March Monthly - Kind, True, Necessary.

 

Chapter two is done! How's it going? Has your thought life improved? In the beginning I struggled a bit with this challenge, and ended up going the opposite direction. My thoughts got into my dreams and caused me some problems. However, as I got further along and asked someone to keep me accountable, my thought life took an about face and has been improving ever since.

Chapter three is here. With March comes the start of Spring and the time of new beginnings. As I think about spring, building up, and growing forward come to mind. The greatest way I know of to build up others is with our mouths. How often do you see someone continue through what seems an impossible feat, simply because someone encouraged them along the way? On the other hand, how many times have you seen someone fall apart because someone was constantly tearing them down? James 4:5 says, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things, Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" A fire can burn down and destroy, or it can warm and save. How will you use your fire? Maybe you have a tendency to gossip; you might be negative; perhaps you say a lot of unnecessary things; whatever your struggle is, now is the time to work on it. 

     Luke 6:45 says, "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." What are you putting into your heart? "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart: and they defile the man." (Mat.15:18) The best way to change what you say is to change what you think. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalm 119:9) Work on memorizing verses, try being more careful of the books you read and movies you watch, and maybe even stop hanging out with certain people: "Birds of a feather flock together." (English Proverb)  A great verse to use is Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Before you speak ask yourself, "Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?" If the answer to all three is yes, then say it. "But let your conversation be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." (Matthew 5:37) Unnecessary speech will only cause problems. As we head into this month, let's work on guarding what goes in and controlling what comes out. Take a hint from nature and make March a month of new beginnings.