Life is Short

April 25

(Psalm 39:4-8 NIV) "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. {5} You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. {6} Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. {7} "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. {8} Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.”

(James 4:13-17 NIV) ““Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." {14} Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. {15} Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." {16} As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. {17} Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.””

Life is short. David describes it as “fleeting”. When compared to eternity, our life is like our breath on a cold morning. It appears for a brief moment and then disappears into the vast atmosphere as if it were never here. Our days are over in a blink of God’s eye. So what will you spend this brief moment doing? Will you squander this “handbreadth” of time we’ve been allotted bustling around trying to make money? Will you waste this pittance of a lifespan heaping up wealth that will belong to someone else in a heartbeat? Or will you spend your small allotment of days getting ready for eternity? Will you put your hope in the Lord who made you and who will take you home? Will you do the good that you know you ought to do? Never presume you will have tomorrow. No one is guaranteed even one more day. Live today like it was your last. Life is short. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Time to Speak

April 24

(Psalm 39:2 NIV) “But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. {3} My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:”

(Ephesians 4:15 NIV) “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

There is a time for godly silence and then there is a time when holding our tongue would be a sin. There is a time to be still and there is a time to speak up and speak out. Sometimes, truth has to be spoken, because not speaking the truth would be spiritual negligence. But what is spoken must be the truth. Too many personal opinions get passed off as truth these days. Lies are lifted up as truth and prefaced with a sincere, “I swear to God”. Along with being the truth, our words must be spoken in love. Words spoken to hurt and curse are not of God, even if they are the truth. The motive of our heart when speaking makes all the difference to God. So pray for wisdom and courage. Pray for wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent, and wisdom to choose words wisely. Pray for the courage to speak up when love requires it and then, speak the truth in love. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Silence is Golden

April 23

(Psalm 39:1 NIV) “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”

(Proverbs 12:18 NIV) “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

(Proverbs 18:21 NIV) “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

(James 3:5-12 NIV) “Likewise 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. {6} The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. {7} All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, {8} but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. {9} With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. {10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. {11} Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? {12} My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

It has been said that silence is golden. For the most part, we are better off when we hold our tongue. It’s hard to get in trouble for words we do not say. The tongue can be a dagger that stabs and even kills. It can deeply wound those around us when wielded carelessly. Do your best to keep this knife in its sheath. Muzzling our mouths can prove to be difficult. It’s like trying to hold onto fire. It’s hard to restrain this kind of power. So we give in and let it all hang out. We employ a “scorched earth” policy when it comes to our words. Expressing ourselves has somehow become more important than exercising discretion. We have forgotten the destructive power that lies inside of our mouths. Get control of your tongue, Christian -- in public and at home with your family. Remember, silence is often more valuable than gold. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Call the Rescue Squad

April 22

(Psalm 38:22 NIV) “Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.”

(Galatians 1:3-5 NIV) “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, {4} who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, {5} to whom be glory for ever and ever.”

The rock band Head East had a great hit song in the 1970’s called “Never Been Any Reason”. One of the memorable lines from that song went like this: “Save my life, I’m goin’ down for the last time.” David had a “Head East” moment in his life and cried out to his Savior for help. We should do the same. All petitions of sinners who are sane end up in the same place -- an appeal for rescue. We cry out for God to save us. When sin threatens to inundate our souls, there is only one place to turn: Jesus, who laid down His life to rescue us. You will find no better Savior than Jesus. Are you struggling today with the weight of sin? Does it feel like you’re going down for the last time? Turn to God. Turn to Jesus. He is the Answer. Make David’s petition, your petition. Cry out to God, “Have mercy, don’t abandon me, rescue me.” It’s a prayer God will hear. He is listening. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day