Talking birds

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. Ecclesiastes 10:20

The first time I read this verse, I thought, “Oh, this is where the saying “A little birdie told me” came from. What exactly is Solomon saying? Use discretion; be careful of what you say and don’t be talking about others.

Time and time again, people have been “hung by their own words” when someone repeated what they said. Oh, when will we learn?

How many “kiss and tell” stories are on the market? Too many to name, unfortunately people love to carry tales, whether true or something they heard repeated.

Description of the wrong way to use words:

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 18:8 

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. Colossians 2:4 

For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak. Psalms 59:12 

Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. Psalms 52:4 

Description of the right way to use words:

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Proverbs 17:27 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 

Description of God’s words:

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psalms 12:6 

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalms 119:103 

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalms 119:130 

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Mark 13:31 

Let’s watch our speech and the words we say, then we will not hear, “a little birdie told me”.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Words, words and more words

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. 12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.  Ecclesiastes 10:11-15

Have you ever had a problem with the way you use words? It may be saying too many, it may be using our words to hurt someone; it may be using them to say foolish things. Solomon is telling us to watch our words. Pay attention to what we say, no one wants his words to “swallow him up”.  Be careful about saying too many words. “think before you speak” is always the best route to follow.

Have you ever listened to someone who just rambles on and on? Within a short time we “turn them off”. Solomon is giving us wisdom on how to use and not use words. As usual the choice is ours. Will we be wise or foolish in the use of our words?

Here are a few verses that have helped me:

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1

 

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Idle talk

21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

People will talk. There is nothing we can do about what others say about us. Wisdom teaches us to watch our own tongues. I cannot stop what people say about me but I can stop what I say about others.

There are many verses to tell us to watch what we say. I have memorized many but need to confess sometimes I still have problems with my tongue.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Psalm 34:13 

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:28 

My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Psalm 119:172 

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:2 

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 

As you do your daily chores this week meditate on how the Lord wants you to use your tongue. Let’s use it for His Glory! 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Signers of the Covenant

[1] Now those that sealed [were], Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah, … [27] Malluch, Harim, Baanah. Nehemaih 10:1-27

Chapter ten starts as a continuation of chapter nine, naming all those who signed the covenant. Notice whose name is mentioned first, my hero, Nehemiah. Nehemiah was not ashamed to stand up for what was right. He was a leader of the community who had faith in Almighty God and was willing to stand for what he believed.

The people meant business, not just giving God “lip service” but put it down in writing. They were serious about serving God.

We live in a different time and different place, but we still need to be serious in our service to God.

God is not in the lottery business; “God let’s make a deal”.

God is not in the game business; “God I’ll do this if you do that”.

God is in the soul saving business. Once his sacrifice has been accepted (Jesus dying on the cross for our sin), He wants us to live for Him.

Make a commitment to God today; “Not my will but your will be done.”

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Rejoicing

[9] And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. [10] Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. [11] So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. [12] And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them. Nehemiah 8:9-12

It is mentioned again in this portion of scripture that Nehemiah is the Tirshatha, which means governor. He is with Ezra and the Levites who are teaching the people. The day is a holy day and they are encouraging the people to enjoy the day.

The people are told not to be grieved but rejoice in knowing “the joy of the LORD is your strength”. The people enjoyed this time of fellowship with food and drink because “they had understood the words that were declared unto them.”

When I read and mediate on the word of God, I am excited about all the good things it contains. Take a few minutes each day to read and meditate on God’s goodness. Let the joy of the LORD be your strength. Get strength from His precious word.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Have a blessed day,
Donna

God's greatness and majesty in his creation

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1

Have a blessed day,
Donna