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Witness

The Power Of Life And Death

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THE WORD

Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We know through the classic passage in the bible that there is the power of life and death within our tongues. If you have gone to church any time in your life, I am sure that you have heard a message related to this subject. It was probably delivered in the context that we need to watch what we say about others, watch our words, etc. Let us discuss!

First off, we know that the passage begins with our tongue because it is one of the first outlets that our thoughts can begin to become amplified. If I am not happy about something and want to take it out on someone else, then I can use my voice to cut down someone else simply from my thoughts coming forth through my voice. We know this example, but as we know enhancements of mediums (Facebook, Twitter, Texting, etc.) to communicate have brought this to a whole new level.

The reason I talk about this is now is that our voices are becoming one of the lesser mediums used. There is more trouble caused from the outing of our thoughts through the internet because we have not learned to control ourselves and to understand just how far those words travel. As the leaders and believers of Christ we must choose to use the power of life, especially in the new avenues personal expression! A person’s thoughts and words are expressed in greatest effect by their actions. How you carry yourself and let others see you lead your walk with God makes or breaks the witness you display. Sometimes it could be very easy for me to step out and do something irrational through my words and actions, but I know it would not solve anything for anyone (not even me)! Learn to perform your actions that it promotes the power of life in yourself and those around you! Choose life!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

Take a single day to make a list and write something positive for every negative thing you say or write about someone or something. You may be surprised how much you hear or read from yourself without realizing the amount of times that it happens! Try it!

Do We Use Discernment Anymore?

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THE WORD

Romans 8:27 – And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

One of the toughest spiritual gifts to willingly learn and use is the gift of discernment. One of the ways you can understand how discernment works is when you are following the Holy Ghost during a church service to ensure you are obeying the perfect will of God, keeping things in a spiritual order as God would lead, and helping to prevent things that would disrupt the freedom of God from being in control. That is the long way of putting it but is where you might see it used the most.

To put it in an easier way, you would not just let anyone get up and minister to you without having a good spirit dwelling within them. You know (and discern) that through the light of God lives a person’s spirit and are you able to bear witness of that light through what they speak and obey. You can begin to use discernment every day of your life. Whether it comes to what you see or hear or what you do around or say to others, discernment can be used in all venues if you allow the spirit of God to lead you. God would not have you willingly walking around in sin if it can be shown to you to turn from it. We can begin to discern that it is not the right situation to surround ourselves with and can learn to change where we are and what we do. It is possible! As we pray we can begin to discern from people how they either have God’s love or are lost from God’s direction and are in need.

PUT INTO PRACTICE

Learn to be spiritually led each day! The best thing to start with is prayer and thinking upon the good things of God. Once you start there, build yourself up and see how much begins to change. You will be surprised! God would not have you live in darkness. God would have you be a light to it, compelling people to change. Learn to change your environments and get out when you know things are too much for what you are capable of dealing with. Remember, we often make our biggest mistakes when we think we are strong enough to discern it for ourselves and not with the spirit. God is the best leader and guide!

Power Off? Turn The Lights On!

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When you are surrounded by so many things that try to physically and emotionally affect you, it will eventually pull you down spiritually if you are not too careful. We have to begin to remember to use the only thing that can begin to lift us up in the times when we are surrounded by the darkness of the world: the light of Christ! I speak a word of encouragement to you today!

Don’t wait too long before you begin to take advantage of all the tools and provision that God has given to us each and every day: prayer, fasting, reading the word of God, exhortation, all the gifts of the spirit, and truly stepping out in obedience! Always be a Godly witness and walk in the light! As He is in the light! When you do this, people are drawn and led in the direction you are leading! When you operate in the things you are called in, it inspires others to move in their callings. You could say your anointing and zeal rubs off!

Always remember that where Christ is dominant in your life that nothing else can be above that. It may take the appearance that it is, but it is not. Remember; no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and there is nothing that could ever be said or done to you that could ever prove true when you are walking in the name of Jesus Christ!

Sometimes Silence Is Golden

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THE WORD

Job 33:31, 33 – Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I could not tell you about all of the hundreds of times when I have been tempted to offer my opinion or to state my mind on a matter that someone asked me about. Without proper care of have a good conversation we fail to realize that being opinionated to one another can turn bad quickly. It is in those moments to which God (through the spirit) is continually teaching me when to hold my peace and keep my silence about something. I never thought that I would be able to conquer this in very touchy situations where it gets tough, but through God it IS possible to have the temperance (self-control) we need to make it through opening our mouths about things!

There is value in your silence. Sometimes silence can be golden. It keeps you in a place where you can still be a witness of God without stepping out too far on words that you speak. More often than not before we realize the consequences we forget to consider how powerful wielding life and death through our tongues really is. Through silence you can help to create a gap that gives you a chance to get your mind on God and allow the spirit to show you what to say. It reminds me of a spiritual spinoff of the clichéd phrase “think before you speak”. Just remember to include God in your emotional battles and He will always keep your words in check!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

I can definitely assure you that there will be another argument sometime in your near future. Especially when we are attempting to let God take control of our thoughts and words in a greater way. The next time someone gives you a chance to offer your opinion, remember to either choose positive words or to let silence keep you from causing harm. It may be hard the first few times but I testify that it gets easier! Words are just as damaging to our spiritual and emotional being as much as a weapon is harmful to our bodies.

Sometimes It Hurts, Sometimes It Helps

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THE WORD

John 15:20 – Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When it comes to encouraging others the reaction you receive will always vary. You can sometimes give someone just what they need, while in other moments the other person may appear agitated. It could even be a right now word that you speak that touches their life and yet they still reject you. An important part to remember in ministry work is that even the best encouragement cannot alter a stubborn spirit. All that we can do in any situation is offer God through love and obedience so that the people you witness to can begin to know the source of help and encouragement through the wisdom and spirit of God you share!

There will be other times, however, when the words will begin to fail you. When a person is in a circumstance long enough, they will begin to look back at you and simply say they have “heard this all before” or that you just “do not understand”. Remember that pursuing harder is not always the best option. You must learn to follow the leadership of how God’s spirit would have you to counsel others. There were times when Christ offered to people words of encouragement and faith. For example, Jesus spoke to the woman at the well to draw from the fountain of living water, extending choice to a new way of life. When the man was at the pool at Bethesda, Jesus spoke for him to take up his bed and walk, encouraging him to take the action in faith! Just remember as a witness of God to always follow the Holy Spirit when you go out to help people and you will never be led astray by your own actions, words or opinions!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

God’s spirit always has the most perfect timing when it comes to when actions and obedience need to be interjected into a situation. Think about moments when worship and preaching have really changed your life. Was it not when you were really going through something and needed help? Find those moments with people as you pray for God to show you and learn when to bring out the best of your love and compassion for others.

Is It Really Worth It?

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THE WORD

Ephesians 4:26 – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath

Proverbs 18:19 – A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We as Christians are the light of the world for Jesus Christ. We are the example and outreach that people come into contact with each and every day. Without the witness and light of God in our lives, people cannot be drawn. Knowing this duty and responsibility we all share, I ask this question: Is it really worth it when we overreact and destroy our witness?

More often than not, we let our emotions and pride steer the outcome in the direction we so choose. Is it really worth it to be irrational over silly things? There are many arguments and battles that we are not in control over that are going to come up, and whether you choose to handle it correctly or not, the decision is going to be before you. Is the love of Christ being shown in what we say and do? If it is then we will not say things that we do not mean that hurt others (even when we are justified). Is it really worth that extra pat on the back? You see it in the workplace every day, while the consensus that justifies the behavior is that it is “just business”. Even though we may gain a little bit of popularity by using or taking advantage of others, I honestly do not feel that it is okay for the children of God to be on anyone’s business but God’s. We must learn to demonstrate love by being team players and not doing anything unethical or with reason to gain an advantage. If you are serving God with all of your heart, God will teach you! You can ask of him your desires and not have to pick and prod the business life!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

The next time you find yourself in a situation where you behave negatively out of your emotions take a moment and examine the choices made. Ask yourself if what you got out of your actions was really worth the expense that was invoked when the other person was hurt. You will be surprised to what you find if you approach with an honest mind and heart. And as you pray the Holy Ghost will help you learn what to do next time.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Do No Evil

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THE WORD

James 1:23-24 – For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I could not be more troubled about how much it seems that evil is ever present around the people of God. I want to ask some questions that will put us in the frame of mind of what I’m writing on today: How hard do we really try to walk away from something we know that we are seeing or hearing is wrong? In all reality we may find the answer is not too hard at all. If something (being the spirit of God) leads you to know that something wrong is going on, and you have the power to make a decision to change that behavior, then it is our responsibility hands down! If we learn to walk with God’s higher standard then they will know that there is something that drives us to be above the temptation of sin. Could we say a witness of the Lord?!? How much do we restrain ourselves from saying things that we should not in a situation where we are affected? Not too much at all. Keeping ourselves from saying irrational things is one of the hardest things to do simply because we feel enabled from our own self-right of justice. If they wronged us, they are going to hear about it, right? There is a difference in doing things in love versus out of spite or with an attitude! You have to always remember that everyone will answer for their actions and that self-control is only truly successful by the quickening of the anointing in you to help you prevent such decisions! How difficult is it to trust God when you feel like that you are surrounded in darkness? It is truly easy if you allow God to do it! We are the light of the world, but God is the fire that burns within! His spirit will keep you each day and never let you feel stale! If you learn to stir up the gifts and callings every day through worship, prayer, fasting, reading, and ultimately obedience then you will begin to unlock something that will (as the old song sings) shun the wrong and do what is right!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

Make every active attempt each day to avoid the evils that you can and pray for God to lead you out of every temptation that would prove difficult for you to walk away from.

Picking, Poking, and Prodding

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THE WORD

Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

II Corinthians 10:4 – For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life delivers many scenarios where your emotions will be tested often. Whether it is a direct verbal attack or some kind of vague comment you will find that it is easy to get caught off guard. Things can come at home, at the workplace, or even at church; we can never truly predict the where or when of other people’s outbursts. I remind you today to always be prepared and be centered on the love of God to have that preparation.

The love of God brings peace, which surpasses all understanding. This keeps me in a peace where my anger will not rise even when I am picked on. It will surpass even our defense system and protect us from harm. Christ recognized the naysayers that were in the crowd, yet he did not launch back at them. He definitely led by example rather than by retaliation! Keep focused on having love for friends and foes alike! If you present a Godly response to irrational actions it leads by example and not by emotions! This is the true love and witness of God!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

The next time that you are affected by someone taking action or speaking against you, I urge you to take a leap of faith and pray specifically for that person. Some of the first times I began to do this I found myself wanting to justify my reasons for being upset. The more, however, that I continued in prayer, realizing how much God’s love is for everyone, I found that there is a love that I can acquire from God to overcome all persecution! Try it!

Walking Close Versus Standing Back

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When Jesus was alive and walking in the midst of people working miracles, there was always a crowd; people always wanted to be where the action was. They either wanted to get help or bear witness to it. And to those that were not able, they cried aloud for it.

So what about today?

We as God’s people often will be in services today and feel the presence of the Lord enter in the midst but stand by because we are either unsure or do not believe for whatever reason. These reservations, whether we choose to acknowledge it now or later, are ripping the church apart day by day. We NEED the spirit of God to heal our land, guide or direction, and repair the broken-hearted. We need the backbone of the pillars of the saints of God to be restored once more so that we stand again proud and not afraid when one small trial comes through to blow us over!

I choose today to walk close to the presence of God! I want to be right in the middle of it! I press through the crowds of hindrances and stumbling blocks in faith just to get to the hem of Christ’s garment! I’m that desperate for joy and peace in my life! There is no other by which we will stand and have a stable life! Join with me in walking close again and not standing back anymore!

The “Do Unto Others” Principle

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THE WORD

Luke 6:27-31  – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I could find a million reasons to be justified to take action upon others simply because they did wrong to me. The society that we live in teaches people that when they are attacked that their assailants should get what they deserve. As we read in the word of God we are instructed contrary to this worldly notion and are to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. If we take this text at face value we would know that we could do anything to people and would feel okay, right? Wrong! Let us take that scripture into a deeper meaning: Say that there are situations where I can control my anger and reactions in turn by doing something charitable. As instructed by God’s word I need to (actually) do unto them what I would want them to do unto me. Through this teaching we must learn to turn the other cheek and show love so people will observe the Godly witness that comes from your act of kindness. I also know that this is a tough subject to swallow. It always seems that there are people that will never change their attitudes and behave differently but just continue to try and cause issues. However, we have to set our standards to the word of God and live by it! We, with the mind of Christ and the love of God, have to begin to perform the unlikely acts of kindness in the midst of a hopeless world. Others must be led by your example!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

When a moment arises in affliction or confrontation, let yourself do for the other people that which you would have them do to you. Do it! Be amazed at the blessings that will follow your kind deed! This act of charity alone is what mostly defines people that are called for quality leadership in our churches, business and communities alike.