Philippians 2:5-11 King James Version (KJV)

⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 53 King James Version (KJV)

53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

¹² Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145: 18).

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”   Psalm 46:1

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  That’s where my help comes from.”  Psalm 121:1-2

‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 50:15.

Words by Ineke

James 3:2-10 (KJV)

² For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

³ Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

⁴ Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

⁷ For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

⁸ But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 

Matthew 12:36-37 (KJV)

³⁶ But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

³⁷ For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. 

Proverbs 18:21a  (KJV)

 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue …”

 There is no doubt about the power words have to either build up or tear another down.

Perhaps you are able to recall an occasion where someone’s words have made you feel on top of the world and you could achieve anything; you could probably recall the events surrounding that experience – perhaps they were encouraging words from a teacher, parent or friend.  Years later those words may still inspire positive, life affirming emotions.

Have you ever noticed how a young child blossoms when encouraged or praised, they don’t give up but try all the harder to achieve goals.

On the other hand you may recall with dismay words that have been far from encouraging- unkind taunts from school ground bullies perhaps, criticism from peers, angry exchanges which leave you feeling devastated and distraught.  Years later those words can still cause pain, in fact studies have shown how negative messages can have lifelong influences on a person’s self esteem.

I recall a colleague who had a very traumatic experience with a manager which left her shattered and she related some very negative remarks which were made during the confrontation. Those remarks hindered reconciliation for many years and even though the situation was resolved sufficiently to enable both parties to continue working together, distrust and bitterness lingered affecting not only themselves but all those around them for a long time.

The Bible places huge importance on our words and the effects they have; there are over 125 passages relating to this subject and almost every chapter of Proverbs has something to say about the tongue.

Small wonder then that we are urged to be careful how we speak and what we say and to be mindful of the impact our words may have on others

Let’s pray for a godly purpose in our interactions with people – to build up, not tear down, to praise, not criticize, to bless and not curse.

Proverbs 16:24 (KJV) “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones”

Who Is My Neighbour?

²⁵ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? ²⁶ He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? ²⁷ And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. ²⁸ And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

²⁹ But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? ³⁰ And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. ³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, ³⁴ and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. ³⁶ Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? ³⁷ And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:25 – 37 KJV.