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January 31, 2009
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Can't Keep Your Mouth Shut?, by Alan Smith
"The Arizona Republic" reported this story (so I'm assuming this story
really is true!):
As Terry Mikel was speeding toward Tucson, he passed a car, an
unmarked Arizona Highway Patrol car. The officer pulled Terry over.
When Terry explained that he was late for a class he was teaching
at the University of Arizona, the officer took pity on him and let
him off with a warning. Before he went back to his car he said,
"Slow down and drive safe."
Terry felt obligated to correct him. "Excuse me, Sir, but it should
be 'Slow down and drive safely.' You said, 'Drive safe.'"
The officer walked back to his car and wrote him a $72 speeding
ticket.
That's not an excuse!
We can't do it, can we? We just can't seem to keep our mouths shut!
Looking back, we know we shouldn't have said a word, but at the time we
felt so compelled to speak.
Maybe you didn't get a ticket as a result, but you've done something
just as foolish, haven't you? Maybe even this morning, before reading
this message. Maybe even before leaving your house! James was so right
when he wrote:
If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also
to bridle the whole body ... For every kind of beast and bird, of
reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by
mankind. But no man can tame the tongue (James 3:2-8 NKJV).
That's not an excuse, incidentally, to let our tongues run wild.
Rather, it's a challenge. As hard as it may be to control our tongues,
it is essential that we as Christians strive to do just that. We stand
to lose more than $72 if we fail to do so. As Solomon said:
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide
his lips shall have destruction (Proverbs 13:3).
Lord, we truly want to use our tongues to Your glory this day. As
difficult as it may be, help us to guard our mouths as we resist the
temptation to speak at those times when we ought to keep quiet. In
Jesus' name, amen.
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We apologize for listing Tom Norvell as the author of yesterday's
article, "Air Traffic Controller" which was actually written by Mike
Barres.
---------
(c) 2009 Alan Smith <alansmith.servant@gmail.com>. Used by
permission. This devotional was reprinted from Thought for the
Day <http://www.TFTD-online.com>.
RELATED LINKS:
* Wildfires!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200604/20060406_wildfires.html
* Keep Your Mouth Shut
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200404/20040430_mouthshut.html
* The Staying Power of Our Words
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200709/20070901_wordstayingpower.html
* Thought for the Day
http://www.TFTD-online.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200901/20090131_mouthshut.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
TOTAL FORGIVENESS, REVISED AND UPDATED, by R.T. Kendall
Holding a grudge? Experience all of God's blessings when you pardon
others completely! Using examples from the life of Joseph and new
testimonies from those whose lives have been transformed, Kendall helps
you understand the consequences not forgiving.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
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