Those Sparks Called Words

TODAY’S SPECIAL: James 3:1-12

TO CHEW ON: "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." James 3:5


Which of these could start a forest fire?
- a cigarette butt
- a spark from a campfire
- a match


If you answered, “all of them,” you’re right! When the forest is dry, the tiniest spark starts a fire which can grow to destroy miles and miles of trees, hundreds of homes, businesses, power lines, animals, and even people.



James compares the words we say (with the help of the little red, wet, wiggly thing in our mouths called a tongue) to sparks that start a forest fire. But can our words really do that much damage?

Jonah Goes to Nineveh - Artist unknown


Well, consider the damage these words did:

• Joseph’s boasting words caused his brothers to hate him and sell him as a slave.(Genesis 37)
• The fearful words of ten spies caused the Hebrew people to rebel against Moses. They ended up wandering in the dessert for 40 more years. (Numbers 13:26 - 14:4)
• The words of a preacher called Jonah caused a whole city to turn to God. (Jonah 3)
  

Never underestimate the power of your words for bad and good.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to understand the power of my words. May I speak words which encourage, express love and build people up. Amen.


MORE: Wise Words
There are many wise sayings about words and speech. Three of the sayings below are from the Bible, three are not. Which are Bible quotes?

1. A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2. A loose tongue often gets into a tight place.

3. The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.

4. The tongue has the power of life and death.

5. A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

6. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

Check the ANSWERS to see where the Bible quotes are found and who said the other ones.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Is your faith alive or dead?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: James 2:14-19

TO CHEW ON: "In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17

Someone wakes you up at night yelling, “Fire!” How will you show you believe the warning? Of course you’ll get out of the house.



The sign says, “Beward - shallow Water.” What will prove you believe the sign? If you’re smart, you won’t dive!

It’s easy to connect faith and action in the physical world. But there are other things we say we believe just as much, but our actions (or lack of action) make our words a lie.

We say God loves everyone and we love them too. Yet we gossip and say mean things about others.

We say we believe God will provide for all our needs, and yet we worry, showing we don’t really trust God at all.

We say we believe everyone who doesn’t accept Jesus as their Savior will someday be separated from God forever in hell, and yet we never tell our friends about Jesus.

Are we kidding ourselves about what we really believe? You bet! What we DO will tell others (and ourselves) what we really believe way louder than what we SAY.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to put my faith and actions together to bring honor to You. Amen.

MORE: What Do You Believe?
- Name one thing you believe.

- How will your actions today prove that you really believe it?

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Wisdom

TODAY’S SPECIAL: James 1:5-8

TO CHEW ON: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5



wis-dom n. ( wiz-dm)
1) The power of true and right discernment
2) Good practical judgment; common sense.

Who wouldn’t want wisdom? We all need it for the big and little things which come up in everyday life. Which things, below, do you need wisdom for (can you think of more)?


A. How to make friends.
B. How to study.
C. How to introduce friends to Jesus.
D. What spare-time activities to get involved in.
E. What to do when teased or bullied.
F. What to do when someone else is being teased or bullied.

1.)Who will give you wisdom for these things if you ask for it (James 1:5)?

2.) What important thing must you remember when you ask for this wisdom?

3.) How do you think a person would show he/she is believing God and not doubting the answer?

PRAYER: Dear God, I need wisdom for _______. Would You please help me to know what to do about it? Amen.


MORE: How to Find God’s Wisdom
Which are ways, below, that a person might find God’s wisdom. Can you add some more ideas?

1. Look at your horoscope every day.

2. Pray about your problem, then listen for God’s answer as an idea in your mind.

3. Find out what the Bible says about your problem and follow that advice.

4. Flip a coin.

5. Ask the advice of parents, teachers and trusted friends.

6. Ask a Ouija board.

7. Follow the example of people you admire who love God.

8. Read a Christian book.

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.