For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:34-37 NKJV
What do our words say about us? Do we speak postively and in faith or do we spew negativity? As Christians, we are to call things that are not as though they are--speaking in faith and believing GOD for His blessings on our lives. Satan would have us look at the situation around us and assume the worst. If he can cause us to doubt, he's won the battle--he's driven a wedge between us and GOD. Fear looks at the physical evidence while faith looks at GOD's promises.
We should be careful with our words in our daily interactions with others. Matthew 15:18 (NKJV) tells us, "those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man." Our words reveal what is truly in our hearts. How can we smile sweetly and speak politely to a person only to talk about them behind their back once they leave our company? James had something to say about that..."But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? (James 3:8-11 NKJV). Words have to power to hurt or to heal--choose them wisely!
It is something to think about. What do your words reveal about your heart & attitude? When you stand before GOD to give account of your life, deeds & words--will you be ashamed and have regrets? Speak words of kindness and faith to those you come in contact with. The world will be a better place as a result!
Blessings!
Tony
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Is GOD enough?
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV
Is GOD enough? We often hear that we are to "let go and let GOD." Can we, in our humanness, let go of control and allow GOD to have His Will and His Way in our lives? Therein lies a great challenge to our human nature. After all, aren't we supposed to be self-sufficient, independent and in control of our destiny?
In truth, and according to GOD's Word, we are to "cast all our cares on him" (1 Peter 5:7). We are also instructed "we should not trust in ourselves, but in GOD" (1 Corinthians 1:9). Why then do we disregard His instructions and attempt to take matters into our own hands? The simple answer is SIN. When we fail to heed GOD's Word and do as we are commanded, we are guilty of sin. Disobedience is sin and when we try to control our surroundings and our lives, we are being willingly disobedient to GOD.
James 4:17 tells us "to him who knows to do good and does not do it, it is sin." As Christians, we have been taught what is good and right in GOD's eyes and we have His Instructions--The Bible--to guide us. However, we are not alone in this. The Apostle Paul wrote of his struggles with this very thing in Romans 7:19, when he said, "for the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." If Paul could falter in this area, surely we will as well.
Jesus himself endured temptation. Therefore, He understands our struggles. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Through Jesus, we are made righteous in GOD's sight. He looks at us through a "Jesus filter" that removes our (confessed) sin from His vision. Ah, confession...yes, we are accountable for all unconfessed sin in our lives and must be cleansed daily from the accumulation of sins we commit. Our spirit needs a bath regularly just like our physical body does.
Fact is, GOD is enough. He is sufficient. We simply have to recognize our own weakness and surrender control to His divine Will. Is it time to "have a little talk with Jesus?" Seek His Will for your life, be willing to take risks for Him--He'll open (and close) the appropriate doors and light the way...
Blessings!
Tony
Is GOD enough? We often hear that we are to "let go and let GOD." Can we, in our humanness, let go of control and allow GOD to have His Will and His Way in our lives? Therein lies a great challenge to our human nature. After all, aren't we supposed to be self-sufficient, independent and in control of our destiny?
In truth, and according to GOD's Word, we are to "cast all our cares on him" (1 Peter 5:7). We are also instructed "we should not trust in ourselves, but in GOD" (1 Corinthians 1:9). Why then do we disregard His instructions and attempt to take matters into our own hands? The simple answer is SIN. When we fail to heed GOD's Word and do as we are commanded, we are guilty of sin. Disobedience is sin and when we try to control our surroundings and our lives, we are being willingly disobedient to GOD.
James 4:17 tells us "to him who knows to do good and does not do it, it is sin." As Christians, we have been taught what is good and right in GOD's eyes and we have His Instructions--The Bible--to guide us. However, we are not alone in this. The Apostle Paul wrote of his struggles with this very thing in Romans 7:19, when he said, "for the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." If Paul could falter in this area, surely we will as well.
Jesus himself endured temptation. Therefore, He understands our struggles. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, "we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Through Jesus, we are made righteous in GOD's sight. He looks at us through a "Jesus filter" that removes our (confessed) sin from His vision. Ah, confession...yes, we are accountable for all unconfessed sin in our lives and must be cleansed daily from the accumulation of sins we commit. Our spirit needs a bath regularly just like our physical body does.
Fact is, GOD is enough. He is sufficient. We simply have to recognize our own weakness and surrender control to His divine Will. Is it time to "have a little talk with Jesus?" Seek His Will for your life, be willing to take risks for Him--He'll open (and close) the appropriate doors and light the way...
Blessings!
Tony
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