September

“Yes, each one of us will have to give a personal account to God. So don’t condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian’s path.”

Romans 14: 12-13  NLT

“OH—-MY—GOODNESS!”  There was no denying their existence. They were definitely there, dancing right before my eyes, parading their in-your-face” presence for the entire world to behold.  On a very sleepy Monday morning, my eyes were suddenly shocked and assaulted from every angle, with each pore, freckle, blemish, wrinkle, crease, crow’s feet, sags & bags, dark spots, smudges, shadows, red splotches, and any other imperfection, too numerous to even mention.  Yes, I was standing in front of a dazzlingly illuminated magnifying make-up mirror, receiving at that moment, a more-than-heaping dose of reality. My face was having a party, and all those little imperfections were thrilled to be there!

It would be difficult to give an accurate account of all the bumps and craters that there was to behold.  But the Bible also states in Matthew 12:36 that “…you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.” Those ugly words that can so easily slip from between our lips, will be revealed, and we will be asked to give an account of them. The covers will be pulled on all of our words of anger, gossip, lies, jealousy, hate, and prejudice, and will be “illuminated” before Almighty God, as we stand ashamed and offer our feeble excuses, that will fall lamely at our feet. Taken with the same diligence as a multi-vitamin, Psalm 141:3 should serve as a daily reminder to us all:  “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed.”

Let Our Words Glorify the Lord,

Carl & Bonnie Friedrich