Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Face It Without Fear

Good Morning!! Although today's verse is speaking of every kind of trial or testing through which we may pass, it certainly includes, and applies to, temptations toward sin. We may feel as though we're the only one who battles with wicked thoughts, or who struggles with despair, or who wrestles with unbelief,...but the truth is; there is no temptation we face, that has not been successfully overcome by others.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

And this success is no accident,...God is faithful, throughout our life, to keep us from facing temptations that are beyond our strength. If He allows a temptation into your life,...He will certainly make a way to escape unscathed from its clutches. So, my fellow believers, bear up under the temptation you are facing. Look, not to its deceitful promises, but to the way of escape that is there for you.

It is not beyond our ability, with God,...the victory is already ours.

 Holy Spirit, remind us that we need not every fear any trial, temptation or sin,...because Jesus has overcome them all.
We have been set free,...now and forever. Amen.

"If we engage with fools, we run the risk of becoming as foolish as they are." 

Monday, July 30, 2012

Where Do You Go, First?

Good Morning!! Don't put your confidence in other people; put your trust in God, where it will never be disappointed. What an appropriate reminder as we make any decision, whether small or large! We have such a tremendous temptation to put our confidence in man, don't we? Whether it is a doctor who is giving us a diagnosis and treatment schedule, or an employer who is helping to mold our career track, or psychologist who is telling us how to raise our children,...we have a tendency, by nature, to run to the "experts" with our questions and problems.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.Psalm 118:8 (NIV)

But God says our first and great resort must always be Him. What does His Word say about child-rearing? Where does His Word say your aspirations should be? Where does His Word say healing and health ultimately come from? This does not mean we are not to take advantage of current medical knowledge, or listen to employers' advise, or ask counsel of others as we raise our children. But we must never put our confidence in the imperfect advise of even the greatest of intellects, or the closest of loved ones, or the most promising of careers.

It is always better,...every time, in every situation,...to trust in the Lord and to inquire prayerfully in His Word for direction,
...than to put confidence in any person.

Lord teach us to come to You first, in all that we would do,...that our actions are pleasing to You, and bring honor to Your Holy name. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

"If we engage with fools, we run the risk of becoming as foolish as they are." 

Friday, July 27, 2012

The Cure For Church In-Fighting

Good Morning!! If a member of the body has injured you in some way, Jesus says to speak with him or her about it in private. Do not broadcast the injury around the church. Do not try to gather a group of people "on your side" within the church. In fact, do not bring it up with anyone else, at all! Tell him his fault between you and him alone. That is the first and necessary step toward genuine reconciliation and peace within the body. If this labor does not work, Jesus gives further instructions in the verses that follow today's.


"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.Matthew 18:15 (NIV)

But before moving on to the next "step" of discipline, consider this first and foundational admonition carefully. Have you spoken to the offending person, in complete privacy? Was you goal to gain your brother or sister, as Jesus clearly intimates it should be? Or were you looking to put someone in there place,...or maybe seeking to offend someone in return?


Do you believe the Great Physician knows how to heal His own church?
Then apply His cure liberally to your own heart and friendships,...and see its marvelous power to restore, refresh, and renew the body of Christ.

Holy Spirit, help discover more Bible-based resources for more Word,..that "our rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ". Amen. 

"To walk with God,...our focus needs to be on God."

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Are You Praying?

Good Morning!! Ask. Seek. Knock. Each of these verbs is dynamic, energetic. True prayer is not a lethargic experience; it is a vigorous participation in the plan of God. It is the soul's fervent endeavor toward the kingdom of God. But each verb also connotes something else: neediness. One does not ask, if one does not need. One does not seek, if one has already found. One does not knock, if the door is standing open. Prayer is recognition that you need God. The reason, therefore, that we have not prayed as we should is because; we don't know how to pray, and have no read Matthew 6:9-13,...or we are either too spiritually lazy to labor in prayer,...or we are too content to feel our need of God.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

Whatever your reason for not praying until now,...the good news is this; for those who awaken to their desperate condition, and follow hard after God, God has promised universal acceptance and success. Everyone who asks will receive! But perhaps you have not received, yet. Perhaps you have not found, yet. Perhaps you still stand at the closed door with bloody knuckles and a growing doubt in your mind. Why hasn't God answered? Why won't He turn the lock and swing open the door?...because our time, is not God's time,...in due time all the Father has promised will come to pass.

Do not give up, beloved. God always gives to everyone who asks,...He has given us His word. He will either give us what we have been begging for,...or He will give something He knows to be better. 

 Father God, we thank You, in advance, for the fore filling of Your promises. Amen.

 "To walk with God,...our focus needs to be on God."

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Our #1 Weapon

Good Morning!! God's Word is so powerful,...and It's often referred to as a sword. Satan only retreats before the Almighty; he has never yet successfully advanced against the point of this Sword. The devil is no match for the truth of God. His only hope is to convince us to lower our weapons,...to drop our shield. But have you experienced its power to deliver from sin,...worry, fear, envy, or lust? Although our fallen minds can rationalize any sin, the Word of God cuts through our excuses without bending,...and delivers us from sin's deceit and destruction.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

The Bible not only fends off attack, it also delivers blows. God's Word condemns sin, instructs us how to live, matures our foolish hearts, and reveals false motivations. The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon that we are given in this spiritual warfare,...but it is abundantly sufficient. However, it's not the mere presence of God's Word (the Bible) that has overcoming power,...it's not of any help at all, if it just sits idle and untouched, on our nightstands, or in our car. It's the individual passages of Scripture,...read, studied, memorized, and meditated upon,...which parries and blocks the approaches of Satan.

The Bible, God's Word, is called the sword "of the Spirit."
Not only is it a weapon,...but it is a weapon forged by God Himself.
 
 
Father God, teach us to use the weapons You have provided,...then help us to keep them with us at all times, that we may ready, for any attack of the devil. Amen.
 
"To walk with God,...our focus needs to be on God." 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Gospel 101

Good Morning!! Peter here shares with Cornelius the basic truths of the gospel, he declares that Jesus of Nazareth (a real man whose home town was just 25 miles away) was unjustly crucified, arose then from the dead (proving His divinity), and will therefore one day be judge of the living and the dead (even death will not hide you from this judgment).

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.Acts 10:43 (NIV)

Whoever? Anyone?...No exceptions?...What a revelation this was, not only to Cornelius and his family,...but also to the Jewish companions that Peter had brought with him! Even Gentiles could be saved, without having to be circumcised first as a Jew. Yes! Anyone who believes in Jesus,...regardless of their ethnicity, economic situation, or social standing,...will receive forgiveness of sins. That truly is Good news! Thank God, this promise includes even us today,...with all our scary sack of shameful sins.

The climax of Christianity is this: whoever, by His power and authority, believes in Jesus, will certainly be pardoned of their sins, on that day of inescapable judgment.

Lord we believe,...help us to believe! Amen.

"To walk with God,...our focus needs to be on God." 

Monday, July 23, 2012

Who Did You Think, Was In Charge?

Good Morning!! Jesus Christ is not only the King of kings, and the Lord of lords - He is the President of presidents, the Sovereign over every sovereign. He rules in every place, no matter what form the local government takes. There is not a prime minister, or a dictator, or a guerrilla force, or a terrorist cell that is outside God's notice. No one is able to upset the immutable purposes of God or overthrow His supreme reign.

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.Proverbs 21:1 (NIV)

This is a great comfort, when we see that there are so many things outside of our own control. Whether it is a military coup in Africa or an election race in America, our hopes and plans are easily overthrown. But not so with God. God has shown His power to overthrow human purposes, even of the most august and revered leaders on earth. He brought down Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Ahab, and Herod. He turned the heart of Pharaoh in Moses' day, Xerxes in Esther's day, and Saul of Tarsus in Ananias' day,...and it goes for Obama, or Romney in our day too,...fear not! 

No matter who's in charge, or what they have planed,...our God is in complete control.

Holy Spirit, help us to keep heart. Because God is still on his throne,...no matter what political or social or economic upheavals threaten to shake our world. Let us remember; the hearts of kings are still in God's hand. Amen!

"To walk with God,...our focus needs to be on God." 

Friday, July 20, 2012

Sin, Don't Take It Lightly

Good Morning!! Dr. Paul Brand dedicated much of his life to investigating the disease of leprosy in India. Anyone could see that lepers lost parts of their extremities, like fingers, or a foot,...but no one knew exactly how leprosy caused such decay in the body. Dr. Brand discovered that leprosy does not actually directly cause this damage. Leprosy prevents the affected part of the body from feeling pain, and so a broken ankle, or injured hand, goes untreated. It is in this indirect way that leprosy causes many other difficulties.

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.Revelation 3:17 (NIV) 

Similarly, sin deadens us to the danger we face,...it keeps us from feeling the soul's injuries, that we all experience. Sin whispers to us that what we want to do is alright,...it allows us to think everything is fine, when it's really not. This is why Jesus speaks to us here, and warns us not to trust our feelings. We may convince ourselves that we are in need of nothing, when in reality we are hanging by a thread over an eternity for which we are unprepared.

Sin is in no hurry,...it rots us from within, until we fall apart.
Sin moves us from the Light, to the shadows, to the dark,...slowly but surely.
 
 
Sweet Spirit of God, keep us in the Light,...where sin has no power. Don't let us think more of ourselves, than we ought. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen!
 
"Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass."

Thursday, July 19, 2012

God Is Always Faithful

Good Morning!! Since we live in a world that is constantly changing,...and we face so many disappointments along the way, it is reassuring to be reminded of the faithfulness of our God. One definition of the word faithful is "worthy of trust," and this is certainly applicable to God because He has repeatedly proven that His word is sure and that He can be trusted. As a matter of fact, the Scriptures abound with declarations that God is faithful.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.Psalm 89:2 (NIV) 

I know that it can seem at times that God has forgotten us. David also experienced such a doubt, but then admitted he had spoken in haste. We must remember that God works on His own timetable, and just because we do not see immediate evidence of His promise being fulfilled, doesn't mean He has forsaken or forgotten us.

Because our God is Holy, it's impossible for Him to declare anything but truth, or make any promise that will not be kept. 
 
Father God, because of Your faithfulness, we can have bright expectations. By You Word, we know; You won't let anything separate us from You. We are kept only by Your Power. Having begun a good work in us, You will not abandon it, but will bring it to consummation. Surely we can lift our hearts in praise to sing, "Great is thy faithfulness." Amen! Amen!
 
"Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass." 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A Lesson From The Cross

Good Morning!! One lesson we learn from Christ on the cross is: Believer, God will never forsake you. You may be thinking; "How does Jesus teach us this, when He Himself is being forsaken by God in His darkest hour?" In every prayer of Jesus, that is recorded in Scripture, He addresses God as His Father,...except one. Here at the cross,...as He is punished for our sins, He cries out "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Jesus called God His Father with one exception,...so that we could call God our Father,...without any exceptions!

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?").Matthew 27:46 (NIV) 

Jesus became sin for us, so we could have free access to the Father, by Him. No sin,...no person,...no obstacle, can keep us now from the love and forgiveness, and blessing, of our Father. It is because of His own sure work on the cross, that Jesus gives us such sure promises, of His continued presence, and grace with us. 

Jesus was forsaken by His Father on the cross,...so that you and I, would never be forsaken again.

 "Be content…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee"Hebrews 13:5

"Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass." 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The Judgement Is Coming

Good Morning!! Most people if asked, would rated their odds of making it into Heaven as "good" or "excellent." Very few, are even willing to see themselves as hell-bound. The fact is, we all like to talk about,...and think about, Jesus and Heaven, more than we do Jesus and hell. But it is impossible to think Biblically about Heaven and Jesus, without coming face to face with the reality of the judgment, by Jesus,...in the end. It is Jesus who is speaking here in Revelation. And just as He constantly warned, during His earthly ministry, He now declares from His throne in Heaven that hell is real,...and that judgment is coming.
 
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars —they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."Revelation 21:8 (NIV)
 
For the wicked, and for the unbelieving, and for those who fear men rather than God,...the end is an everlasting death,...the lake of fire. While there is complete forgiveness and unconditional love in Jesus Christ,...there is also everlasting judgment, for those He here describes. Which are you? Have you come to fear (respect) God,...to trust in Jesus,...to love His truth?

Those whom have given themselves over to Jesus, need not fear judgement,...for you have been covered by the Blood.
 
 O' Lord, we give ourselves to You. Amen.
 
 "Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass."

Monday, July 16, 2012

Faith Brings Comfort

Good Morning!! Over and over in Scripture we are reminded that it is precisely those who have fallen on their face before God, who will be lifted up. It is the humble who will be exalted,...and it is those who lose their life, who will find it. God, it seems, delights to show His abounding sufficiency, in the weakness and shortcomings of His people. Therefore, we can rest assured that God will come to those who are spiritually cast down and will lift them up by His grace.

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,2 Corinthians 7:6 (NIV)

Paul himself knew what it was to be cast down, to be discouraged, to have doubts and fears. Believer, perhaps you have been thinking you are the only one who wrestles with such obstacles to joy. Not so…every Christian must learn, over and again, to live by faith, and not by sight. When we do so, and look to Christ for our sufficiency, our experience will be the same as Paul's,...God will comfort us, as He does all who are cast down.
 
"God comforts the disheartened," Paul says; "I know, because He has comforted me."

Holy Spirit teach us, that God is more than enough,...and help us to live by faith. Amen.

 "Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass."

Friday, July 13, 2012

Act As A True Believer

Good Morning!! When someone cuts you off in traffic, how do you respond? Do you yell harshly, gesture angrily, or perhaps even drive vengefully? This is not the way Jesus responded when He was crucified. When He was wronged by others, even purposefully and spitefully,...He did not scream or threaten, or even fume. When He was mocked and scourged and falsely accused before Pilot, He never retaliated with hateful words. It wouldn't take even a tenth of that to set most of us off. Perhaps you feel betrayed by a close friend,...so was He. Or maybe others have spread rumors about you,...they did the same, and worse, to Him. Perhaps you have even suffered physically, mentally, or emotionally at the hands of cruel people,...well so did He. Can you honestly say that anyone has harmed you, more than Jesus was abused,...before His death?

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.1 Peter 2:23 (NIV)

How was Jesus able to respond so graciously in the face of such horrible, and unfair treatment? Peter gives us the secret: He committed Himself to God,...who judges righteously.  Can we trust God to right, the wrongs that have been done to us,...leave it to Him, to punish those who have wronged us? Because we still nurse personal vendettas,...we can rest assured that we've not yet grasped, or embraced, the justice and wisdom of God.

Jesus had complete faith in the justice of God,...but do we?

Lord guard our hearts, guard mouths, so that our actions honor You. Amen.

"Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass." 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Guard Your Seeing

Good Morning!! A lustful look is the beginning of most sins. It was an unguarded look which led to the fall of Achan into covetousness, and David into adultery. A covetous glance soon leads to covetous thoughts, which soon lead to covetous plans, which soon lead to covetous actions. Job, therefore, had determined to cut off the sin of covetousness at its root, by promising himself never even to look at a single woman in a lustful way.

"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman".Job 31:1 (NIV)

This covenant with his eyes, he rhetorically asserts, will inevitably guard him from lustful thoughts about other women. Job's personal commitment to overcome a besetting sin of almost every man is convicting. But it is also encouraging, because the fact that he made such a covenant means that it is possible to fulfill his end of the agreement. Believer, know this: it's possible,...although it will require the help of the Holy Spirit, self-crucifixion, and constant self-watch,...to overcome the sin of lust.

So the question that Job's integrity puts before us is this: do I love God enough to fore go the temporary and deceitful pleasures of lustful stares,...in order to fix my gaze upon God?

Lord guard our seeing, that our actions are pleasing to You. Amen.

"Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass."

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Now And Forever, God Is In Charge

Good Morning!! When we can't see evidence of God at work, or are puzzled by the unfolding of His providences,...there is a tendency to draw the wrong conclusions. When evil was rampant in the land of Israel,...Habakkuk assumed that God was doing nothing. He asked, "O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!" He ultimately became satisfied that God is sovereign and that all should bow before Him. His observation is a good reminder for us; "The Lord is in His holy temple." Some things may be confusing us, and it may appear that there is chaos all around us, but to remember that the Lord is in His holy temple is reassuring. No matter how out of control things appear to us,...God is still in charge.

 The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.Habakkuk 2:20 (NIV)

Every affliction that comes our way, is under His control. Therefore, we shouldn't complain. "Let all the earth be silent before Him." Knowing God has a purpose for all we go through, gives us hope. Surely the trials will purge us of our pride,...our self love, or envy. Surely by our sufferings we will be made more humble, more holy, more like Christ, and God will reveal to us more of Himself. What a calming effect the truth can have on us. If there were forces outside God's control, or events over which He had no jurisdiction, our condition would indeed be desperate,...but there isn't anything that He does not oversee or control.


We can constantly rejoice in the fact that God is in His holy temple, and is reigning according to His pleasure,
...giving us peace and hope in the darkest of times.

Lord we thank You, for surveying, and control all things,...so we have no reason to fear. Amen.

"Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass."

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Church Life

Good Morning!! Today's scripture shows in a nutshell, the source of the early Christian church's power, to impact the world around them. First, they are described as believers. Only those who have a common faith in Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, can enjoy the unity of spirit and purpose that is described below. Second, because of their common faith, they were of one heart and soul,...they were singular and focused in their objective. They knew the reason for their existence as a church was not to entertain,...or even to do good in the community. Their single intention was to exalt the name of Jesus Christ.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32 (NIV)

Their unanimous endeavor to glorify Christ, resulted in practical implications for their daily lives. Although they had personal possessions, they did not see these things as their own. Likewise, we show that we have finally comprehended the nature of our role as stewards, when we can truly say that nothing we have is our own. It is not my car, my house, my money, or my time. It is God's car, house, money, and time that He has loaned to me,...and He expects a return on His investment (Matthew 25:14-27). 

We too, should be striving in our church with fellow believers in Christ, to exalt the name of Jesus,...or why be there?

Holy Spirit, help us lay all that we have, and all that we are on the altar, to be used in the Kingdom,...as You sees fit. Because this was and is, the source of the New Testament church's power. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

"Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass."

Monday, July 9, 2012

The Humble Have Joy

Good Morning!! Being humble or meek, is often seen as being weak, now days. But meekness is actually great strength, under control,...God's control. Great faith, great commitment, and great determination are required on a daily basis to live a humble life before God. When He requires sacrifice, meekness trusts completely, and gives willingly. When He demands obedience, humbleness constrains selfish desires, crucifies personal ambition, and performs joyfully the good Will of God. 

 Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; Isaiah 29:19a (NIV)

It is for this reason that the joy of the meek is continually increasing. Their pleasure is not found in personal circumstances; their happiness is not derived from fleeting popularity; their fulfillment does not come from public success. The humble find their joy in the Lord. Therefore, the more they have of Him, the more they experience of Him, the more they know of Him, the more their joy is increased. And the more their joy is increased, the more they desire to plant their joy in the Lord and not in this world. 


Have you found that dependable and lasting and ever-increasing joy, that comes from a life of complete submission, to our good and wise and glorious God?

Lord teach us Your ways. help us to understand that; meekness is not a momentary decision,...but a way of life. Amen.

"Know this; We're all enabled and equipped to carry out God's purpose for our life,...if God said it, then it will come to pass." 

Friday, July 6, 2012

Move Only Through Christ

Good Morning, It's Thankful, Thoughtful Thursday!!For Christians, life is mediated. That is to say our relationships are always mediated through Christ. We know that we relate to God the Father only through Christ. Jesus is our mediator. But we also relate to others only through Christ. All we say and do must pass through Christ. Any unchecked, disputes between church leaders, disrupt our witness and runs the risk of polarizing the congregation.

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.—Philippians 4:2 (NIV)

In our judicial system we sometimes talk to each other through lawyers. Our lawyer puts our case in the best light. His goal is for us to win. In the church we talk to each other through Christ. He puts the other's case in the best light. His goal is for us to be reconciled.

"His (Jesus) goal is to break down barriers and reach people,
not to set up barriers through hatred, resentment, bearing grudges or retribution.
None of these will help bring others to Christ."
(The Man God Uses, Henry & Tom Blackaby, p. 117)

Lord Jesus, let nothing be said outside of You. Amen.

"We show our faith better with our life, than we do with our lips."

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Is The Gospel For You?

Good Morning!! There are some things in life we can do without. We can survive without iPods, shopping malls, or sporting events. We can even get by without life insurance, 401(k) plans, or home equity loans. But you cannot do without the Son of God,..He has given us eternal life. What a mercy! What a revelation! Most everything in our experience, screams to us that our life, is temporary. Pets rotate through our life,...family and friends die,...and we get older. Nothing and no one lasts, or lives forever. Yet, God offers us eternal life! How can mere mortals live forever? Certainly not by our own strength, or by our own ingenuity,...no matter how we may wish otherwise.

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.1 John 5:11-12 (NIV)

Only God has eternal life, to offer us,...and this life, is in his Son, Jesus Christ. Only the source of life Himself can carry us through death and bring us into an everlasting, and delightful life on the other side. The one who has the Son of God has life,...right now. Eternal life begins the moment Jesus Christ takes up residence in our heart. If we have Jesus then we are already enjoying the eternal life,...the abundant life right now. But the one who does not have the Son has no such promise,...they have no such current, and joyful reality.

The good news of the gospel, is only for those who are willing to except Jesus Christ, into their life.

Father God we thank You, for Your Son Jesus, and the gift of life everlasting, that come with Him. Amen.

"We show our faith better with our life, than we do with our lips."