Giving thanks this holiday season
With the holiday season at our heels, let’s remember to be thankful. We should be thankful at all times. Sometimes we thank God when something good happens to us, but we should thank Him everyday no matter what’s going on during that day.
Let us remember that this season is not about how much we can eat or how many presents we can get. It’s about the goodness of our Savior Jesus Christ whom gave His life that we may live. And in turn He expects us to live by the Fruit of the Spirit — spreading goodness and mercy to everyone no matter the season or holiday.
A word from Pastor Mann: “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 19:14.
Notice the verse didn’t say, “Let the words of my mouth be acceptable in thy sight, Lord.” Neither did it say, “Let the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Lord.” It said to let both “words of the mouth and meditation of the heart” be acceptable. Why is that? Because our words and our heart are directly connected.
Our words are a reflection of what is in our hearts. Our words also reveal what is in our hearts. “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” (Matthew 15:18) “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” (Matthew 15:19) “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45)
So, if our words are going to be acceptable to the Lord, the things our hearts meditate on have to be acceptable to the Lord. This is why it is important to guard your heart and not allow anything that is unrighteous into it. This is why it is important for us to think/meditate on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, have a good report, bring forth virtue and praise. This is why it is important to hide the Word in our hearts so we won’t sin against God in action or with our words.
What are you pondering in your heart? What do you meditate on? It will come out of your mouth and when it does, will it be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord? What words are you saying? If they aren’t pleasing and acceptable to the Lord, then you need to check your heart — that’s where they are coming from.
