Which Comes First?

There is an old mystery often asked, “Which came first? The chicken or the egg!” 

     I actually have no answer, but in reading my devotional about the words that come from my mouth in the way of gossip or words that injure others, I questioned, “What comes first? The heart or the thoughts before I speak. 

     Luke 6:45 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Then I found in Mark 7:21a, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts…”

     Therefore, I conclude, my thoughts, good or bad, first come from my heart before I think them and then spew them carelessly rom my mouth. 

     Since my heart needs the work, I pray this morning Luke 6:45, O Lord, “Let the words of my mouth and the medication of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” 

 

Let Me

It is not always easy to control my tongue, but I can work on it. 

Let Me 

 

As down the road, I walk

Let me

Sing and choose my talk,

Think before I speak in just a blink.

Skip into the day, considering what I say. 

 

As I daily trod, 

Let me

Speak words not emotionally flawed,

Hold my tongue before my speech is sung.

Take considerate note 

Before speaking thoughts that quickly float.

Let not

My mouth be put in motion with rising emotion.

 

Through my walk, 

Let me

 Quietly choose my talk,

Taking the higher road before my words are sowed.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson   6/8/2024 

 

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”  Proverbs 29:11

John Wayne Quotes - Day 2

  I believe it was in the movie, In Harm's Way, John Wayne said, "All battles are fought by scared men who'd rather be somewhere else."

     How many times in Scripture were battles fought or God's commands followed by men who had rather be somewhere else?  Moses argued with God when he was told to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  Jonah ran from God and ended up in the belly of a whale until he agreed to follow God's command.  Exodus 3:11, "And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"   
     There are many today who struggle with where they are being led in order to win others to Christ.  The one thing I have to remember is that if God calls me, He is prepared to help me win the battle.  Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord."

     I recently saw a poster with John Wayne as the author, "Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much."  Many of us would be better off taking his advice.  I might add to that, "Watch your words for they reveal your character."  Proverbs 15:1  "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

     Just for fun, I will do one more John Wayne quote today.  "Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday."  If we are wise we will, indeed, learn from our mistakes of yesterday; we will learn from our troubles and grow stronger because of them.  2 Corinthians 12:10, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

More to come....