Welcome to Wisdom Today with Bill Kelley.  Today we will be going over Proverb 26.  I will then key in on verses 20-22:  Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.  As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.  The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.  These three verse talk about how we should never partake in gossip.  If we do not begin gossip, or join in any gossip (of any kind) and no wood is added to the fire, the fire (gossip) will eventually go out.  Please purpose in your heart never to be part of gossip - a good rule of thumb is if the person is not present (and cannot defend themselves) do not speak about them.  I will then go over one of my favorite stories in the Bible - when Jesus falls asleep inside the boat and the storm comes.  I will read each of the accounts: (Matthew 8: verses 23-27; Mark 4:  verses 35-41; and Luke 8: verses 22-25) and tell you why I like Mark's account of this story the best.  First of all, his is the only account that asks the question - "Lord, do you not care?"  This question is only found in the Bible twice (the other being in Luke 10:40).  2nd, Mark's account of this story is the only one (of the three accounts) where Jesus speaks to the storm and says: "Peace, be still!"  I always like to project the importance of our words and the power that they have.  3rd.  Each of the gospels has a difference for of faith that is being appropriated.  In Luke's gospel it asks, "Where is your faith?"  In Mathew's gospel it says: "Why are you fearful, O You of little faith?" - but in Mark's account it asks: "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have NO faith?"  That is a rather audacious question.  Those are the three reasons why I favor Mark's account of this story (and will be the one I cite when I share this story in the future.  Three things I believe that we can learn from this story is: 1.  He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7); 2. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31: 6 and Hebrews 13:5); and 3.  He now lives in you (I will read John's gospel Chapter 14: verses 15-20 and remind people that God and Jesus both live in us and, since Jesus rose into Heaven on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit now resides in us as well.  That should give us great comfort.  If we have any issues in our lives that are causing us problems (of any kind), all we have to do is ask for help and He (They) will hear us!

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