From Pity to Praise

There is a lot of trouble that starts with our mouths. Our words either kill or give life, they’re either poison or fruit and we get to choose.

Proverb 18:21 tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, those who love it will eat its fruit.” Our greatest enemy is not our home, job, or even that person who gets on our very last nerve, our greatest enemy is our mouth and what comes out of it. That 3-inch muscle in our mouths has more power to destroy our lives, and to do it more quickly, than anything or anyone else.

We’ve caused wounds in others’ lives, and we’ve received wounds ourselves. The wounds of my mother, by her words destroyed my life for nearly 35 years. At the same time, I nearly destroyed my own life with my own words. Saying things to others that I cannot undo, I cannot take back.

Is it any wonder that God tells us about our mouths in Proverbs 10:11, “The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”

Our mouths can either heal us or kill us. One of the most powerful tools in our possession for good and evil is words. With our words, we have the power to kill or the power to heal. Our tongues isn’t just our greatest enemy, it can also be our greatest asset.

If we look through the book of Proverbs, there are several examples of murdering words, words that deceive, words that gossip, and words of anger.

Lies murder trust, thereby killing the thing we long for most in the world, relationship. Proverbs 6:16-19, declares, that the Lord hates 6 things, in fact 7 are detestable to Him, arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

Two of the seven are words that deceive, right up there with murder. The world cannot function without some measure of trust. No relationship can exist without trust. Trust takes years to build, but only seconds to destroy.

Words that gossip are similar. Few things can destroy any group of people faster than gossip because it kills friendships, families, offices, and schools. It’s important that we to avoid people with a big mouth. If they are gossiping about someone around you, they are surely gossiping about you to them. We can gossip by speaking or listening. Don’t say it, and don’t listen to it. It’s kind of like passing around a loaded gun, it’s not worth it. Gossip is death,

We know the damage that can be done with words spoken in anger. Proverbs 22:10 tells us, “Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out, yes, quarrels and insults will stop.” Proverbs 15:4 also says, “The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.”

Yet, some talk to others like we’re the star of our own daytime talk show. We may call entertainment or passion, but the angry voices we listen to shape us to speak like them.

The tongue can also be a great force for good. We have the power to give life in our mouths. A person who says just the right thing at just the right time, and we almost feel like a different person, or when you start speaking, and we see someone’s eyes light up, and we know we made a difference.

The best words begin with silence, if we want to give life with our tongue, we can begin by listening.

“In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does so wisely” -Proverbs 10:19

“There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” -Proverbs 12:18

“The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil” -Proverbs 15:28

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him” -Proverbs 29:20

How much heartache could be avoided if we listened? Instead, while others talk, we’re busy reloading. We crowd others out with the sound of our own voice. Sometimes the best thing we can say to another person is to not say anything at all. Our lips need breaks. If wecesnt to learn the language of any relationship, we start by listening.

When we speak we should, lean in with grace.

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” -Proverbs 16:24

Our words can speak positively to others. Jesus died for us all so our failures don’t define who we are. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a battle. When we speak gracious words of encouragement and love, they can fight a little longer.

We have the power of life and death in our mouths. Choose wisely

“When you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘this is the way. Walk in it” -Isaiah 30:21

Isaiah 30:22 assures us as believers that God provides direction for our path, offering correction and leading when we are unsure.

God can guide us while we are moving or acting, rather than just waiting for direction.

Hearing that voice behind us can suggest a quiet, inner, or gentle nudge rather than just a command.

God promises guidance when we turn to the right or left, when we veer off the wrong path. Have you ever felt that check in your spirit, that feeling when something seems off? That’s God -The Holy Spirit guiding you.

The ability to hear His voice is linked to a close relationship with God, rather than being exclusive to a “spiritual elite.”

Our choices shape our futures. I wish someone would have told this to me when I was younger, and I would have listened. But I didn’t listen to anyone but myself back then.

Life is a series of choices. To some, that’s too simple, but it really is true. Our decisions determine our destiny.

Every decision brings us closer or further away from God’s plan. There is no such thing as just sitting still or putting God’s plan on hold. That’s a deception, God’s will for us is intertwined with His will for others, and that’s a constant moving and changing dynamic. It’s like catching a flight. We can miss it.

It’s true that God get us to our destiny in some other way. He is certainly smarter than any GPS device that recalculates us when we miss a turn. There is always a later flight with God. But who wants the hassle, disappointment, and delay that comes from missing a connection? I want God’s best. Don’t you?

When we go on a road trip, those ahead of us can be a valuable source of information. It doesn’t matter how we feel about them personally. The fact that they have driven the road gives them insight of what we might need. They can tell us what accommodations and restaurants are available. Or they can let us know of a wreck or construction route. We would be foolish to of to draw on the insights of others who have gone before us.

Everyone has challenges, failures, pasts, and successes that has stood in the way of them following God’s will for their lives. But with a few good decisions anyone can turn their lives around.

Every one of us have a God ordained destiny that is designed to touch others. We carry other people’s miracles. I don’t think we can fully comprehend this. It is certain however, that the lives of millions of people were changed simply because the “hero’s of faith made the right decision.

I think back to when my entire life took a u-turn. All I needed was a little bit of hope.

I had went to a church conference with a lady who didn’t want to go alone from a prayer meeting I was attending at the time. The conference was 4 days long, and to say I was dreading it would be an understatement. The morning meeting was basically like church, but a lady dressed in a prayer shawl came up to me, and said, “you’re live is about to change, and you will become a bridge for others.” My first thought was, “is this lady for real?” She knows nothing about what I’ve been through, how can she possibly know that. WoW was I wrong. It was then my life began to change for the better, It put me on the right path.

Are the decisions we make every day what the Lord wants us to make?

Most people don’t intentionally decide to miss their destinies, they just get busy with the cares of life, and before they know it, they are in a rut that they can’t seem to get out of.

Remember, our lives are a result of choices. Others can influence or hinder us, but our choices are the determining factor of our destinies. And it’s never too late to make the right choices.

My life started when I made the right choice to have faith in what the lady at the conference told me. I just needed a little bit of hope, and someone who believed in me.

“Therefore I urge you, brothers (and sisters), by the mercies of God, to present, your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may proves what is the good, well-pleasing and perfect will of God” -Romans 12:1-2

God showed me His will for my life was to be completely committed to Him.

Each of our stories can be a testimony of God‘s miraculous power and goodness that can encourage us to make the right decisions toward our own divine destiny.

God has some awesome things planned for your life. Regardless of what things look like now, your positive decisions can change everything.

Conflict, violence and global unrest are not signs God has lost control. They remind us that prophecy is unfolding exactly as Jesus said.

Luke 21:28 says, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up your heads, for your redemption draws nigh.” The world may panic, but believers rare called to watch and pray. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Wars show us that human systems cannot bring lasting peace, but Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. Instead of fear, let these events awaken you spiritually. Let them push through you to repentance, deep faith, and readiness for Jesus’s return.

The shaking of nations is not meant to terrify the faithful, but to remind us that this world is temporary and Jesus’s kingdom is eternal. It is time to stay alert, stay grounded in God’s Word, and trust that God’s plan is moving forward exactly as He said it will happen.

Has anyone noticed there’s a direct conflict between man’s law and God’s law? The world has increasingly advocated tolerance of everything except Jesus. If we are going to follow God’s law, we must learn to live with pressure, and be guided by the truths we find in the Bible.

There will come a time when obeying God’s law will mean disobeying man’s law. And I believe it will become more challenging as time goes on.

After all, the world’s authority is given by God Himself. Our observance of the law is a positive public testimony of our faith. Obedience to God is always the right thing to do.

The government should not impose any law that goes against God’s law. If they do, the world will crumble. After all authority is given by God. We as followers of God are not bound by any government that places itself above God’s law. We need to take care to know when obedience to the government entails disobedience to God.

It takes courage to stand for what is right in our world today. It takes courage to stand strong and not condone, or compromise, what is clearly opposed in God’s Word. God gives us struggles to strengthen us.

As followers of Jesus we are commanded to stand true to the Word of God.

The more confident we are of the promises in God’s Word, the more inspired we are to obey Him.

Faith is often thought of as a thing we have – a belief in something or someone. But according to the Bible faith is more than a passive possession, it’s a firm confidence that results in action. Action follows every mention of faith.

Noah prepared the Ark, Abraham obeyed without knowing where he was going,

Instead of sitting back we as believers should count on God’s promises and act accordingly, as did the people in Hebrews 11.

The Lord accomplished amazing feats through their lives when they believed Him and moved in obedience. Like a muscle, faith grows. The more we put it into action. We can strengthen our trust in God and His promises, even if we don’t live to see the fulfillment in our lifetime.

We can choose to let God use us by letting biblical truths and His character and power shape our thinking and response.