The Power of Your Words

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“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”                    --Psalm 103:1                                Do you realize that you have a constant dialogue going on with yourself?  Well, you do and I do, too. And each of has a choice to make. We can use that self-talk to encourage ourselves and exhort ourselves in the Lord, or we can choose to be negative. And negative self-talk has a terrible affect on our health and outlook. I read an article a while back called, “Happy Hearts are Healthy Hearts.” The article described how our emotions can impact the health of our hearts and our immune systems. Now that’s not exactly breaking news. Because the Scripture has a great deal to say about how our words affect our well being. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Don’t underestimate the power of your words in your own life! How about you? Do you say positive and faith-building things to yourself? Or are you critical of yourself? I’ve seen people get so disappointed in themselves that they begin to believe that there is no hope. But, my friend, with Jesus there is always hope! We have to tell ourselves that and continuously remind ourselves of that fact. Listen, the psalmist understood the power of his own words. In Psalm 103 he was telling himself to bless the Lord with his whole being! He knew when he lifted up the Lord, he was lifted up, too! You and I need to remember this every day. I want you to do something right now. I want you to talk to yourself about the Lord and remind yourself of all the ways he has blessed you. And always remember his goodness, his power, and his grace in your life.    DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER YOUR OWN WORDS HAVE ON YOUR LIFE

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

Matthew 1:23–25

The challenge Joseph faced when he discovered that his future wife Mary was pregnant was heartbreaking. He knew that he was not the father of her child and made the natural assumption that Mary had been unfaithful to him. But before he could carry out his plan to end their relationship, an angel appeared to him in a dream and told Joseph that this was all part of God’s plan. And despite what must have been at least some misgivings in his heart and with the knowledge of the ridicule that would follow, Joseph carried out his part in God’s design.

In 2006, a Duke University research study was conducted to determine why and how people act as they do. The study revealed that more than 40 percent of most people’s actions each day are dictated by habit rather than by decision. Almost half of what we do from day to day is determined by patterns we have already either deliberately set or allowed to take root in our lives. The reason we are such creatures of habit is that it is comfortable to have a set routine and follow it.

But God’s plan for our lives often requires something more than reflex or habit. His purpose is not our comfort but His glory. When Jesus selected His disciples, He turned their lives upside down. Peter, Andrew, James, and John abandoned their fishing business. Matthew left behind his profitable tax collector’s position. Simon gave up his political activism. They were willing to follow Him no matter what.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Christmas reminds us that God has the right to control our lives, and we must follow Him no matter the cost.