The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "THE WORDS OF OUR MOUTHS" for Wednesday, 18 May 2016 with Scripture James 3:1-12

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "THE WORDS OF OUR MOUTHS" for Wednesday, 18 May 2016 with Scripture James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely. 2 For we all stumble in many ways; if someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who can bridle his whole body. 3 If we put a bit into a horse’s mouth to make it obey us, we control its whole body as well. 4 And think of a ship — although it is huge and is driven by strong winds, yet the pilot can steer it wherever he wants with just a small rudder. 5 So too the tongue is a tiny part of the body, yet it boasts great things. See how a little fire sets a whole forest ablaze! 6 Yes, the tongue is a fire, a world of wickedness. The tongue is so placed in our body that it defiles every part of it, setting ablaze the whole of our life; and it is set on fire by Gei-Hinnom itself. 7 For people have tamed and continue to tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures; 8 but the tongue no one can tame — it is an unstable and evil thing, full of death-dealing poison! 9 With it we bless Adonai, the Father; and with it we curse people, who were made in the image of God.[James 3:9 Genesis 1:26–27] 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing! Brothers, it isn’t right for things to be this way. 11 A spring doesn’t send both fresh and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers? or a grapevine, figs? Neither does salt water produce fresh.
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“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.”[James 3:10 (NRSV)]
As a child, I struggled with reading and spelling—until I met my eighth-grade teacher, Mrs. G. Just before a spelling test one day, Mrs. G pulled me aside. “I wonder if you would be more comfortable spelling your words out loud while you help me decorate this bulletin board.”
A few minutes later Mrs. G. said, “You’ve answered them all correctly, even the ones you weren’t supposed to know!” Always a poor student, I was amazed. Had I really done that well?
Mrs. G’s compassion and sensitivity encouraged me and showed me I could succeed. In many ways she told me that she believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. No wonder the Bible reminds us that our words have the power to bless as well as curse! My life was truly blessed by Mrs. G’s loving words.
With God’s help each of us can live out Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
Read more from the author, here.
"More from Ramona Furst"
I like to read mysteries and decided I could try to do some sleuthing on my own to see if I could locate Mrs. G., the former teacher I mention in today's meditation. "Am I being unrealistic," I wondered, "to think I can locate her after all these years?" I began by contacting the local school board office and the local library in the city we had lived in during the late 60's. Each time I heard a disappointing, "I'm sorry I can't help you." I also checked with my older sister, but she could only remember the name of the school I had attended. I prayed God would somehow provide a breakthrough for me.
The clue was found by a Reference Librarian who volunteered her time to help me by going through old telephone directories and newspaper clippings. With her help, we narrowed the choice down to one a possible telephone number. I tried the number, but there was no answer. I left a message explaining the reason for my call and waited for almost a week before I received a reply by way of an email.

As I waited, I thought about the men and women who had been significant role models during my childhood and adolescent years and as I entered adulthood. Some of them helped me grow spiritually as a Christian and to keep God a priority in my life beginning at a very young age. Others inspired me to be passionate about reading and encouraged me to pursue my interest in writing. If Mrs. G. was no longer living, I still wanted someone in her family to know she had touched my life in a profound way.
"Who am I kidding?" I thought as I headed for bed one evening. "I need a miracle."
Something made me go back to the office and log onto the computer. As I checked for any new messages, I read the subject line of one email. "I am Mrs. G's youngest son." With tears in my eyes I read his note and responded to his message and told him about the short devotional I had written. I asked if he had a photograph of her that he would be willing to share with me and possibly use online for The Upper Room. A few minutes after midnight I got a reply and a photograph.

I was saddened to learn that Mrs. G. is no longer alive, but I think she would smile and be happy if she knew that I have joined three writers' organizations to help me become a better writer. And when I get discouraged and face writer's block, her words from long ago, "I know you could do it!", still help me to persevere.[Ramona Furst]
The Author: Ramona Furst (Ontario, Canada)
Thought for the Day: “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV).
Prayer: Help us, O God, to speak words of kindness and compassion. Make us sensitive to those who need to hear your love from our lips. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Prayer focus: STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE IN SCHOOL

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