This past weekend I prepared a message for kids ministry using the power verse, Psalm 141:3. It reads, “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Other versions say that we should put a guard at our mouth like we guard a door. We walked away from that morning knowing that “I OBEY with what I Say!” We often identify disobedience with actions. But, we also disobey with our words. The lessons I prepare for Kids Ministry usually speak profoundly to me too! Does EVERY word that comes from my mouth line up with the Word of God, or do I disobey or rebel against His word with my words?
We all know that our words are important. I am pretty sure that most of you all not only know the common childhood phrase, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” but you would also agree that this statement is an abolute lie. If we took just a moment, I am sure we could quickly recall hurtful words spoken against us. We could also recall hurtful words that we spoke against someone else. Besides hurtful words, we also speak words of doubt, destruction, complaint, and carelessness.
Even though we begin to hear at the youngest of ages, “let’s use kind words,” we don’t always follow through! But, you know how important it is, right? Okay…let’s raise the stakes on this issue. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Do we realize what the Bible is really saying here?
I don’t know if we fully understand the meaning because if we did our words would change significantly. I think that exhaustion, failed expectations, fear of the unknown, and doubt can all play a part in removing the guard at the doorway of our mouth. We can quickly become lax with our words if we are not carefull. Nevertheless, scripture is clear that we shall either eat the fruit of DEATH words or LIFE words.
Since we are raising the stakes, I am going to get even bolder. What fruit are we feeding to our marriages, our children, our co-workers, our family members, and everyone else we care about or don’t care about? Are they eating the fruit of death words or the fruit of life words?
When I became pregnant with Judah, Gary and I both made a decision that we would make sure we spoke life words over him every day. We also made a decision that he would not wear clothing with common phrases like, “Spoiled rotten,” or “Here comes Trouble,” or “The Monster is Awake.” To some this may seem petty, but to us, this decision was important to Judah’s future. We didn’t want certain words spoken over him because we understand their power.
I recently read a quote by an unknown source which said, “Nothing could be more important to your future than the seemingly insignificant words that are coming out of your mouth today.”
I am going to watch my words ever so closely…It’s a matter of life and death.
Today begins the journey of switching from 28 thanks to 27 in order to reach the 10,000 reasons mark in one year.
Here we go…My 27 Thanks:
1. I don’t dread Mondays. They are usually one of the most productive days of my week.
2. If I can dream it, God can do it!
3. The Holy Spirit is a creative genius.
4. When I am weak, He is made strong in me!
5. My end of the year goals for 2013 kick in this week! I love goals.
6. I love accomplishing my goals even more! I am on track.
7. Health.
8. Dr. Oz. I rarely get to see his show, but when I do, I love the health tips.
9. I experienced my first Fantasy Football loss this season. At least I didn’t lose to Pastor Ted. The smack talk would have been horrendous. And, I still maintain first place in my league.
10. Gary is so handy around our house. He refuses to pay for things that he can do himself. I love this.
11. He is putting up our backyard fence and cutting our cost by at least 50%.
12. He got more accomplished then he originally thought.
13. I had most of my work for Monday caught up, so I helped out some other teammates. I like helping others too.
14. I appreciate tasks that don’t always require thought:) I had some of those today.
15. I slipped out early to rest before our busy evening. This lingering cold has left me with only about 50% of my normal energy.
16. Judah made me a precious hand print painting at his school today. I love seeing his prints.
17. Tonight, I got to hear the stories of some really neat people who attend our church.
18. I enjoyed an awesome meal with some special people, Jimmy and Sande Johnson and Don and Susanna Lorg.
19. I love listening to advice from individuals with a variety of experience.
20. Wisdom from others.
21. We have been working for months on the launch of a big project. It launched tonight and it went well.
22. I heard the heart of my Pastor tonight. Great things are ahead of us.
23. We can celebrate the past, but anticipate with great excitement the Future!
24. God always has BETTER days ahead of us. Growth and progress are the Will of God!
25. I get to be a part of something bigger than myself.
26. I believe in a Supernatural God.
27. Dreams.
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