The Bible is extremely direct about controlling your tongue — it says your words can bless or destroy, give life or cause death, and reveal the true condition of your heart. Your tongue has power — life or death Proverbs 18:21 — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Your words carry spiritual weight. They build or break. Psalm 19:14 — “Let the words of my mouth… be acceptable in thy sight…” Your speech should please God. Control your tongue or it will control you James 3:5–6 — “Even so the tongue is a little member… and boasteth great things… the tongue is a fire… and setteth on fire the course of nature…” James teaches that the tongue is small but dangerous — like a spark that burns down a forest. James 3:8 — “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” We cannot control our tongue without God’s help. Speak only what builds up Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…” Your words should strengthen, not tear down. Colossians 4:6 — “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt…” Grace-filled speech is a mark of maturity. Your tongue reveals your heart Matthew 12:34 — “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Your mouth exposes what’s inside your heart. Proverbs 15:28 — “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer…” The righteous think before speaking. A controlled tongue is a mark of true religion James 1:26 — “If any man… bridleth not his tongue… this man’s religion is vain.” Your tongue reveals whether your faith is genuine.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ALLOW TO COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.
Psalm 32:8 ⸤The LORD says, “I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand. Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD is the one who is going ahead of you. He will be with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you. So don’t be afraid or terrified.” Numbers 23:19 God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. THE BOTTOME LINE IS: God promises to instruct and teach us in the way we should go. God promises to be with us, strengthen us, and uphold us. Ask, seek, knock—God promises to respond. God promises never to leave or forsake us. God does not lie; He fulfills every promise He makes.
A GREAT NUMBER OF US ARE EXPERIENCING HARD TIMES NOW. LET US NOT PANIC, LET US GO TO GOD IN PRAYER, LET US TRUST GOD, AND WAIT ON GOD. HE WILL BE RIGHT ON TIME.
Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Proverbs 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Psalm 97:10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Proverbs 4:27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Matthew 7:15 — “Beware of false prophets… inwardly they are ravening wolves.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 — “Bad company corrupts good character.” Proverbs 4:14–15 — “Do not enter the path of the wicked… avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and pass away.” Takeaway: Evil influences corrupt slowly, quietly, and progressively — so God says avoid them completely.
Psalm 37:5 Entrust your ways to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act ⸤on your behalf⸥. Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Philippians 4:19 -20 My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus. Glory belongs to our God and Father forever! Amen.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED THIS QUICK REFRESHER FROM GOD.
1 Samuel 13:13–14 “You did a foolish thing,” Samuel told Saul. “You didn’t follow the command of the LORD your God. If you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel permanently. But now your kingdom will not last. The LORD has searched for a man after his own heart. The LORD has appointed him as ruler of his people, because you didn’t follow the command of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 13:13–14 applies to us today by showing that God still cares about obedience, He still looks at the heart, and He still raises up people who will honor Him when others refuse to. It’s a warning, a mirror, and an invitation. It warns us: disobedience always costs something Saul’s failure wasn’t about a single mistake — it was about a pattern of partial obedience, fear of people, and impatience. How it applies today: We can lose opportunities God intended for us if we continually refuse His voice. God’s calling is real, but our faithfulness determines how far we walk in it. Disobedience doesn’t remove God’s love, but it can remove certain assignments. This passage reminds us that talent, position, and appearance never replace obedience. It teaches us: God still looks for people after His heart. When Saul failed, God didn’t panic — He looked for someone whose heart matched His own. That principle is timeless. Today, God still looks for: People who value His presence more than their image People who obey even when it costs them People who repent quickly People who trust Him instead of rushing ahead People who care more about pleasing God than pleasing people David wasn’t perfect — but he was responsive to God. That’s what God honors. It reminds us: God replaces the unfaithful with the faithful Saul’s disobedience didn’t stop God’s plan — it simply meant God used someone else. Application today: If one person refuses God’s will, He will raise up another. God’s purposes for His people will always move forward. We should never assume our position is secure if our heart is drifting. This is both a warning and an encouragement: God’s plan doesn’t depend on perfect people — just willing ones. It calls us to examine our motives Saul’s outward actions looked religious, but his heart was fearful, proud, and self‑driven. Today, God still examines: Why we serve Why we give Why we worship Why we make decisions Why we want influence or leadership He weighs the heart, not the performance. It encourages us: God can raise you up if your heart is right David was unknown, overlooked, and young — but God saw his heart. Application: You don’t need a title for God to choose you. You don’t need people’s approval for God to promote you. God sees faithfulness in secret and rewards it openly. God can move you into places others disqualified themselves from. This passage is a reminder that God’s favor follows the heart, not the résumé. It challenges us: obedience is better than speed Saul’s downfall began because he couldn’t wait for God’s timing. Today: We rush decisions. We act out of pressure. We try to fix things ourselves. We move before God speaks. This passage calls us back to patient obedience. SUMMARY: 1 Samuel 13:13–14 teaches us: Obedience matters more than talent. God examines the heart, not the appearance. Disobedience can cost us assignments. God raises up those who honor Him. God’s plan continues even when people fail. A heart after God is still the most important qualification.
1 John 5:3 To love God means that we obey his commandments. Obeying his commandments isn’t difficult. 1 John 5:3 means that genuine love for God expresses itself through joyful obedience. John teaches that loving God is not just a feeling—it is shown by keeping His commandments, and for the believer, those commandments are not burdensome. John defines love in practical terms. Love for God is not merely emotion or talk—it is loyalty, devotion, and faithfulness expressed in action. Obedience is the evidence of love. Jesus taught the same: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Love and obedience are inseparable in Scripture. God’s commands feel heavy only to hearts that resist Him. For those born of God, His commands are life-giving, empowered by the Spirit, and aligned with the new nature. They are not oppressive, but freeing. Why God’s commands aren’t burdensome New birth changes desires — The believer delights in God’s law (Romans 7:22). The Spirit empowers obedience — We walk by the Spirit, not by sheer willpower (Galatians 5:16). Christ’s yoke is easy — Jesus Himself says His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Love transforms duty into joy — “Love feels no loads,” as one commentator puts it. John is combating false ideas that someone can “know God” while ignoring His commands. True believers: confess Christ, love God’s people, and obey God’s commands. Obedience is not how we earn salvation—it is the fruit of being born of God. If you truly love God, obedience becomes the natural expression of that love. When obedience feels heavy, it’s often a sign that: you’re trying to obey without relying on the Spirit, or your heart needs to be realigned with love for God.Love makes obedience light.
The Bible is overflowing with clear, direct commands to give thanks to God. Psalm 100:4 — Enter His gates with thanksgiving; give thanks and bless His name. Psalm 107:1 — Give thanks to the Lord because He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 92:1 — It is good to give thanks to the Lord and sing praises. Hebrews 13:15 — Continually offer a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of thankful lips. Psalm 69:30 — Magnify God with thanksgiving. Psalm 30:4 — Sing to Him; give thanks to His holy name. Philippians 4:6 — Present your requests to God with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 — Be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Psalm 136:26 — Give thanks to the God of heaven; His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 — Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. 1 Corinthians 15:57 — Thank God who gives us victory through Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14 — Thanks be to God who leads us in triumph. Colossians 3:17 — Whatever you do, do it in Jesus’ name, giving thanks. Psalm 9:1 — I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart. Psalm 107:8 — Thank the Lord for His steadfast love and wonderful works. Luke 17:15–16 — The healed man returned, fell at Jesus’ feet, and thanked Him. Summary: Giving thanks is God’s will for every believer. Thanksgiving is worship, not just a feeling. Gratitude should be continual, not occasional. We thank God for His goodness, mercy, salvation, deliverance, and daily provision. Thanksgiving strengthens faith, brings peace, and keeps your heart aligned with God. LET US BE SURE TO LIVE OUR LIFE GIVING GOD THANKS. OUR GOD IS WORTHY OF THANKS. Romans 1:21 warns that those who “did not praise and thank Him for being God” experienced spiritual darkness as a consequence.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.
ALLOW THIS WORD OF GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Ecclesiastes 3:1“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” God has appointed seasons for every part of your life — nothing is random. Habakkuk 2:3“Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” God’s promises arrive at the exact moment He intends — never early, never late. Psalm 31:15 “My times are in Your hand.” Your life, your future, your breakthrough — all held securely in God’s timing. Galatians 4:4 “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son…” Even the coming of Jesus happened at the exact moment God planned. Isaiah 60:22 “At the right time, I the Lord will make it happen.” God Himself guarantees the timing of what He has promised. Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord… and He shall strengthen your heart.” Waiting is not wasted — God strengthens you while you wait. Lamentations 3:25–26 “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him… It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait.” Waiting is part of God’s goodness toward you. Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time…” God fulfills impossible things at appointed times. What These Verses Teach About God’s Timing: God’s timing is intentional, not accidental. Delays are often development, not denial. Waiting is part of God’s training, not punishment. When God moves, it is perfect, complete, and right on time.
NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, TRUST GOD, AND WAIT ON GOD. GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, AND GOD WILL BE RIGHT ON TIME. ALL SHALL BE WELL.
