What You Say

 

What You Say

Today's Scripture:

I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
Psalm 91:2, AMP.

Today's Word:

Your words have tremendous power. No matter what you may be facing today, the words of your mouth can help set the course for your victory or set the course for defeat. You decide by what you say. When you wake up with an attitude of faith and expectancy and declare God’s Word, you will be strengthened and empowered by His Spirit. But at the same time, if you go around talking about your problems or talking about defeat, it drains your faith and sets your focus in the wrong direction.

That’s why it’s so important, today and every day, to take inventory of what you are saying. When challenges and obstacle arise, declare that God is your refuge and strength. Declare His Word. Declare that He is for you. Keep the weeds out of your heart by letting go of bitterness and choosing to forgive. Stay in step with God with your words and actions and receive His strength and power to be all He’s called you to be.

Prayer for Today:

Father, thank You for Your Word which is refreshing water to my soul. I choose today to say what You say. I choose to meditate on Your Word. Keep me close to You always in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Our Beliefs Determine Our Behavior

14 hours ago

by Rick Warren

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” (Proverbs 4:23 TEV)

The Bible tells us there are three reasons why it matters what you believe.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (TEV). The first reason why you need to know what you believe and why you believe it is because it shapes your life.
The Bible tells us that our beliefs determine our behavior. If there are things in your life you want to change, you don’t change them from the outside in. You change them from the inside out. You start with your thought life, not by trying to change external things.
Second, if you have a faulty worldview, it’s going to cause all kinds of unnecessary problems in your life.
The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18, “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed” (MSG). When you don’t have God’s truth and a correct worldview, you stumble all over yourself. But when you pay attention to God’s revelation, then you are blessed. 
Do you want your life to be blessed? Just attend to the truth. Pay attention, and get your worldview in line with truth, not popular opinion.
The third reason is found in 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you. But do it courteously and respectfully” (AMP).
God expects you to not only know what you believe and why you believe it but also to be able to explain it to other people. Our world needs people who can explain effectively to others what they believe, because most of the people in the world don’t have a clue what they really believe, much less why they believe it.
Several years ago, along with 80 Christian leaders, I signed a statement on protecting the environment. I got all kinds of letters saying, “Why are you getting involved in the environment? What’s a pastor got to do with protecting the environment?” It has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with my worldview.
I happen to believe the Bible. The very first command God gave to human beings was, “Take care of my planet.” He gave them dominion over the environment. He expected them to take care of and manage the environment. He held them responsible for the environment. And he expects us to do the same.
So, taking care of the environment is an act of stewardship. That’s my worldview, and it comes right out of the Bible. 
God expects you to know what you believe and why you believe it and to explain it to other people. Whether they show it or not, the world is desperate to hear about something they can believe in. Sometimes, it just takes you being obedient and telling others about your worldview for them to hear truth.
Talk About It

• How do the causes and pursuits you care about most reflect your biblical worldview?
   
• Can you give a “logical defense” for your worldview? What do you tell others when they ask what is different about you and why?