Powerful Words!

Hi SPV family,
Patricia here,In my teen years I lived on a farm and we had many animals. My favorite one was a quarter horse named Dixie.  She was beautiful and very smart.  During that time I learned a great deal about caring for a horse of my own, learning how to saddle the horse was an endurance in strength and also it was important to know which was the right bit for the horse's safety.  Dixie loved to be ridden but when she was ready to go back to the barn, she would chomp down on the bit and take off running. I had no control whatsoever over this 1,000 lbs. of powerful horse.  I would have to hang on and hope for a gentle landing because when she got home she stopped as fast as she took off, and I went flying over her head.  That only happened once since I was a fast learner. 
It took practice and hard work to care for my horse but I was  rewarded  by a friendship with a powerful and kind spirited animal.   It also takes practice  to use words that build up our brothers and sisters in Christ.  It is hard to say kind things about another, when you feel you have been wronged and want others to take your side so that you feel justified in how you react.


 My time with Dixie reminds me of the scripture in James that talks about controlling the tongue.
The bit  in the mouth controlled the horse and I could direct her where I wanted her to go. 
James 3:2-3  Indeed we all make mistakes. For if we control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.  
How powerful are words? Do Blessings and cursing come out of the same mouth?  Do we chomp down on our hurt feelings and not let go of them? Do we find ourselves unwilling to make it right with our friends and loved ones?
 Do we criticize others instead of building them up?  Do we praise the Lord on Sunday and talk about our brothers and sisters in Christ unkindly that same day?
No you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.  James 3:11
Words are powerful.  In Matthew it says to go to that person and talk it out.  If they listen you have won over your brother or sister.  The scripture does not say, talk about it with others and complain, that causes division and divides the body of Christ. 
James 3:17-18  But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds.  It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Words are powerful, plant seeds of peace, plant seeds of forgiveness, plant seeds of love.
The harvest will be rich and plentiful and then you will be blessed and will bless others with your words. 
Much love, 
Patricia 




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