A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (June 24, 2015)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)
I spent last Sunday afternoon watching the US Open Golf Tournament. What an outstanding tournament for all you golf enthusiasts. So many story lines for the top contenders. Jason Day playing with major physical ailments. Dustin Johnson, who had come so close in several major tournaments before just to lose several times at the last minute. The Texas kid prodigy Jordan Spieth (21 years old) that had already won this year’s Masters. It went back and forth and back and forth until the last minute when Johnson missed two puts on the last hole to give the win to the kid Jordan Spieth.
Besides being a very entertaining and competitive tournament, it was a great teaching lesson if you were listening closely to the commentators. This was a brand new course for the US Open Championship and the greens were not in premier condition like some of the old manicured courses that the pros are accustomed to. One pro said putting on these greens was like putting on broccoli.
There was a lot of criticism by some of the pros. When Jack Nicklaus was asked about his take on all this I want you to listen to his very wise response. He said when he played major tournaments he could tell immediately, by listening to the comments in the locker room, who was not going to win. If he heard a pro being critical or demeaning toward the course he would automatically write that pro off as one he did not have to worry about. They had already lost before they ever started! Just think about that. Do we do that in our business or personal life? Could it be that is the very thing that is holding us back?
The Bible talks a lot about the words that come out of our mouth. In our carnal nature, we always want to blame someone else for our failures. I kid with my wife all the time when I mess up and tell her there must be some way I can blame you for this. Never works!
Do you remember the story in Number 13-14 about the spies that were sent to spy out the land. Do you remember their reports? Two brought back a good report and the rest brought back a bad report. God was not pleased with the bad reports! But God, you don’t understand! There are giants in that land! No spies, you don’t understand! I have already given it to you! You just have to believe, stay positive, and go in and possess it!
There was a critical place in my former secular management career where I caught myself griping about conditions and management. I can remember going back to my hometown one weekend and visiting an old hangout that I frequented in my wild days. It was like walking into the past. The same people were still there. Still complaining! Still getting drunk! Still stuck! I had my own Jack Nicklaus experience right there. I knew I had to quit griping and complaining and get myself in a position to make the necessary changes myself and that decision began a road to success. I never went back to that old hangout again. You may want to make some similar changes.
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Matthew 15:11)
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45)
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. (Proverbs 6:2)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
(Psalm 1:3)
