Joe Bex, Realtor

😂

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today.... to figure out what's for dinner!

The Power of Life and Death

Think of a time you said something you regret, or were the target of undeserved gossip. Now, reflect on a situation where you encouraged a friend who was hurting, or felt the life-giving effects of someone else’s words.

Words matter. Your words matter. And God has given you the freedom to choose how you use them.

Are you using your words to tear down or build up? To provoke destruction or stimulate restoration? Do your words stir up drama or encourage peace?

“What you say flows from what is in your heart,” Jesus explained in Luke 6:45.

Fruit reveals the health of a tree, just as a tongue reveals what is happening in the heart.

Most of us want to use our words for good and not for harm. We don’t want to be unkind or critical. But James 3 tells us that the tongue is unstable and cannot seem to be tamed.

So, what can we do? Is there a way to control it?

Self-control is a fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us, which means we can’t manufacture controlling our tongues on our own. But, we do have a part to play in the process: we need to stick close to Jesus.

When we read His Word, seek His face, and walk in His ways (no matter how many times we mess up and have to begin again), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control begin to grow in our lives. The biblical term is abiding: staying, continuing, or remaining in Jesus’ presence.

As we abide with Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to curb the way we speak and change the way we act. When that happens, our words start to bring life and hope to the people around us.

So this week, how will you use your words to bring healing and hope to people? If this isn’t something you’re used to doing, it’s never too early to speak words that spark life.

Just in case you missed the clip…😉

Sponsored Content: Joe and Linda Bex With The Educators Group Powered By Keller Williams Sponsored Content: Joe and Linda Bex With The Educators Group Power...

We had a blast on Unscripted with Jeremy Rabe this morning!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL-k4UHBFUQ&list=PLoT-oGcp8_ufA2kAinUgIYzqL4PEeRhdr&index=2

From today’s word of the day…if you can take time to watch the video encouragement too I believe you’ll be blessed! (YouVersion Word of the day)

Be Blessed friends!

Pursue What Matters Most

In the book of Romans, Paul begs Christians to give their entire lives over to God because God sacrificed everything for them.

Jesus gave up His life so that we could experience His unending love and grace. We cheapen His gifts if we refuse to align our lives with the way Jesus lived. But we give our lives to God by making Him the one thing we pursue above anything else.

So here are 5 steps you can practice—right now—to help you put God first:

- Give Thanks
“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.”
Psalms 75:1 ESV

Right now, take a moment to thank God for what He’s already done for you. Reflect on His faithfulness, and recount the stories you have seen and heard of His wonderful power.

- Spend 5 Minutes in Silence
“Abide in me, and I in you.”
John 15:4 ESV

Abiding in Jesus starts with stillness. So right now, pause, take a deep breath, and give anything concerning you over to God. Spend 5 minutes centering your heart on the One who matters most.

- Remember Whose You Are
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

God loves you. The price He paid for you cost Him everything. So remind yourself of whose you are, and reflect on some of the things God says about you.

- Meditate on God’s Word
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
Psalms 119:97 ESV

One of the best ways to find out how Jesus wants you to live is by spending time in Scripture. As you do, ask God to speak to you through His Word about His will for you.

- Focus on What is Excellent
“…If there is any excellence … think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8 ESV

You have been given the mind of Christ. If you’re not sure what you should think about, try asking yourself: What is praiseworthy? What thoughts and actions would honor God? Make a list of whatever comes to mind, and pursue those things.

By practicing these steps every day, you can create habits that will help you pursue intimacy with God every day, and put Him first above everything else.

Promises of Comfort

One of the hardest truths to reconcile in the Christian life is the presence of evil in the world God created. Whether we’ve seen evil, or evil has been done to us, it is hard to make sense of why God would allow evil things to happen.

The truth is: the world we live in is broken. Because we have neglected God’s path for living, the world is not as it should be. But even though evil exists, God’s promise still remains: evil will not win. The brokenness of our world will not last forever.

The book of Revelation gives us an insight into the future of all things. While there are a lot of odd symbols and events in Revelation, there are also some very clear and hopeful pictures of what will happen.

One of the promises that we hold onto in dark times is in Revelation 21:4. God promises He will wipe away every tear—which means He will be our everlasting Comforter. He promises that in heaven there will be no death nor mourning, no crying nor pain.

While our temporary time on earth might be filled with pain and grief, we look forward to the future when we will join God in heaven and be free of death and decay. This truth should fill us with hope and endurance in the midst of pain and sorrow.

If you’re currently going through a difficult time, take some time to pray to God, and ask Him for help and courage. Ask Him to fill you with hope and endurance. Keep in mind His promises to make all things right in the end, and let that hope carry you forward as you follow after Him.

One last post from our Lake of the Ozarks getaway. This is Linda’s favorite place for brunch. She loves French toast. This time she ordered one made with bread pudding! 😋 Joe usually goes for something more savory so he got a lobster omelette. We were tempted to try the “bacon flight”😳…maybe next time! Such a unique and lovely eatery!

Bentley’s not disappoint! It’s been serving some of the best steak & seafood at Lake of the Ozarks for 50+ years. I’m not sure how we’ve never been before! The views and the service are also fantastic, making it a really special experience. Joe had the “Bentley”, their signature steak and Linda had scallops and shrimp. We didn’t pass up dessert, either, after all we were on vacation! Both the warm apple cobbler and the key lime pie were deliciously homemade. Don’t wait as long as we did to go!