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Love’s Journey to the Cross – Lent Reflections
Our mouths, James 3:9-10

We continue to countdown the days of Lent towards Easter, as we focus on dying to our selves, and living free in Christ, as we focus on love’s journey to the cross, and on how God loves us and calls us to love one another.

Our mouths betray us.

We can restrain our actions, but bridling the tongue is a different matter…

gossip,
lies,
boasting,
criticism,

…all these take root in our hearts and seep out into our speech.

James has a strong message for us in chapter 3…

James 3:9-10 (NIV)

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

It is our words that show others who we really are.

And in today’s society, words come in many forms. Think about all you’ve said or written this week …in a letter, an email, a text, on social media… is it good, loving and true? What was your motivation behind your words?

Pray…

Holy God, I open myself to you today. You are all-knowing. You see me plainly in my faults and failures. Restrain my mouth God and teach me wisdom. I crave your wisdom from heaven that James writes about…

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

God, let our words be peace-loving and faithful, because you are peace-loving and faithful, willing to suffer a terrible death in order to bring us peace, through your resurrection. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Feb 21 -16