Be Careful of the Words You Say

It is easy to speak without really thinking.

I do it all the time.

Let me just remind you, it is not really a good plan.

There are a lot of times we can say things without thinking that can be really hurtful to the person we say them to.

I know there have been times I have been talking with a friend, and then something comes out of their mouth that can totally wreck me.

I think, "Really? Did you really just say that?"

I think again and go, "Yep. They did."

I know they don't mean any harm, but sometimes it can really hurt.

If you read through the book of Proverbs, which is one of the books in the Bible known for its wisdom, you can find a lot about how your words are important.

Here is one:

"Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit" (Proverbs: 15:4).

Or later, in verse 23,

"Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!"

Check out 18:4...

"Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook."

Chapter 18:13 tells us to be careful in how we reply to others:

"Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish."

And check out verses 20-21!

"Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."

And skipping to 24...

"There are 'friends' who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother."

This is not all the Bible says about your words. This is merely scratching the surface.

All of this to say...

Be Careful with Your Words!

Give life through what you say, do not tear down.

Encourage by what you say, do not discourage.

Be gentle in your words.

Be loving with your words.

Seek God's wisdom in what to say and how to say it.

Where your Treasure Is...

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:21, NLT)

It is easy to store up treasures here on earth. Sometimes we don't call them treasures... we simply have an excessive amount of stuff. I know I am no one to talk to be honest. I have way too much stuff.

How many of us have multiple Bibles? How often do you pick it up to read it, study it, reflect on it?
If you are like me, not often enough.

But I will pick up different items in the store that I don't really need and buy them, keep them in my house, never to be used and just collecting dust.

Our Bibles should never do that, but oftentimes they do.

Our Bibles are full of treasures and full of things to be learned, but we take them for granted and we forget how important they are.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be...

Why don't we start storing up more heavenly treasures instead of focusing on earthly treasures? Why don't we get out our Bibles more and start learning more about our heavenly treasures and become better people?

In the end, we can’t take these material things with us. But we can build now for our eternity.

Let’s foster a life of love and kindness, and a deep desire to serve God by serving others around us.

Let’s learn all we can about God now.

Let’s build up the right kind of treasure.

Letting Go and Letting God

This one is quite personal y'all. I wrote parts of this in my journal that no one sees, but I think someone out there needs to read this, cause they will be able to relate.

Here goes...

The fact that I can talk about it without getting choked up tells me I made the right choice.

The fact that my heart feels at peace tells me I made the right choice.

The fact that I feel free tells me I made the right choice.

The fact that I am able to feel closer to God and able to better worship God tells me I made the right choice.

What is this choice you ask?

I had to let go of something... someone.

I don't need to go into more than that.

I know that God forgives me for fighting Him for so long. I know that He still loves me.

I just wished I had listened to Him from the beginning.

See sometimes... okay, let's be real...usually it is hard to trust when we think we know what is right.

But if we say in one breath that we trust God, but in the other say it's my life, I get to decide... how is that full trust?

Ouch. I didn't like that thought.

See... God will work through my life. He will work through YOUR life.

But you've gotta let Him.

Unless you're willing to surrender, He won't.

God's a gentleman, and won't force Himself on you.

The struggle I have with _______ won't go away unless I call on Him and trust Him with it, and get His help.

See I can try to follow all the rules on my own, but I won't succeed.

Until my desires change, I will not be able overcome my struggle.

I need His help to overcome my struggles AND to change my desires.

[Check out Colossians 2:23 specifically. I highly recommend reading the whole chapter, and even the whole book.]

Now, back to this thing.

I need His help to figure out what to do with my life.

I need His help to figure out healthy relationships.

I have to trust Him at every step of the way.

Every twist.
Every turn.
Every mountain.
Every valley.
Every high.
Every low.

In everything, I have to trust Him in order to allow Him to work in and through me.

I'm in this journey with you all.

I don't have all the answers.

I probably don't have any of the answers.

I'm right there beside you looking for them.

If you need to chat, have a prayer request, etc. drop a comment for me/shoot me an email.

God bless y'all.