Tag: mouth

Posted in Hiding His Word

The Meditations of My Heart

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Todays Bible passages in the One Year Bible were – Genesis 46:1-47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19

The Passage that Spoke to My Heart

Every shepherd was an abomination to the Egyptians. Shepherds or ministers today are fast becoming an abomination to this world, and yet as in Joseph’s day, being obedient to that call will be what protects, sustains, and grows the Kingdom of God.
And it shall come to pass, when Pharoah shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. ~ Genesis 46:33-34

Joseph fed his family from the bread he had stored. Jesus commands us to feed others with the bread (the Word) we have stored in our hearts,
And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families. ~ Genesis 47:12

It is not what goes into your mouth, but what comes out of your heart – spoken through your mouth – that defines who you are!
“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people drawers night unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defiled a man; but that which comets out of the mouth; this defileth a man.” ~ Matthew 15:7-11

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable, O Lord
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. ~ Psalm 19:7-14

If there is wickedness in my heart, I will stumble (and won’t even know why)
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. ~ Proverbs 4:18-19

Thoughts and observations
In today’s passages in Genesis, we learn how the children of Israel (70 in all) got to Egypt. They were saved there and prospered there. They increased in numbers and grew into a great nation there, but they would also be enslaved there for 400 years!

In Matthew, Jesus quotes the book of Isaiah. That prophecy spoken by Jesus from Isaiah in many ways sums up the ministry of Jesus. He is trying to call the truth out in people’s lives.  And the truth is born out in how they conduct themselves, not in what they say. Because what they said showed incredible hypocrisy, control, and hiding. That kind of echos back to Genesis 3 – when Adam and Eve were naked and ashamed. From that moment in Genesis 3, humans have been hiding and putting a false front out there, while the truth remains hidden in the darkness of our hearts. Here Jesus is calling out the truth. He asks them to unite what they say with who they are, not who they pretend to be.

So what was the Scripture in Isaiah that Jesus was quoting? It was Isaiah 29:13 but verses 14 and 15 are so relevant to what Jesus said and what I am mediating on today.

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?  ~ Isaiah 29:13-15

It was Jesus’ ministry and is no less relevant today. The world we live in now is naked, ashamed, and hiding. We try to present a perfect version of ourselves, but it is exhausting. Why can’t we just relax and be made perfect…for real…so we don’t have to hide?.So we can be true and reveal the Kingdom of Heaven that is among us?

Father, transform me through Your Word today. Holy Ghost change me, I pray. Convict me of the meditations of my heart that are not of You and help me to line my actions and words up with Your perfect Word so that they are acceptable in Thy sight. I ask this in the Holy and Beautiful Name of Jesus! Amen!!!POSTED IN

Posted in Hiding His Word

Don’t Complain

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Don’t complain!!! Most especially don’t complain or murmur regarding leadership or align yourself with this form of rebellion. If you do, you are flowing in the same demonic spirit that caused the earth to open up and swallow a people. (see all of Numbers 16) This is how my morning conversation with the Lord and my daily Bible reading began.

“The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.” ~ Proverbs 11:6

“Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.” ~ Psalm 54:2

“And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.” And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marveled. – Mark 15:3-5

“Then Pilate said unto them, why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly. Crucify Him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. – Mark 15:15

God has really let me know without a doubt that He has indeed given “ear to the words of my mouth.”  He has been speaking about my words, the words of others, and His Word.

He wants me to check and deal with what I allow into my heart, words of others and my own thoughts. He wants me to be careful and purposeful regarding what I allow myself to meditate on. The Holy Spirit has shown me specifics in my life that create and allow an atmosphere of sin to develop. This kind of environment breeds thoughts in my head and an attitude in my heart that eventually leads to words coming out of my mouth that displeases Him. I noticed while reading in Numbers that is said the sin of the “children of Israel provoked the Lord.”  I believe although He is a God that loves and is long-suffering, that we provoke Him so much. We grieve the Holy Spirit. I am incredibly thankful for His mercy.

Over the years I have looked back at my life and wished I could go back and make changes. Why??? Because I wish there had been a different outcome to some areas of my life because hopefully I would live my life for a different result.  I have regrets that involve every area: marriage, family, friends, money, job. Looking at ALL my regrets from this vantage point, it is easy to see where I took the wrong path that led to the undesired outcome. Hindsight is 20/20, they say…they are right. But it would be good if we could use our regrets to learn some valuable lessons.

We can never go back and change or take away, but we can from this moment forward keep the outcome in mind when we make our choices. Today is the day to stop living in the “past” and live our nows with eyes on the “eternal” and outcomes in the future that are pleasing…be it outcomes of good word or deed  or meditation. Today we can make choices that will bear for us reward or bear for us regret in the future. If we chose correctly on this day we won’t have to wish we had done something or said something differently tomorrow.

As it regards this, I need to make decisions that are very purposeful – based on the Words of the Bible and everything; even the words of my mouth and my thoughts should mirror a Christ like life.

When Christ did not address the Chief Priest or Pilate to address the accusations of the people, His silence was very purposeful. I also believe that Pilate surely came to a place of regret that he was “willing to content the people” when it came to his moment of decision. I think, if we aren’t careful we will find ourselves standing before the altar guilty of that same sin and it could be consequences of a snap decision that we did not think through before we spoke or acted. Always, always our words and thoughts and actions just must line up with the Word.

Each person will be accountable for their own words, thoughts and deeds and as it said in Proverbs today, transgressors will be “taken in their own naughtiness.”  We have definitely had our warning.

A few of the ways we use words that displease the Lord:

  • Words of unbelief
  • murmuring
  • leading others to murmur
  • slander
  • evil report
  • denying Christ
  • complaining
  • gossip

Thanks for reading. This is some of what the Holy Spirit spoke to me today through my daily reading of the One Year Bible.

So, what has the Lord been speaking to you today?

Posted in Hiding His Word

“that the bone which thou has broken may rejoice”

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Today through His Word in Numbers, Mark, Psalms and Proverbs – He spoke directly to me regarding issues of my heart and issues of the hearts of those I allow to speak into my life. Some of what is spoken are words of darkness (things like complaining and criticism) going into my ears and/or coming out of my mouth instead of words of light and truth and praise. Words that kindle His anger and grieve His Spirit instead of words that make Him smile and rejoice.

My prayers and meditations from today’s Word is:

Psalm 51:8 “Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bone which thou has broken may rejoice.”

Psalm 51:15 “O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.”

Well, probably should just read all of Psalm 51. It says so much…like Psalm 51:6

Numbers 11:1 – and when the people complained it displeased the Lord: and the Lord hear it; and His anger was kindled. Number 11:10 – Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly: also Moses was displeased. (complaining, whining)

Mark 14:4 – and there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said why was this waste of the ointment used?  (Criticism)

Mark 14:4-9 my thoughts – Then Jesus rebukes the disciples for their criticism.

This also struck me although off topic. In Mark 14:16 it says, “and he sought how he might conveniently betray him.”  That word “conveniently” made me incredibly sad. To be betrayed is one thing but conveniently betrayed. I wonder how often we conveniently betray or disobey or sin in any way?!?

Conveniently: ease in use, easy, comfortable, at hand, easily acceptable, hand.

Proverbs 10-11 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongues shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Froward: willfully contrary; not easily managed; obstinate, wayward, difficult, fractious.

Only God could have prepared such a feast for me for this morning.

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Help me oh Lord to apply this Word to my life today. In Jesus precious and holy and magnificent Name, I pray….AMEN!!