Tag Archive for: Words

Words Matter

Words… they are everywhere.  There are thousands upon thousands of words spoken on any given day at any given hour.  Most of them through actual talking or speech, but nowadays it’s also through text messages, social media, and cell phones.  Then there is the timeless classic of the written word in books, online posts, and emails.  of all these methods of talking and exchanging words, my favorite each and every time are the words, wait for it….. from a friend or confidant in a moment of unexpected clarity.  It’s that moment when, as your listening to that person’s words, (i.e. encouragement, constructive criticism, advice, scripture, etc.) you realize it’s the Holy Spirit!  It’s God speaking to you, reminding you of His presence and His acute awareness of YOU.  WHO you are.  WHAT your needs are.  WHY you matter.  In fact, many times the person speaking has no idea how powerful their words are in that moment.  Their words evoke a response and it’s immediate.

I recently had this happen to me when at dinner with a friend.  She had no knowledge of my unanswered prayers.  She had no idea of unspoken longings in my heart-or unspoken prayers said between God and I only.  Equipped with a listening ear and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit- she spoke TRUTH to me and I knew the instant I heard her words it was God.  He was showing up in a physical way with words.  So completely ordinary right?  Or is it?  He wanted me to hear Him with an open heart and a willingness to listen. My girlfriend was the vessel to say what He needed me to hear at the appointed moment I needed to hear it.  I must go forward now with the truth that’s been revealed to me, armed with the confidence of God’s faithfulness and message.

Has this ever happened to you?  Have you ever had a moment when you knew what your ears were hearing, your heart was feeling?  The divinity of God’s love overcomes any doubt or attempt to logically rebuke the truth as you heard it and you are convicted beyond all reasonable doubt to step forward!  The experience for me, when it happened, was humbling and emotional.  I was, and still am, truly aghast that The Almighty of the Heavens and Earth would have any interest in any conversation I might have and wants ME to hear a message.  He reminds me He is THE most powerful being alive and He knows my heart even when I don’t speak it out loud. I find a deep conviction to repent of whatever should be and I ask to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus…..that’s all it really takes isn’t it?  Words, the bible says, are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bone.  Indeed.

I hope my words have an impact on your heart today and I encourage you to always be open to the conversations around you.  God may be yearning for a heart to heart with you in the least surprising of methods-words.

Love and Prayers to all of you. xo

Jera

 

 

No Complaining

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:14-15)

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about complaining and what it really means when we complain against anything.  Is not every complaint a direct complaint against God?  Is there a single complaint that does not carry with it a weight of consequence?  The consequence being something or someone is put down in our lives.  In this case, I feel that every complaint is a put down to God and actually insulting to the provision He has given us.

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Weigh Your Answers

Read Proverbs 18 today!

I want to take time this week to explore the power of the tongue!  Solomon mentions the power of our words about 150 times in the Proverbs.  The wisest man who ever lived knew the power of words.  He gave us instructions on how to promote life and avoid evil with our tongues.  Let’s take a look a few words of wisdom and apply them to our week!

What does it look like when a wise man or woman speaks?  And how can we become that wise person with our words?

1.  A wise man or woman gives a reason for the hope within them when they talk to others.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”  (1 Peter 3:15)

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Slow to Speak

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (Matthew 12:35-36)

All I have to say is, “Yikes!”  I’m going to be held accountable for every careless word that comes out of my mouth.  Yowser!  I don’t know if you are anything like me, but I can probably count on at least one careless word a day.  I’d love to say I’ve conquered this, that some how I’ve learned the art of “being quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19).”  But that wouldn’t be very honest of me.

I’m seeing that I have to slow down quite a bit, listen up a lot more, and speak less frequently.  I want to be more careful when choosing my response to others.  I want my words to be Christlike, to be a reflection of God’s work in me, and to be completely honoring to God.  I want to choose each word wisely!

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Gifts Inspired and ALWAYS Encouraged

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

The Lord is so gracious in reminding me of the gifts He has given me and how precious those gifts are.  Yesterday, Paul and I flew to Hawaii and I was sitting back in awe of God again at all that He has done.  Paul is always like a little boy in a candy shop when we are on a plane, even though he’s a pilot, he just can’t seem to get enough of the air.  It’s quite exhilarating to watch.  God truly has given him the desires of his heart by allowing him to work in his passion and allowing me to travel with him.

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