Keep thy tongue from evil—-. Psalms 34:13    John Wesley was deeply disturbed by people who seemed to enjoy criticizing others, especially those who were in the Lord’s work. Once while he was preaching, he noticed a lady in the congregation who was well known for her critical attitude. All through the service she sat and stared at his new tie. When the meeting was ended, she came up to him and said very sharply, “Mr. Wesley, the strings on your bow tie are much too long. It’s an offense to me!” He asked if any of the ladies present happened to have a pair of scissors in their purse. When they were handed to him, he gave them to the critic and ask her to trim the streamers to her liking.

After she clipped them off near the collar, he said, “Are you sure they’re right now?” “Yes”, she said, “that’s much better!” “Then let me have those shears a moment,” said Wesley. “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if I also give you a bit of correction. I don’t mean to be cruel, but I must tell you, madam, that your tongue is an offense to me – it’s too long! Please stick it out, I’d like to trim some off.” Of course, Wesley didn’t follow through on his threat, but he sure made his point!)

 What Jesus Did

 For he hath made him to be sin for us—that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21  

When Jesus died on the cross, a magnificent exchange took place. Jesus, who was sinless, pure, and blameless, literally took upon himself your sin and mine… the sin of the world. As Jesus became sin for us, all the judgment of God that was intended for us fell upon him!

The cross of Jesus Christ was, and still is, the world’s most astounding picture of love. It was the moment in history when Jesus took our sins upon himself and blotted out your transgression. And in that divine moment, God found the one worthy sacrifice to pay for all our sin, Jesus Christ.

Let me ask you, have you recognized that sacrifice? Jesus took the death and the judgment that you deserved. And through his sacrificial act on the cross, the blood of Jesus Christ cleansed you from every sin, every stain, and every shame.

Have you received Jesus’ tremendous gift of forgiveness and love? He’s waiting for you even now. Ask him to be Lord of your life right now. It’s a decision you’ll never regret.(Power Point)

–a castaway.—1 Cor. 9:27

“There is only one thing,” said a village blacksmith, “that I fear, and that is to be thrown on the scrap heap.

“When I am tempering a piece of steel, I first beat it, hammer it, and then suddenly plunge it into this bucket of cold water. I very soon find whether it will take temper or go to pieces in the process. When I discover after one or two tests that it is not going to allow itself to be tempered, I throw it on the scrap heap and sell it for a cent a pound when the junk man comes around.

“So I find the Lord tests me, too, by fire and water and heavy blows of His heavy hammer, and if I am not willing to stand the test, or am not going to prove a fit subject for His tempering process, I am afraid He may throw me on the scrap heap.”

When the fire is hottest, hold still, for there will be a blessed “afterward”; and with Job we may be able to say, “When he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold.” –Copied

It takes eleven tons of pressure on a piano to tune it. God will tune you to harmonize with Heaven’s key-note if you can stand the strain.

—-in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40   Luann Prater writes,”Our culture struggles with the ‘I wants’. When children receive ‘things without strings’ they begin a life of self-centered discontentment. Adults, in an effort to find happiness, reach for whatever they don’t have, thinking that thing must be what is missing—we often convince ourselves that our wants are really our needs.”   Wow, that really hits the nail on the head! It, sadly, describes more of us than we would like to admit. Here in America it is easy to get spoiled. We get so accustom to living in luxury we start thinking we deserve it, and we quickly get all bent-out-of-shape when we feel we’re being deprived. The problem is that enough is never enough for most people. They always more more, bigger,and better. That explains the spirit of discontent that is so common today.   So what’s the solution? Answer–it is to shift our focus from self to service, to realize that it is better to give than to get. The happiest people on earth are those who put the needs of others ahead of their own. So, how happy are you? Are you being honest? It’s your choice.It is only when we truly forget ourselves that we do things that are remembered and rewarded.   Forget yourself for others and others won’t forget you.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isaiah 43:2

Anyone who has seen a rampaging river or a burning house knows the terror of flood and flame. The destructive power of fire and water is dreadful to see. Yet these are the dramatic images Isaiah uses to describe our own trials and troubles in life.

The Lord hasn’t promised to keep us out of hardship, but He has given us two great promises to sustain us when we’re in it: He will be with us, and our troubles will not overwhelm us. I will be with you… They shall not overflow you.

Remember how the Lord brought the Israelites through the waters of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, and how He stood with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- Nego in the fiery furnace of Daniel 3? If a problem is pressing down on you today, claim Isaiah 43:2. Picture the Lord as though He were really beside you, for He is. Trust Him to keep you from being swept away or consumed by your circumstances, for He has promised that His grace is sufficient.

When through fiery trials, thy pathway shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
John Keith                                                   ————–From Turning Point