Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WENESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying this beautiful "hump day". I'm doing well, but truly looking forward to the weekend. I have to start packing, which is the worst part of moving. I'm not looking forward to getting settled into a new place, but then again I am looking forward to the change. This means a new life, with new things, and it's refreshing to think about it. At the same time it's a little frightening, because letting go of the past isn't an easy thing to do. However, a wise man once said, if we're so busy gripping the past, our hands aren't open to receive the new blessings God has in store for us. The most valuable lesson I'm receiving through this life transition is stepping out on faith. In the story of Jesus walking on the sea, He called Peter out of the boat. When Peter stepped out, he was able to walk on water as well, because he was focused on Jesus, but the minute he lost focus, he began to sink. I feel like Jesus is calling me out of the comfort of the “boat” to step out on faith, so I’m making an effort to consciously focus on Him, in order to continue to exceed expectations, and walk on water. Lots of prayer and faith will make that possible; I'm so grateful for the Love of God! Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family.

Today's scriptures are about the power of what comes out of the mouth. I don't think most of us are aware of the power of our tongue. The words we speak are could either bring life or death. It's written: Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Prov. 12:18) As children of God, we must be extra careful about what we say, because we posses the power of Christ, through His Name. The things that we speak are so important, that God gave us His Holy Spirit, to ensure that we're speaking life. It doesn't matter if we're talking to Him, our friends, spouse, children, or family members, because each word we use holds power.
Jesus came to setup a new covenant between God and us. He not only offered Salvation, but He taught us the way to get closer to God. He helped us understand the old laws, and taught us new more important laws. Watching what we say, and how we conduct ourselves, is a very important lesson that He taught from His actions and the way He lived His life. We must be careful not to get so wrapped up in the logistics, that we miss the plain and simple truths. There are many people that will condemn you for eating certain foods like pork, or shellfish, because it’s been said to be unclean, but those same people are quick curse their fellow brother. We must understand the Love of God, so that we could better follow His laws. Jesus said: "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.” (Matt 15:17-18)
We are all followers of Christ, and called to share His Gospel, which in turn makes us disciples. We're required to first learn His Word, apply it to our own life, and then teach it. The words we speak to a lost man or woman, could lead them to eternal life, or push them closer to death. We have the awesome responsibility to watch the words we speak at all times, and in all circumstances. People are always watching us because we’re “peculiar people”, that's just the nature of the world we live in. We have the "herd" mentality, so we're very impressionable. Just imagine that someone visited your church one Sunday, and for some reason they came up to you and asked you about the Lord. You tell them how much God loves them, and all about salvation, and even share your personal testimony. What you said might have persuaded them to come back next Sunday, and even accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. That same day, this lost person saw you at the grocery store, and you are in line yelling and cursing the cashier because she messed up your total. You're conducting yourself as if you never knew God. What impression have you just made on that lost person? The last thing Jesus wants us to do is to make Him out to seem like a hypocrite, because we’re representing Him.
We are human, and are susceptible to mistakes, but God asks us to try our best to be righteous. He asks us to walk in righteousness, which requires us to do what's necessary to allow Him to change our heart, because righteousness comes from within. If we're angry, unwilling to forgive our neighbors, and/or afraid to love, it causes evil and bitterness to fester in our heart. When evil is in our heart, it will come out of our mouth. We must learn how to rely on God for all things, and we will notice a change from the inside out. Its written: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7) When our heart is right, the words that we speak will show it.
I can't tell you enough, how important it is to start your day in prayer, and with the Word of God, because that helps shape your entire day. If you pray and ask God to guide your path, you'll speak life every time you open your mouth. It's also important to keep open dialogue with the people closest to you. When you disagree talk it out, with positive words, to come to a positive solution. When you see someone looking sad, say something to brighten their day, or give them a warm smile, that helps more than you know.
If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior and you're reading this, let me be the first to tell you that God loves you. It doesn’t matter what you've done or how you've done it. Salvation doesn't cost you a thing, and doesn't require you to change your life. Although when you say that prayer, your life will automatically change, because Jesus has taken up residency in your heart. The Holy Spirit will begin a good work in you, and will continue until you go on to meet the Lord face to face. Until then relax, and allow God to work, the prayer asking Him to be your Lord and Savior is the only thing you need to worry about today. My favorite verse today is: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455392&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/audio-archives
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I love you!