The link below is for “Our Daily Bread”…
http://odb.org/2011/11/03/looking-for-water/

Greg Laurie The link below is for the Daily Devotions of …

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht

“Speak Softly, but Carry a Big God”

Re-posted from 121/03/2011 by bruce r. mills @ http://www.Godsmanforever.com

Proverbs 15:1… A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (KJV)

This scripture, written by the wise Solomon, is most often quoted to remind us of the best way to respond to someone who is screaming in our face… I have used it many times before; referencing my dear Grandmother Myers who taught my two sisters and my self this verse, when we were very young and arguing with each other…

I just finished writing about “not returning evil for evil”, a few days ago… This opening scripture would have been a perfect verse to back up that days writing… But today, I read this scripture in my quiet time, and I must say I can see a different take on the same scripture…

A very good friend of mine pointed out to me the other day, that the tone of our voice can overpower the words of wisdom we are trying to speak… As many of the people that know me will attest too…I am very passionate about the truth I am trying to bring out, when I speak to those around me about what the Bible has to teach us… My friend pointed out that this passion should be released in a quiet, gentle way… Indeed, the “Christ like” attributes of gentleness and meekness, are 2 of the 9 fruit of the Spirit…as listed by the Apostle Paul, in…

Galatians 5:22-23… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)

My friend reminded me of the time in the Bible, where Jesus was confronted by the scribes and the Pharisees, along with a woman they had caught in adultery… The scribes and the Pharisees told Jesus that the law commanded them to stone this woman to death, and they were trying to trick Jesus with His inappropriate response… Jesus calmly stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger…almost like He had not even heard them… Here is scripture explaining what then followed, as written in…

John 8:7-9… So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.        (KJV)

Here is the link for the entire chapter 8 of the Book of John for some extra reading, and important teaching from Jesus… http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn8&version=KJV

Jesus handled what could have been a bad situation, in what appeared to be a gentle, meek way… This remarkable turn of events, as written by the Apostle John, is not only a reminder that we are all sinners…it also points to Jesus’ style of handling what could have been an extreme situation, in a manner that we should all be able to learn from…

Just when I thought I was right on track in living my life for Christ, always trying to do the right thing in His eyes…I was humbled by a good friend who was kind enough to tell me the volume and tone of my speech could very easily be pushing people away, instead of attracting them to the truth found in God’s Word… This is what…John 7:24… is all about… Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (KJV)

Have you heard the saying…”Speak softly, but carry a big stick”? Just like Jesus Christ, our spirit should speak softly, but be backed with the truth from God’s Word…

1 Peter 3:4… But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (KJV)

Heavenly Father, I pray that other readers can see from my personal experiences, how they can work to improve their own lives as seen by others around them… Keep all of Your children humble Lord, as we are reminded by those who really care about us, that all of us have room for improvement in our daily walk with You… I thank You Lord, for the truth of Your Word; and pray that others will find the peace and the joy that becoming part of Your family will bring… A peace that surpasses any mortal understanding (Philippians 4:7), as the Holy Spirit is left in full control of the believer’s life… I pray for this unbelievable peace for all readers, in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…

Blessings in Christ,  bruce

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Picture couresy of http://www.quotecounterquote.com/2012/05/speak-softly-and-carry-big-stick.html