Bible Reading March 3rd through March 16th

Hey there GEMS!
What a great night we had last evening! It is so good to be back in the Word with Lisa leading. Here is our Bible Reading for the next two weeks! Enjoy!

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:38

Thursday - March 3rd
2 Timothy 1:7
In order to change our old ways, we must have the Holy Spirit's help. This verse assures us that God gives us love, the power to change and the ability to use self-control over our words. We are not on our own!

Friday - March 4th
Proverbs 15:1
God's Word teaches us about the right use of our words...choose a kind and gentle word over a harsh one. You might have harsh thoughts, but use the self-control of the Holy Spirit to speak gentle words.

Saturday - March 5th
Proverbs 26:20-21
Gossip - another destructive fire we can fuel with our words. The Bible is clear - do not gossip. You might be in a situation where gossip is going on - God asks His daughters to put that fire out by not joining in.

Sunday - March 6th
Ephesians 5:3-4 and Colossians 3:8-9
I love how practical the Word of God is. If you read it, there is no doubt about how God wants us to use our mouths. The growth comes from hearing/reading the Word - and then asking the Holy Spirit for the power to obey. When we do, our lives grow in love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Monday - March 7th
Psalm 50:16-20
Here is yet another look at the kinds of things that people do with their mouths that God detests. If we take part in these activities, we are no different from people who do not believe in God. Being a Christian should make us show a difference in the way we speak and treat our friends and family. Do you treat your family with verbal respect?

Tuesday - March 8th
Romans 12:14 1 Peter 3:9 Matthew 5:44
How do you react when someone attacks you with their words? Maybe they are spreading lies about you...maybe they are getting loud in your face. How do you respond? What do these verses teach us about what God expects? (By the way, these aren't the only places in the Bible that speak about this concept!)

Wednesday - March 9th
1 Corinthians 3:3
Just one verse today - but I want you to really reflect on this. When people listen to you talk, can they tell you are different from the rest of the world - from non-Christians? Do you hold back from gossip, from cussing, from ridiculous, out of control yelling? Do you choose gentle words, positive words? Can the world tell you are different...or do you blend right in?

Thursday - March 10th
Psalm 16:7-9
Last week, we looked at what the Bible says we should not do with our mouths. This week, we'll look at wonderfully positive things that God wants us to do with our mouths!

Friday - March 11th
Psalm 30
Look at all the different things the psalmist does with his words: called out to the Lord, called for help, sing, praise, said, "I will never be shaken", cried for mercy, give thanks to the Lord. Good, good stuff...a much better use of our mouth than some of the destructive stuff we do...just sayin'!

Saturday - March 12th
Psalms 51
I want to challenge you to verbally speak this Psalm out loud today to God. As you read, make this your prayer. There will be certain verses that mean more to you than others. Pray that verse, then let that be a prayer starter for you with God. Use your tongue to speak God's Word out loud to Him - it's really cool.

Sunday - March 13th
Psalm 71
A psalm of praise to God - to bless Him for being there for you. Especially look at verse 8. Let this guide you today - be so intentional about thinking about God that your mouth is filled with praise for God - the splendor of the way He is working in your life. If you're having a bad day, look around at creation...that is beautiful all the time regardless of our circumstances...and praise Him for that beauty.

Monday - March 14th
Acts 2:26
As your heart is filled with gladness because you are being intentional about living for God, your tongue will speak gentle, loving words. When you are training your mind, heart and mouth to speak in a Godly way - you find that your body finds itself in better situations. Our lives are transformed in ways we can not imagine...

Tuesday - March 15th
Matthew 15:11-20 and Luke 6:43-45
Most importantly - what does Jesus say about how we use our mouths? This is a great passage in which He is very clear - whatever you have stored up in your heart is what is going to come out of your mouth. If you find yourself frustrated or embarrassed about the words that come out of your mouth - PRAY PRAY PRAY and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the power to be more like Christ!

Wednesday - March 16th
Ephesians 4:20-32
GREAT passage. As a Christian, you are constantly growing away from the "old" way you did things and going toward the "new" things you are taught - like at GEMS and church and small group. Verse 26 is sometimes a tough one to live out, "Don't go to bed angry." Really focus on verse 29...listen to what you say today and ask yourself, "Did my words build people up - or tear people down?" Let God lead. If you think you shouldn't say something...that's the Holy Spirit telling you "shhhhhh" :o)

See you tonight!!!!