Wednesday, May 26, 2010

TAMING THE TOUNGE THROUGH PRAYER


Have you ever had someone approach you with a comment that you felt was a deliberate attack? Most everyone has been in this situation at one time or another. Do you remember how you felt when that person walked away? Maybe angry, belittled, or possibly broken hearted. We know this is not of God, the Bible tells us the most controlling and powerful part of our body is the tongue. We are taught through the word to be humble and meek in our speech and in the way we treat others. With the tongue we use to sing praises and lift prayers to the Lord, that instrument can also be used to tear down, and disappoint. Now, let's not get the term "meek" confused with "weak". In fact.....it takes great strength and self control to say nothing rather than to rattle off hurtful words that I promise you will regret afterwards. It also means keeping composure in some of the most grueling and provoking circumstances. This is not always easy, in fact it can be quite difficult! Retaliate with love and understanding, think against what the enemy would have you to believe. I myself have been in situations in which I became angry and used my words to hurt back the person who hurt me. The counter reaction made me feel worse because I reacted in a way that was less than what the Lord had expected of me. Through years of experience with others and through my own mistakes and struggles, the Lord is steadily teaching me to be less and less quick to speak and more and more meek! James 1:19-21 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. The dictionary defines the term bridle as a means to control or hold back; restrain; curb. The Greek terminology defines "meek" as mild mannered, gently and kind in attitude, opposite of anger or wrath. This is how the Lord expects us to bridle our tongues. Through the help of the Lord and strength through Him, He will help us do this successfully, leaving us with a right spirit and a clear conscience. 1 Timothy 1:5 But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. We will be held accountable and judged for the words we speak, and we must work out our own salvation. Back biters, whispers, accusers, liers, evil doers, they too will answer and be judged. Their works will not go unnoticed or unaccounted for either. Matthew 12:36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. It is not our place to judge them while here on earth, it is our place to love them with a godly love to the best of our ability. Through scripture I have found it is best to separate yourselves from those who cause affliction and use evil ways to provoke you. It is possible to set yourself apart while still loving their souls enough to earnestly pray for them with a godly love.
Luke 21:36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Sometimes if we have been deeply hurt in the past we can become over sensitive to the motives of others. This too is a trick from the enemy, causing us to put up a guard between us and others from fear of being hurt again. The enemy would like nothing more than to make us feel isolated, unloved, worthless, and discouraged. How can we go about the Lord's business, building His kingdom or obtaining a healthy spiritual walk with that mind set? Prayer changes minds that are set to believe on things that aren't reality. Prayer is our weapon against the enemy, prayer protects our families, prayer changes perspective, prayer gives you joy and peace, prayer makes you a friend to many, prayer gives hope to the hopeless! Prayer tames the attitudes of others and the attitude we carry within. Remember David, even though he had commited such terrible sins, he was never to good to fall on his face before God and be accountable for his sins. David desired and knew he needed the Lord's help. Through his prayer to God he asked for change! Psalm 51:1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. We must see a need for change within us! THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN'T BE OVERCOME OR CHANGED THROUGH PRAYER, PRAYER CHANGES EVERYTHING!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

WALKING WITH GOD!


In Romans 8 Paul illustrates the difference between walking in the spirit opposed to walking in the flesh. The term "walk" had a much more significant meaning than a person just walking. The term was used to describe a lifestyle. Walking in the flesh is merely identifying one living a sinful or worldly lifestyle. When we walk in the Spirit, we are than living a lifestyle that is centered around God and His infinite will. Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the SpiritRomans 8:6-8 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.What makes us a child of God? Through scripture I have come to believe that we must have a converted mind and spirit to become a child of God. Converting our sinful nature to a life of holiness and a Christ like manner. Now this does in no way apply that Christians are infallible or without fault. If this were the case there would be no need for a Savior. The truth is we do need a Savior, God alone can save us from ourselves. We are born with a fleshly or worldly nature, only through Christ can we resist the temptation on sin and live a righteous life. Romans 8:16-17 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.We are protected heirs of Christ, and we must know how to sustain or keep such an inheritance. The "Once saved, always saved" method of believing is not biblical. However, repenting daily and praying in the Spirit will help eliminate distractions that pollute our minds and spirits. Staying focused on God and our walk with Him will only bring peace and happiness to our lives. Remember, the mind is Satan's playground. 1Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. John 8:32, Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The way you think widely depends upon your level of happiness, peace, freedom, victory and strength. Now there are times when God will allow certain obstacles to take place in our lives. These obstacles are not allowed to destroy us but to build us up in faith, confidence and wisdom. Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Even Paul prayed for the removal of a hindrance from his life, but God did not take away that burden away immediately. God wanted Paul to learn a valuable lesson first. Our walk with God should be a progressive process. There will be ups and downs, days when you feel you have taken a faithful leap of progression and other days when you feel you may have taken a few steps or even a mile backwards. The most important lesson to be obtained.....be determined to never give up, never quit the path you've been allowed to walk! Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.