At one time or another, we have all said things we later regretted. No one is immune to the foot-in-mouth disease. James wrote: "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2). The tongue is a dangerous thing when unbridled.

Paul warned against the misuse of the tongue when he wrote: "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another" (Colossians 3:8,9). Christians should not slander others, should not use profanities or vulgarities, and should not lie. In a positive way, what we say should be kind, pure and true! Every word we speak should be examined to make sure it passes this threefold test. Is it kind? It is pure? Is it true?

It is not only important that we say the right things, but that we say them in the right way. "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15: 1). When someone shouts at us, "I'm not angry!" we can be confident they are! That is why James also wrote: "...let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath" (James 1:19).

Three Beautiful Psalms
Daniel Denham

By themselves Psalms 22, 23, and 24 are literary masterpieces. The sweep of their individual messages, the beauty of their words, and the consolation of their advice would place them at the very front of literature, even if divine inspiration were never involved in their ultimate origin. The music that they bring to the human heart is incredible. But with the indisputable fact of their heavenly origin, their dolce tones are all the more pure and uplifting, and when taken together as a wonderful three part harmony, they form a sublime symphony heralding events in the life of the Messiah Himself!

I urge you to read each psalm carefully and separately at first. Then reread them one after the other in flow. In Psalm 22, we have the Suffering Savior, who--forsaken by God and man-will give Himself on the cross for sinners. The psalm is filled with allusions to the Lord's sufferings before and during the awful events at Calvary. Its words remind us that He indeed was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief' (Isa. 53:3). In Psalm 23, the beautiful Shepherd Psalm, we see the Good Shepherd (cf., John 10:7-18), and the provisions that He makes for His sheep. His care, comfort, and consolation is stressed throughout. In Psalm 24 we see the Reigning Sovereign, the Lord of glory triumphant in battle and ascended through the everlasting doors of heaven to reign at God's right hand as Daniel also prophesied (Dan. 7:13-14) and as the New Testament records (Acts 1:9-11; 2:29-36; Eph. 1:21-23)! The three together stress His sacrifice, service, and sovereign power. Each testifies of salvation provided in His death, perfected through His work despite His own suffering, and preserved by His victory over death. Together they speak of death, resurrection, and ascension-sorrow, comfort, and jubilation! Again, read them carefully and prayerfully alone, but then read them together and see if your appreciation for them is not all the more enhanced! These psalms by themselves would make David well-deserving of the appellation "the Sweet Singer of Israel": for the Spirit of God authored their melody and lyrics so unfailingly.

Mary Stephens, the mother of Alton Washington, passed away this past Monday. Her funeral services were held on Saturday in Lakeland. Brother Alton passed away a couple of weeks ago.

Elaine Marble a dear friend of Pansy and Mary Sims, passed away this past Thursday morning in Michigan. No arrangements were known at this printing.

Keep these families in your daily prayers.

YOUTH DEVO
The teen group is scheduled to meet this evening after the PM services for their monthly fellowship and devotional. See Matt Faneuf for details.

On the walls of a large university the following words are found: "on the plains of hesitation lie the blackened bones of countless millions, who, at the dawn of victory, sat down to rest, and resting, died!" in the Christian life, there is never time to rest on past attainments. "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end." (Heb. 3:14)