Meaning it could very easily be ME that needs the help the next time. It could be ME that my friends are talking about next. Take heed! Be careful who you are talking about this week…or as the saying goes that we see so much of lately…

“Don’t judge others just because they sin differently than you…”

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And this gem:

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:5,6 NKJV.

Your gentleness. That seems Christ-like.  WWJD?

He would show mercy. He wouldn’t run and tell others. He would go straight to the one with the NEED. The one who had the problem. He would offer a helping hand.

What can we DO for them instead of talk about them? We can pray, make our requests known to God. Show them kindness, gentleness, love and extend mercy.

And if appropriate and necessary, go a step further:

  • Do they need assistance?
  • Do they need physical substance?
  • If the need is obvious, fill it!
  • If you aren’t sure, listen and let God tell you what to do.

The more I pray for the needs, and even sins, of my family, friends, co-workers and brothers and sisters in Christ, the less time I will have to pry and gossip.

I think HE will be more pleased with ME.

Be blessed.

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Nip it in the bud!

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If you are a fan of the iconic Andy Griffith show you have heard the infamous one-bullet-Barney Fife bellow out this phrase, “Nip it in the bud!” One of my favorite episodes is when he goes into detail about it. Take a look…

To nip something in the bud means to stop it before it gets worse or becomes bigger than it is or before it spreads, etc. It’s a horticultural process where growers pinch or snip off new buds on plants and trees to stop them from growing in certain areas and to make the plant flourish in others.

Many times it is to force the plant to put its energies to more productive uses. The bonsai tree is a good example of this as is the herb, basil. You would never have to buy basil at the store again if you continually nip off the flowering buds, replant and repeat. If you let the basil flower, it will lose its taste. This interesting phrase actually dates back to the 1600’s!

Nip it in the bud

As silly as it may sound, the concept can apply to so many areas of our lives. Let’s look at a few!

  • Gossip. What if we nipped it in the bud and didn’t let it even take up residence? Or, when someone decides to share, we stop them before they get started? It would save us the burden of hearing possible lies or distortions about someone else and it would keep us from being tempted to share it again. “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” Proverbs 16:28. Nip it!
  • Negativity. Continually allowing negative thoughts in our minds and hearts will weigh us down like few other things. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…” Ephesians 5:19. What if we turned those negative thoughts around, told the devil to take a hike and spoke words of life to others and to ourselves? Nip it!
  • Griping. This is one you don’t see in a list very often but most of us are guilty. “Hi, my name is Nannette and I gripe too much.” Every little thing that bugs you? Gripe, nag, find fault and let the person who is upsetting you know it right then and there. Nagging is annoying but so many of us are guilty. We might not even realize we are doing it or understand the negative effect it has on those around us who must listen and take the blows. But it builds up over time until we wear the label permanently. “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:8-10. Nip it!

The Bible instructs us clearly in how we should behave at all times, even how we should think! “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV.

When these undesirable attitudes try to enter our hearts and minds we must stop them before they begin. Just as we would with our children by not letting them get away with certain attitudes or actions, we must allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us and correct us as well. Jesus left us His Word and His spirit as guides and He WILL chastise us in love to make us more like Him if we are willing.

For the Kingdom

Sharing with Modest Mondays, Testimony Tuesday, Counting our Blessings, Tell me a true story, Wedded Wednesday, Wholehearted Wednesday

Resolutions or No Resolutions, Jesus Cares

Resolutions or No Resolutions, Does Jesus Even Care?

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Yesterday we talked about Does Jesus Even Care About Our New Year’s Resolutions? You should probably read that real quick, go here!

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Since the New Year is all about resoluting (not sure that is a word, but again, writer privilege!) renewal and change, there is a really cool set of scriptures that relate to just that. Once again, our beloved Apostle Paul is explaining it to us. Be sure and read it slowly!!

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Here comes that renewing, changing and resoluting! Paul is all about it. Get rid of the sinful nature and the way we used to live. When? “Since you have heard about Jesus and learned the truth…”  So this should have been a process we started when we came to know the Lord. But, alas, we are human, born with a sinful nature that, if we aren’t careful, tends to revert right back to its old sinful ways. We need to be reminded!

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Paul begins to give us a list. We love lists! We are all over lists, all about lists, you get it, we get all giddy when making a list. But that list sometimes get lost and we need, again, reminders.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Paul continues to be specific and we need to get specific with our faults and shortcomings too. Don’t just make a list of what you want to do better, maybe we should make a list of what we want to get rid of too.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Paul admonishes us to not grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live out our lives. It is a reflection on Him and could cause another to stumble.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:21-32 NLT.

Look at all Paul has mentioned here:

  • Throw off your sinful nature
  • Stop telling lies
  • Don’t let anger control you
  • Don’t go to bed mad, fix it
  • Stop stealing
  • Don’t use foul language
  • Don’t use abusive language (there is a difference!)
  • Don’t let your life grieve the Holy Spirit
  • Get rid of bitterness
  • Get rid of rage
  • Get rid of anger
  • Get rid of harsh words
  • Get rid of slander
  • Get rid of all types of evil behavior

This looks rather daunting, doesn’t it? A little overwhelming, perhaps? But Paul didn’t leave us without a solution. Did you notice that I put emphasis on a particular word in the scripture reading? Did you see the word in bold?

Instead.

Paul didn’t just say, “Don’t do this…” Paul said, “INSTEAD…do this!”

  • INSTEAD…let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes!

  • INSTEAD…tell the truth!

  • INSTEAD…use your hands for good, hard work!

  • INSTEAD…give generously to others in need!

  • INSTEAD…let everything you say be good and helpful!

  • INSTEAD…be an encourager!

  • INSTEAD…be kind to each other!

  • INSTEAD…be tenderhearted to one another!

  • INSTEAD…forgive one another!

Because Christ has forgive you.

So, does Jesus even care about our New Year’s Resolutions?

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I think the answer is, “Yes.”

Resolutions or No Resolutions, Does Jesus Even Care?

If we are on the wrong track, have slacked off in certain areas, picked up bad habits, bad attitudes and put Jesus on the back burner, He cares. And if we have been awakened to that fact, if we realize that a New Year would be a good time to fix those things, He cares. He desires for us to be more like Him, to reflect HIS glory, not our own. A time of renewal is always a good thing and the above list would be a great one to try to emulate.

The one thing to remember is to not continually let things slide with the attitude of “Well, there’s always next year, there’s always another New Year’s Resolution.” That is not pleasing to Him at all. Choose to stay close to Him, to get to know Him, spend time with the Creator of the Universe! He is waiting for you to call, always ready to listen and able to supply your every need. He can also make you the man or woman you have always desired to be so that next year, if He tarries, your resolutions for 2017 will be totally different.

On this final day of 2015, may you enjoy time with your family and friends, reflecting on His goodness and resting in the comfort that He cares about every aspect of our lives, resolutions or no resolutions.

For the kingdom

DF cover side viewWhat kind of resolutions are you making for the New Year? Do they include fasting and praying more? Of course you need my book, The Daniel Fast, A Devotional! It is available in paperback or Kindle at Amazon.com. Easy-to-read with 21 days of devotions, enough for a three week Daniel Fast or for any type of fast! Also includes Daniel Fast Recipes after each devotion and three days of preparation devotions to explain fasting, why we do it, how we do it, etc. Remember, fasting without prayer is just a diet so fast unto the Lord. 

 

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