Mark 9:2-8

The Spoken Word
1. We must go apart with God

2. God assures us with a glance into eternity

3. We are to be patient

Communication is the Key

• Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

• If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless (James 1:26).

• The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly (Proverbs 15:2).
• The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil (Proverbs 15:28).
• But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:37).
• A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction (Proverbs 16:23).
• The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse (Proverbs 10:29).
• A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
• Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).

The scriptures have much to say about communication.  The above scriptures are but a few dedicated to helping us understand where God is on the subject.  It is so easy to communicate poorly and cause harm in a relationship, a marriage, a job or a ministry.  Often times poor communication is just careless and other times it is intentional.  Either way it leads to pain and suffering and often times a mess that did not need to happen.

I relate to communication difficulties in a very real way.  Not only do I communicate each week in varied ways but I have a responsibility to communicate the best way possible.

I remember when I was just getting used to email and I happened to send an email to Diana in all caps.  Her reply was a question, “Why are you yelling at me?”.  I did not know that all caps were the symbol for yelling on email.  I did it by mistake and yet it still caused a problem.

So what do we do to help in our communication with each other and with God?  First, read scripture and see what and how God views communication.  Second, engage our brain before we speak, email or write.  Thoughtful reflection on any subject will allow us to communicate clearly and kindly.  Third, we should always try to not harm anyone with our words or actions.  (Did I forget that communication is in many forms including but not limited to verbal, written, actions and thoughts.)  Fourth, if we do communicate something that is harmful that we take full responsibility and work to defuse the miscommunication. Repenting of a mistake and letting others know you are truly sorry goes a long way in healing the situation.

Well that is my contribution to the newsletter communication and I hope I have been kindly clear.  Blessings,  John

Mark 1:40-42

The Spoken Word
1. We wonder if God chooses us
2. The answer is yes
3. We must wait upon God

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath.

John 5:2-9

The Spoken Word

1. Excuses keep us unwell
2. What kind of well do we seek?
3. God Heals what is important – our spirit

June 10-16:           Sr and Jr High Youth Mission Trip
Eureka Springs, AR

All too often we get mixed up on terminology when it comes to the fruit question.  We ask ourselves is it the fruit of the Spirit or gifts of the Spirit referred to in the Galatians passage.  Well I am clear that it is NOT the gifts of the Spirit.  It is the fruit, evidence, if you will, of the change that God makes in our lives once he is in control.

Where the Holy Spirit lives, human character is changed and spiritual fruit can be seen.  Certainly this maturity isn’t found overnight!  It is, however, noticeable over the long haul of life. What fruit is the Spirit bearing in your life?  In what ways have you matured?  In what areas do you want the Spirit to exercise greater control?  Why not take a moment and consciously yield those areas in which you struggle to him now, as we pray.

Read the following prayer first and then pray it in earnest.  It will make a real difference in your day and your life.

Let us pray:  Almighty and ever-present Father, thank you for empowering positive changes in my life as I seek to be more like Jesus.  Please bring to full maturity the fruit the Holy Spirit is growing in my life.  You know very well that I continue to struggle with (add here what you struggle with) in my life.  I intentionally turn over that part of my life to your Spirit to redeem and fully sanctify.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Enjoy God working in your life.  Blessings, John

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

John 4:23-26

The Spoken Word

1. The hour is coming
2. True worship, in spirit and in truth
3. Christ daily revels himself through others

After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

Mark 16:12-20

The Spoken Word

1. God heals us of our imperfections
2. God works; therefore we can work
3. God works; therefore we must work