Tag Archives: speech

In about six weeks I am to have a week of meetings in Mexico, presenting my marriage seminar. I have mixed feelings about the matter, with “I don’t want to do this” being the strongest.

Such thoughts were flitting in and out of my consciousness as I got going this morning. Then I got to 1 Peter 4:11 in my reading:

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Then I checked my Spanish Bible to see if it might clarify the first part.

“If anyone speak, speak according to the words of God…” (my translation, of course).

No question — the message of this verse fits my present need.

For Him to be glorified, He must be the source of my words and my service. All the time. Everywhere.

Glory and honor in the right response

Some offenses and wrongs are difficult for me to turn loose.

Oh, I like to think I’ve forgiven. I like to think I’m big enough and strong enough and mature enough to get over it. But sometimes I allow those wrongs and offenses to stick around like the good friends they aren’t.

In Proverbs 20 I read this morning:

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling” (3).

That reminded me of a verse I read yesterday:

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Proverbs 19:11).

Without question, I need a greater supply of (or at least, a greater yielding to) God’s discretion. How else shall I be able to cease from strife and pass over a transgression while deferring my anger?

That is solely the Lord’s work.

“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” (Proverbs 20:9).

Not I!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Yes!