| Today's Bible Verse |
| ". . . of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."
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2 Peter 2:19 King James Version (KJV)
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| Today's Bible Study |
We have lots of squirrels in our neighborhood. These little critters display a dangerous habit. One begins to cross the street, stops mid-route, then turns around and goes back the way it
came. Just when a driver thinks the animal has committed to a street-crossing plan, she finds the squirrel directly in the path of her wheels.
Consequently, seeing dead squirrels
on our streets is commonplace.
“Stop, look and listen before you cross the street. Use your eyes, use your ears and then use your feet” is a good routine for squirrels to practice.
It is a good routine for humans to practice too, not only when crossing streets but also when making other decisions.
Some workers routinely push their snooze alarms one time
too many and arrive at work late day after day. Experience should teach that sleepy snoozer, after the second or third morning, to avoid staying in bed too long.
Drinkers should
not stumble home in an alcoholic stupor more than once. Students ought to learn the importance of preparation after failing their first algebra test.
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.
I don’t want indecision, laziness, alcohol or unpreparedness to hold me in bondage.
Those habits have nothing good to offer me. Neither do gossip, judging, cursing or procrastination. They whittle away at the spiritual nature I am trying to nurture.
The truth
is this: If I don’t master my habits, my habits will master me.
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| Today's Prayer |
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| Lord, letting go of bad habits is hard. I want to stop finding fault, trying to change other people, struggling to be in control, and procrastinating. Help me master these habits so they stop mastering me.
Through Jesus I pray, Amen.
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| Yesterday's Bible
Verse |
| "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
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Ephesians 4:29 King James Version (KJV)
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| Yesterday's Bible
Study |
In my high school Sunday school class decades ago, we traced the history of God’s people from Egypt to Canaan. Throughout that period of history, the Israelites were a grumbling
and complaining group.
One Sunday our teacher challenged her students to watch our speech carefully during the following week. We were to try not to grumble or complain
and not to say any irreverent or ugly word or phrase.
The next Sunday we reported on our progress. Our teacher confessed that she had controlled her tongue well until
that very morning. When preparing breakfast, she burned a pan of blueberry muffins and said, “Oh, fiddlesticks!”
The guidelines for controlling our tongues have become
lax. Imagine a time when my teacher’s mild expression of frustration was considered inappropriate.
I instruct my grandchildren about the importance of avoiding all
bad language, and I emphasize the importance of using God’s Name respectfully.
I asked my granddaughter if students in her school use God’s Name disrespectfully.
“Oh, yes, Grandma,” she said, “all the time, and the teachers don’t care.”
That conversation reminded me of a bumper sticker I saw. It read: I asked God why He didn’t stop the school shooter in Parkland. God answered, “I’m not allowed in schools.”
Teachers may no longer require children to use only wholesome speech, but parents and grandparents must. Lead them both by example and by discussion of God’s Word.
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| Yesterday's Prayer |
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| Lord, remind me of the importance of using only wholesome speech. Let all my words and actions reflect a deep respect for You. Through Jesus, Amen.
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