Category Archives: Personal Growth

Watch Your Tongue

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One of our biggest mistakes is thinking our words don’t matter. Yes, they do!

God created us with the ability to speak. We are the only part of His creation that can choose the words we say. Our words can lift up and tear down. Our words have the power of life and death. (Proverbs 18:21)

James 3:7-8 tells us that even though we can tame all the rest of creation we cannot do so with our tongues, the words we speak. So how do we control this small part of our bodies? Let me say this with as much love in my words as possible. We can’t do it alone! Matthew 19:26 holds the answer. Jesus, using words that give great hope, said this, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

There’s the answer! Give it to God! Ask for His forgiveness. Apologize and ask for the forgiveness of the person you have harmed with your words. Then, give God praise for His forgiveness.

Abba, Father, give us strength to control what we say. Guide our words. As David says in Psalm 119:133, “Direct my footsteps according to Your Word, let no sin rule over me.” Make it so in the Precious and Holy Name of Your Son, Jesus.

Think

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What are you thinking about?

These are some of my favorite words of the Bible. Actually, Philippians 4:4-8 give me support for almost everything. I say it that way because there are other verses that apply, too.

Living in this time is tough. It’s easy to let our minds wander to the madness of this world. The evil one wants us to do that. He wants us to think about anything that takes our minds off God and the good things of life. We can not allow him to do that.

Recognizing our disobedience is the first step. Any of our actions or attitudes that cause us to think we know better than He does separates us from Him. Sin, unforgiveness, disobedience, lack of faith, pride, ignoring His Word, other gods… Each of these takes our thoughts captive and away from what He wants.

Overcoming our negative, hurtful, judgmental, thoughts is a necessary part of becoming the people He wants us to be. We can do that by refocusing our thoughts on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, and good.

Abba, Father, guide and guard our thoughts. Open our hearts, minds, and souls to You and Your Word. Keeps us constantly aware of Your Presence.

Thought Control

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Who are you seeking when you need answers?

It is ever so difficult to control our thoughts. In fact, it is a constant battle. So, then, ‘think on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, and good’ (Philippians 4:8).

Thinking about what is tearing you apart keeps you from concentrating on the One who is holding you together.

Abba, Father, control our thoughts today. Hold us close. Invade our minds with Your love, care, and peace!

Waiting

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It can be extremely difficult to wait. Whether it be for an appointment, for water to heat, for a special event… Even more to wait on an answer from our LORD.

However, He WILL answer. It can be yes, no, or wait on My timing.

He WANTS to answer. We need to be good listeners. He has a variety of ways to answer. He may choose His Word, His people, the circumstances around us, during times of worship…

Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

He is listening!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

David’s Sermon on the Mount

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Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

These are amazing words. As I read them in The Passion Translation I discovered new meaning. This particular transliteration suggests this as King David’s ‘Sermon on the Mount’. You’ll see below that I see it as instructions for our personal, internal, temple.

Sacred tent and holy mountain refer to God’s sanctuary. Both the church within and the church at large.

When the Holy Spirit dwells within us He begins reshaping us into passionate, enthusiastic, ernest, truth telling, honorable, Believers.

When the Spirit dwells in us we have no desire, actually we consciously push ourselves away from putting others down in any way.  Whether it be insults, lies, gossip, rumors, or any other manner of using our words to harm another we have erected a wall between ourselves and those sins.

Evil of any kind is shunned. Pursuing truth is our passionate determination.

When we say we will do something, WE DO IT!

The promise for following through is we will stand firm in our now and forever.

I’m going to start memorizing this one. There are some powerful words to remember here.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

All scripture connections are provided by Bible Gateway.