More Than Words

by Charity Pence

This Week's Verse: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)

I love the book of James.  There are only five chapters, yet the book of James is filled with several great lessons.  One day as I was reading, God placed on my heart a lesson that is so true and so necessary to be shared.  It is a lesson I believe we all need to hear.

We call ourselves Christians, right? We find comfort in that.  We believe Christ died for our sins, we accept Jesus into our hearts, and we're saved.  Hallelujah! And we're done, right? We know who wins in the end, and now we're on the winning team.  But are we really part of the team? Last time I checked, being part of a team did not mean standing on the sidelines, watching others do their part while we slack off.  Webster's dictionary defines "team" this way: a group of people working together.  Working together.

I believe there is a danger in declaring ourselves Christians while doing nothing to back up that claim.  Sometimes we are even proud of ourselves for becoming a Christian.  But becoming a Christian requires much more than hollow words.  James 1:22-27 says, "We deceive ourselves by saying we are Christians if we do not conduct ourselves as such.  We have to be doers." (NKJ)  The danger I mentioned comes in many forms.  You see, if we were part of God's winning team, we would act in such ways that drew others to our Savior Jesus Christ.  Instead, we tell the world we're Christians while gossiping, lashing out in anger, using vulgar language, telling crude jokes.  We're filling our hearts and minds with movies and/or activities that increase our lust for things God does not desire for us.  And all the while, the world is watching.  People are watching with diligence, waiting for an opportunity to point their fingers and cry "Foul!"

Sometimes I swear when really angry.  I don't do it often, but that doesn't matter.  There is one word that pops out of my mouth; it's always the same one.  And it's ugly.  Some people who know me find it amusing.  "Ha ha, she just cussed!" I laugh it off with them, but you know what? Inside I cringe.  I am filled with shame.  Because I confess to be a Christian, and I worry about the damage I have just done to God's kingdom.  Those people who are watching me, waiting, will not see Jesus in my behavior.  My actions may even offer proof for their belief that we're all a bunch of hypocrites.  And instead of showing others the way to God's team, I may be leading them to their eternal destruction.

Perhaps you think I'm being extreme.  We all make mistakes.  We don't always get it right.  We repent and move on, as we should.  There are many verses throughout the Bible which assure us of God's forgiveness.  Here are two.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (KJV) "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12 (KJV)

However, sin is never okay.  Forgiveness isn't necessary unless someone has been wronged.  And in our cases, we are wronging our Heavenly Father.  We should be reaching others for Christ, not turning them away from Him.  It would be easy to say we're saved because we declare with our mouths that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior.  But James 2:14 says, "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" (NKJ)

I have been convicted.  I hope you have too.  Please do not deceive yourselves by thinking you are safe over there on the sidelines, out of the action.  Be more than words.  Be doers of the Word.

Dear Heavenly Father, I deceive myself by saying I am a Christian while not striving to live in a way that brings me and others close to you.  It is so easy to make this mistake.  I acknowledge how wrong I have been.  Please forgive me.  I thank You for your mercy.  Please continue to convict me, Lord, so that I will not be a speaker of hollow words.  Help me to be a doer- to follow Your command to Love others and show them the way to Your kingdom.  In Jesus' most precious name, Amen.

Power Verses:
Luke 16:15 "And he said unto them, ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (KJV)
John 5:44 "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" (NKJ)
Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (NKJ)

Sweet Words

By Bethany Lashbrook

This week’s verse: Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." (NIV)

Devotion:

I don’t know about you, but I love the Olive Branch and it’s pleasant words. Can you believe it has been up and running now for three years? Yep - the first post, by Kathy Lay, was on August 31, 2007. It was here that the women’s ministry sought to inspire other FCC and Marshall community women with down-to-earth stories of how Christian women walk in faith.

Thanks to Kathy’s commitment to the Lord and her willingness to start something new at FCC, we have heard of many women’s struggles, walks, talks, and triumphs with the Lord. It is here that we have experienced many “ah-hah” moments. It is here we have cried for, prayed for, and understood more about women’s struggles in faith.

If you remember Kathy’s post from last week, she wrote about having peace during seasons of change. The Olive Branch is also experiencing a season of change as Kathy is passing her role of blog manager and devotion editor on to me. God had been speaking to both of us about this and the time has now come.

Often, as women, we strive for many roles. We want to be sweet yet not too sugary. We want to provide for our house, yet admit we do get tired. We want to be firm, yet flexible. We want to give our lives to the Lord, yet keep control of ourselves. We want our husbands/boyfriends/fiancées/friends to r-e-s-p-e-c-t us yet we know ultimately it only counts if HE does. We want loved on and we want to give love. I hope you continue to meet us here to find encouraging words, accepting all of our roles the Lord has given us.

I believe that because of this ministry, many women’s and girl’s lives have been touched. And I want to praise the Lord for that! Solomon declares in Psalm 72:19, “Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory”(NIV). Can I get an Amen?

There is a passage in the bible, made well known by a group of women who decided to do exactly what it is we are doing here at First Christian Church – follow the Lord and share their stories with others. I would like to think that our ministry here is just the same as theirs. No, we aren’t quite famous yet. No one really knows where Marshall, Illinois is on a map. Nope, we don’t have any speaking engagements coming up in big city venues. But, we do have what it takes to change lives - Christian women speaking boldly in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and redeemer!

On that note, I will end with select verses from one of my faves: Proverbs 31 (NIV)

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Dear Lord, thank you for this ministry of believers who gather together weekly to enjoy such wonderful, sweet, heart-warming stories of women who follow you. We ask that you continue to bless this ministry and all those it reaches. In Jesus Name', Amen.

Application: Know someone who could use a pick-me-up? Suggest the Olive Branch! You can find us on the web at www.fccwomensministry.blogspot.com

Got a story to share? Send it to fccgals@hotmail.com. We encourage and support all new contributors!

Power Verses:

Psalm 52:8 "And I'm an olive tree, growing green in God's house. I trusted in the generous mercy of God then and now." (MSG)

John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)

Matthew 9:21-22 "She said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.' Jesus turned and saw her. 'Take heart, daughter,' he said, 'your faith has healed you.' And the woman was healed from that moment." (NIV)

Watch Your Mouth!

by Stephanie Neibarger

This Week's Verse: James 3:5, "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." (NIV)

Devotion:
Watch your mouth! Have you ever been told that as a child? You would say something that was probably a little inappropriate and your parents would not-so-gently caution you to “Watch your mouth!” Yeah, me too! (More times than I care to admit!)

Just yesterday (as I’m writing this) I was certain a friend of mine had lied to me. I wanted so badly to cuss her out, yell, scream, whatever, to let her know that I had caught her in a lie and wasn’t going to put up with it. But, after taking a step back, I thought, "What good would that do?" It would only hurt our friendship and if she did lie, it was her problem, not mine. So I immediately prayed (thanks Kathy!).

But that’s not where this story ends… today, as I read the two daily scripture calendars that I have on either side of my microwave, both of them (yes – both!) talked about controlling the tongue! Wow! I am soooo glad I didn’t lash out at my friend. So now, instead of regretting any harsh words, I’m writing a devotion (thanks God!).

Quite a few years ago when I used to teach I visited another teacher in her room. I noticed a plaque on her desk that read “It is better to leave angry words unspoken, than to mend the heart those words have broken.” I have never forgotten that simple little rhyme. As an immature Christian, if I got upset or angry about something, I would fly off the handle and say whatever I thought, no matter the consequences, only to regret it later. I’ve gotten a little better at controlling my tongue when I get angry but admit I can still say some pretty stupid and hurtful things at times.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (NLB).

I have a phrase I like to use with my athletes when they come into the training room complaining about someone or something… “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I hope, like that plaque, it will stick with them forever.

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Prayed from Psalm 19:14, NLT)

Application:
The Bible tells us that if we want joy in our life and have happy days, we are to keep our tongue from saying bad things and our lips from talking bad about others (1 Peter 3:10). It might help to remember the little rhyme that has stuck with me throughout the years: “It’s better to leave angry words unspoken, than to mend the heart those words have broken.”

Power Verses:
James 3:10, "My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn’t right."(CEV)
Proverbs 13:3, "Those who control their tongue will have a long life; a quick retort can ruin everything."(NLT)
Proverbs 15:4, "Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."(NLT)
Psalm 39:1,“I will guard my way, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will bridle my mouth, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”(RSV)