“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.”(James‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Last summer, we drove through Utah. I was astonished by a long stretch of land that had been devastated by forest fire. The barren, charred tree stubble went on for miles and miles. We stopped for fuel and I asked the attendant how long ago the fire raged, expecting him to say it had only been a year or two. “2002.” He said, dark eyes flashing, the pain of it still present. “Almost burnt the town to the ground. We nearly lost everything.”

The tongue can start a fire that the world can’t quite put out. The likes of which, we may never never recover. The fires we set inadvertently may destroy landscape, communities, lives and even generations.

Our best fire control? Smokey the Bear has advice for us all: “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”

The only control we have in this world is self control. Only you can tame your tongue. Only you can determine what slides past the internal checkpoints and out into the world. Only you can choose righteousness and praise, consideration and kindness.

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” (Psalms‬ ‭141:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Over and over I remind my daughter and myself to ask two questions before a word escapes our lips. Is it kind? Is it helpful? And if it bleeps under examination, do what TSA does and throw it out before it gets out. It doesn’t matter how brilliant or funny it might feel, if it isn’t godly, it shouldn’t be said.

Lord, remind us of the death and destruction lying dormant in our mouths. We have no trouble identifying the forest fires that others have start, but we often miss our own potential for relational arson. Keep us from contributing to the blaze. Help us fight fire with peace, kindness, righteousness and praise. Fill our mouths with Your words and thoughts. Let us be quick to praise and slow to curse. Happy to bless and unwilling to blaspheme. Let us willingly surrender our most stubborn muscle to Your Kingdom cause. Amen.

“The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.” (Psalms‬ ‭33:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Have you ever noticed how our plans, when made apart from God, fall apart? Even fail? Yet when we take the time to align our agenda with God’s plans, we succeed. How do we align? Prayer and the Word. Prayer apart from the Word is self-tainted. The Word apart from prayer isn’t personal. Prayer plus the Word connects all the dots.

It’s a bit like Maggie’s timing chain; it needs to connect in all the correct places in order to run correctly. A smidge off can lead to big trouble: a dead car in a far away city. But perfect connection means we go where we are supposed to and home when we are done.

Prayer and the Word ensure proper connectivity. They get us safely to the right place at the right time and Home when we are through.

“But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.” (Psalms‬ ‭33:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Lord, we want to succeed with You. Help us make the time to read Your Word and connect it with prayer. Align our plans with Your plans that we might participate in building something that will stand forever. Keep us connected and on course until You call us Home. Amen.

“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” (Psalm‬ ‭33:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Dr. George O. Wood’s thoughts on this scripture caught my heart in my throat this morning: “Lest we become rote and routine, we are encouraged to ‘sing a new song’ – each passage in life provides a fresh revelation of God’s presence and should therefore be included in our repertoire of worship.”

I am so thankful for a new season. The weather hasn’t quite got the memo, but my heart is thawing. I’ve been told you can see it in my countenance. Surviving this past year of sorrow and trial has released me in new territory; the skies are a bit bluer, the sun a bit brighter and my joy a bit richer. After I have endured such ugly, my appreciation for the every day, ordinary is even greater.

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” (Psalm‬ ‭33:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

A year ago I knew this, but now I KNOW it. It’s like the difference between having a AAA member card in your wallet and actually utilizing the service for cross-country tow. I now trust what God is capable of because I have had to explore the extent of His benefits.

Our confidence in God soars when we’ve had to rely on Him extensively, exclusively, and when we’ve discovered in our most treacherous places, He is actually enough.

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—” (Psalm‬ ‭103:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Lord, we are thankful for seasons of ‘new song.’ We are thankful for the days on the other side of the awful when we can look up, a new version of us, with a fresh understanding of You. Your Word says You are good, and it’s truly exciting when our experiences reinforce Your Word. Thank You for the tremendous benefits we receive by faith, by belonging. We are grateful and our trust in You is ever-growing. Amen.

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

It’s Holy Week. A week where we tend to think about Jesus and His huge sacrifice for all mankind. We can’t forget to make it personal. “Blessed is ME whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” My husband always says, “If it was only for me, Jesus still would have gone to the cross.” The sacrifice of Christ is incredibly personal.

Many Pentecostals have let go of Lent in disdain of church tradition. But if we let go of Lent, then when do we pause and recall all that we’ve been saved from? Lent is a time of reflection and gratitude. It’s an opportunity for inventory; here’s what I did and why I’m so thankful. Lent is creating a wide space in our annual calendar to remember just how much we need Jesus.

“Blessed are WE, whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

“Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you upright in heart!l (Psalm 32:11 NIV)

Easter is even better when we remember why we require it. Lent acknowledges the need and Easter acknowledges the glorious meeting of that need.

Lord, You have forgiven us of so much; from selfishness, lust, jealousy, bitterness, resentment, hatred, rage and so on. You have saved us from the worst we could be. You haven’t only covered our sin, but somehow, also, recreated us in the covering. You have taken our ugly and made it beautiful in the redemptive light of Your Kingdom. We don’t want to forget. We want to remember the miracles You have worked out and through us. As Easter approaches this week, may our joy and gratitude be ever-increasing. Amen.