OVERVIEW

Words are so powerful. Whatever you say to yourself becomes you! Whatever you say to others causes something! So have you ever notice the words that are coming out of your mouth?

Try to remember, this past few days, weeks, or months, Is it good or mostly bad words? Is it valuable or mostly nonsense? Do you have that feeling to argue all the time and the way you express is not speaking at all but screaming! And I can imagine, this kind of scene happens at home all the time, especially this time of the quarantine. Because when we are becoming impatient, we tend to answer the other person simply in an aggressive and disrespectful way. Or maybe, you accidentally said something discouraging or hurtful to somebody, without recognizing, your words are inviting negativities to somebody else's mind. It is said in:

MATTHEW 15:18 (NLT)

"But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them."

MATTHEW 12:24 (NIV)

"You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

Now I get it! Everything really starts from the heart. So if you are full of unforgiveness inside you, you will speak unforgiveness. If you're too proud, we'll probably hear you bragging. If you're negative, no wonder you will be speaking of unbelief and negativities in life. The Word of God is just so real, right? We cannot really hide what's inside our hearts, it always manifests through our words and actions.

But let me ask you, have you ever speak life and encouragement to others? Are you able to bless somebody and uplift a broken soul? Maybe some time in your life, you did. And how does it feel? So good right?

ROBERT INGERSOLL said:

"We rise by lifting others."

ERICH FROMM said:

"Not he who has much is rich but he who gives much."

It is true that there is so much joy when we are able to contribute to other people's lives. When we help others, there is a satisfaction in our hearts that is making us rich in a way, that no money can buy. But we cannot give what we do not have. So in order for us to bring people into the light, we must be the first to experience the healing and the power of becoming a true disciple of Christ.

I don't know about you but I felt in my heart that somehow someone needs to hear this. Am I not the only one who struggles in speaking my heart out or expressing what's really in my mind? I find it difficult to say the right words in the right circumstances. Some are good at speaking but others are not. But I believe it is okay, we are not perfect humans.

CONTROL YOUR MOUTH

I believe that there are really times when we can't control our words and emotions. But do you know why it happens? Here are the reasons:

1. You are more drawn to the world

2. You didn't spend time with the presence of God

3. You are ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit of God

Here's the counterpart:

1. Disconnect from the worldly things

2. Spend more time in the presence of God, pray!

3. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, obey His voice

Do you know that we are accountable to God for every word we speak? It is said in:

MATTHEW 12:36 (NLT)

"And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak."

MATTHEW 12:36 (NIV)

"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken."

I got a little bit scared the first time I've read this. I cannot blame you guys, before, even I myself was not really aware of the consequences of every word I speak. How many nonsenses and sharp words have I said since I was a teenager, I couldn't remember how many! I admit my old life was so dark that I use profanity before as an expression of my feelings. That was awful. But it says in:

1 JOHN 1:9

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

EPHESIANS 1:7

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,"

And that's my good news for you! Do you know that it's not yet too late? God is still giving us all the time that's left to live our life right. Jesus did not die on the cross for us to become slaves of ungodliness and sins. The Lord paid it all at the cross. Our past, our shame, and even the sins that we are about to make! He is so good. So living and behaving like Christ is our way to show our love and respect to the Lord.

HOW TO USE YOUR WORDS WISELY?

1. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

This is so practical. We always heard of this phrase but mind you, it is really powerful. Whatever it is that you have in mind, may actually come out through your words.

ANTHONY LICCIONE said:

"A fool is made more of a fool, when their mouth is more open than their mind."

ALI IBN ABI TALIB A.S said:

"Take care of your tongue like the way you take care of gold & silver."

The bible says let us think of whatever is pure, whatever is right, whatever is true, whatever is just and lovely. Why? Because that is the heart of God for His children. We are the light and salt of the world, remember? And our tongue is like a knife, if we're not careful, it can harm others, it can cut our relationships, and worst, it causes deepest wounds on the soul.

2. PRACTICE DECLARING GOD'S WORD EVEN IF YOU'RE AT YOUR DOWNFALL

How can you speak life to other people if you couldn't speak life to yourself? I know a person who's battling in her mind whether she would stay positive and believe or just accept the defeat and dwell on loneliness. But you know what, though she's broke, I see her whispering to herself "God is good, He has a better plan." She's encouraging herself as if she's encouraging another person.

PTR. STEVEN FURTICK said:

"You gotta fight your mind with your MOUTH! Because you can think a thousand thoughts all at the same time. But you can only speak WORD one at a time."

This is so powerful. If you will only learn to cheer up yourself and get motivated in God, I believe you will become a blessing to others. Just like King David, in Psalm 23, he was in a situation where everything looks falling apart in his life, his son Absalom was hunting him and trying to overthrow him and kill him. King David was in the wilderness hiding in caves and mountains and if you will just imagine, maybe he was also really tired, discouraged, and confused at that time. But instead of dwelling on the defeat and loneliness, he recites the PSALM 23. This is how he uplifts himself:

PSALM 23

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

It is only shown here that David knows his identity in the Lord. That he's a Child of God and no bad news, no waves or storms can change that. How about you? How about us? Can we really praise God and declares His goodness in times of trouble? Think about it.

3. LET THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS

How much do you trust your own self? When you give advice to others, do you think it will benefit them? Or that's what God wants for them? Many people are looking for a place to release their pains and emotions, and sadly, the only free and accessible way is to blunt it out all on Twitter, Facebook Status, or Instagram. The world needs us. We are the salt and light of the world. Shine through your deeds and kind words.

We must learn to lean on God's Word and to the voice of the Holy Spirit especially when we are going to talk to people. We cannot minister to people all by ourselves. In order to be effective, we need the power of the Beautiful Spirit of God. Cause the Lord said, He'll be with us till the very end of the ages. As we allow God to use our lives in sharing His goodness to others.

4. SPEAK TO OTHERS WITH AUTHORITY

After you prayed and receive the anointing from the Holy Spirit, when you speak, speak the Name of Jesus with power! Declare God's Word over the lives of your friends, family, relatives, loved ones, and others. This time shouldn't be wasted. Remember, we are called to be bold and brave. If we are not going to fight, who will fight for our family, for our friends and loved ones? We are not called to be losers. So don't be afraid to speak up. It is said in:

LUKE 10:19

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

FINAL THOUGHTS

Remember the passage above whenever you are terrified. We are already victorious in Christ Jesus. We have authority over the enemy and nothing can harm us!

SO CHOOSE TO SPEAK LIFE

NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES

YOU'RE LIGHT WILL SHINE

BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOD

♥♥♥

OVERVIEW

"Lord, why has this been so painful?" Have you ever ask God this kind of question? Are you in anguish and in deep sorrow? I don't know what you're going through right now and how you are dealing with the pain but one thing I know for sure. It is not your destination! - PAIN. This term has many definitions, but here we're not talking about physical hurt or injury. We're talking about emotional suffering.

But don't you know that God is not the author of distress and suffering. And this is one of the targets of the enemy especially to the younger generations to destroy our faith. But don't you buy it! God works for your good. And maybe He allowed you to experience the pain because He wants you to go through the process. And God knows what you will become after.

Just like the butterfly! Before it became a beautiful butterfly, I believe you knew that it was once a pupa. It undergoes 4 stages to grow into an adult. Yes! Maybe for you and me, it's also a process! To be worthy enough for our breakthrough, to become stronger and bolder. It doesn't just happen overnight.

PTR. PAUL DAUGHERTY said:

"There's no shortcuts to any place worth going."

People tend to react differently when they're dealing with pain. I bet you know what I meant on this. When we can't cope with the hurt, it comes out in our actions, the way we think, speak, and treat others. That's why we better be mindful because unknowingly, we may be talking to someone who is going through something for whatever reason. You can see a person smiling, trying to act normal, and looks tough on the outside yet hurting on the inside.

I heard once a preacher said, we, humans are so good at pretending, hiding what we truly feel. When we don't want to be vulnerable in front of others. I guess that's the norm. I believe, once in your life, you did try to act like everything's all good, that you are living a 'problem-free' and a 'perfect life'. However, I believe that we can't fake it forever, it would exhaust us.

But there must be another way to ease the pain and receive healing, right?. When everything looks falling apart, have hope in God, and trust the process. Meditate on these words and believe that you are not alone. It says in:

PSALM 147:2

"He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds."

MARK 5:34

"Jesus said to the woman, “You are now well because of your faith. May God give you peace! You are healed, and you will no longer be in pain."

ISAIAH 53:5

"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."

WHEN SOMEONE IS IN DEEP PAIN, HE/SHE IS:

HERE ARE THE 3 MAIN REASONS WHY THE PROCESS IS PAINFUL:

HEBREWS 12:10 (CEV)

"Our human fathers correct us for a short time, and they do it as they think best. But God corrects us for our own good, because he wants us to be holy, as he is."

And when we obey, it's not always easy. Why? Apostle Paul explains it well, He said in Romans 7:19, "For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do." This is how we struggle between our fleshly desires and the will of God in our lives. The Lord wants us to live in righteousness however since we are still living in the flesh that which is contrary to the spirit, sometimes we sin, and therefore we need correction. Cause just like our earthly fathers, our Father in heaven loved us so much that He doesn't tolerate our wrongdoings. It says in:

HEBREWS 12:11 (NLT)

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."

When we follow God's Words even if it hurts, it only means that we trust the Lord more than our senses, more than our feelings, more than what we see by our naked eye.

2. GOD WANTS OUR FULL SURRENDER

For instance, you just bought something that you badly want to have, it can be a new pair of Nike shoes, a new iPhone, or maybe just a cup of milk tea and a Mcdo fries. I don't know whatever it is. Let's just say it is something that really makes you happy. You're always thinking about it and waited the day that you'll finally have it. However, you were asked to hand it over to somebody who needs it the most. You were asked by your father, or you were convicted to do so. Will you surrender it? Will you choose to obey, be kind, and selfless?

I bet it'll be hard to give up what you already have right now in your hands. It'll be challenging for you to set aside your own happiness for the sake of others.

In life, the Lord may ask us to lay everything we have at the foot of the cross. Our ego, it may be an important person or simply anything that replaces the place of God in your heart. Yes, it may break your heart and it will be painful. It may sometimes make you feel miserable. However the God we serve said that His thoughts are of good and not of evil towards you, He wants to give you hope and a future, He does not want to harm you and make you suffer for life. Our God is faithful to His promises and He has a purpose.

If you're hurting now because you are trying to control things in your own strength, you're trying to fix broken relationships, you lose your job or you haven't found one yet and you are still uncertain of your future. You have financial difficulties and family issues. Or maybe you were rejected by people, rejected so many times that seems everything you do is not good enough. Maybe by circumstances, you lose someone you dearly loved, a family member, a friend. You know what, God saw it. Every bit of it. He sees you and He wants to heal you. God is going to restore you, He's only asking you one thing:

A HEART OF SURRENDER

Once you give your damaged heart to God. Be confident that He shall take care of everything. For some time, healing your soul is a process, it requires trust and constant communication with the Lord. Sometimes, it is instant, just like Apostle Paul's personal encounter with Jesus. All in all, there's a decision you have to make. Every day you must choose to have hope, joy, and believe!

ISAIAH 55:8-9 (NIV)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

3. YOUR PAIN WILL BE WORTH IT

It is painful because it's going to be worth it. Just like a pregnant woman, right? She endured all the pain during her labor and after she saw her baby, she has forgotten the pain. It's only a season in life. Bp. TD Jakes explained in his book, 'Crushing' that we have to walk through a process to get to the promise. He pointed out that 'crushing' is just a stage, it's not a destination. It is supported by the passage in:

ROMANS 8:18 (NIV)

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

FINAL THOUGHTS

I understand now why I am being reminded of my leader to fix my eyes to Jesus because, in this world, we will have trouble but we must be persistent and persevering to fight till the end, to get to the 'The Promise Land'.

SO DON'T DIE ON THE PROCESS

SURPASS PAIN AND EMERGE STRONGER

REMEMBER, THERE'S STILL MORE

GOD'S PROMISES AWAITS

♥♥♥