^{For June 25th:}

^“Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?”  James 4:12 The Message (MSG)

In Martha Bolton’s book, If The Tongue’s A Fire, Who Needs Salsa, there is a devotion called The Enemy is Us.  We read this in our covenant group that meets on Thursday mornings. What a lesson it is for us as humans and Christians.  When we as believers falter or lose our way, we should lift each other up, encourage, and forgive.  Instead we often step on fallen believers’ knuckles while they are hanging by their fingernails just trying to survive.

Didn’t Jesus teach that we should let our love shine through, so others know that we are followers of Christ? Sometimes it is hard to love our way through a situation, but God will see us through.  Love can transcend and cloak hurt relationships in a protective, healing way.

Often instead of wagging our tongues, we should be keeping them silent.  Instead of exercising our tongue and voice we should exercise our heart and brain.  The scriptures in the gospels are full of helping us learn to support others.

As Martha sums up in this devotion: “The gospel is about grace.  It’s about an imperfect people and a perfect God.  It’s about caring for our wounded, not finishing them off.”  Praise God folks have extended their grace to me.

Becky Hall