Sunday, January 25, 2009

Watch your tongue!

I think most would agree that the most potent weapon at a person's disposal is their tongue. The words that flow from your lips have a huge impact on those who listen to them. The spoken word can tear straight to the core of men to inflict pain, or can reach down into the depths of someone's emotions and lift them up. Wars have begun because of the spoken word.
What does the Holy Bible say about the tongue and the power it can unleash?

"The tongue has the power of life and death." (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)

"the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." (James 3:5-10 NIV)

You don't have to be a spiritual genius to recognize the truth of these passages. There is great power that can flow when the tongue is engaged.

God Himself created the world and everything in it with the spoken word. He called everything into being (Genesis 1.)

Judgement in the final days will also come by the spoken word (Revelations 19.)

The purpose of this study is to bring understanding to exactly what can happen when we unleash the power of the tongue. If Jesus Himself can raise Lazarus from the dead with the spoken word (John 11), we have to recognize that we can release that power as well.

Jesus, speaking about faith, said "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20 NIV)

As we already read, the tongue can release the power. Couple that with absolute faith in Christ, we can move mountains! I don't know about you, I would rather be on the receiving end of Godly words opposed to evil ones.

The next time you want to scream at someone, think about this. Let them hear God's Word and they can be changed as well as yourself.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A New Era Begins!



Well, world the day has finally come and gone. Barack Obama was officially sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.

With him comes the hope of the nation. Change is here! People are looking past skin color and embracing equality. It's about time!

Like him or not, agree with him or not: He's still the President of the United States. We are so blessed that we live in a country where we, the people, voice our opinions and elect our leaders.

Let's lift the new president up in prayer. We live in dangerous times and he needs to make some, potentially, unpopular and difficult decisions. Pray that the Holy Spirit whispers in his ear and that he hears it and obeys.

There's a lot riding on what happens in the next four years. Just remember that all authority comes from God on High. His plan is executed using us, his people. Now is the time to pray and wait upon Him.

God Bless the President, and God Bless the United States and the world.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Happy New Year


Happy New Year to all!!! 2009 is here and with the ringing in of the new year comes the hope of better things. 2008 was a trying year for all: Military battles, sky-high gas prices, scandals, financial meltdowns and of course the US Presidential election.
What will the new year bring us? One can only wonder and wait. We really have no idea.
For those in Christ, we have a renewed sense of urgency. Time on this planet is short, things can't keep going on the way that they have been going without something changing.
Sometime soon, this present world will change. When we least expect it, the clouds will part and King Jesus will make His glorious return to claim His people and to hand out judgement to the lawless. We must be ready! We must also let those who don't know the Lord know about salvation and eternal life.
Dear friends, the new year only brings us closer to eternity ourselves. When we face our Maker and He judges us, what will He say to us?
"Well done, you good and faithful servant." or "Depart from me sinner, I never knew you?" It is our choice to do what's right and stay focused on Him.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28 KJV)