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Editors note: This is part of the devotional I had with the Lord this morning of July 22, 05 that I wanted to share with you all! If these can be used as Bible study guides, feel free to use them.

Quiet Times (Psalm 52, Proverbs 22, and Mark 6:21-25)

If you must choose, take a good name rather than great riches; for to be held in loving esteem is better than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1, NIV)

^“Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom. She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." (Mark 6:21-25, NIV)

Observations:

I asked myself what I learned about King Herod from these verses.

On his birthday, Herod gave a banquet for his high officials, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herod and his dinner guests were pleased with the daughter of Herodias when she came in and danced for them.
Herod told her that she could have anything she asks for and it will be hers.
Herod wanted her to know he was serious so he promised her with an oath.
Herod was willing to give half his kingdom.

I asked myself the significance of Herod’s actions.

It became very significant because his actions were what caused the death of John the Baptist who he decided to protect. Herod was so pleased with the daughter of Herodias’ dance that he did not act with good judgment. First of all he should have anticipated that his step daughter would go to her mom to find out what she wanted. He should have remembered the protection he was giving John the Baptist which his wife did not want John the Baptist to have. Instead, he acted hastily.

I asked myself the significance of Herodias daughter's actions?

It is interesting that Herodias' daughter acted hastily too. She did not want Herod to wait but wanted her prize right away. This is evidenced by her hurrying back with the request. Herod’s act of the tongue created a sad ripple effect.

“At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: ‘I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’” (Mark 6:25, NIV)

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life. I need to always think before I act. Sometimes it is so easy for me to act first and think later. By then, the damage is already done.

I know because I have been there. This past Independence Day, America celebrated another year of Independence. I like to think of it as Freedom Day in Christ. Anyway the Lord has given us freedom and free will to act. The way we act though can determine a lot of things. There will be times we act in a way that we cannot take it back no matter how much we want that act to be erased. The act can just be with words like Herod did. Herod could not take back what he offered the daughter of Herodias and I realized I could not take back 90 minutes of words I had said to a friend.

Sometimes we can mean well and say things but when they are not thought through and are stated abruptly, we only put ourselves in a jam. I put myself in a jam that night. It is because of the words of my mouth.

There are many times we can think through things theoretically, hypothetically, and figuratively, but until we are faced with the decisions of our words or actions, we do not realize no matter how good or polite we have been, it just takes one spark of negativity to take away from what you want to protect in love or just protect.

Herod wanted to protect John the Baptist but failed because of using the tongue to pronounce an edict to Herodias’ daughter without thinking through the ramifications. No human being died because of my words but a situation died down at that time because of the words of my mouth. I wish it did not happen but it did.

Sometimes we can mess up badly and still the Lord by His grace can work through a situation and bring a dead situation back to life. At other times, we have to face the consequences of our actions but I know the Lord will give us the strength to endure through it and help us to move on if He chooses not to intervene in the situation.

Sometimes the Lord does not intervene if we make a decision but is not up to us to try to understand the ways of the Lord always. His ways are His ways yet blessed be the Name of the Lord. It would have been nice for John the Baptist to have been spared after Herod’s hasty edict but it did not happen for a reason. This does not mean the Lord is not Sovereign and not in control. He still is but allowed it to happen.

So, this tells me if I am not careful with what I say or do, sometimes things will go awry and the Lord can allow it to happen. One reason can be to teach a lesson and another to experience the ramifications for our benefit so it does not continue.

I wish I could turn back the hands of time to that night after the fireworks when I was speaking over the phone but it did not happen. However, the Lord did not abandon me through the days. Instead, Jesus has helped me learn from my mistakes.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Sometimes when we are taken by surprise as Herod was or shocked as I was, we let our guard down and say things we would not have said if we really thought through it and the ramifications. Of course, we may think they are actually going to see things our way and the situation can be settled. Life is never like that because humanity can always do things that are unpredictable. Only the Lord knows our inside out completely. No human being will ever know us as the Lord knows us.

This means if we are not careful we will put ourselves in a precarious position as King Herod did. King Herods’ actions cost the life of someone he really admired and cared listening to. Our actions can do that too if we are not careful. It may not be physical death but there are other kinds of deaths to think about such as a spiritual or even relational death. King Herod lost on all three accounts with John the Baptist. John the Baptist died physically, Herod was not able to get spiritual insights from John the Baptist anymore, and their relationship was severed too.

Why? Because of the Menacing Mouth!

I ask you now dear friend, what comes out of your mouth?

Dear friend, your mouth can be a difference between life and death. The Bible says that people have died for saying the wrong thing. Death does not have to just be physical but it can be relational and spiritual too. It comes down to the mouth, spoken through the tongue. I am going to focus on the tongue for the most part.

A lot of relationships break down because of the act of the tongue. Many marriages are shattered because of the act of the tongue. Family relations breakdown, friendships break down, and also opposite gender relations break down because of the act of the tongue. The tongue is like a flame of fire that can destroy people’s lives when it is untamed. You cannot turn back the hands of time once the fire starts and begins to destroy people emotionally, spiritually, relationally, etc unless the other person is so full of forgiveness and can look past the hurt. Still, people scar and it takes time for wounds to heal because of the venom of the tongue.

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18, NIV)

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4, NIV)

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” (Proverbs 21:23, NIV)

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” (James 1:26, NIV)

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6, NIV)

^“But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” (James 3:8-10, NIV)

Sadly, that happens a lot because humanity is so consumed with self that the tongue is not trained to look past the self. If the tongue is hopeless then there will only be dismay but there is Good News, for the tongue can be tamed with the help of the Holy Spirit. When the tongue is tamed, it can encourage and build people up. When the tongue builds people up there is life whether it be in a one-one relationship or a community relationship.

You can be the one to build people up with your words and encouragement no matter what you see or hear around you. You can tame your tongue with the help of Jesus Christ who will be there for you. You can be the one to bring hope to someone who is hurting and healing to someone who needs hope as you depend on Jesus to be your Counselor.

I know I need Jesus’ help always 24-7 to be careful what I say and do not say. Sometimes not saying something can hurt someone too. The key is Jesus Christ for you and me to tame the tongue.

No matter what has happened, there is grace in Jesus Christ. You may feel things already got out of control because of your tongue and it is hopeless for you. Friend, it is never hopeless. You may have lost a war with your tongue but you will win the battle. When there is no one to blame but yourself and your memories have no mercy, there is still forgiveness and love available in the wonderful arms of the Savior.

What humanity has broken apart, the Lord can fix it back together. It may not be what we would expect! Whatever the result, know that you are loved and cared for.

For the Lord knows the plans, He has for you and they are plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Yes, friend! Jesus is there for you and will forgive all that you have done.

You do not have to live in the mistakes of the past but you can turn to Jesus who can turn lives around fast. You will have peace at last as you bask in the love of Jesus that is so vast!

If you are able to right the wrongs that you have done because of your untamed tongue, then you should fix things. If you are unable to because of things outside your control, you can still fix it. Tell the Lord what you would have wanted to tell that person and believe the Lord will handle the situation. Whatever the outcome, the Lord is on your side and with Him you can ride! Amen!

May you know whatever has happened you can confess Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior aloud with your tongue and bring all your confessions before Him for His healing and restoration in your life!

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lordand that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” (Acts 3:19-20, NIV)

“But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:8-10, NIV)

“Messiah Offers Understanding Truth, Healing!” (M.O.U.T.H)/”What comes out of your mouth?”

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we are sorry when we have been hasty and said things to people we should not have said. Lord please forgive us when we have used our tongue to hurt others. What we do may not cause the death of someone like what happened Herod caused but it can still scar people and wound them deeply. Forgive us Lord and help us to speak the Truth in love when others need to hear something even if it hurts them because it is for their own good. Help us to use our tongue for your honor and glory and not for selfish reasons. I know I have been guilty of saying things that I regret. I need your healing and forgiveness Lord and also the opportunity to ask for forgiveness of those that I may have hurt. Help me please Jesus and meet us please where we are at. We need your help to tame the tongue so we can build and encourage people rather than tearing them down. Thank you so much Jesus for your help. Thank you for dying for our sins and coming back to life to save us. We thank you for forgiving us for what we have done and your forgiveness is more than 70*7. Thank you so much Jesus. We acknowledge you as our Lord and Personal Savior. We pray right now for the one who is wounded badly and has scars because of emotional abuse, verbal abuse, etc from a parent, guardian, or even those they expected to be their friends. Come and heal them Oh Lord and cover their wounds with your awesome love so they can find healing in you and you alone. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and answering us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have done and messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me unconditionally for who I am. I thank you Jesus. I accept you Jesus into my heart. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart. Thanks for forgiving me of all my sins. Thanks for giving me a new identity in you. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus through the days, we can do things together. Thanks for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

(You can start your Christian adventure by reading the Gospel of John)

Friend you may feel something or may not feeling anything but do not go by your feelings. When you ask Jesus to come into your life, He will and does. He will take over from here as you depend on the Lord and let Him work in you and through you! This is exciting friend! May each one that came to know Jesus be filled with His Holy Spirit forever more and those that know Jesus come to know Him more and more! Amen!

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

P.S.. If you need someone to talk to, pray with, or have a Bible study, you can email me at reddy4HisGlory2004@yahoo.com and we can set up a time that is convenient for you! You can also call me at 412-720-4579