The Power of the Tongue

Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who live it will eat it's fruit".

Wow, I am ashamed to say I have killed many over my lifetime. Just riding in the car down Independence Blvd. some days I get at least 5 or 6 people.

Really, we have no idea that what we say can either change the life of a person or destroy them.

Just compare it to Jesus, most of his miracles happend because He spoke them into existance. That's some Power...

Pastor Troy is preaching GOOOOOD. This Sunday again I felt like he hit me right up side the head.

Growing up my mother and grandfather were very verbally abusive. From the earliest age all I ever knew was if you wanted the upper hand just say something mean. Obviously since I became a Christian God fix that but every now and then that OLD self comes out.

Pastor Troy gave us some points on what out tongue shows;

It shows Maturity. - How mature are you when you're mad?
It directs our life. - Are you speaking what you want to see happen in your life or what you see now?
It can destroy what I have. - Are your words changing your path?
It displays who I AM.. - Does your words show Jesus to EVERYONE, even the mean lady at the Walmart?

Stop and think, is what you say, Who you are all the time or just when you want to look Holy...?

We can control our tongue by changing our heart, thinking before we speak and filling our mind with God's word. Easier SAID than done some times.

From the earliest age of a child we say things to people/kids that to us meant nothing . To them it means everything.

Some examples,

"Stop that, You are getting on my nerves"
"Go away, I don't have time for you right now"
"You're a slob"
"Yea that's good, BUT..."
"I'm sorry honey, but mommy's just too tired"
"I'm busy, leave me alone"
"I'm.... _____________ - You fill in the blank...

Being an abused child all my life I now try hard to pay attention to what I say to my children. You would think I would never say something that is going to make them feel like I felt. Wrong...

Examine what you are saying to your children, your husband, your friends. Are you really saying to them you love them or you love them when it's convenient to you, and right now it's just not?

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips" Psalms 141:3

We are all guilty in some manner of saying things we should so just remember that your tongue is a two edged sord, it cuts going in thier ears and coming out.

I've done some cutting lately with my teenager, pray my new words will heal that wound.

God Bless,

Angie

God Talk

I belong to an online group for Nicaraguan Adoptions. As far as I know there are no rules to what a person can or can not say on this group.

There are several Christians who have made it clear they are and many others that have not shown their position.

A couple of days ago one person who is in Nicaragua right now struggling to get her kids wrote of great discouragement. You can imagine those of us who are Christians came to her rescue.

Boy, did that start a mess. Before we knew it a person was telling us that all the God Talk was getting a little out of hand.

Freedom of Speech? Does it apply all the time? Should we censor what we say on forums or where ever or do you share where we stand?

Would Jesus follow these rules and keep quite? I don't think so.

How do we stand up for what we believe and not affend someone else?

Do you choose to change your words based on who you are talking to or where you are? We shouldn't have to be in some cases I think we have to be sensitive. What do you think?

I chose to keep quite and let the other Christians write what they felt and sure enough the lady left the group. What a shame... She could benefit a lot from the group but instead choose to walk away for hearing any more God Talk.

Please pray for her, her name is Jessica.

God Bless,

Angie

Do You Do As Jesus Did?

My devotional this morning really hit me up side the head. (we all need to be hit every once in a while).

When Jesus walked on Earth He was 100% God but he chose to live his life with the same limitations that we do. He was showing us how to live our life. He was being our model.

He performed miracles, wonders, and signs, as a MAN in right relationship to God... not as God.

So if He was just a MAN doing all these great things and we are just MEN/WOMEN made in His image, why aren't we performing miracles, wonders and signs?

We as Christians are responsible to pursue His lifestyle. Recapturing this simple truth changes everything...

Are you doing what Jesus did with your faith?

I'm not..

Angie

Restlessness

I am connected to a MeetUp group for Nicaraguan adoptions and this week I have had the opportunity to encouarge several families who are going through ruff times with their adoptions. The more I encouraged them the more restless I got. Luckily, I was able to use my own advice to chill out.

My pastor said that when you are restless that you have doubt. I didn't agree with that statement at first. I kept thinking I don't doubt God that He is in control but I am not at peace either.

I had to really examine that statement and ask myself then what is it? If it's not doubt or a lack of faith then what is causing that restlessness in my life.

After talking to these families this week I have decided it is in fact doubt. Either I trust the Lord or I don't right? Easier said than done, especially when you can't control any part of the situation.

I encouarge each of you to stop and think about your situation. Are you restless? or are you at Peace? If you are restless, let me encouarge you that if you want to pass this test you will need to find that Peace in knowing that God loves you more than anyone and He is working on your behalf.

If you find yourself Restless like I do some days, stop, pray and listen. He'll give you direction and wisdom to get to that Peace level you need.

God Bless,

Angie

I was challenged today, now I want to challenge you

Pastor Troy was preaching Good Today.... Each week I sit under him thinking God why did it take you so long to get me here. I can honestly say in my entire walk with the Lord I have never sit under a Pastor that keeps me thinking all the time about my walk with the Lord. It's great. If you're not challenged each week at your church, come and visit us because you need to be, it will make you grow stronger. Check them out online by clicking here Freedom House Church.

Ok enough about that.

Pastor Troy asked, "if you were taken to jail today would there be enough evidence to prove you guilty of being a Christian?", "Do people in your neighborhood know you are a Christian?", what about at your work or other places you spend your time?

I really stopped and thought about it. Sadly, there are a lot of "Christians" I know personally today that would not have much evidence to convict them and I wanted to examine myself and make sure I was not one of them.

I have friends who tell me they are Christians but they never go to church, they never participate in a church function or any religious function that I know of and I never hear them talking about the Lord unless I bring up the subject. Are they really a Christian? Can you ask God into your life and never live for him? I personally don't think so but who am I to judge.

I challenge you today to examine your life and ask yourself, "Am I a Christian?", "Is there enough evidence to convict me?" Will God show me my life and say, "Well done my good and faithful servant" or will He tell me "I made you to serve me and you choose to serve the world!"

In Christ,

Angie