Bulletin Weatherin the Storm Disabling Its Origin Proverbs 18:6-7 (NIV) 6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. Luke 6:45 (NIV) 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. That there is a storm coming is a certainty. With every storm, though, there is an origin, the condition that caused it to gain energy and a force for destruction. This is the time of year when hurricanes form in the ocean to the East of our mainland. Low pressure over warm water causes moist air to rise, forming the circular winds of great speed and power. Many people have recently been devastated by these storms that have assaulted our coasts. Some have successfully weathered these storms, while others have succumbed to their destruction. How good it would be, though, if, somehow, the origin of the storm could be affected before it had a chance to gain strength? If the heat that caused it to rise from the ocean could be dissipated, couldn’t the storms’ strength be reduced and rendered ineffective? There are storms that inevitably come our way from a source that is beyond our influence. We have little ability to effect whether or not they rise in strength. There are many tempests, though, that are the result of word-created heat that rises with a destructive force to devastate and destroy. For those who have acquired a new heart-treasure in Christ, there is an opportunity for that wealth to disable the storm’s force. As its abundance in the heart is given place in the mouth, any possibility of a foolish consequence for heat generating energy is displaced with cooling and peaceful communication of mercy and grace. Where there might have otherwise been a great deal of damage, there is only rejoicing in the goodness and mercy of God. The walk of love in the power of the Spirit will render the storm powerless at the time of its origin. Notes Disabled Origin Word created storms Power of words Proverbs 18:20-21 (AMPC) 20 A man's [ moral ] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [ whether good or evil ]. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [ for death or life ]. Whether intentional or not - consequences Matthew 12:36-37 (AMPC) 36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. Fool – one who unknowingly brings about their own demise Proverbs 18:6-7 (NIV) 6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. Heart words – affected actions Psalms 53:1-2(NIV) 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Mindless/shameless Jeremiah 8:12 (NIV) 12 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says the LORD. The tongue - a powerful originator James 3:2-12 TPT [2] We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we're able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed. [3] Horses have bits and bridles in their mouths so that we can control and guide their large body. 4] And the same with mighty ships, though they are massive and driven by fierce winds, yet they are steered by a tiny rudder at the direction of the person at the helm. 5] And so the tongue is a small part of the body yet it carries great power! Just think of how a small flame can set a huge forest ablaze. 6] And the tongue is a fire! It can be compared to the sum total of wickedness and is the most dangerous part of our human body. It corrupts the entire body and is a hellish flame! It releases a fire that can burn throughout the course of human existence. 7] For every wild animal on earth including birds, creeping reptiles, and creatures of the sea and land have all been overpowered and tamed by humans, 8] but the tongue is not able to be tamed. It's a fickle, unrestrained evil that spews out words full of toxic poison! 9] We use our tongue to praise God our Father and then turn around and curse a person who was made in his very image! 10] Out of the same mouth we pour out words of praise one minute and curses the next. My brothers and sister, this should never be! 11-12] Would you look for olives hanging on a fig tree or go to pick figs from a grapevine? Is it possible that fresh and bitter water can flow out of the same spring? So neither can a bitter spring produce fresh water. Ignorance of originating storm Malachi 3:13-15 (NIV) 13 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the LORD. "Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.'" Disabling the source Communicating with each other in God’s presence Malachi 3:16-18 16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. 17 “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, "they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Preventing a storm’s rising – by guarding Proverbs 13:3 TPT [3] Guard your words and you'll guard your life, but if you don't control your tongue, it will ruin everything. Power of forgiveness and mercy Proverbs 19:11 TPT [11] A wise person demonstrates patience, for mercy means holding your tongue. When you are insulted, be quick to forgive and forget it, for you are virtuous when you overlook an offense. Storing up good things Luke 6:45 (NIV) 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Breathe the experience of God’s presence through His Word Psalm 119:130-131 TPT [130] Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans. 131] I open my mouth and inhale the word of God because I crave the revelation of your commands.