Gossip – Part 2

Posted on October 26, 2011 by dkoop

 When a friend is in trouble, we may be tempted to lie in order to help him or her. God warns us against such schemes. If you have a friend who’s in trouble as a result of a bad decision, God says not to lie for your friend. He warns against making false reports. The law God laid down for his people in Exodus was designed to promote truth. Allowing your friend to learn from the mistake may be the best thing you can do. Check out God’s desire for truth in Exodus 23:1.

Not only is most gossip untrue, its purpose is usually to destroy someone’s reputation. Gossip is a serious offense. God told his people not to slander anyone. He knew what kind of damage the human tongue could cause. Instead of gossiping about others, find ways to encourage and build up others. Building up someone will also reveal something positive about your character. Discover what God says about gossip in Leviticus 19:16.

Being accused of a crime is a serious matter, to us as well as to God. He wants to protect the rights of the innocent and punish those who are convicted of committing crimes. In Deut. 19, he warns against bringing a false report about someone. God will not stand for people being wrongly accused. If you don’t know the truth, or if your motives aren’t pure, be honest with yourself and others. Don’t take the risk of lying. It’s never worth it.

Do you know someone who never has anything bad to say about anyone else? Someone who won’t join in on a gossipfest? This type of person pleases God. What we say is a strong reflection of what is in our heart. In Psalm 15, David wrote that the person who won’t slander others, who won’t do evil to a friend or disgrace a neighbor, is a person who can stay in God’s tent. In other words, God wants his people to control their words. By not slandering or gossiping about others, we demonstrate our sincere love for God. See what David has to say in Psalm 15:3.

Being the target of gossip, slander, and lies can make you feel like you’re being pierced by dozens of arrows. David knew that feeling. Rumors and stories about him that were untrue were being circulated. Those words were like sharp swords to David. Being at the receiving end of harsh words can give us an appreciation for the power of words. It can also teach us to keep our words from hurting others. Look at what David wrote about the power of the tongue in Psalm 57:4.

Gossip destroys friendships. Talking about others behind their backs, whether the stories are true or not, does more damage to friendships than anything else. That’s why God warned against gossip. Gossip drives a wedge between close friends, and it takes the forgiveness of Christ to heal those wounds. Refuse to participate in gossip. That decision will honor God and protect your friendships. Read Proverbs 16:28 and consider memorizing it. If you keep this warning in mind, you may avoid some problems in the future.

Most people would never club their neighbor over the head or shoot an arrow through their neighbor’s back. However, Proverbs 25:18 warns us that giving false testimony against a neighbor is no different from ramming a spear right through him or her. False testimony (deliberately lying about someone else) delivers a massive blow to your integrity. God wants his followers to be honest; in fact, he commands it! Be certain when you open your mouth that only truth will come out.

Gossip is like mixing matches and gasoline. It’s explosive, injuring everyone who comes in close contact. The apostle John had strong words for those who participated in gossip. A guy named Diotrephes was destroying God’s church by spreading rumors. Gossip can cause us to become calloused toward others. See what John planned on doing about this problem in 3 John 1:10.

 For more about My Big Mouth – go to www.ridgefellowship.com

Source— God’s Word for Students–Life Tracks
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Tithe Challenge – Week 6 – Central to Your Spiritual Life

Posted on October 26, 2011 by dkoop

The stories keep coming in! See the comment below for the latest.

I am praying for you! We are at our halfway point in our three months.  I hope to encourage you today from “The Treasure Principle” by Randy Alcorn. 

In chapter one Randy writes that most of the parables Jesus told are about money and possessions.  Jesus spoke more on this topic than his teachings on heaven and hell combined.  “Why did Jesus put such an emphasis on money and possessions? Because there’s a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money.  We may try to divorce our faith and our finances, but God sees them as inseparable.”

He goes on to say that this truth hit him years ago on an airplane while reading Luke 3.  John the Baptist is teaching to large crowds of people who have gathered to hear him and be baptized.  Three different groups of people ask him what they should do to show evidence of their repentance.  John gives three answers:

  1. Everyone should share clothes and food with those who have none (vs. 11)
  2. Tax collectors shouldn’t pocket extra money.  (vs. 13)
  3. Soldiers should be content with their pay and not extort money. (vs. 14)

Each answer relates to money and possessions. But no one asked John about that! They asked what they should do to demonstrate the fruit of spiritual transformation.  So why didn’t John talk about other things?

“Sitting there on the airplane I realized our approach to money and possessions isn’t just important, its central to our spiritual lives.”

Jesus and John the Baptist knew that money and possessions was people’s god.  Jesus and John realized that no one could serve God unless they dethroned their money idol.

Thanks you for being a part of this Tithe Challenge.  It’s evidence that you are “dethroning the money idol” Thanks for taking the opportunity face the central part of your spirituality: money and possessions.  By giving 10% to God you are putting money and possessions in their proper perspective, but more importantly you are putting God where He belongs.   Thanks for going beyond the regular religious practices to the heart of the issue, money & possessions.  True spirituality and putting God first are becoming a reality for you as you give as God has asked.  Way to go!

Until next week, Darrell

Tithe online at www.ridgefellowship.com

 

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Criticizing

Posted on October 19, 2011 by dkoop

My words count. What kinds of words do you remember the significant adults in your life using toward you? Were they positive, encouraging words that built you up and made you feel valuable and worthwhile? Or did you hear more terms like “loser,” “worthless,” “stupid”?

The memories either bring smiles or cause pain. Your words have the same effect on those around you, especially on your children. Take a mental inventory of your speech. Do your words build up or tear down? With God’s help, commit to being the kind of person whose words encourage and edify others.

The bible tells me what words should and should not come out of my mouth:

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  

The words I speak need to be:  

 1.  “…Good and helpful”   The words of a Christ follower are to be helpful, constructive, encouraging, instructive, and uplifting. Sometimes, our words must be corrective; but that, too, can be helpful when done in the right spirit.  We need to “speak the truth but only speak it in love.” Ephesians 4:15.  Raw truth is seldom appropriate and is often destructive.

 2. “…An encouragement to those who hear them.”  Obviously, we should avoid saying things that intend to harm, discourage, or disappoint someone else. Everyone admires the person that says something that is encouraging. Proverbs 25:11 says: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”

 Why do we speak words that harm and destroy?

 The mouth and heart are connected. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34).  You can expect a change in speech when you become a Christ-follower.

 It is interesting to trace the word mouth through the Book of Romans and see how Christ makes a difference in a person’s speech. The unbelievers’ mouth is “full of cursing and bitterness” (Rom. 3:14); but when he trusts Christ, he gladly confesses with his mouth “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Rom. 10:9-10,). As an unbeliever his mouth is stopped before the throne of God (Rom. 3:19); but as a believer, his mouth is opened to praise God (Rom. 15:6).

 Change the heart and you change the speech.

 I want to fill my heart with the love of Christ so that only truth, goodness and encouragement can come out of my mouth. How about you?

 Darrell

 For more on the My Big Mouth series, go to www.ridgefellowship.com

 Sources:
Bible Exposition Commentary- New Testament
New International Version
New Living Translation
MacArthur New Testament Commentary

 

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Tithe Challenge – Week 5 – Your Reasons

Posted on October 19, 2011 by dkoop

Know of my prayers for you.  As you move forward in faith, you will continue to face resistance.  One of my mentors says, “When it comes to change, one of the most powerful words that help us change is the word ‘because.’   You have your ‘because’ reasons that lead you to begin the Tithe Challenge.  Because you want to… grow in faith, see if God is for real, be obedient, have better control over finances, to be blessed by God.  

You may also have had reasons why you didn’t tithe sooner.  These are barriers.  Do you know what they were?  Today I would like to introduce a great website that will serve as a great source of encouragement, answers and resources.  Its www.Generousgiving.org   In this website they list the top 30 Barriers to why people do not give.

I am going to list three of the top barriers.  If these three are not one of your barriers then perhaps some of the other 27 may be.  Here’s the link: http://www.generousgiving.org/barriers 

Listed will be the barrier in bold, followed by some reasons we should not let this be a barrier or a ‘because.’     

… I am up to my ears in debt. I cannot give now.

God knows exactly what brought debt into your life, and His desire for you to be liberated from its burden is even greater than your own. As you work to repay creditors, trust God to guide you; listen for His voice. When He leads you to give, recognize that He does not want you to be deprived of the joy that comes with generosity.

 The Bible tells all Christians to give to God from their “first fruits” (Proverbs 3:9). As Larry Burkett, one of the founders of Crown Ministries has said, the first check you write belongs to the Lord and no one else, not even a creditor. God’s grace is sufficient to allow you to be obedient to Him, and to give generously, even during times of debt.

 … I would like to give, but my spouse does not share my desire to give.

Generosity and marital unity are both precious biblical values in God’s eyes. He longs to see you demonstrate both and would not expect you to sacrifice one in pursuit of the other.

Honor your spouse and honor your marriage, knowing that there is no challenge within a marriage that God cannot resolve, no distance He cannot bridge. Prayerfully and patiently, allow your faith to be reaffirmed. Give individually in ways that will not challenge your marriage, and then wholly trust God’s grace to bring you and your spouse together to experience the immense joys of giving generously as a couple.

 …We would give, but we are a young couple with no nest egg. (Or) We would like to give. But we are only a few years from retirement, paying for two kids in college, and have very little saved. (Or) Next year I have a promotion coming. We will give then, but right now the budget is pretty tight.

Isn’t it interesting that at every stage in life, there are tempting reasons not to give? Yet aren’t budgets always tight?  Early married life, late middle age, and career transition are all periods of relative economic vulnerability. And yet, nowhere do the scriptures exempt the economically vulnerable from generosity. In fact, ironically, many biblical examples of generous givers are poor people (Luke 21:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Jesus tells His followers not to be afraid for their well-being. God has been pleased to give you the kingdom; His grace helps you put fear aside and lay up your treasure in heaven by giving to others (Luke 12:32-34).

God knows what you need, and He promises to provide it (Matthew 6:32). If God is inviting you to give, however vulnerable you might feel, you need not fear for your security. But if you are waiting to give until you feel financially secure enough, that time likely will never come. Ironically, God assures you that giving is the most financially secure move you can make. But the experience of His provision comes only after the act of giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). That is how faith works, and God invites you to test Him in this (Malachi 3:10).

Thanks again for stepping out on this amazing journey!  I am thankful for you and pray that you continue to have more reasons to give than not to

I am praying for you, Darrell

Tithe online at www.ridgefellowship.com

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