Have you ever thought how powerful our words are? Have you known that words would matter over life and death? That words are not just words that come out of our mouth? Words and what you say matter, my friend told me when we were talking about some crazy stuff like how animals, trees or plants talk to each other or if they ever had any other way of communicating to each other.
But do you really believe that words have power? Let see some of the scriptures found in the Bible talking about or referring to this topic of mine.
Paul said in Romans 10:9, "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." How about that one? See, our words carry so much weight that they can even affirm our salvation, therefore, affect the spiritual realm.
Jesus once warned us about taking our speech too lightly, where can we find that, see this verse Matthew 12:36-37 "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
In Proverbs 18:21 we can also see that it says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it[for death or life].
Let me share you a story and it was about a group of frogs in the forest. These group of frogs were trying to go to the other part of the forest to see some things and insects to eat. Suddenly without noticing two of the frogs fell into the hole full of thick and tough mud, and the remaining of the frogs just stood around the edge of the hole and were keep on shouting to the two frogs that they will not going to make it out of the mud and just give up as trying to escape would do no good. And over and over, they continued to shout on the top of their lungs. One of the two frogs just gave up and died but not the other one. This frog kept on jumping and jumping with perseverance, determination and with all his strength until he was able to get out of the hole. The frogs were shocked and could not believe that He made it. But these frogs never known that he was a deaf frog and this deaf frog thought that other frogs were cheering him up that he could get out of the hole and just keep on jumping.
See that's how powerful our words are, so be careful when saying words make sure that it will help other and not will make them down. I also believe that if we continue to use foul words or languages and saying negative statements and things that do not really helpful, this will also continue to break our God's heart.
Hebrews 11:6 says: "Without faith it is impossible to please God." What kind of faith are we demonstrating when we speak words of doom and destruction over our friends, family members and other people around us? Shouldn't we be praying and standing on God's promises for them instead? And when we or someone is sick, aren't we focusing more on that the illness will not heal or will even become worst than on God's ability and willingness to heal that illness? Why don't we try to start today saying things that will benefit you and others, that will make you and others grow?
If you remember saying some things that you now regret, take a minute to repent for what you have said and think about the things that you could have said instead. Use God's word as a major part of you game plan.
Are you going to be the one talking about love instead of anger, unity instead of destruction and division, light instead of darkness, wellness instead of illness, thankfulness and praises instead of complaints, victory instead of poverty, brothers instead of enemies, peace instead of war, and forgiving instead of hating?
I can surely tell you that if you will have a courage and willingness to change your words, you will change your life and you can even affect all those people around you. May David's prayers be ours today: "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts in my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." -Psalms 19:14.
Before you leave this page, why don't you also pray with me...
"Lord, forgive me for the times my speech has been filled with doubt and destruction instead of faith and life. Cleanse my lips the way you did Isaiah's (Isaiah 6:6,7). Help me to speak words that please You and bless others. remind me of all Your precious promises of wholeness, life and victory. thank you that my words of life will bring people hope and healing!
Oct 26, 2009
Oct 8, 2009
How much is Jesus worth to you?
What was the most expensive gift have you ever given to someone? What motivated you to spend that much for the person? Apparently, when you are motivated by love, price is not a constraint; but nothing is too expensive when you spend it for the one you love. Also, when you are motivated by love, you do not mind bearing the shame and risking your life to save or protect that person, do you?
Judas and Mary. On the outset, both of them appeared to be sincere followers of Jesus. Nonetheless, we see the difference when we look at their lives closely. John 12 reveals to us a stark contrast between the character and motives of Judas and Mary, and ultimately, in the way they valued Jesus Christ. Judas Iscariot was chosen to be part of Jesus' inner circle. Judas probably had a career that he had to leave in order to follow Jesus. The disciples trusted Judas enough for them to delegate their group's money box to him. None of them ever assumed he would steal their funds nor sell their master for 30 silver coins. But in reality, Judas pilfered money. Thus, it was not a surprise to hear a rebuke from him such as what retorted to Mary. "Whay was this perfume not sold for three hundred dinarii and given to poor people?" Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. Eventually the same greed led him to hand Jesus over to the chief priest and elders in exchange of 30 silver coins, which at that time was the price of a slave - the price that tag Judas set on his master's head. He saw something in Jesus that was worth his time but not worth his heart.
Mary of bethany, on the other hand, was a close friend of Jesus. For her, the cost was not an issue. Mary took a pound of very costly perfumeof pure nard, and annointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with wthe fragrance of the perfume (John 12:3).
Nard was an expensive oitment imported from India. The scriptures shows that Mary did not mind consuming this perfume worth a year's wages just to demonstrate her love for Jesus. Mary considered everything rubbish compared to love for Jesus. She honored Jesus by anointing His feet wit pure nard and wiping it with her hair. Mary's acct was a statement in itself, telling us that she regarded the best part of her, which in her case was her crowning glory, her hair, as nothing compared to the least part of Jesus, His feet. Her act of worship was done extravagance, in humility and with self-abandonment. It didn't matter what people woould say and do to her if only to give the honor to the One whom it is due. She reckoned Jesus worthy of her everything. People who claim to be followers of Jesus almost look the same from the outside but inside they have different motivations for doing what they do. What Judas regarded was a waste of money, Mary generously poured out as her love offering to Jesus. Judas had a superficial religion but Mary found a loving relationship in Jesus. Judas followed Jesus for selfish gain, but Mary followed Jesus selfless giving. We remember Judas for a life that led to self-destruction while Mary will forever be remembered as the woman who honored God by ofgering her best.
Our love for Jesus is observed in our attitude and behaviour not only in public but also in private lives. When people look at us, do they see Jesus? When they come closer to us, do they feel the love of God? Jesus said in Matthew 25:42, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." How much we value Jesus will be evident in our lives for others. Jesus told his dicisples, "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my dicisples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35).
What about you? How much do you value Jesus? Remember that you can only give what you have. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19). Do you already have a loving relationship with Jesus to begin with? For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). If you have not started a personla relationship with Jesus, you can come to him today and surrender your life to him. In this time of crisis, we have before us countless opportunities to show God how much He means to us by actively loving others. What is that nard that you can pour out as a sign of your devotion to him? What is that costly perfume that you can offer to our brothers and sisters who are in great need?
Judas and Mary. On the outset, both of them appeared to be sincere followers of Jesus. Nonetheless, we see the difference when we look at their lives closely. John 12 reveals to us a stark contrast between the character and motives of Judas and Mary, and ultimately, in the way they valued Jesus Christ. Judas Iscariot was chosen to be part of Jesus' inner circle. Judas probably had a career that he had to leave in order to follow Jesus. The disciples trusted Judas enough for them to delegate their group's money box to him. None of them ever assumed he would steal their funds nor sell their master for 30 silver coins. But in reality, Judas pilfered money. Thus, it was not a surprise to hear a rebuke from him such as what retorted to Mary. "Whay was this perfume not sold for three hundred dinarii and given to poor people?" Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. Eventually the same greed led him to hand Jesus over to the chief priest and elders in exchange of 30 silver coins, which at that time was the price of a slave - the price that tag Judas set on his master's head. He saw something in Jesus that was worth his time but not worth his heart.
Mary of bethany, on the other hand, was a close friend of Jesus. For her, the cost was not an issue. Mary took a pound of very costly perfumeof pure nard, and annointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with wthe fragrance of the perfume (John 12:3).
Nard was an expensive oitment imported from India. The scriptures shows that Mary did not mind consuming this perfume worth a year's wages just to demonstrate her love for Jesus. Mary considered everything rubbish compared to love for Jesus. She honored Jesus by anointing His feet wit pure nard and wiping it with her hair. Mary's acct was a statement in itself, telling us that she regarded the best part of her, which in her case was her crowning glory, her hair, as nothing compared to the least part of Jesus, His feet. Her act of worship was done extravagance, in humility and with self-abandonment. It didn't matter what people woould say and do to her if only to give the honor to the One whom it is due. She reckoned Jesus worthy of her everything. People who claim to be followers of Jesus almost look the same from the outside but inside they have different motivations for doing what they do. What Judas regarded was a waste of money, Mary generously poured out as her love offering to Jesus. Judas had a superficial religion but Mary found a loving relationship in Jesus. Judas followed Jesus for selfish gain, but Mary followed Jesus selfless giving. We remember Judas for a life that led to self-destruction while Mary will forever be remembered as the woman who honored God by ofgering her best.
Our love for Jesus is observed in our attitude and behaviour not only in public but also in private lives. When people look at us, do they see Jesus? When they come closer to us, do they feel the love of God? Jesus said in Matthew 25:42, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." How much we value Jesus will be evident in our lives for others. Jesus told his dicisples, "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my dicisples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35).
What about you? How much do you value Jesus? Remember that you can only give what you have. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19). Do you already have a loving relationship with Jesus to begin with? For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). If you have not started a personla relationship with Jesus, you can come to him today and surrender your life to him. In this time of crisis, we have before us countless opportunities to show God how much He means to us by actively loving others. What is that nard that you can pour out as a sign of your devotion to him? What is that costly perfume that you can offer to our brothers and sisters who are in great need?
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