Speak Words of Wisdom

PSALMS 37:23  - 31

  23   The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Isn't it reassuring to know that He is directing our steps? That He is in complete control, and even better, HE can take joy in our lifes journey?

  24    Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.

How many times a day do I fail Him? How many times a day do I backslide, and yet He still loves me!

  25    I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

All that I am, all that I ever will be, all that I possess, is because of His grace and kindness.

  26    [He is] ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed [is] blessed.

Lendeth? Why this word? Because all that we have, all that we are, is given by His hand, and ultimately we belong to Him.

  27    Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

  28    For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

  29    The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

  30    The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

So let us speak wisdom! Let us judge ourselves that we be not judged. Do you see yourself here?

  31    The law of his God [is] in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

He has engraved His Word in my heart, and He has engraved my name in the palms of His hands.

Slow down, take a breath, and count to 10. Exhale slowly. Think about what you are getting ready to say. If we could just do that every day, how much better off would we be? How many arguments, hurt feelings, and tears could we avoid? 

Let's try a bit harder today, to say things how He would say them. Let's try to love others how Christ loves us. Let's live for others, as He died for us.

From Such Turn Away Part 2

I TIMOTHY 6:3 - 5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

We spent part 1 talking about those who divide us, and I want to take this post to talk about one of the reasons we withdraw ourselves from those described in topic Scripture. People who embody this Scripture are people I like to call "Energy Vampires."  I didn't coin the term, but it seems appropriate enough.

Who is an Energy Vampire? You've been around them plenty. It's that person who dwells in the negative aspects of life that when you leave their presence or hang up the phone, you feel mentally exhausted. Now, some people go through deep valleys, and they need our help, but I'm talking about the person who consistently is negative. The gossiper, the backbiter, those... well, those described in our Scripture. They criticize you and your loved ones and your passions, they do not consider your needs or desires, and they constantly complain.

We literally have to protect ourselves from these types of people because they leave us feeling drained, sluggish, and feeling like we have to build up our energy before we can accomplish our daily tasks. How do we defend ourselves? Here are a few tips!

#1 From such withdraw thyself!

#2 Learn how to limit your contact with these people (sorry, I only have 5 minutes to talk right now)

#3 Limit eye contact, and in depth conversations

#4 Don't allow yourself to be caught alone in a confined space with them, i.e. cars, elevators

#5 Practice walking away from these types, don't let them waste your time and energy

A Truer Gentleman I've Not Known

Words cannot adequately express the immense sadness I feel at the passing of our dear Brother Vincent Grillo. Born in Alife, Italy on May 7th, 1935, he was a man of passion and vigorous devotion.

He met his beloved wife Maria when he was 12 years old and she was five. Some unruly boys at the schoolyard in the village were pulling Maria's hair, and she had gone off to the garden to wipe her tears. Unbeknownst to her, the ink on her fingertips was smearing across her face as she wiped her eyes. Vincent came along, noticed her emotional state and began to wipe the tears from her face with his shirt tail. He was her knight in shining armor. And so began a fairy tale love that would last 60 years.

Brother Vincent Grillo and his beloved wife Maria
Photo by Laura Garrett, taken at the BCF Couples Banquet 2009

Brother Vincent was called to glory on July 12, 2009 in Lima, Ohio, following a short illness. He was preceded in death by his daughter Tonina Grillo, and is survived by his beloved wife Maria, son Franco (wife Amy), and his daughter Vittoria.

Brother Vincent impacted my life from the moment I met him. I'd just arrived home from the war in Iraq, and had not even begun to adjust to normal life. After my first Church service, Vincent made a beeline for me and wrapped his large, calloused hands around mine. He had been a soldier for his native Italy, and although he had not seen combat, there is a brotherhood amongst soldiers that spans borders and generations.

That day I made a soul to soul connection with Vincent that will forever impact me. I was incredibly wounded in my spirit from the dark face of war and he was instrumental in my healing. To my great regret our friendship would not include enough times of fellowship. Oftentimes we simply hugged each other in passing, and he would smile that dazzling grin, saying in that thick Italian accent, "God bless you Brother John."

He was a man who exhibted an incredible depth of sincerity, genuine humility, and incredible innocence. I marveled at the love of Christ which shined through him, and could only hope that he felt that same love reflected in me. He was nothing short of amazing. A tremendous man, whose passing from this world will be long lamented by those whose lives he touched. I simply cannot recall sorrowing over another persons death as I have Brother Vincents. The tears threaten to overwhelm me whenever I think of his glorious victory.

As we laid his body to rest just a few short hours ago, I could not help but think of the joy he is experiencing in that other dimension. Meeting his precious daughter Tonina, the prophet, and the Saints. I imagine that he has already turned his gaze back towards the river looking for his beloved Maria and the rest of us.

We're coming my brother.

From Such Turn Away Part 1

I TIMOTHY 6:3 - 5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Consenting to wholesome words is a defining characteristic of a godly man. Let's take a second to break this Scripture down into two parts: the uniter and the divider.

A godly man loves the truth. As we have been taught, truth, by definition, is exclusive. Truth is immutable, immovable, and irrevocable. God's Word is Truth. By telling us who to withdraw ourselves from the Scripture is telling us who we should gravitate towards. The wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His doctrine unite His disciples. They bring Life, and Life more abundantly.

Proverbs 16:27 - 28 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

The Divider is always present to destroy our fellowship with one another, and with Christ. Scripture warns us that these men do not understand the Word and as a result form theory instead of receiving revelation. Then they gather people around them to support their theories and endlessly attack those who do not agree.

I wonder... you brothers who preach against big Message Churches, while you mostly have smaller congregations; you say they must not be preaching the Word because the Word is too straight, and will cause people to leave; Scripture tells us here that the Word will unite people too; what about those African Churches with thousands of congregants? Are they off too? Or does your jealousy only extend to the borders of North America?

He Spoke, and It Was

Psalms 33:6 By the Word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

"I hear Him say, "Let there be light." And when He did, an atom broke yonder, and the sun come into existence. I watch that sun burn for millions of years. The first thing you know, went a clinker. He stood and watched it. And it flew, fell for a few million years; He stopped it. Then another one flew, and He stopped it. What? He was putting the solar system. He was writing His first Bible.1"

God's Word is creative. It never stops creating until He tells It to stop. The evidence of that is found by scientists who can use technology to measure the expansion of the galaxy. When those clinkers flew off into space they just keep right on going until He commands them to stand fast. 

You know, God sometimes does things in an instant, and sometimes He takes His time accomplishing it. Some people experience miraculous, instantaneous healings which defy medical explanations. In these past few years, the deaf have heard again, the blind have received their sight, and the dead have been raised back to life... all in an instant. God has instantly delivered people from addictions and sinful conditions, and if you ask around, I'm sure it won't be long before you find someone who'll testify of the miraculous in their life.

But most of the time God will allow time to come into the equation. And here's the true paradox friend, because in Gods mind, it's already done and time is not a factor in the finished work. When He speaks His Word, It Is Finished. That's one reason why I disagree with Christians who believe the whole work of creation lasted seven literal days. Science testifies to the power of God. Don't put God in a box and think you have Him figured out. His ways are past knowing, they are not our ways.

Here is the equation: He Spoke + He Believed His Own Word = It Happens  (time is not a factor)

1. Show Us the Father It'll Satisfy, William Branham, June 10, 1953 MP3

Words of Forgiveness

Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

 

Luke 17:3 - 4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

 

And after Jesus Christ spoke these words, the disciples said "Lord, increase our faith!" Let's face it, forgiving isn't easy! And, it's easy to see from these two Scriptures, that forgiveness is a requirement set by the Messiah for His children. I believe the wording "thou shalt" to be fairly important words to listen to when Christ is speaking to us. I believe that Christ requires two types of forgiveness. I call them heart forgiveness and verbal forgiveness. 

Heart Forgiveness must be given unconditionally, while verbal forgiveness is often conditional.  
Heart forgiveness is a battle, verbal forgiveness is a response.  
Heart Forgiveness is a battle in your spirit to subdue the reaction of your flesh to the injury.

Greg Wright says the following, "Verbal Forgiveness is the response of the forgiving heart to the repentence of the offender. Generally, Christians who only recognize one kind of forgiveness--verbal forgiveness--still would agree that bitterness must be overcome in the heart, but they would not refer to this heart-work as forgiveness. However, I maintain that not only is this heart-work appropriately called forgiveness, but this is the kind of forgiveness that is always demanded by Christ. Even when offenders do not repent, Christians are still required by the Bible to forgive personal offenses from the heart. 

These two methods of forgiveness differ from each other in many ways. 
They differ in direction:

• Heart Forgiveness is godward and vertical. With the help of God the victim seeks to set aside bitterness, hatred, and revenge.
• Verbal Forgiveness is manward and horizontal. The victim responds to the repentance of the offender by telling him that he is forgiven.

They differ in what is accomplished:

• Heart Forgiveness restores the victim. It removes the evil thoughts that undermine communion and fellowship with God.
• Verbal Forgiveness restores the offender. It renews fellowship and makes full reconciliation possible.

They differ in what is required:

• Heart forgiveness is the required response to all personal offenses.
• Verbal forgiveness is required only when the offender repents.

They differ in location:

• Heart forgiveness can be done alone before God in prayer.
• Verbal forgiveness must be communicated to the offender.

They differ in possibility:

• Heart forgiveness is the response of the offended party, so it is always doable. The victim does not need the cooperation of the offender.
• Verbal forgiveness requires the repentance of the offender, so it is not always doable.

They differ in finality:

• Heart forgiveness must be done continually. Man might sooner tame the wind than still the recurring bad memories that ignite bitterness. Yet as often as he remembers he must forgive.
• Verbal forgiveness is required only once. Yet the victim may need to reassure the offender of forgiveness, just as Joseph had to reassure his brothers after Jacob died.

They differ in dependency:

• Heart forgiveness may be done without verbal forgiveness.
• Verbal forgiveness means nothing without heart forgiveness. The man who verbally forgives yet nurses a grudge has not truly forgiven

 

The Freedom of Forgiveness

John Garrett

Believers Christian Fellowship, Lima, OH May 20th, 2009

Click below the picture to hear a message I delivered at my home church on the Freedom of Forgiveness.  I'm not trying to promote myself by posting this, but I think that this will speak to people who are dealing with bitterness and pain from the past. It's obviously more in depth than what we can get into a blog post. As always, we give God the glory!

This message is available for download on iTunes as well as at www.bcfellowship.org. You will need Realplayer (available for free download) or Realplayer Aternative (available for free download) to watch the sermon.  

She Said the Right Thing

It was a day unlike any seen since Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth. Amongst a little gathering of friends speaking about the Bible, a little widow woman received one of the greatest gifts God has ever given as a reward for saying the right thing. This is the story of that little widow woman.

The widow's life was not an easy one. When the widows husband had passed on, he had left her with two teenage boys to care for, and a farm to run. That would have been a task for any person; and on top of this burden, she cared for her mother and handicapped sister. To say her life was a hard row to hoe would not be an exageration. In those days, there were no government welfare programs to help the poor and the widow made her living running the little farm her husband had left her. It was a hard life, filled with back breaking labor from sunrise to sunset. What little cash money there was quickly spent for food and supplies, there were no credit cards in the widows purse.

One day the widow determined in her heart to give God an offering of what she had. She knew she didn't have much to give, but she loved God and was grateful for what she did have. Out of the abundance of her heart she saved for many months to give God the offering. She must have looked at her growing pile of coins each week and thought how much her sons could use a pair of shoes, or how badly her disabled sister needed medical care. Finally, the day came when a man of God crossed her path, and she quickly ran to him to give him her offering. The man of God could hardly accept the poor widows offering. It wasn't a great sum, only twenty dollars, but the man of God knew that the little widow needed every penny she could pinch. He began to tell her to keep her money when he felt God tell him that he should accept the offering. Not completely understanding, but knowing that God had something in store for the widow, he accepted her offering with gratitude.

Not longafter, the man of God went to visit the widows home. He had pondered the great sacrifice the widow had made and in his heart, he wanted to give her the money back. While he was visiting the widows family, they began to discuss the Word of God, particularly how that God had provided a sacrifice to spare the son of Abraham. God had placed a ram in a thicket so that Isaac would not be slain. While the man of God was teaching the widow how God would provide for His children, the widow replied in agreement, "That ain't nothing but the truth."

Suddenly the man of God felt the Spirit of God move upon him. Through numb lips he said, "THUS SAITH THE LORD," like the syrophonecian woman you have said the right thing! That you may know that I am God's servant, ask what you will, and I will speak it behind you, if it doesn't fall in your lap, then I am a false prophet!

The conversations in the room died until all that could be heard was the scoffing of the widows sons who hated the cause of Christ. The bewildered widow was distraught! She didn't know what to ask for! The man of God pointed out her destitute condition, she could ask for money. Her sister was crippled, she could ask for her to be miraculously healed. She widow paused and looked over to where her sons were still laughing at the man of God. She said, "My greatest desire is for the salvation of my two sons." 

No sooner than the words had left her mouth, the man of God cried out, "I give them to you in the Name of Jesus Christ!" The power of God fell instantly, and the room began to shake! A friend sitting at the table fell into his dinner plate! A roaring noise filled the air! The widow screamed as the Spirit of God fell, her two boys began to scream the blessings of God. They fell into their mothers lap and were gloriously saved.

Because she said the right thing. 

Angry Words

James 1:19 - 20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

You can take a lot of things back, but words simply aren't one of them. Words, good or bad, (and the perceived intent behind them) will always be stored in the hearers heart. You'll notice that James links hearing, speaking, and the anger of man together. I believe that is because listening will help us to understand what is truly being said, even when the words we hear don't say it all. The Scripture could be translated to say, "Be a good listener, don't say the first thing that pops in your mind, and don't use your words to punish or hurt people."

A pretty smart guy by the name of Josh Billings once said, "The best time for you to hold your tongue is when you feel like you must say something or bust." So my advice is: take a breath, swallow the words you want to say and choose to rise above the situation. I know you'll be better off in the  long run. Now, I'm not saying you can't get angry or upset with someone or about a situation, but Ephesians 4:26 says "be angry and sin not." As human beings, we're going to get angry, our goal as Christians is to take care to "sin not."

Let His Praise Consume Me

PSALMS 71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

This psalm of David really strikes a chord deep within my heart. We are taught in Philippians 4:8 that whatsoever things are honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise... to think on those things. When the news reports all around speak of gloom and doom, the stock market is crashing, the flu is spreading, and the world is going tee-totally insane it's time to think about other things. It's time to think about the Good News.

We can't control what happens in this world. We can't control the government, the swine flu, the bird flu, the stock market crashing, or the economy collapsing. But what we can control is what we choose to think about and to talk about. We can choose what we want to meditate on. Psalms 1 tells us that blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditate on it day and night. I choose to think about the good things. I choose to praise God in the midst of chaos, because my soul is at peace. In Him, I have complete and total rest.

Those words that the shepherd-warrior-king penned so long ago resonate in today's world more deeply than ever: Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your honor. Let His praises consume me. Let all that I am never cease to praise His Name! The stock market shed another 500 points? So what! He will provide my needs according to His riches in glory. My job situation looks shaky? So what! My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. 

No matter what your situation is today, it's time to look at the sunny side of life.  It's time to think about the good things. Stop listening to the peddlers of depression and anxiety in the media, and start listening to what a prophet said to this generation! And when you think about the good things He's done for you, I guarantee you that you will feel like praising Him.

The Heart to Mouth Connection Part: 3

LUKE 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Continuing the thought that the Heart to Mouth Connection is a Kingdom Principle: Jesus said in John 7:38 that "He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." If you are consistently feeding on the Word of God, then that will show in how you talk. Notice this now, it's not that you're going to be preaching the Word of God like an Evangelist, but that you will be an energy giver, a life giver. That you will be uplifting and encouraging to others. That is the beauty of the Heart to Mouth Connection!

So how does this apply to relationships? Well, in a lot of ways to be sure. Proverbs 18:24 tells us that there is a friend that sticks to you closer than a brother. A true friend genuinely cares for you without reservation. When you're sad, a friend can cheer you up. When you're heading down the wrong path, a friend will hasten to straighten you out. Friends can listen to what your lips speak, and hear what your heart has to say.

The Heart to Mouth Connection is always on, just like the lights at Motel 6. You can't turn it off. Some times you may not feel like telling your spouse that you love them, but you have to say it anyway (deep down you know you do anyhow, so you may as well say it!). So how do you switch out the evil treasure for good? By feeding on uplifting, encouraging things! You will notice that you will become more buoyant, more alive, and filled with a zest for life. Soon you will find that other people are calling you just to chat about life. People will seek you out in the crowd at Church. And if you'll continue to feed on good things, the river of living water will just keep flowing.

Parting thought: Now here's a thought for you to ponder when it seems like your marriage is on a rocky path: you love your spouse, right? When asked if she'd ever contemplated divorce, Billy Grahams wife said, "Divorce? No. Murder? Yes." We love our spouses no matter what. Even when we're hurt and devastated by things that they've said or done. Deep down, that love is still there. That is when you have to listen carefully to what your spouses heart is saying. I'm guessing if you will truely listen with all your heart you'll hear them saying "I'm lonely; I need you; I want to know you care; I want to know you love me"

"Now, the Bible, you can't just take the Bible just like you was reading a newspaper. The Bible is a love letter. Did you know that? The Bible says the--that He's hid these things from the eyes of the wise and prudent, and reveal them to babes such as will learn. Is that right?
Now here, when I go overseas, my wife will write me a letter, and she'll say, "Dear Billy, I'm with... here... I just put the children to bed..." and she'll write me a letter. Now, I can read what she says there. Yeah, anybody could read that. But you know, I love her so much, I can read between the lines. I know what she's saying in between the lines. Well, that's the way God does His Bible." Workings of the Holy Spirit William Branham August 16, 1956

The Heart to Mouth Connection Part 2

LUKE 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Continuing the thought that the Heart to Mouth Connection is a Kingdom Principle, let's take a moment to examine this Scripture. First, all men have treasure laid up in their heart, it can be good treasure or bad treasure. If you are what you eat naturally, then you are what you feed on spiritually. So now might be a good time to consider what kind of treasure you've been storing away in your heart? How do you know? Because what's inside is bound to come out.

Have you ever been around someone who just seems to suck the energy right out of you? Before speaking with this type of person you may have been happy and singing a song and by the time you part ways all you want to do is crawl under the covers and hibernate. A person who does this to you consistently is what I call an "energy vampire." From such, run, run, run away! You see, this type of person is wrapped up in self. They are consumed with me, my trials, my pain, my misery. And because that evil treasure is what they store up, it's what comes out. You must be a strong person indeed if you are to withstand such a one. Keep in mind, they may not be an evil person, per se, but for a bitter season...

Negativity, bitterness, anger, self-pity, hatred, and malice are easy to spot in a person because of the Heart to Mouth Connection. Inevitably, it all comes out. But what about the good treasures?

The Heart to Mouth Connection Part 1

LUKE 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

You can't judge a book by its cover, and you can't judge a person just by looking at them. Sometimes, people can surprise you. The one sure way to know a persons heart is to listen to them for a while. It is an inevitable truth, that a person will speak what's inside their heart. You don't have to listen very hard to hear a person speak their mind. I've heard plenty of people have their say and speak their piece, (and people tend to speak their mind without using it much) but you have to listen closely to hear someone speak their heart.  

What I want you to discover here is what I call the "Heart to Mouth Connection." This connection is vital to relationships of every scale, from friendships to marriages. This connection is a Kingdom Principle found throughout the Bible. I'd like to take at least the two next posts to express my thoughts on how this connection can enhance your relationships.  But I'd like to leave you with these parting thoughts: 

You can say the right things, but if you do not believe it, that makes it a lie.

You can say "I love you," but if you don't mean it, it's just empty words.

You can speak the "mechanics" but without faith, you'll never see the dynamics.

You can say, "I'm sorry," but without true contrition, it's insult on top of injury.

p.s. A caveat so I don't leave you too confused before I cover it in the next post: Yes, sometimes we have to say things when we don't really mean it, when we don't really want to say them.  

Not By Might Nor By Power

ZECHARIAH 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit... what a concept! It's almost incomprehensible by today's standards, and yet it's so simple. God doesn't need to use His power or His might to accomplish anything. He doesn't twist your arm behind your back and shout in your ear, "This is it, I've had it! Repent or else!" He doesn't set angels with flaming swords next to the computer to keep you from going to xrated sites. He uses His Spirit. He's that "still small voice" in your heart telling you good from bad. But He lets you make the choice.

I wonder why, then, we so often choose to doing things within our own might and power. How is it that the meek one, who barely whispers an Amen on Sunday, can scream at their spouse on Monday? What kind of a man would lay a finger on his wife and use his brawn to intimidate and abuse her? God doesn't use lung power and physical might to get our attention, does He?

You say, I don't know what else to do, well I want you to try this: be sweet. Be kind. Be longsuffering. Be patient. Be slow to anger. Be quick to forgive. Set the tone of the home with your attitude. Rejoice in the day that He hath made. Endure the trials of life. Count it all joy. It's time that YOU changed the atmosphere. Without using your lung power.

Childish Speech

I CORINTHIANS 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

The other night at dinner our family had this joy of a conversation:

Immediately after my giving the blessing Gracelyn turned to her mother and said, "Momma, Moriah was peeking!" To which Mother wisely replied, "How did you know that, Gracelyn, unless you had your eyes open too?" Without missing a beat, Gracelyn returned, "I didn't have my eyes open! God let me know she had her eyes open!" Mother then said, "I'm glad you have such a connection with God!" At this point Moriah was getting a bit worried thinking Mother was serious and interjected, "If that's true, then God's a tattle-tale!" Of course, Mother and Father got quite a snicker from this. 

This little conversation highlights a principle of Christian growth that can be quite easy to forget: a Believer is responsible for speaking maturely. Proverbs 15:23 tells us how good a word is which is spoken in due season, that it is a joyful thing. All of us have had hurtful things said to us before, and if you're honest, you'll admit that you've said your share of hurtful things as well. 

Paul tells us, it's time to quit speaking like children, it's time to speak as mature adults. It's time to speak wisely, to be careful of our words. Did you know that your words can be "health to the bones?" That's right, your words can impart health to the sick and infirm! Proverbs 16:24 tells us, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." 

Won't you make this your prayer today? Almighty God, Author of Life, Giver of every good gift, help me to become an energy giver, to be a life giver.  Help me to carefully consider my words and the impact that they can have on others. Teach me Lord, the value of my words. Speak through my lips Lord Jesus, and love through me. Live Your Life in me and through me.

In Thy Mouth Pt 2

ROMANS 10: 8    But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

We can find a parallel set of Scriptures, which can give us a better understanding of what Paul is trying to convey to us, in Deuteronomy 30:11 - 16. Here we find God telling Israel that word is "in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it (amp)." The point that He is conveying to Israel, and that Paul is trying to convey to us, is that God's Word is not some unobtainable mystery only understood by great theologians. Rather God's Word is given to the common man, that we all have free access to His Word. 

Paul also conveys here that God's Word is our life's blood. God's Word isn't something our children should hear once a week on Sunday from the preacher, but rather It should become familiar in our homes. James 4:8 tells us that if we draw nigh to God, that He will draw nigh unto us. 

So let's establish a life goal today, to draw nigh unto God. You may be wondering, how do I do that? It's simple really, just begin to talk about Him. Talk about how He has blessed you. How He has blessed your children? How many times has He healed you? What secrets about His nature has He revealed to you? Has He shown you mercy? Compassion? Kindness? What has He taught you? Where has He brought you from? Tell a friend. Tell a neighbor. Tell your wife and your children. Look in the mirror and tell yourself. Talk to Him while your at it. The more you talk about Him and to Him, the more you'll fall in love with Him.

In Thy Mouth Part 1

ROMANS 10: 8    But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

This portion of Scripture goes on to tell the Believer in verse 10 that “with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.” That doesn’t just mean the salvation of your soul. In the Greek, the word used for salvation, soteria, also means deliverance, preservation, and safety! It can also be translated as health. So, to the Believer, the promise is that by your verbal confession you can obtain safety and deliverance from the enemy, preservation of your children, and healing when sick, just to name a few.

But the key is, that the Believer must orally confess the Word of faith! That is, the Believer trusts that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and you believe that He is the High Priest sitting at the right hand of the Father to make intercession upon your confession. Listen friend, you believe upon Him for the eternal salvation of your soul, don’t you? Why not believe upon Him for your healing? Why not believe upon Him for the salvation of wayward children? Why not confess the Word that He has given you?

He is the I AM. He never changes. If He was ever a healer, then He still is today. If He was ever a seeker of the lost, then He still is today. If He ever made a promise to the Believer, then that promise stands firm today.  Speak it back to Him, and allow Him to act on what He has promised. Put the Word of Faith into action.

reference Romans 10:8 - 10

Speak to Your Storm

Matthew 8:27 "But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!"

Imagine the fear the Disciples must have felt as their little fishing boat was tossed to and fro in the midst of that storm. Even that great fisherman, Peter, was probably a bit nervous. They must have battled the waves and the winds on their own for quite a while. Only when the storm seemed about to overwhelm them did they consider to wake up Jesus.
I wonder, what did the disciples expect Jesus to do, when they asked Him, "Lord, save us!" Did they expect this man of God to earnestly pray for their deliverance? Did they expect Him to be wide eyed in terror at the overwhelming circumstances? I bet they didn't expect what came next. Jesus rebuked their fear and their lack of faith... while the storm was still raging! Then He turned His face into the storm and rebuked it too! "Peace, be still."

What storms are raging in your life today? Are you anxious about your job? Is your family life a mess? Do you feel like the waves are tossing you about and you're about to sink? Jesus of Nazareth isn't here today to speak to the storms in your life. But, if you've given your heart to Him, then He has sent the Comforter to live inside you and to guide you. You are a part of the mystical Body of Christ. It's time for YOU to speak to YOUR storm. Put His Words on YOUR lips. "Peace, be still." You may not need to literally calm a stormy sea, but you will calm the storm raging in your spirit.

Speak and Go Forward

Exodus 14: 15 "And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward"

In this familiar passage in Exodus we find Moses and Israel surrounded by impossible circumstances. Facing certain destruction at the hands of a wrathful Pharoh, it must have been quite natural to cry out to God for help. Moses surely could not have anticipated Jehovah God's quick rebuke and command, Speak and Go Forward. 

God rebuked His Prophet because Moses forgot what authority God had invested him with. It was time for God to "take the training wheels off" and allow Moses to act in accordance with what God had tasked him to do, to be the Deliverer. God wanted Moses take action based on faith in Gods commands.

In a time of trouble, it's easy to forget who we are. It's so easy to become anxious as we see the calamities that are befalling us. But God has told you that He loves you. He has promised to never leave you, nor forsake you. But He has a part for you to play, a part that requires faith based action. It's time for you to Speak, and Go Forward.

Why Cry Speak preached on July 14, 1963 by William Branham.

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