[Membersandfriends] Friday, September 17, 2004

Thu Sep 16 22:02:10 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Friday, September 17, 2004

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Spiritual Growth for All Ages ...

The Upper Room offers a resource for family members at every age or stage of their journey with God. Learn more: 
http://www.upperroom.org/store/category_search.asp?category=169&ep_id=220
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APPLES OF GOLD
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James 3:1-13 (NRSV)

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.

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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
-- Proverbs 25:11 (KJV)
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OUR neighbors have apple and pear trees in their yard.  Oddly, deer come and eat every apple within their reach, but they don't touch the pears.  Maybe the pears are too tart or too hard.  Maybe deer just don't like pears.  Whatever the reason, the deer can tell the difference.

We human beings are keenly aware of differences also.   We can tell the difference between words spoken in season (Prov. 15:23) and prideful words.  Words of inspiration, encouragement, and kindness bring reconciliation and healing.  Words that are harsh and bitter drop to the ground unwanted.

Unfortunately, kindness and crossness can grow side by side, like apples and pears.  I might speak patiently with customers all day at work and then come home and snap at a neighbor, as I recently did.  I thought this neighbor was ignoring a long-standing request I had made.  And although he fulfilled my request within a few days, my harsh words created a wall between us.  But I learned a lesson.  If I had prayed before I spoke, God could have given me helpful words - "apples of gold."  I am resolving to pray more often before I speak so that I let God's words fill my mouth.

Prayer:  O Lord, fill our mouths with sweet words, and help us trust your ability to resolve differences that occur between others and us.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When we ask, God will give us the right words to say.

-- Elise L. Moore (Tennessee, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: My neighbors

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RELATED READING ...

With an intimate and personal glance, the Upper Room book FINDING A SPIRITUAL FRIEND evaluates the importance and need for close relationships with other Christians.  Using the devotional classics and Biblical stories, this book reflects deeply on the significance and necessity of God-centered friendships.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12627

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The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.