June 2009 - Posts

Set Your Course with Your Tongue

Matthew 12:34b-37

….For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.

The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things.

 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.

For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

 

In Matthew 12:34-37 we read about what is in our hearts in abundance is what we will speak. Our words either condemn us or by our words we are set free. When we receive Jesus into our hearts Romans 10 verses 9 & 10 tells us with our lips we acknowledge him as Lord and believe. The decision we made for Jesus was believed and acknowledged with our mouth based on the truth we heard from His word. We set a new course for our life when we spoke our confession of faith regarding salvation. Before we were on a course of sin and death and now we are on a course of righteousness and life in Christ Jesus. We started our course with the foundation of God's Word and our acknowledgement of it with our words. Why would our continued walk in our new life in Christ Jesus or keep on our new course in life be any different?

James 3:2-4 Amplified

For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.

If we set bits in the horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about.

Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.

 

Like a ship sailing on the sea, so is your life. You don't like the direction your life is going take the small rudder that God gave you (your tongue) and turn it around. Like the helmsman who is steering the ship's rudder to change course of the ship, you steer your rudder (tongue) to change your course. If the ship needs to be turned to go the opposite direction it's going, they start turning the rudder, and the ship slowly changes course. It doesn't happen all at once it takes time for that ship to correct its course. You start speaking the word of God over your life, your family, and your circumstances things may not change overnight. It may take days, weeks, or years for the course to completely change. As with a ship you don't always know the ship is being turned in a different direction and you can't always go by what you see to know that things in your life are changing their course.

Last fall Pastor Diana & I talked about the acid in our bodies and how it affects our body. Since then I have been getting in my spirit "change the course of your body by your tongue". Too much acid in your system speak "excess acid in my body be neutralized in Jesus Name" Sinus issues: my sinuses are healed and whole, clear and open, tissue is healthy and whole. To change the course my body is on physically I need to speak right things over it. Just like James 3:3 says a bit in the horse's mouth can turn the whole body of the horse about, we can change or turn our body around. The Amplified version of James 3:6 says "setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature)". I have heard our body renews itself in cycles every so many months our whole body changes. New cells grow or regenerate, new skin, and our hair growth. Our body is on cycles wake cycle; sleep cycle. Like the bit in a horse's mouth, I see this as you can use your tongue to turn the direction your body is going. If you have a stubborn horse that refuses to turn or is not trained well, you have to put firm pressure on that bit to get the horse to turn around. You have to be determined that this horse is going to learn who is boss; same with your body, put pressure on your tongue to speak the word and positive things over your body. Your body may be stubborn or untrained to listen to the words but it will if you keep that pressure constant, firm, and immovable on the word your body will turn about.

Man alone cannot tame the tongue. Through God's Word and the Holy Spirit we can put pressure on our tongue to tame it. Allow God's Word to put pressure on your tongue to control it by only speaking in agreement with His Word. The baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues brings your tongue in submission to supernatural heavenly words. James 3:2 tells me if we control what we say, what we let our tongue say, we will be fully developed in character and we will be able to control our whole nature (body, spirit, & soul).

The tongue is a powerful force! Keep advancing in the new course you are on with Christ Jesus by putting pressure on your tongue.

Victory Over Anxiety

Victory over Anxiety

 

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!

Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

    

Philippians chapter 4 verses 4 thru 9 give us direction in walking free from anxiety and fear. Webster Dictionary defines anxiety as painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind, fearful concern or interest. Focusing on self, circumstances around you and trials you may be facing will produce fear and anxiety in the mind. Fear is a spirit which is from the enemy and not God. God gave us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). The lies the enemy feeds you come into your mind through thoughts or images. He tries to get you to focus on the problem and not the answer. Philippians 4:4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. When we begin rejoice and praise Him it changes our focus onto Him and not ourselves. We may not feel like it at the time but we praise Him in spite of our feelings. Praising and rejoicing in Him changes us, we become less self centered and more God centered. In Phil 4:6 we are told "by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God." Be definite about your requests, know what you want and through prayer receive them. While you are praying be thankful. A thankful heart takes you a lot farther than an ungrateful, complaining heart. We are also to continue to make our requests known to God; don't ever stop. Whenever anxiety or fear hits you continue to pray with thanksgiving. The results will be the peace of God that will guard your heart and mind. If what you are allowing into your mind isn't bringing you peace then you know it's from the enemy. Verse 8 of Philippians 4 tells us what kind of things to fill our minds with. Are your thoughts pure? Are they lovely? Are they kind? Are they filled with anything worthy praise? Some versions say "whatever things of good report" Are your thoughts filled with things of good report?

Finally verse 9 says to practice what you have learned. You can hear and read about how to walk in victory over anxiety and fear, but for it to actually work in your life you have to apply verses 4 thru 8.

 

Praise Him.

Make your request to Him with thanksgiving.

Pay attention to what you are thinking about.

You have to apply it in your life.

The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength

I posted this on our church website May 24, 2009 Hope this encourages you and blesses you.

 

Nehemiah 8:10 …... And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.

Isaiah 61:3 …..the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

 

Have you ever noticed when you are sad, grieved, or depressed you feel physically weak and weary? Depression can be feelings of hopelessness, discouragement, and heaviness. You can become grieved, sad, or depressed when something you were expecting didn't happen the way you thought it should. Or you can become grieved and unhappy when you feel like you missed it. Or grieving and depression can come when you lose something or feel like you have lost something or someone. Sadness and grief are emotions that may often come into our lives for various reasons. Satan likes to use these emotions to defeat us and get us to quit and give up. The enemy would like to keep us down looking at the negative things or the loss. When we do that we turn our focus off of God and onto self. We can then end up in a pity party and become no earthly good for the Kingdom of God. Self-centeredness and a poor me outlook can be the result of having and staying in a pity party. The scriptures above give us the tools to fight sadness, grief, and depression. The Strong's meaning of the word joy in Nehemiah 8:10 means rejoicing. Rejoicing is your strength. And Isaiah 61:3 "the garment of praise" which tells me that I have to put on something. We have to choose to praise Him even if we do not feel like it. We can't live by our feelings because unless you have good control over your feelings they can be up one day and down the next.

I know some loss is legitimate like the loss of a loved one but Psalm 30:11 says "You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; you have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness," We can experience sadness and grief when we lose someone we love but we can't stay there. In 2001 I experienced the loss of my mother, I grieved and cried, the following Sunday at church I heard this scripture in my spirit. I stepped out and danced. I praised God through the dance and He gave me strength to get through the following weeks.

God will turn your mourning, He will give you joy and gladness but you have to take the first step and praise Him. You have to make the effort, you have to choose to let go and praise Him. You have to change your focus; you have to choose to look on the promises of God.

Change From the Inside Out

This is from an article I wrote and posted on our church website on March 23, 2009.

Romans 12:2 Amplified

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

When we accepted Jesus as our savior we became new creations in our spirit. Even though our spirits are new we have to change the way we think and act. When we become born again we still have old habits, ideas, and behavior that may be conformed by the world in which we live. Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us we have to take off the old and put on the new through the renewing of our minds. That tells me that God isn't going to do it for us; we have to take the time to renew our minds. God has provided us with a way we can change the outward man or our mind and body. That way is through Jesus Christ. Jesus was the Word of God made manifest. We use the Word of God to renew our minds. We have to make the effort to get into the Word of God for ourselves and renew our minds to His will. God is not going to force change on us, we have to choose to do it. Our behavior and emotions follow our most dominant thoughts. Renewing our mind with the Word of God changes us from the inside out; it fills us with faith. God's Word is powerful, alive, and full of faith. Once we take the step to renew our minds the Holy Spirit steps in to help us. To change how we act on the outside we need to change what is going on the inside. It's our choice. We can try to make our behavior right by following rules and regulations but that is walking by the law. Our behavior may be right but hearts could be rebelling. God looks at what is inside us; that is where He is dwelling. Ephesians 3:17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts!.... If there is a behavior or habit you want to change go to the Word of God and find some scriptures for your situation. Use those scriptures to renew your mind. You will become transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind and that change will ultimately be seen on the outside.

God’s Word His Creative Power

Isaiah 55:11 (GNB) So also will be the word that I speak--- it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do.

(NIV) so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God's word accomplishes that which God plans and purposes it to do. There is creative power in the word of God. God created the entire world that we see with the power of His Word. Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. We have been told the universe is still expanding, so that tells me that His word is still working in the universe even today. Hebrews 1:3 tells us His word is still upholding and maintaining the universe! There is also a theory about the beginning of the universes which they call it the Big Bang Theory. Well to me when God spoke; the power in His spoken word probably caused a big bang in creating the universe! His word was so full of life when He spoke it in Genesis that it is still producing today! God spoke then it happened. He created the trees, grass, mountains, sky, and rivers that we see here on earth today. I would have to think everything was more pleasing to the eye and free from contamination before man sinned than what we see now. I would imagine the sky was bluer, the grass greener, the rivers cleaner, and everything clearer because sin hadn't yet contaminated the earth.

After God created man He gave the earth and the fullness to man; He gave man authority on this earth to fulfill His plan. He gave man a beautiful garden to live in and tend, there was no lack everything they needed was provided. They had intimate fellowship with God. Once man let the serpent deceive them they lost their close relationship with God. They were created alive spiritually but once they sinned they died spiritually. Although man fell God had a plan of redemption for mankind and that was through Jesus. Jesus was the word made flesh. Throughout the Old Testament God used prophets to prophesy about the birth of Jesus. They were His voice; speaking forth the will of God in the earth. When the angel spoke the Word of God to Mary she received that Word and became pregnant with Jesus. It was that spoken Word that brought life to her womb.

Luke 1:37 (Amplified) For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

Jeremiah 1:12 (Amplified) Then said the Lord to me, you have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.

God is watching over His word to perform His it. His word has life and power to produce the desired things which you do not yet see. God needs a voice in this earth to speak out His will. We as His children are His voice. God gave us His Word so we could voice His plans and purposes. We need to put His word in our mouth and speak it out. A word from God has the power in its self to be fulfilled! In Genesis 1 God saw it after He spoke it out. I'm so glad He didn't look at the darkness and barrenness of the earth and say "Look how dark it is and how barren the earth is". I know it's silly to even think that but If He had done that where would we be?? He spoke what He desired in the face of the darkness and barrenness then saw what He desired. God's word has life and power within itself to accomplish its purpose.

Your Foundation

 

Luke 6:47-48

For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words [in order to heed their teaching] and does them, I will show you what he is like:

He is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built or founded on a rock.

1Co 3:11 Amplified For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

 

God has been speaking to me this week about foundations. What kind of foundation do we have? The solid and sure foundation we should have is the Word of God. Jesus was the Word made flesh, He was the word come in human form. He was the Word Mary received from God which brought life within her body and gave birth to Jesus; the Word made flesh (Luke 1:38). The Word was with God and was God from the beginning. The Word of God gave life to all things that we see(John 1:1,3,14). His Word is Spirit and it is life! The foundation for our life, for what we believe, and how we live should be the Word of God. His word works in us because we believe it (I Thes 2:13). His Word is full of his power; you want God's power in your life: then you need God's Word in you. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that He is upholding all things by the word of His power. That Word of power needs to be the foundation which we build on. It has the power to change things, its has the power to bring healing to your physical bodies, it has the power to save men, and it has the power to renew your mind. When we step out and do anything thing we need the Word for direction, guidance, and encouragement. God speaks to us through His word and it helps us to discern what we hear other people say. It helps us to separate what is a lie, the enemy, and what is of the flesh. If you hear something a man of God says but it brings you confusion check out the word of God and pray in the Spirit. Praying in tongues while you study and meditate the word can give you revelations of His truth of His Word. Then you will have His Word living in you and it will be your revelation and not someone else's revelation. When you know that you know something no one or no situation will be able to shake you off that foundation.

Succeed In All You Do

Below is something I wrote for our church website a few weeks ago and I believe I was to share it on my blog page

 

(Gen 39:2 Amp) But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

***God prospered Joseph in the midst of adverse circumstances. Joseph lived under the old covenant where the Spirit of God was on Him not in Him. He didn't have the new covenant promises like we have. Joseph lived under the law and according to Galatians 3:13 we are redeemed from the curse of the law. We have two things going for us that Joseph didn't have: we are redeemed from the curse of lack and we have the Spirit of God living in us. In spite of bad economic times God can prosper you. Personalize this scripture: the Lord is with me and I am a successful and prosperous (man, woman).

 

(Gen 39:3 AMP)And people shall see that the Lord is with me and that the Lord makes all that I do to flourish and succeed in my hand. [Gen. 21:22; 26:27, 28; 41:38, 39.]

***I personalized the above scripture to give you a confession of faith based on scripture that you can make. God is with you, He is in you. When you accepted Jesus as your savior and asked Him into your heart He came to live in you. With His spirit living within you, He will lead you through your spirit. You don't need outward signs like in the Old Testament to lead you because He is within you speaking to you through your spirit.

 

Gen 39:4 So Joseph pleased [Potiphar] and found favor in his sight, and he served him. And [his master] made him supervisor over his house and he put all that he had in his charge.

***God increased Joseph, He raised Joseph up and promoted him through the work Joseph did. When you walk with God, God will give you wisdom in everything you do. Believe for that wisdom, favor, and increase. Don't complain about your job, work as unto the Lord. Have a good attitude on the job. Keep your focus on God and not man. You will see God working through you and in your job. Increase will come.

 

Gen 39:5 From the time that he made him supervisor in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the Lord's blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

***God will bless your business or bless where you are employed because you are there, because who you are in Christ. God's blessing is on you and in everything you touch. He will increase your business or the company you work for just so you can be blessed and increased. God wants you blessed so you can be a blessing to others. You have to believe it, believe that this can and will happen. God is only limited by your unbelief and how you perceive yourself.

 

Exo 12:36 The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they gave them what they asked. And they stripped the Egyptians [of those things].

***God can give you favor in the sight of the ungodly; the people in the world, to the point where you ask for something they will give it to you; i.e. raises, promotions, jobs. He can give you favor above someone who is not walking with God who is better qualified. God will give you favor that the riches of the world will be turned over into your (the righteous) hands. You don't have to try to make it happen, put your trust in Him, give Him praise, and He will be the one to open doors for you.

 

Last week I talked about your imagination. Meditate on these scriptures, speak them over yourself, and ask God to help build a picture of them in your mind. Let them become your foundation in which to stand on and base how you see yourself in your business or on your job.

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