Turn to Christ First Christian

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

I realize that this Bible verse is about God keeping my mouth shut, rather than saying inappropriate, rude or hurtful things. I do need that, but I also need the literal meaning of this same verse.

My dad called and was telling me that he had really bad heartburn. I talked to him about ringing the buzzer on his bed to get a nurse, so he can request something for the heartburn. He didn't want to do that. I talked to him about my calling the nurse's station to request that they bring Dad something for his heartburn, but he told me not to. I asked several more times, because he sometimes changes his mind a little later, but he always told me no. Then, he told me that the heartburn pains radiate into his heart. I told them that I wanted to call the nurse's station, so they could get a doctor to see him, but he told me no again, several times.

After that call, I was watching TV with my husband. I had what I call the munchies. At first, I was going to get the frozen pecans, but realized I could possibly down a whole bag of them which would end up being tons of fat. Instead, I decided on the low-fat, low-salt, low-calorie popcorn I have. It may have had lots less calories and fat, but I downed almost the whole bag. It felt like I couldn't stop eating it, nor did I want to. When I realized there was almost nothing left in the bag, I said a quick prayer asking God to help me and He did. Trying to be prayerful about this, I tried to figure out why I couldn't stop and why I didn't want to. It turns out that I was really stressed about the heartburn pains my dad was having that radiate to his heart and that he wouldn't let me call the nurse's station. I felt so helpless. Instead, if I weren't hiding my feelings and stress by munching on popcorn, I should have turned these feelings over to Christ, who would have calmed me and gotten me through these feelings without wreaking havoc on my body. I need to be a Turn to Christ First Christian, and let Him heal me rather than hiding behind a bag of popcorn. Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Political Christian

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Proverbs 1:33

Sometimes I get concerned, because I feel that some politicians have realized that they can get a big block of votes by being a Political Christian. Some of these people take on similar views as those of a particular Christian belief, working those people to milk them for their votes.

Some of these politicians utilize fear to manipulate the viewer/listener to vote for them or a particular bill. When this seems to be rampant in the media, I sometimes find myself getting caught up in that fear they are trying to perpetuate to milk votes. There was a time where I would have eaten myself silly, because of the fear that was encouraged by strategic sharing of politicians.

Fortunately for me, Christ reminds me of this passage and other related passages that calm me in the midst of this fear mongering. Sure the world isn't perfect and we have things that we need to change. Instead of letting my fear guide me and my voting, I need to be more mindful of trusting that Christ will take care of me and get me through what lies ahead. In doing so, I need to make sure that I am voting for the politician that is most aligned with what Christ would want us to do for the poor, the infirm, the homeless, the depressed, and oppressed throughout the world and not be guided by fear from those who are trying to milk my vote.


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Slow Learner Christian

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:6-7

I needed to have a personal conversation with a family member and fretted over what I should say. There have been times where I have avoided conversations like this by eating into oblivion. Fortunately for me, Christ has shown me in the past, when I turn these concerns over into His very capable hands, He takes care of the situation much better than I had ever imagined.

I kept waking up in the night trying to plan what I would say, only to be reminded that I should put it in Christ's capable hands. This must have happened six or seven times. Sometimes I'm a Slow Learner Christian. When I woke up, I prayed that God guide what I said and the timing for talking to this person, because God always knows the Big Picture and knows what that person needs to hear.

Fortunately, I listened. Instead of rehashing all the previous discussion to clarify things like I had planned during the night, I just moved forward without addressing the past. It was wonderful. The conversation was positive and developed a better basis for communication in the future. I am so truly blessed that Christ takes pity on Slow Learner Christians like me.


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

A Cheeky Christian

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:28-29

God's timing is always impeccable. This passage is more for me than anyone else, but I hope it helps others, as well. Last night, I was trying to measure the kitchen for new flooring. My husband has one method of measuring and I had another. Of course, I figured my way was right!

In the midst of a call with a family member, I tried to measure the room with the tape measure, which was turning this way and that. My husband commented that he was concerned that I might harm his good metal tape measure and said something sarcastic back.

The person at the other end of the phone heard my less than gracious reply and commented. That person hadn't heard what had been said prior to that. Instead of eating about it afterwards like I would have in the past, I was prayerful about the situation and the comment. I realized that it didn't matter what was said to me prior to my response. I am still supposed to be a good example of being a Christian, even when I have a difference of opinion with someone else. I feel embarrassed that a family member heard my cheeky reply. I don't want to be a Cheeky Christian, because I want to be a better role model of my Christian ethics. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:28-29


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.