Thursday, April 10, 2008

What we say matters!

Words are so powerful. A word spoken can either draw a person close to you or chase them away, either bring a smile to a tearful face or bring a tear to a smiling face, can make a friend for life or make an enemy for life. Words are extremely powerful and even more powerful is the tongue that brings the words out or the pen that pens the words! How careful we must be with the words that come from our mouth. We have all been hurt in some way or the other by the words of someone we love and we have all been blessed many times over because someone took the time to say the kind words that he or she did.

This morning I was reminded of the use of words, by my husband. I had made lunch for my husband to take to work, this morning. We had talked about the lunch while he was eating breakfast. When he finally left to work, he forgot to take his lunch with him. I called him up to let him know that he forgot to carry his lunch but I said, "...after all that, you forgot your lunch." I meant that after talking about the lunch, you still forgot it. I didn't mean much else by it but he understood it as me giving him a guilt trip after I went through all the trouble of making the lunch. We talked about it and I explained that I didn't mean that. This incident reminded me that I need to be very careful in my choice of words - my carelessness can hurt another person and many times I may not even realize it.

I know that as girls we talk a lot. They say that we use about 10,000 words a day. How easy it is for us to say something that we shouldn't in the course of our talking. If we think through the words we say or the expressions that we use or the topics that we talk about, we probably won't end up saying half the things that we do! I remember someone telling me that when you are really upset or angry at someone, before speaking to that person, write a letter with what you are feeling and then tear it up.If we all did that what a better place this world would be! I am sure that there would be happier marriages, relationships, families, work places, churches and on and on the list goes! I know that I am guilty of this very thing and yes! I do need to work on myself. One of my weaknesses is to say things when I am upset and it is something that I am working on - I do have a long way to go!

A couple of suggestions to help you watch your tongue:

1. Start the day asking God to be in charge of all your conversations.
Psalm 19:14
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (The Message)

2. Think twice or even thrice before speaking a word. Do not be careless with your words.
Proverbs 13:3
"Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything."(The Message)

3. Remember that it is always better to say something nice and encouraging to a person than to say a single mean word! It will also make you happier!
Proverbs 15:4
"Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim." (The Message)
4. When you are upset or mad at someone or when someone hurts you, write down your thoughts on a piece of paper and tear it up before talking to the person. Don't talk to a friend who will agree with everything that you say rather a friend who will be objective and honest and will encourage you to say and do what is right. I can assure you that in the long run you will be a happier and more joyful person.
Proverbs 15:1
"A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire."
Proverbs 19:11
"Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget." (The Message)


So girls, my prayer for each one of you and for myself is that God will grant us the self control necessary to place a bridle on our tongues so that we will not hurt anyone by our loose tongues. I also pray that each one of you reading this will be blessed today by someone who uses their tongue to bless rather than curse!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Does God Really Care That I Feel Hurt and All Alone?

Have you ever been through a time in your life where you felt like no one understood what you were going through? Where it seemed like people were turning against you from all corners and that you did not know to whom or where to turn? Are people around you plotting and planning against you? I know that I have been there and I have also watched my loved ones go through situations like this where there just doesn't seem like there is anywhere or anyone to turn to. Take hope! There is One who cares and hurts when we hurt and who loves us so much! God cares so much for us! Our Father in heaven sees all that we go through! If you go to the Bible in the book of Lamentations 3:55-57 it says:

55-57 "I called out your name, O God,
called from the bottom of the pit.
You listened when I called out, 'Don't shut your ears!
Get me out of here! Save me!'
You came close when I called out.
You said, 'It's going to be all right.'"

58-60 "You took my side, Master;
you brought me back alive!
God, you saw the wrongs heaped on me.
Give me my day in court!
Yes, you saw their mean-minded schemes,
their plots to destroy me.

61-63 You heard, God, their vicious gossip,
their behind-my-back plots to ruin me.
They never quit, these enemies of mine, dreaming up mischief,
hatching out malice, day after day after day.
Sitting down or standing up—just look at them!—
they mock me with vulgar doggerel."

64 "Make them pay for what they've done, God.
Give them their just deserts. (The Message)

I definitely know the feeling and I am so glad that I can go CONFIDENTLY to a God who cares and loves me so much and who sees the bad things that people around me do to me and my loved ones. I am so glad that He does not turn a blind ear to it!

In Deuteronomy 32: 34-35

Don't you realize that I have my shelves
well stocked, locked behind iron doors?
I'm in charge of vengeance and payback,
just waiting for them to slip up..."
(The Message)


As hard as it may be to let God be in charge of dealing with those who have acted in an unjust manner towards us, we need to do so! At the same time, let's ask God for the wisdom needed through every step taken. Let God be the one to lead us and guide us as we go through each second of the day! Hang in there my friends, you are not alone! My prayer for you today is that God will touch your heart in a very special way and remind you that He sees all and He cares and that He will in His own time and in His own plan, take care of the entire situation. I pray that you will have calmness and peace today!

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. Matthew 11:28
(The Message)




Tuesday, April 1, 2008

You were created with love and care!

Have you ever wondered as to how you were created while in your mothers tummy? How each part of your body was put together? Did it just happen or was there a plan and purpose to it all? In the Bible in Psalm 139:13-16, it says,

"Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; You formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, You know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, How I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; All the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared Before I'd even lived one day. " (The Message Translation)

Isn't it just amazing that our Creator, God Himself, took the time to weave our body together, piece by piece! To know that He cares for me that much, to know that He loves me that much just warms my heart! If you have ever doubted that God loves you or that you are special or if you have ever doubted that you are beautiful, rest today knowing that He does love and you indeed are more precious than diamonds and will always be so in His eyes!