Tuesday 25 September 2012

Don't Get Snared




Don't Get Snared


TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

You are snared by the words of your mouth…

Proverbs 6:2, NKJV.


TODAY’S WORD

During the 1990’s, Jose Lima was the star pitcher for the Houston Astros. One season, he won 20 games and was considered one of the best pitchers in the league. When the Astros moved from the Astrodome to their new ballpark downtown, the fence in left field was much closer than the fence in the Astrodome. It favored the hitters and made it more difficult on the pitchers. The first time Jose Lima went to the new ballpark, he stood on the mound, looked at the fence, and the first words out of his mouth were, “I’ll never be able to pitch in here. The fence is way too close.” Sure enough, he went from being a 20-game winner to a 16-game loser. It was one of the biggest negative turnarounds in the history of the Astros. What happened? He prophesied his future.


Today, don’t get snared by the words of your mouth. When negative thoughts come, don’t speak them out; instead, speak life. Speak hope. Speak blessing. Speak what you seek! Speak the Word of God so you can move forward in the victory He has prepared for you!


PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I submit my thoughts, my words, and every area of my life to You. Help me, by Your Spirit, to speak life according to Your Word. Help me to stay aligned with You on the path of blessing in Jesus’ Name. Amen.



***
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)
You cannot make yourself the light of the world. Jesus says you are the light of the world because of your relationship with him. “The God who said, ‘Out of darkness the light shall shine!’ is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6 TEV).
God speaks the light of Jesus into our hearts, and his light shines so powerfully through us that we are like stars in the universe that point the whole human race toward real life (Philippians 2:15-16).
This is a portrait of discipleship. Jesus, who is the light of the world, re-creates us into the light of the world. We are light, not because of anything in ourselves, but because we are in a supernatural union with the light of the world. He calls us to follow after him, and he says, “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12b TEV).
Our focus must always be on the light, humbly trusting Jesus to reveal the light through us. Prayerfully remember:
Your influence and visibility is a result of who lives in you, not because of what you do. It is God who puts you in a place of influence and visibility.
You are merely a steward of your influence and visibility, so it is important you get out of the way and let Jesus work through you.
Only God can measure the significance of your influence and visibility. You may influence one person who will then influence the world. Your focus is on following Jesus wherever he leads.
Talk About It

  • How are you using your influence to shine the light of Christ?
  • Ask God to humble you as you consider how he has placed you in influence for his glory alone. Pray for his wisdom and discernment as you follow Jesus’ example and direction for your life.

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