more words

Words.
Yesterday a co-worker sent out a Web address link to the question, "What words, phrases do journalists use?" Something the public would have no knowledge of its meaning.

I thought of the word "dateline."
Dateline has nothing to do with the date, but rather the town of origin within a point of reference.

Words everywhere. Their meanings without understanding unless you have knowledge of that particular arena of study.

When you don't know, don't understand, you make up things, or don't care.

The Bible and knowledge thereof is often like that, especially among the many who have no understanding of God or Jesus.

Head knowledge is one thing. Heart knowledge is something else.

In Matthew 13: 3a - 8, Jesus tells us of the sower.
"Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the (1) wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.

Some fell on (2) stony places, where they did not have much earth, and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.

And some fell among (3) thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.

But others fell on (4) good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

In verses 19 - 23, Jesus explains.
(1) "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.

(2) But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

(3) Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

(4) But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

My thinking on each of these points:
(1) As the word of God is preached to the masses, some hear, but because they do not understand, others come along, perhaps you have considered them friends, and convince you what you have heard is worthless, effectively taking away what the Lord has planted in your heart.
(2) The word is preached, you hear, you receive, but you have not cultivated what you have. You have not joined a Bible-believing church, you have not engaged yourself in a Bible study with others. Therefore when troubles and trials come, you are at a loss, you don't know what to do, where to turn.
(3) Living in and of the world consumes more of you than living in and of the word of God.
(4) The word is preached, it is received, accepted, cultivated through Bible study alone and with other believers, worship, Christian fellowship, obedience to God's commandments, and your spiritual growth continues.

Words. Just words. Letters come together to form words that form thoughts. What words will you use today?

words

Words.
Sunday I came across this verse in 2 Timothy 2: 14 -- "Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers."

I thought some more ... about words.

In 2 Timothy chapters 1 and 2, the Scriptures tell us to "be diligent ... rightly dividing the word of truth, but shun profane and vain babblings," to "hold fast the pattern of sound words," ... "the word of God is not chained."

Words ...
the written word
the spoken word
the word of truth
and lies
the word
God's Holy Word
an obituary
a news article
an imaginary story
a life

There is much to say about words
Every day everyone says or writes something. Perhaps useful, perhaps not. Perhaps an encouragement to another. Perhaps a painful reminder.

Words. What do your words say? Where do your words take you?

Perhaps you will take time to think before that next word comes out of your mouth or is written down.