A Little Less Talk...

For the past two years, I have been struggling with something that has (I am sure) been a part of my life as long as I would care to remember: lack of follow-through.

Don't get me wrong, professionally I do a decent job (my bosses at least seem to think so) of doing what I say I will do, and accomplishing my tasks.  On the personal side of things, I fail miserably.  I will say something and then fail to back it up, or offer no proof or evidence of my statement's validity.

I have a friend who does not mince words.  Whenever someone tells her they will do something, she always replies, "Don't tell me, show me."

That may seem a bit harsh, but the message is clear: actions speak louder than words.

Words are easy.  Words are free.  But how often do we really measure the cost of what we say we will do.  We need to stop talking and start doing.  A little less talk, and a lot more action.

The apostle John basically tells us this in one of his epistles:

1 John 3:18 (KJV)

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

When I was researching this verse and studying it out some, I came across this entry from the Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871).  The commentary authors quote St. Jerome (347-420) and his biography of the apostle John:

"When the venerable John could no longer walk to the meetings of the Church but was borne thither by his disciples, he always uttered the same address to the Church; he reminded them of that one commandment which he had received from Christ Himself, as comprising all the rest, and forming the distinction of the new covenant, "My little children, love one another." When the brethren present, wearied of hearing the same thing so often, asked why he always repeated the same thing, he replied, "Because it is the commandment of the Lord, and if this one thing be attained, it is enough" [St. Jerome On Illustrious Men]."

 The J-F-B Commentary is in the public domain, and available in its entirety online.

"If this one thing be attained, it is enough."

The apostle John, the apostle Jesus "loved," understood.  And not to be blasphemous, but the Beatles did too, "All you need is love."

If we can figure out how to love (not just say it, but DO IT), imagine where we could be.

Lord, teach me to love as You loved, through action and not just words.

Rejoice and be glad.

The POWER of our words

I am not looking to cheat my way through a post, but this is a very powerful message (and yes, that is the guy from Bones).  I was introduced to this video when visiting EP (Exalted Patriarch-my father) recently, and it fits into the obvious lesson God has for me these days.  At least that seems to be the theme running all over me (which probably means it is a lesson I need to hear!).



Couldn't we all use a little validation? In fact, shouldn't we all be validating others?

What does the Bible say about our words? (All verses KJV)

Proverbs 18:21 

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

 Matthew 12:35-37

"A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

Ephesians 4:29

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Psalm 19:14

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

I could go on and on. Are you seeing a theme here? Do the right thing.