Enjoyed finding "Chuck-it list", 12 things to stop doing before I die, The Lord has been convicting me to be careful in word and deed. My actions and words impact people around me. I'm going to see my cousin this weekend. I once carelessly said something that ruined his family ties. My hope is that we have reconciliation and forgiveness.
Our words matter to God (Psalm 19:14) because what comes out of the mouth reveals what is in the heart (Matthew 15:11).
Reviling is usually listed with sins we would consider greater, such as homosexuality and theft (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; 2 Timothy 3:2–3). Paul lists revilers among the sexually immoral and drunkards in 1 Corinthians 5:11, and he instructs the church to have nothing to do with such people if they claim to be Christians.
The foul-mouthed blame bad company (Ephesians 5:4; 1 Corinthians 15:33). Slanderers and blasphemers either don’t believe in God or have reduced Him in their minds to an entity they can feel comfortable with (Psalm 14:1; Zephaniah 3:5). People who revile God have no fear of the Lord and will face His wrath one day (Proverbs 1:7). We are even warned against reviling angelic majesties (Jude 1:10).
Revilers who come to Christ can change by surrendering their mouths to the Lord (Romans 6:13–14). They can reckon their verbal sin as crucified along with the rest of their past (Romans 6:6–7). They can ask God to make them sensitive to the words that offend the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and they can discipline themselves to ask forgiveness every time they revile someone in any way (1 John 1:9).
From gotquestions.org
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV
- Independence - This is one of life's grand illusions. No matter how much success I experience or what I have above and beyond my needs - I'm not independent from God and people. My goal in life is to live and breathe acknowledging God who gives life and can take it away and people he brings into my life to help me (that I might help them too).
- We all depend on God for life (Job 33:4;10:12;12:10;27:3;32:8; Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 42:5) our life is sustained by God (John 15:5) and our spirit returns to God when we die (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
- We depend on each other by God's design (Romans 12:4-5).
Lord, give us clarity to use our time wisely, loving one another with hospitality, stewarding your gift of grace in word and in deed. Thank you for giving us life and strength today. Let our lives reflect your praiseworthiness as we dedicate ourselves to you.
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