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Published by joexiques1, 2015-11-30 10:43:48

Maidens of the Master - Issue 13: Words

Our Words
Issue 13 - nter 2015
....Dear readers,
Our words are powerful. We speak thou-
sands of them each day, and sometimes take little thought when choosing each one, ig- noring the great impact our words can have on others.
I pray you will be blessed, encouraged and inspired by this issue of Maidens of the Master, focusing on our speech. Many thanks to those of you who invested time and energy to make this issue happen!
Love in Christ, Bethany
CONTENTS Death or Life, p3
Let the Words of My -----?, p4
More Than a False Witness, p6
Recipes, p8
Encouraging Our Children - Mom’s Article, p9
Cover Design: Iceberg Design Proofreading: Mrs. Deborah X. Photos: Wallpaperswide.com


Every day we use words to com- municate with others. Words may seem like such little things but they can have a big impact on others. Our words will either encourage others or discour- age them.
Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be gracious, sea- soned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
The Bible has told us here how our words are to be.gra- cious and seasoned with salt. A key word here is “always”. Our words are to be kind and loving all the time - not just when ev- erything is going smoothly but also when things are rough.
How easy it is to let our words loose when di culties arise, siblings are arguing, the little ones are fussing, someone is annoying you, etc.
It’s the little disturbances that we need to guard against. If we are unkind with our words
in the little things we shouldn’t think that we will be kind with our words in the big things.
In Ephesians 4:29 it says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as ts the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Paul knew the importance of kind words. Our words are not to tear down others but instead build them up.
Proverbs 15:1 shows us the contrast of a soft word and a harsh one: “A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
There is a well known saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” How very untrue is that saying. Words most de - nitely can hurt us and others. That is why we must constantly be guarding our words.
David’s prayer was, “Let the
words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be ac- ceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” His prayer needs to be our prayer.
In Proverbs 18:21 we are told, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Our words give death or they give life. A kind word can give life and encouragement to oth- ers; an unkind word can give death and discouragement to others.
What do your words give to oth- ers? Are you giving life with your words, or death?
In James chapter three we are told the importance of guarding our tongue and how we must daily strive after watching it.
In the Psalms it says “Set a watch, O Lord, over my mouth, keep the door of my lips.” I pray that you are daily striving to glo- rify God and give life to others with your words.
Death or Life
Carissa P. is a sixteen year old girl and the middle child of seven. She has many inter- ests which include participating in the Bible Bee, grammar, reading and singing. But above all, she is seeking to serve God.


Let the Words of My -------?
In a world of words – from phone conversations to emails, texting to video chats, blogs to social media, and...oh yes, face to face conversations – we use more words than humanity ever has. Sure, they may be ab- breviations or shorthand, but they’re still words, and they still have incredible impact.
We have to guard ourselves in the words of our tongue, but also in the words that we type, regardless of the medium.
I’m always afraid that when someone’s joking around in re- sponding to a text, that they’ll accidentally send it, to their own (or my) morti cation! It’s amazing how easily that “send” button can be bumped, and- “Oops...”
Even without meaning it, some- times we send messages that don’t make any sense, either due to a spelling or grammar error, or just lack of coherency of mind when we sent it.
Unfortunately, those messages
that say something we didn’t mean still get sent, and some- times we don’t realize how in- correct it was until a confused (or upset) response comes back.
Immediate arrival of messages is amazingly convenient, but can be dangerous if we don’t make sure we wrote what we meant to write.
Whatever we say should be encouraging.
In situations where we have ac- cidentally o ended someone, it’s best to just acknowledge the mistake, not try to rationalize it.
I read an interesting blog post the other day, which talked about the danger of posting in a heated online debate.
It can be awfully hard to com- pletely erase any shred of evi- dence that you posted some- thing, once it’s online, and in the midst of heated arguments between bloggers or friends on Facebook, we can get car- ried away and post things that are NOT Christ-like (to say the least).
Our words can totally change a person’s day (or life), as I’ll dis- cuss in a minute, so whatever we say should be encouraging, not demeaning or unkind.
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” (1 Peter 3:10)
Some people, like myself, can totally read-into very simple sentences and make them much more complicated than they were originally intended to be.
This adds another aspect of caution we should use when
Bethany X. is sixteen years old and lives in the state of Florida as a daughter and a sister of two brothers. She enjoys reading, writing, singing, sewing, playing piano and violin, rearranging hymns, memorizing Scripture, and editing Maidens of the Master.


communicating, which is to keep ourselves from being misunder- stood.
When I have a leisurely, face-to- face conversation with a friend, we are both right there the en- tire time. Although that’s an ob- vious fact, it makes communi- cation much simpler, because if I say something that doesn’t make sense, I am there to cor- rect it.
If my friend says something that I nd slightly o ensive, I could repeat what I heard and ask if that was what my friend was in- tending to say, which is probably not at all the case. This makes would-be con icts into laughter as my friend realizes that some- thing came out wrong.
However, internet and text com- munication makes this a bit more di cult, because if I re- ceive what seems to be an of- fensive comment by email or text, I could just let it sit in my inbox for awhile, become upset at the person, and then return with a sharp reply, which the re- ceiver could be hurt by.
It’s a double warning: to subjec- tive people like me, to not read into things so diligently, and to everyday communicators, to be careful that what you send is re- ally what you mean to send.
That said, it’s also extremely dif- cult to retract something said, once written and sent.
I was listening to a podcast once that encouraged people not to immediately respond to o en- sive emails in anger or criticism.
Instead, sleep on it and in the morning ask the Lord for guid- ance on how to write something in kindness and forgiveness.
This podcast also mentioned that we have to be careful of how we use ALL CAPS and bolds and underlines, because that can communicate an extra level of emphasis, maybe more than what we really mean!
It’s important that we cherish our relationships with others, and the way we use our words is key to doing that e ectively.
It’s amazing how much impact our words can have. Sometimes an email or note from a friend with a word of encouragement can totally brighten my day. It makes me excited about serving others and makes me so thank- ful to have dear friends.
I’ve heard some people say that one sentence said to them once when they were young changed the course of their life; it gave them the drive to do great things and live up to that one sentence said about them.
At the same time, words can be devastating. We have to be cautious that we aren’t critical of others or discouraging them from attempting to do some-
thing simply because their at- tempt is not perfect.
Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no cor- rupt communication proceed out of your mouth: but that which is good to the use of edi- fying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
If something I say or write makes someone else feel worth- less or unimportant, I’m doing something wrong! Whatever my words communicate should make them feel loved, appreci- ated, and important to me.
Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the medita- tion of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
May we always remember that our words are to be acceptable in the sight of our omniscient God – whether the words are from our mouths or our ngers.
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom.


More than a False Witness
Notes from a sermon by Neil Barham
Exodus 20:16 says: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
“These [are] the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; ex- ecute the judgement of truth and peace in your gates.” Zech- ariah 8:16.
Truth leads to justice, truth brings peace; it uncovers crimes and gives justice to men. We must concern ourselves with justice and truth, for it will bring peace to our country. You need either fear or truth to con- trol a civilization—and God pre- fers the truth.
If your neighbor is guilty of a crime, expose him. But when you do this, do it quietly and do not rejoice because of it. Pur- sue truth, the preservation of peace; don’t “tell on him” as a talebearer, who “tells” to hurt. Don’t have your goal be to “get him”, but rather to restore to
him to repentance.
Even if you disagree with some- one, you do not need to be dis- agreeable! Give the bene t of the doubt when you are told something bad about a friend.
Truth leads to justice, truth brings peace.
We need to love each other enough to discuss problems without being afraid that it’ll end a friendship. Also, don’t use a loved one’s sin as an op- portunity to shame him or her in public. Put it away quietly, as the righteous Joseph was plan- ning to do when he thought his
ancee, Mary, had committed a—serious—sin.
“Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I [am] the Lord.” Le- viticus 19:16.
The ninth commandment also forbids gossiping. Both the gos- sip and false witness are sel sh; they want to put down others so that they put themselves up (i.e. look better, feel good about themselves, etc.). You cannot “preserve the name of your neighbor” with that attitude!
As you look through the Scrip- tures, you can see that most sins involve the tongue.
“These six [things] doth the Lord hate: yea, seven [are] an abomi- nation unto Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imagina-
Erica L. is twenty-one years old and lives in South Florida with her parents and six sib- lings. She especially enjoys lmmaking, acting, reading, and writing. She regularly updates her blog which you can visit at walfamily.net/Eclectic_Heights.


tions, feet that can be swift in running to mischief, a false wit- ness [that] speaketh lies, and he that sows discord among breth- ren.” Proverbs 6:16-19.
Notice that three of these abom- inations are “a lying tongue”, “a false witness”, and “he that sows discord”—sins of the tongue; “wicked imaginations” of the heart can also lead to verbal sin. We need to stay away from these!
“Lying lips [are] abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.” Prov- erbs 12:22.
Abominations are not a mi- nor problem. The word doesn’t mean “hate”, “loath”, or even “de- spise”. It’s actually on par with the words obscenity and anath- ema, neither of which are to be taken lightly! Conversely, “they that deal truly” are a delight to God.
“A false witness shall not be un- punished, and [he that] spea- keth lies shall perish.” Proverbs 19:9.
“Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that ta- keth His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7.
When you lie under oath, you are actually putting a lie in God’s mouth, as if it were the truth. You break the third command- ment, as well as the ninth. (See how all the commandments are all intertwined, so that if you break one, you actually break them all!)
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatso- ever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37.
We are to stay away from deceit, lies, etc.; they are the works of Satan. When we lie, even when it’s not under oath, we are
speaking the language of Satan, the Father of Lies.
“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34.
You cannot love truth and lies.
You may feel discouraged over the “do’s and don’ts” of the Ten Commandments. They are there to show us what it takes to be perfect—and to show us that it is impossible for us to be perfect ourselves. Jesus is the only way.
In order to be puri ed, you must die and be born again. There is nothing we can do to cleanse ourselves—we must run to Je- sus.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
God’s love
When the heart full of
God’s word,
can draw on the mind full of
timely blessings ow from the mouth. -John Piper


Recipes
Apple peAr CAke
2 cups shredded peeled tart apple 2 cups shredded peeled pears
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups canola oil
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped pecans
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt
In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Combine dry ingredients and stir into fruit mixture.
Pour into a greased 9”x13” baking pan. Bake at 325 for one hour or until a tooth- pick inserted near the center comes out clean.
-submitted by bethany X
GrAnolA
5 1/2 cups oats
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup wheat germ
3/4 cup ground nuts (if desired)
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup rapadura (healthier alternative to brown sugar)
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. salt
Mix together dry ingredients in a large bowl. Separately mix wet ingredients in a small bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix well.
Spread on a large cookie sheet and bake for 45 minutes at 250 degrees. Stir and bake for 10 more minutes. This granola is really delicious by itself, but you can also eat it with yogurt + fruit.
(We store the granola in a large airtight jar. You can also freeze the granola to eat later.)
-submitted by elizabeth a


Encouraging Our Children
Imagine a nine-year-old boy rac- ing with his older brother and sister to see who can get to the door rst. As the three race to the goal, the younger boy slips and falls.
Fortunately, his knees are ne. Unfortunately, his jeans didnʼt fare as well. To make matters worse, they are his best jeans! When I see him, I can see that he is distressed! He tells me that he fell and then shows me the tear.
Inwardly I sigh as I think about buying this growing boy another pair of jeans, but by Godʼs grace, I swallow the critical words and encourage him with “at least your knee is ne!”
As a mother of ten children, I make daily choices to build up or tear down my children. Whether you are a mother or perhaps an older sister, we all have people in our lives over whom we have in uence.
There are constant choices we make of criticism versus encour-
agement. So much of it begins with my attitude.
Do I see my children as clay in my ngers; being shaped min- ute by minute by my words? Do I understand the importance of speaking blessings in the lives of my children?
The Scriptures have much to say about the power of words.
Proverbs 18:2121 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 13:3 “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Speaking encouraging words is certainly not a strength in my life, but praise God, for these words in II Corinthians 12:9: “And he said unto me, My grace is su -
cient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
God has been at work in this area of my life. So it is from my weakness and His strength that I share the following admonition.
One of the most powerful ways I have found to bless my chil- dren is to speak it over them in prayer.
My favorite “generic” blessing is Numbers 6:24 “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.”
If I forget to pray this over them at night when tucking them in bed, they will remind me to “pray a blessing, mommy”.
You can add character qualities as in “Lord, bless Elizabeth with a willingness to serve others” or a Scripture like Proverbs 31:26: “May the law of kindness be on your lips, Rebecca”.
A second way of blessing is by intentional conversation. This
Mrs. Becky B. is a homeschooling wife and mother of ten who loves to encourage others to seek
rst the Kingdom of God. Some of her favorite moments are spent going on dates with her husband, reading aloud to the younger children, nurturing her gardens, singing hymns around the piano with the family, and going on walks with her girls.


could be over a special lunch date at a restaurant, a picnic at the park, an ice-cream at the lo- cal ice-cream shoppe, a special tea date in your dining room, or a walk along a quiet road.
A third way of blessing is by choosing positive words rather than negative words.
In the case of my nine-year-old son putting a hole in his best jeans, I could have said, “Now I have to buy another pair of jeans for you. Why canʼt you be more careful? You know
you shouldnʼt run in your best jeans!”
A blessing can also be said through a sweet note or en- couraging letter. This is a great way to mention character growth, a kind deed done to a sibling, or a job well done.
Finally, a very powerful form of encouraging your children is by paying them a compliment in front of their siblings. This truly is a way to get “more bang for your buck”.
The child will be inspired not only by your words but also be- cause someone else heard it.
We need to encourage our chil- dren because of the life long e ect it has on them, but most importantly, we need to bless our children because it glori es God.
Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Speak the things which are tting for sound doctrine. write
We are currently seeking more writers to join our team of MM contributors, and we’d love for you to sign up to contribute to the magazine!
Contributions by young ladies can be sent to info@maidensofthemaster. com. Mothers are also welcome to join the rotation of godly women to write the mother-article in each issue.
Contribution guidelines can be found at our website, MaidensoftheMaster. com/Contribute.


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