Ten Commandments of the Tongue

The tongue is set on fire of heaven Acts 2 or is set on fire of hell James 3:6.

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing, brethren these things ought not so to be." James 2:10

1. THOU SHALT GIVE THANKS 
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus" 1 Thes. 5:18
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving" Psalm 100:4
"Were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine" to give thanks Luke 17:17

2. THOU SHALT GIVE PRAISE
"Praise ye the Lord." Ps. 146:1, 147, 148, 149, 150.
"Enter into His courts with praise" Psalm 100:4
"Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth me." Ps. 50:23

3. THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD
"Lovest thou me?" John 21:15, Mk 12:30, Psalm 116:1
Tell Him, He wants to hear it from you, just as you want to hear it from others

4. THOU SHALT NOT GOSSIP
"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people." Lev. 19:16
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds." Prov. 18:8
"When no wood is, there the fire goeth out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases." Prov. 20:20

5. THOU SHALT NOT LIE. Ex. 20:16
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." Ephesians 4:25
"Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." Acts 5:4

6. THOU SHALT NOT ARGUE
"The servant of the Lord must not strive." 2 Tim. 2:24
"Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him" Mt. 5:25.

7. THOU SHALT NOT SPEAK CORRUPT COMMUNICATION
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth" Eph 4:29
Dirty jokes or shady stories or sexual innuendoes.

8. THOU SHALT NOT BOAST
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow." Prov. 27:1
"Let another man praise thee." Prov. 27:2
"This know also that in the last days men shall be boasters." 2 Tim. 3:1, 2

9. THOU SHALT NOT BLABBER
"Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise." Prov. 17:28
"Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment" Matthew 12:36.

10. THOU SHALT NOT MURMUR
"Do all things without murmuring." Phil. 2:14
If all things work together for good to believers, then murmuring is against God.
God hates murmuring, grumbling, griping. He gave Miriam a dose of leprosy for murmuring Numbers 12. It stopped Israel in their tracks for one whole week.

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" Col. 4:6.

Books of the Bible

In Genesis the world was made by God's creative hand;
In Exodus the Hebrews march to gain the Promised Land;
Leviticus contains the Law, holy, just and good,
Numbers records the tribes enrolled, all sons of Abraham's blood.
Moses in Deuteronomy records God's mighty deeds.

In Joshua their rebellion oft provokes the Lord to smite,
Judges did what was right, but Ruth records the faith.
In 1st and 2nd Samuel of Jesse's son we read;
Ten tribes in 1st and 2nd Kings revolted from his seed.

In 1st and 2nd Chronicles we see Judah captive made,
But Ezra leads the remnant back by princely Cyrus' aid.
The city walls of Zion Nehemiah builds again,
While Esther saves her people from the plots of wicked men.

In Job we read how faith will live beneath afflictions' rod,
And David's Psalms are precious songs to every child of God.
The Proverbs, like a goodly string of choicest pearls, appear;
Ecclesiastes teaches men how vain are all things here.

The Song of Solomon exalts sweet Sharon's lovely rose,
While Christ the Saviour and the King the rapt Isaiah shows.
The warning Jeremiah apostate Israel warns,
His plaintive Lamentations their awful downfall mourns.

Ezekiel tells in wondrous words the Kingdom's mysteries,
While God's great Kingdom yet to come Daniel in vision sees.
Of judgment and of mercy Hosea loves to tell,
Joel describes the blessed days when God with man will dwell.

Among Tekoa's herdmen Amos received his call,
And Obadiah prophesies of Edom's final fall.
Jonah enshrines a wondrous type of Christ, our risen Lord;
Micah pronounces Judah lost - lost but to be restored.

Nahum declares on Nineveh just judgment shall be poured
When Christ our risen Saviour shall come to be adored.
A view of Chaldees coming doom Habakkuk's vision gives,
While Zephaniah warns the Jews to turn, repent and live.

Haggai wrote to those who saw the Temple built again,
Zechariah prophesies of Christ's triumphant reign.
Malachi was the last to touch that high prophetic cord;
His final notes sublimely show the coming of the Lord.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the Gospel story give,
Describing how the Saviour was born and died that man may live.
Acts tells how well the apostles preached with signs in every place,
And Paul in Romans proves that man is saved through faith by grace.

In Corinthians 1 and 2 instructs, exhorts, reproves;
Galatians proves that faith in Christ alone the Father approves.
Ephesians and Philippians tell what Christians ought to be;
Colossians bids us live for God and from all sin be free.

In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians the Lord will come from heaven,
1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus a shepherd's rule is given.
Philemon marks a brother's love as only brethren know;
Hebrews reveals Christ's priestly works prefigured long ago.

James teaches without holiness, faith is but vain and dead;
1st and 2nd Peter points the narrow way, the saints are led.
John in his three epistles on love delights to dwell;
But Jude gives warning terrible of those once who fell.

The Revelation prophesies that tremendous day
When all the kingdoms of the earth with noise shall pass away;
God coming down with His tabernacle, forever to be with us,
And we will be His people; "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

Obituary of an Old Friend
(This one is different, nothing Biblical)

We are mourning the passing of a beloved friend who recently passed away. His name was Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died in the united states from a vicious contagious disease.

He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes and factories. For decades petty rules, frivolous lawsuits and ludicrous verdicts held no power over common sense. He was credited with cultivating valued lessons such as "to know when to come in out of the rain", why "the early bird gets the worm", and that "life isn't always fair".

Common Sense lived by a simple and sound financial policy: Don't spend more than you earn. Common Sense also lived by other time tested strategies like "the adults are in charge and not the kids", and "it's OK to come in second or third". A veteran of the great depression and the technological revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends such as body piercing, whole language, and new math, but his health began to decline when he became infected with the "I'm not responsible for my own actions" and "it's alright if it feels good" viruses. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools implemented zero-tolerance policies. Reports of a six year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition. It declined farther when schools had to get parental consent to administer an aspirin to a student but could not inform the parents and get their permission when their children were given mind-altering drugs, and when universities turned into cesspools of debauchery and socialist propaganda.

Common Sense lost his will to live when criminals received better treatment than their victims, the Ten Commandments became contraband, and priests molested young boys. When a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot and was awarded a huge settlement, and when the president sold security related technology to a hostile nation. Common Sense fell into a coma.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of consciousness but was kept informed of new and questionable regulations, such as the curtailing of free speech and partial birth abortion, and finally when others were held responsible for the premeditated and cold blooded murder of a teacher by a rebellious student, Common Sense died of cardiac arrest.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, truth and trust, by his wife, discretion; his daughter, responsibility; and his sons; diligence and reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers, Deception. Greed, and Ignorance. Not many attended his funeral because so few noticed he was gone.

Just Five Minutes

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide. "He's a fine looking boy," the man said. "That's my son on the swing in the blue sweater."

Then, looking at his watch, he called to his son. "What do you say we go, Todd?" Todd pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes." The man nodded and Todd continued to swing to his heart's content.

Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son. "Time to go now?" Again Todd pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes." The man smiled and said, "O.K."

"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded. The man smiled and then said, "My older son Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Todd. He thinks he has five more minutes to swing. The truth is, I get five more minutes to watch him play."

Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities? Give someone you love five more minutes of your time today.

The Still Small Voice

Not long ago I heard a story about a young man and an old preacher. The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me, preacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply, something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper.

So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

This time the young man heard and he understood. We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice ... the gentle whisper. Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still I find myself closer to God.

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)

Her Needs, His Needs

A husband can make himself irresistible to his wife by learning to meet her seven basic marital needs:

1. Her need for a spiritual leader. He is a man of courage, conviction, commitment, compassion, and character. He takes the initiative in cultivating a spiritual environment for the family. He becomes a capable and competent student of God. Word and lives out before all a life founded on the Word of God. He leads his wife in becoming a woman of God, and he takes the lead in training the children in the things of the Lord. (Psalm 1, Ephesians 5:23-27)

2. Her need to personal affirmation/appreciation. He praises her for personal attributes and qualities. He extols her virtues as a wife, mother, and homemaker. He openly commends her, in the presence of others, as a marvelous mate, friend, lover, and companion. She feels that to him, no one is more important in this world. (Proverbs 31:28-29, Song of Solomon 4:1-7, 6:4-9, 7:1-9)

3. Her need for personal affection (romance). He showers her with timely and generous displays of affection. He also tells her how much he cares for her with a steadfast flow of words, cards, flowers, gifts, and common courtesies. Remember: Affection is the environment in which sexual union is enjoyed and a wonderful marriage developed. (Song of Solomon 6:10, 13, Ephesians 5:28-29,33)

4. Her need for intimate conversation. He talks with her at the feeling level (heart to heart). He listens to her thoughts (i.e., her heart) about the events of her day with sensitivity, interest, and concern. Conversations with her convey a desire to understand her, not to change her. (Song of Solomon 2:8-14, 8:13-14, I Peter 3:7)

5. Her need for honesty and openness. He looks into her eyes and, in love,
tells her what he really thinks (Ephesians 4:15). He explains his plans and actions clearly and completely because he regards himself as responsible for her He wants her to trust him and feel secure. (Proverbs 15:22-23)

6. Her need for home support and stability. He firmly shoulders the responsibility to house, feed, and clothe the family. He provides and protects, and he does not feel sorry for himself when things get tough. Instead he looks for concrete ways to improve home life. He desires to raise their marriage and family to a safer and more fulfilling level. Remember: The husband/father is the security hub of the family. (I Timothy 5:8)

7. Her need for family commitment. He puts his family first. He commits his time and energy to the spiritual, moral, and intellectual development of the children. For example, he prays with them (especially at night by the bedside), he reads to them, he engages in sports with them, and takes them on other outings. He does not play the fools game of working long hours, trying to get ahead, while children and spouse languish in neglect. (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:19-20).

A wife makes herself irresistible to her husband by learning to meet his five basic marital needs:

1. His needs for admiration and respect. She understands and appreciates his value and achievements more than anything else. She reminds him of his capabilities and helps him maintain his walk with God and also his self-confidence. She is proud of her husband, not out of duty, but as an expression of sincere admiration for the man she loves and with whom she has chosen to share her life. (Ephesians 22:23,33)

2. His need for sexual fulfillment. She becomes an excellent sexual partner to him. She studies her own response to recognize and understand what brings out the best in her, then she communicates this information to her husband, and together they learn to have a sexual relationship that both find repeatedly satisfying and enjoyable. (Proverbs 5:15-29, Song of Solomon 4:9-5:1, I Cor 7:1-5, Hebrews 13:4)

3. His need for home support. She creates a home that offers him an atmosphere of peace and quiet and refuge. She manages the home and care of the children. The home is a place of rest and rejuvenation. Remember: the wife/mother is the emotional hub of the family. (Proverbs 9:13,19:13, 21:9,19, 25:24)

4. His need for her attractiveness. She is possessed of inner and outer beauty. She cultivates a Christlike spirit in her inner self. She keeps herself physically fit with diet and exercise, and she wears her hair, make-up, and clothes in a way that her husband finds attractive and tasteful. Her husband is pleased and proud of her in public, and also in private. (Song of Solomon 1:8-10, 2:2, 6:13, 7:9, I Peter 3:1-5)

5. His need for a life companion. She develops mutual interests with her husband. She discovers those activities her husband enjoys the most and seeks to become proficient in them. If she learns to enjoy them, she joins him in them. If she does not enjoy them, she encourages him to consider others that they can enjoy together. She becomes her husbands best friend so that he repeatedly associates her with the activities he enjoys most. (Song of Solomon 8:1-2,6)

"He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, and human hands can't serve his needs for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand which should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. "His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him though he is not far from any one of us.

For in him we live and move and exist. As one of your own poets says, 'We are his offspring.'" Acts 17:24-28 NLT

A Little Girl's Prayer

Helen Roseveare, a missionary from England to Zaire, Africa, told this as it happened to her in Africa.

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but, in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator) and no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool in which the baby would be wrapped. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that, in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates.

"And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.

As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk; so, in Central Africa, it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "Put the baby as near the fire as you safely can; sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God," she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby'll be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of corollary, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen"? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home; anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the verandah, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box.

From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins -- that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the... could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out -- yes, a brand-new rubber hot water bottle! I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.

Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted. Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child -- five months before -- in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring "that afternoon."

"Before they call, I will answer!" Isaiah 65:24

I have the tape and heard her give tell this story back in 1974! It is on my website under Tapes. Order the tape. It is full of stories just like this. You will love it. O how we need to see the hand of God like this today.  Keep asking God for His hand upon you.