Fill and Spill
You can’t pour anything out of an empty pitcher. An empty pitcher doesn’t fulfill its mission to slake thirst. Likewise, if we’re to accomplish our mission to win souls (Prov. 11:30), our personal pitcher, otherwise known as our heart, must be filled with the good news of the gospel of Jesus. We’re reminded in Matt. 12:34, “…the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” In James 3:10, we’re told, “…from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.”
Our hearts are never empty pitchers. There’s something in there that defines or defiles us. What does your heart say about you? If spouses and friends were surveyed, would you cringe from shame? Or would you thank God for all the time you’ve spent filling your heart with good things?
When God tapped Moses
to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses complained that he was not a good orator, I have never been eloquent…for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue. (Exo. 4:10). God was patient and asked Moses, “Who has made man’s mouth?” (v.11). Moses’ reluctance angered God, and God relented and gave him his brother, Aaron, as a mouthpiece. That didn’t turn out so well for Moses. When he returned from receiving the 10 commandments, Aaron had made a golden calf to be worshipped.
What’s in your pitcher today? Are you prepared by spending time in God’s Word? Have you “treasured God’s word in your heart, that you may not sin against Him”? (Ps. 119:11). Or do you spend 5 minutes reading a “thought for the day” and go your way to face the world unarmed? You do know that the devil is looking to devour you, don’t you? (1 Pet. 5:8). We’re told in the next verse to “resist him”. How can we do that if we’re not armed with our ONLY offensive weapon, the Word of God? When Jesus was tempted 3 times by Satan, each of His responses started with the phrase, “It is written” (John 4:4, 7, 10).
Today, let’s make sure
that when we open our mouths to share the gospel, what comes out gives grace to the hearer that the Holy Spirit can use to resurrect a dead soul. Thanks for reading.