"SANCTIFICATION"

"Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon." (S.O.S. 4:11)

  Before I go any further, it is important to point out a couple of very special things happening today: the first of which is the prayer meeting that is taking place at 12:00ET in Washington D.C. that is being led by Franklin Graham; this is a very important moment in our nation, as there are lines being drawn between that which is good and that which is bad. Even the most dedicated Christian can be somehow deceived if they are not balanced in their spiritual life: the Word and the Spirit must both be what governs their life: both must be present, and the Word of God is the Foundation! If anything that is moving spiritually within a believer's life and it does not line-up with the Word of God, then whatever that might be, no matter how good it might appear, it is not the Holy Spirit that is making it happen or behind it; the Holy Spirit will always work in unison with and edify God's Word. And, as mentioned yesterday, the Word is none other than Jesus Christ! 

  Secondly, today is also the day that President Trump will be declaring his choice for the highest Court in the land; which will take place at 5:00ET. Whether you are pro-life or not, if you are a Christian you must be aware of something that is vitally important to God: He hates the killing of babies! This is not just an issue of a women's rights; this is altogether spiritual, and it is demonic; there are forces at work within the industry that have given over to the complete side of darkness, and to the control of the power of the devil. You can see it in the uncontrollable fantasticism of act and practice of abortion; whereas, it is not only a right, but it has become fantastic, and to some, a glorified offering to the god of this world.

  Okay, thank you for listening. Now, about this last verse in this part of the speakers admiration of his wonderful spouse: having seen that which went before, having looked at some of the perks of walking in the Spirit, we are completing this very interesting area with the mouth and the smell of the garments. What the heck! (No pun intended!) I had the chance to hear Pastor Mike speak about something yesterday, which had to do with cursing coming out of the mouth of a believer. This is more real and more prevalent than I think most of us realize. To be perfectly honest, sometimes I cannot believe that I can say some of the things that I say; when someone touches the right button, my head and butt become one, and bypass my heart! 

  James is pretty frank about this, use of the tongue thing; calling it for what it truly is, saying: "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessings and cursing. My brothren, these things ought not so to be." (James 3:9-10) If you had a little problem understanding that, let me give you the NLT interpretation: "Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" 

  I have this image of something you might see in a cartoon, as the character walks into the room all dressed in white, speaking blessings; all of the sudden, they turn, blowup, and shout out some profanity; walking out of the room, their white garments all covered in ash, with smoke still rising up around them. Seriously, this is a real thing! Hebrews 13:15 says, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Proverbs 16:24 says, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and heath to the bones." 

  Whether you can believe this or not, words do matter! Watch your mouth...

"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that I do." (Romans 7:14-15)