Upward Not Inward

Is it Wednesday already? I am so glad to be Into the Word with Falen & Laura at Upward Not Inward. Those gals have a great link up every Wednesday where we tell what the Word has been saying to us during the week.

This week I read a scripture that really hit home for me. I have learned so much, the past few years, about friendship. I have learned about what kinds of people I want to be friends with. And what kind of friend I want to be. This verse really spoke to me in a powerful way. It confirmed everything I already knew:

Psalms 22:24-25

Make no friendship with an angry man.

And with a furious man, do not go.

Lest you learn his ways,

And set a snare for your soul.

You see, I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by good friends. These are people who are happy, loving, & genuinely concerned for me. And I likewise, love & care about them, too. It’s so easy to get caught up in judgmental, dramatic, angry, people. This verse reminds me, it is poison for the soul. Thank you, Lord, for this sweet reminder.

This is the first time I am participating in “Into the Word Wednesday”. To Falen & Laura from the Upward Not Inward blog: please accept my apologies off the front end if I end up with the craziest post ever! I have been reading these posts for some time now. I decided a week or two ago that I would give this a shot! You can go to their awesome blog by going to http://www.upwardnotinward.blogspot.com

I have been recently reading through Proverbs & now am in Ecclesiastes. One of the things I want to share this week is about how relevant these two books are, even now. I have been so delightfully encouraged about what the book of Proverbs says about controlling our mouths. I will admit I need to hear these verses, just as much as anyone.

Proverbs 26:20
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out: And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

Proverbs 6:16
These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood.
18 A heart the devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among the brethren.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Proverbs 12: 18
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

These are just some of the verses that have spoken volumes to me. The moral to this story is, Yes, yes I can keep my mouth shut & it’s ok. It’s pretty much what God wants. I don’t have to comment on everything. I don’t have to have my ears open to gossip. I don’t have to pass judgment on someone else. I don’t have to keep the fire stoked with unkindness & bitterness. Proverbs is a wonderful reminder of what it takes to be moral & righteous. If you haven’t read over it in a while or at all, you should take time to read it. This book in the old testament is sure not to disappoint.

I hope my thoughts today have blessed you in some way. Go on over to Upward Not Inward & link up to Into the Word Wednesday. It is a wonderful link up where we tell what we have learned & what has inspired us, as we have been “into the word.” I hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday. Thanks for stopping by & visiting with me. I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes!