God's Word Stands Forever

These beautiful white lilacs are from my back yard.  The short season of this lovely fragrant flower reminds me of Isaiah 40:8.

The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.

 

Power in Our Words

  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth;
keep the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3 (KJV)

Have you ever spoken a thought?  You know…… when the words you were thinking came blurting out of your mouth without evaluating the impact they may have?  I’m sure we can all think of an occasion when we’ve done that. 

Have you ever been on the receiving end of hurtful words?  It’s not fun, is it?

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips. 
Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

We’re told in Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

James 3:3-7 talks specifically about the tongue, comparing and describing it as:
•    a small part of the body which makes great boasts
•    a bit in the mouth of horses, that can turn the whole animal
•    a very small rudder controlling a large ship in a strong wind
•    a small spark which can start a great forest fire
•    evil among the parts of the body
•    ability to corrupt the whole person
•    can set one’s whole course of life on fire
•    the tongue cannot be tamed (by mankind)
•    it is full of deadly poison


Once a word is spoken, it’s out there…there’s no taking it back. 

•    A single sentence to a teenager could drive them to an eating disorder.
•    Complaining about someone practicing an instrument can stifle their gift
•    Hasty words to your children can leave their little hearts wounded
•    Nagging words to your husband may cause him to not want to be home
•    Spreading gossip, or unverified stories can ruin friendships, & damage reputations
•    Lying words cause people to distrust you

If unkind or gossipy words easily flow from our mouths, perhaps the underlying cause needs to be re-evaluated.  Often the people we are the closest to, see our true colors. 

There is power in our words ~ lots of power.


How much better it would be if we use our words to:   
HELP, not hurt;
ENCOURAGE, not discourage;
LOVE,  not hate;
BUILD UP, not tear down;
SOOTHE, not sting.


Do you remember the poem, Children Learn What They Live by Dorothy Law Nolte?  Here are a few excerpts from that:

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
Thanks so much for subscribing to this via email or following another way.   If you are not currently subscribed via email and would like to be, you can do so by clicking on the link :   Little Birdie Blessings by Email

This post is linked to:  Women Helping Women, Whimsical Wednesday,

Free Patriotic Vintage Images

Now the Lord is the Spirit;
and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17

It seems hard to believe that the 4th of July is right around the corner.  I thought it was time to give you some free 4th of July vintage images.  I hope you enjoy them.   ~ Abby

This post is linked to Anything Blue Friday,

Scripture Thursday ~ Remedy for Distraction, Discouragement, Depression

My friend Natalie, is a guest here today with a devotion on what she calls the 3 D’s.  She shares with us, a biblical perspective on Distractions, Discouragement and Depression.  Natalie lives in California with her husband who is a pastor, is active in women’s ministry, an avid papercrafter, and loves spending time with her grandchildren.   She has been a guest here before.  Thanks Natalie, for sharing with us again.

In her words:

Distractions, which are often times disappointments and frustrations….
can lead to discouragement….which can lead to depression.

Sometimes the skirmishes with the “3-D’s” come frequently, which is exactly why it’s important to stay focused on Jesus.  Stand guard!

1 Peter 5:8 says Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Dwelling on the past can be a distraction, as can destructive habits such as:

Negative thinking (of ourselves and others)
pride
dependence on – pills, food, alcohol, people, anything other than God
No stick-to-it-ism

Sometimes we get so distracted with disappointments we look right past God’s grace. Some of God’s answers are no, but there is always a reason.  Don’t be distracted by the no, but rejoice in God’s grace!

I think we are all guilty of NEGATIVE THINKING from time to time and this leads to DEPRESSION. The battle ground is in the mind and so we must be “mind-ful” of that.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.  Isaiah 26:3

Pride is ugly!!  C.S. Lewis wrote (Mere Christianity) There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine they are guilty themselves.

Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Romans 12:16

We have a constant choice as to whom we “yield our members.” Will we yield them to God and His Will or will we yield them to “self” to do our own will? It’s our willpower – moment by moment – that determines whose life will be lived in our souls.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  Romans 6:12-13

We are called to “endure hardships as a good soldier”, we truly are in a battle, a spiritual warfare that rages on during our life. Whoever said the Christian life was an easy one was living in another dimension! The difference is that we have Christ at the center of our battle.  If He is in the center of our lives, he will be giving us peace, joy and His overwhelming love in the midst of that warfare.

Don’t give up because you are in the midst of a heated battle, the Captain of the Lord’s army is standing with you. He has your back (He is the hedge/wall around you) ENDURE!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Ephesians 6:10-11

God has all the love, all the wisdom and definitely all the power we need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. However to be cleansed and pleasing to Him we must make right choices to be a clean vessel so that we can live and glorify Him.

What is the remedy for the 3-D’s?

God’s Word & Promises (The Bible)

Prayer & Praise

Endurance  (Hebrews 10:23-25)

STAY FOCUSED & INFORMED (2 Corinthians 2:11, 10:3-6)

From remedy to the victory! The battle is the Lord’s and He never loses.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14




Thank you so much Natalie for guest posting here again at Little Birdie Blessings.  If you'd like to see her previous guest post, you can find it **here**.    If this has encouraged or helped you, please leave her a note here in the comments, visit her blog, or if you're receiving this via email you can reply to this message.  The scripture graphics in this post were photographed and designed by me, and are free for personal use or sharing.   Click on each for a larger size, right click and save to your computer.  Feel free to "pin".  ~ Abby

Note Card Party at Vees

Each month, my friend Vee from A Haven For Vee, hosts a note card party.   To participate, she asks that we post four photos that have previously appeared on our blog - photos that would make nice note cards.    So.. here are four of mine that I like, in no particular order.  Enjoy!!  ~ Abby ~

 

 

This post is linked to:  Whatever you Want Wednesday, A Haven for Vee

Study the Word

For the word of God is living and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

compliments of What Joy is Mine

I came across this little book pictured below, in our attic.  The name inscribed in it belongs to someone in my husband’s family.  It is titled How to Read and Study the Bible, by F.B. Meyer and D.L. Moody.

There are dainty white roses on the cover with a pink background, long faded away.   The cover is scuffed, scratched, and worn.  The book probably has little or no monetary value.  However, the words inside the book, written more than 100 years ago, are timeless gems of wisdom still today.  

I can’t stress enough the importance of being in the Word of God on a daily basis.  I know my life is fuller because of it, and I want you to experience the same.  

If you missed last week’s post, you can find it here:  God’s Letters to Us.   We speak to God through prayer; God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible.  If we don’t read it, we’re ignoring His letters to us; and we won’t know His will for our lives. 

Here are some excerpts from this little book of wisdom that I found:

There is no time for Bible study like the early morning.  For we cannot give such undivided attention to the holy thoughts that glisten like diamonds on its pages after we have opened our letters, glanced through the paper, and joined in the prattle of the breakfast table.  The manna had to be gathered before the dew was off and the sun was up; otherwise it melted. 

 Let the whole Bible be your study; because “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable.”  Even the rocky places shall gush with water springs.  The most barren chapters shall blossom as the rose. 

Let us never forget that the Bible is one Book; the work of one Infinite Spirit, speaking through Prophet and Priest, Shepherd and King.  Let the Bible be its own dictionary, its own interpreter, its own best commentary. 

It is like a vast buried city, in which every turn of the spade reveals some new marvel, whilst passages branch off in every direction calling for exploration.  

Do not read the Bible for others, for class or congregation; but for yourself.  Bring all its rays to a focus on your own heart. 

Let not the Bible be to you simply as a history, a treatise, or a poem, but as your Father’s letter to yourself. 


The advantages of a deep knowledge of the Bible are more than can be numbered here. 

It is the Storehouse of the Promises.  It is the Sword of the Spirit.  It is the all-sufficient Equipment for Christian usefulness.  It is the believer’s Guidebook and Directory in all possible circumstances.

I hope the words here have encouraged you to get into your Bibles.  If you don't have one, you can visit 10 Resources to Obtain a Bible. 

I am currently doing a study on the book of James.  Additionally, I'm using a Bible Study book by Beth Moore, Living Beyond Yourself (Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit).   Would love to hear what you're studying at this time.   Thanks so much for visiting here.  Please know that all the comments you leave are read, treasured, and appreciated. 

This post is linked to: Monday's Musings, Word Art Wednesday, Hearts 4 Home, Encourage One Another,  Hope in Every Season, Free Pretty Things for You,

Pink Birthday Freebies

I said a Birthday Prayer for you -
And I asked the Lord above
To keep you safely in his care
And enfold you in his love -
I did not ask for fortune,
For riches or for fame,
I only asked for blessings
In the Savior's Holy name -
Blessings to surround you
In times of trial and stress,
And inner joy
To fill your heart
With Peace and Happiness.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

I attended a "Hello Kitty" 3 year old birthday party this weekend for my grand-daughter.  A wonderful time was had by all and she was very excited helping her mother plan the cake.  

My friend Lisa had a birthday and loves the color pink, I decided to make a card for her using one of the graphics I'd previously made.  Here's how her card came out.  

You can find the bleeding heart graphic that is pictured on the card above, **here**. 

Here's one more vintage birthday postcard freebie for you.  

Hope you have enjoyed this pink birthday post.  Have a wonderful day. 

This post is linked to:  Whatever you Want Wednesday, Pink Saturday,
Word Art Wednesday, 

Scripture Thursday ~ God's Letters to Us

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

I’ve heard it said and I’m sure you have too, the key to any personal relationship is communication.    If my husband went away for a year and regularly sent me letters, I’d be excited to open them and see what he had to say.  I’d want to respond as soon as I could. 

However, if I received the letters and tied them up in a pretty bow without opening, I'd be missing the important things he had to tell me. 

We speak to God through prayer; God answers us through His word. The Bible is God’s letters to us. If we only pray, and never read the Bible, it’s as if we’re putting all of God’s personal letters to us inside a pretty ribbon.

For those who put their trust in God, reading His Word is essential to knowing God’s will for our lives.  The Holy Spirit speaks to us as we read, revealing new truths to us every time. 

The more we read, the more we retain.  Repetitiveness is key, and whether or not we realize it, information is being absorbed.  Stored away in our brain, like a library, that surprisingly is recalled when needed.

When we think there are times that we’re too busy to read the Bible, and spend time with God… look at the wise words of Missionary and author, Elisabeth Elliott:

One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.

I’ll close today with the words of Evangelist D.L. Moody and his perspective on reading the Bible.  You can hear the enthusiasm for God’s word in Moody’s writing:

The Bible is one book  that you can never finish with. It is like a bottomless well; you can always find fresh truth gushing forth from its pages.  The flowers of God's garden bloom not only double, but sevenfold; they are continually pouring forth fresh fragrance.  I thank God there is a height in the Book that I have never been able to reach, a depth that I have never been able to fathom.
Evangelist D.L. Moody,   (1837-1899)

I’m going to be continuing this theme  for a bit as I feel it’s so important to all of us.   Thank you so much for all your comments and emails.  They all are read and treasured.  

Thanks to my dear friend Denise who allowed me to bring my camera into her lovely home for these pictures. 

Thanks Graphics Fairy for the bundle of letters used in this post. 

This post is linked to:  Make it Pretty Monday, Monday's Musings,

Free Nautical Vintage Postcards

Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters,
They see the works of the Lord,
And His wonders in the deep.
Psalm 107:23-24

Rejoice ye with singing who trust in the Lord:
Go tell His salvation with happy accord;
He saith in His mercy to you and to me,
"Your sins shall be cast into the depths of the sea."

Into the sea, Calvary’s sea,
His love is an ocean, so boundless and free;
Into the sea, Calvary’s sea,
Our sins shall be cast into the depths of the sea.
~ Eliza Hewitt ~
1908

I hope you enjoy these vintage nautical postcards.  The words above by Eliza Hewitt, is actually a hymn titled Into the Depths of the Sea  which you can find **here**

Here are a couple more nautical shell souvenir postcards.  Click on the image for the largest size, right click, and save to your computer.

Thanks for visiting, I hope you have a wonderful week. 

This post is linked to:  Anything Blue Friday,

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