Tag: speak

Insurmountable Problems

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“Have faith in God,”
 Mark 11:22 NIV
Jesus had a teaching moment with his disciples smack dab in the middle of this history-making week. It was right after the Triumphal Entry and before He went to the garden of Gethsemane.
It is easy to miss and easy to misunderstand.
The disciples heard Jesus curse a fig tree on the way to cleanse the Temple.
The tree was advertising fruit with its full leaves but in reality, had none. Jesus is not a fan of false advertising.  On their way back, they saw that it had withered to its roots and was utterly dead.  It wasn’t a winter frost or harsh storm that killed the plant- it was the words Jesus spoke to it.
He told them to “have faith in God”, then gave them an example they would understand:
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”
Mark 11:23 NIV
A “mountain” was used in that day to mean any insurmountable problem.  
God can overcome any obstacle, no matter how big or immovable it seems.
Jesus reveals the secret of His strength: “Have faith in God”.  
Not faith in faith (simply believing whatever you want) or conjuring up a feeling in your heart but faith in God, trusting God. 
Today, my friend, speak to your insurmountable obstacle with words of faith and confidence knowing that God can move the immovable.
He has given you words to speak, to pray, and to proclaim.
Speak them out, lift them up and proclaim that with God nothing is impossible.
Then put the outcome in God’s hands.

Little White Lies

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Little white lies.

Big unsaid truths.

Smoothing it over by telling someone what they want to hear.

Avoid confrontation at all costs so you won’t be rejected.

We rarely do these things because we don’t like someone, in fact, we do them the most for those we love.

Little white lies can slowly become the language of our relationships as well as we try to protect our most tender selves.

15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ” Ephesians 4:15 NIV

“Liars hate their victims; flatterers sabotage trust.”  ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26:28‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Words are powerful and all deception, whether it is big or small, deteriorates relationships.

It doesn’t matter if it is a negative slur or positive flattery.

If the words you are speaking are not true, you are not really loving who you are speaking to. Deceptive words will cause ruin whether you want them to or not.

If you love someone, tell them the truth. It doesn’t have to be brutal or mean, but it does need to be spoken.

This isn’t a challenge to suddenly verbally vomit all your pent up, stuffed down and swallowed words on the ones you love. This is a loving reminder to examine your words and the state of your heart.

I want to encourage you to ask God to show you why you are stuffing, swallowing, avoiding and not speaking the truth.

Can I tell you the truth?  With all the love I have in my heart hear this: it probably has more to do with how you see yourself than how you see others.

When you discover why you are lying and unintentionally ruining your relationships, you will uncover a place that God wants to heal.

Jesus will give you the courage to boldly look at your underlying motives and begin to speak the truth in love.

Speak the truth in love.

Face the fear of being misunderstood.

Ask God to begin to heal the broken parts in you so that you can have healthy relationships with those around you. 

Insurmountable Problems

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“Have faith in God,”
 Mark 11:22 NIV
Jesus had a teaching moment with his disciples smack dab in the middle of this history-making week (after the Triumphal Entry and before the garden of Gethsemane).
It is easy to miss and easy to misunderstand.
The disciples heard Jesus curse a fig tree on the way to cleanse the Temple.
The tree was advertising fruit with its full leaves but in reality, had none. Jesus is not a fan of false advertising.  On their way back, they saw that it had withered to its roots and was utterly dead.  It wasn’t a winter frost or harsh storm that killed the plant- it was the words Jesus spoke to it.
He told them to “have faith in God”, then gave them an example they would understand:
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”
Mark 11:23 NIV
A “mountain” was used in that day to mean any insurmountable problem.  
God can overcome any obstacle, no matter how big or immovable it seems.
Jesus reveals the secret of His strength: “Have faith in God”.  
Not faith in faith (simply believing whatever you want) or conjuring up a feeling in your heart but faith in God, trusting God. 
Today, my friend, speak to your insurmountable obstacle with words of faith and confidence knowing that God can move the immovable.
He has given you words to speak, to pray, and to proclaim.
Speak them out, lift them up and proclaim that with God nothing is impossible.
Then put the outcome in God’s hands.

Fourth of July

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“Let us dare to read, think, speak and write”

– John Adams

For this and so much more, I am celebrating America today.

Not because we are perfect but because we are tenacious.

Not because we have it all together but because we are willing to try and keep trying to get it together.

Not because life is easy but because life has always been hard, will not get easier but we are willing to work hard for life.

I celebrate today because I can write, think, speak and pray out loud as an American.

Tonight as I watch the fireworks being lit and fired, I will be thankful that I am alive today in this country at this time. I will pray that this year I will read ferociously, speak fearlessly, think authentically and write faithfully because I have the freedom to do so.

“I’m thanking you, GOD, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God.” Psalm 9:1, 2 MSG

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!