Be Careful Little Mouth

As children, we're taught not to call each other names.  Again, as Christians, those identified with Christ as joint-heirs, we're taught that we are not to call each other names.  Its hard not to at times.  We all have feelings of anger and some of us are quicker to judge than others.  How many times have you "vented" to a friend or co-worker?  Or "let off steam" to your spouse about a situation at work?

Today I received a new perspective on this type of action... we would never talk bad about someone in front of their spouse, or belittle a child... especially in front of their parent but do we ever stop to think that God is the silent listener to every conversation?  He even knows our thoughts before we speak the words.  And when we talk about ANYone, we are either talking about his bride (the church) or his child (a fellow Christian), or one of His creations.  Wow... that was a sobering thought.

God, please forgive me for my judgemental thoughts, words, and uncaring actions.  Whenever a bemeaning or belittling word would come to mind about someone, remind me that they are precious in your sight and lead me to pray for them rather than belittle them.  Let me show your love to the world around me today.

"Be careful little mouth what you say,
Oh be careful little mouth what you say,
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So, be careful little mouth, what you say."

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Our God is a Jealous God.  In our Life Group last night, we watched the 4th lesson in "The Truth Project".  If you've never heard of "The Truth Project", it's a DVD series that compares the common world view with the Biblical world view.  The professor, Dr. Del Tackett, asks a lot of profound questions and, using much scripture, explains the answers or at least opens your mind to discovering the answers the Holy Spirit would reveal to you.

Anyway, last night the question was "Who is God" and the name that was discussed the most was El-Qanna (meaning jealous).  Some have asked, if jealousy is a sin, how can God be jealous?  Good question... God isn't jealous as in coveting something he cannot have or selfishly wanting everything that his neighbor possesses, no, He is jealous over our relationship with idols or false gods.  He jealously protects our covenant relationship with Him as a husband would rightfully be jealous of anything that would destroy the bond he has with his wife.

So, bring this down to this morning... I've been reading (or should I say trying to read ) Ezekiel ... it's a tough book to read.  Having finished our study of Romans, I was trying to think what I should study and decided to try to tackle some prophetic books.  You know, some of those books that aren't quoted in Bible Study lessons much and I'm finding out why... it's a tough book to understand.  

However, this morning, a verse popped out that wasn't hard to understand at all.  Ezekiel 8:5-6a says, 

"Then said he unto me, son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north.  So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold, northward of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.  And he said unto me, son of man, seest thou what they do?  Even the great abominations that the house of Israel do commit here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary?"

Ezekiel was having a vision and the Spirit of God was pointing out that the "worshippers" in the temple were actually worshipping other Gods.  Their abomination was so bad that God left the temple which was supposed to be His dwelling place.

Ok... attitude check... is our worship acceptable to God?  Do we enter into His gates with Thanksgiving and Praise and an expectant heart?  Do we open His Word with anticipation waiting to hear what the Spirit would say?  Or, do we go to church and read our Bible because that is what we are "supposed to do"?  Are we just going through the motions but really thinking of what we're going to do next (either after we get out of church or after we finish reading our daily devotion)?

God is a jealous God... He's looking for an acceptable sacrifice... a living sacrifice.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."