A blessed morning to all of you. I thank God for the chance to once again share His Word with you. Last week, we looked at words spoken being seeds that can sow good fruit or bad fruit. During that message we looked at many verse in the book of James chapter 3, on how our little member (the tongue) can be such a dangerous thing. This week as we continue, I want to look at positive things our tongues say. Amen? We read two verses last week that I want to look at again. Proverbs 18:21 KJV Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. James 3:2 KJV For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Prayer. This week I want to look at the positive words we need to speak, and starting from these two verses. I want everyone to think back on this past week and think back to positive words that you may have spoken to a co-worker, fellow student, maybe a family member, someone at church, or maybe a neighbor. Does anyone remember what it means when we speak blessings over someone, or say God bless you? Anyone? It doesn’t have to be word for word as I know it is a mouthful. What it means is this: I bless you means I declare over you that God’s full intention that He has for your life would come into fullness. Amen? How many want God’s full intention in your spouse’s life? How many want to speak God’s intentions that He has purposed for your children or grandchildren’s lives? It should be one of our greatest desires. When we learn these principles, we can speak to things that are not pleasant, or those things that are against God’s will and then expect and watch things change. Faith and works, Amen? I have have seen it work. Praise God. I also want to comment on how we speak about illnesses, diseases, etc…. You all know by now that my wife, Leanna has been battling with symptoms of diabetes, and is in stage 3 of chronic kidney failure. From day one, I have said that with proper diet, exercise, and because we serve a God that still heals today, she would be fine. I still believe that. I had one doctor that rolled her big eyes when I said that, yet during Leanna’s next visit and after a letter from her doctor saying that she should be expecting to be on dialysis soon, was amazed at the improvements that had been made and made the comment that she, Leanna, could come off, or reduce some of her medications, very soon. Thank You Jesus. It has been a struggle for Leanna, because first, what she should eat for the sugar issues is not good for her because of the high potassium levels. Secondly, this is all still kind of new to her, as she found out all these things a little over a year ago and she has feelings that are different as months go by. Third, and I’m sure that there is much more, but she has doctors who are not believers in Christ and don't believe that we serve a God that still heals today. She continues to say what won’t kill me for one disease will on the other. I can’t eat anything. Now, this is not pick on Leanna day, as she is my wife whom I love more than anything, other than God. What I want to try to encourage everyone to do when you are going through storms in your life or a family member is, is to speak differently. We need to be aware of the things that we say. Church, what we need to realize is there is power in our words. Better yet, there is power in the name of Jesus. I think many forget this when they go through storms and I have my hand raised also, as there are times I jump and act on my own when I might be struggling with an issue. I, as I hope all of you are all children of God. I learn from His word. I read and I study what His word says for my life, my family’s lives and for you that come to our house, join in live via Skype, phone, or for those that read this on another site. Take the Gospel to the world is what Jesus commanded us to do in Mark 16:15. That is what I try to do each week and also for those that I meet throughout the week. Let’s look at some of the verses discussing Jesus' name and the power in His name. Friends, there is only one Jesus that stands as a mediator between the Father God and humanity. There is only one Jesus who died on the cross and arose victoriously who said ALL power in heaven and on earth now belongs to Me. There have been messages that I have done where I have asked you to write scriptures down and post them in places you will see and I have asked you to speak them out. I hope that you have been doing that. When you and I use the Name of Jesus in faith, it means knowing WHO it is that stands behind that Name. It is knowing the wealth and the power that is invested in that name. Amen? This is one of the greatest weapons that you and I have in our arsenal to use against the enemy. Let’s turn to Philippians 2:9-11. Philippians 2:9-11 KJV Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Praise God!! Friends, the enemy is going to do whatever he can and use many ways to throw you off the path that God has chosen for you. There have been many times that I knew that I knew, I was supposed to ask someone if I could pray with them. It is one thing to pray for someone in your own prayer closet. What I mean is in a place where you are alone, or with your spouse or a close friend, but to pray with someone that you barely know? That takes leaning on God’s strength. It also means not being ashamed. Don’t allow Satan to make you think, "I tried this before, it just doesn’t work for me." This is not a trick, this is the Word of God. You have got to plant the Word inside your heart and mind and not move off of it, no matter what you see or hear. Church, for this reason I asked you to memorize verses. God tells us in His word, that every word is true and every man (who denies it) is a liar. God is trying to work some miracles out in your life and Satan is trying to block it. But you can be victorious by using the name of Jesus and having faith and confidence in His name. You can trust God’s Word. Amen? It is very important that we go to the Word of God, the Bible, for all our priorities in life. And all of our understanding about who Jesus is. What the Gospel is. How a person becomes reconciled with God. How a person gets to heaven. The Bible tells us how we should live as Christians. How the Church should function. How and who should lead in the body of Christ. What is our calling in society on this earth. I ask you, what should our message be to the World? If I was to ask everyone, what has God called you to do? You don’t have to answer out loud, for those listening live, but do you have an answer from God? Do you know what your gifts are? I am not trying to attack anyone, but these are things that we should know. We find these things as we spend time in His Word, in prayer and when we are in obedience. He has a perfect plan for each of us. What is yours? In the past few months, working on the 2 Cross Roads Fellowships sites, I have been looking for gifts that I see within many members. I then send a bit of a teaser out to see if they might bite it. Some take the bait, hook line and sinker and have run with their gifts and have been such a blessing. Others nibble, and I think that might be because they are a bit unsure of themselves and because the 3.0 is completely different from 2.0. But my friends, I see God working through a small group of people. I see activity and members working together. I see new doors being opened up almost everyday. I see things happening on the sites that I thought were only wishes. Praise God. I know I have gone off-topic from what I thought I was supposed to teach on today, but there must be something that someone needed to hear. If that was you, I would like to hear after this service. If you are reading this and it spoke to your heart, please drop me a message. Back to words being seed. If everyone can please turn to Matthew 12:32. Whatever is in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth. Matthew 12:33-37 KJV Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. (34) O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (35) A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Good things as well as bad things come into being why? Because of the words we speak. Let’s turn to Matthew 15:10-20. I want us to see what Jesus says in this parable. Matthew 15:10-20 KJV And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: (11) Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (12) Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? (13) But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (14) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (15) Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. (16) And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? (17) Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? (18) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. These words from Jesus are to the bad or evil treasure in our hearts that comes out as negative and perverse speech. We have seen in other studies that all through the entire Bible we are given very explicit and detailed instructions about speaking right words. We have looked at many of them in the past couple weeks. Praise God!!! We are to be witnesses to the world. If we are cursing others, and I don’t mean just swearing, but saying hateful things that down others, is that being a good witness? If others are around us and we are constantly speaking negative things about others, are they going to be learning the ways of God? I think not. Let's turn to a verse we have looked at before. Proverbs 4: 20-24. What I just said goes especially for our children and grandchildren. Proverbs 4:18-27 KJV But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (19) The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. (20) My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. (22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. (25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. (26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. (27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Powerful words here. Friends, I think the message God is trying to get across to us today is this. We need to be careful with our words. I remember a saying that my mom used to say to my brother, sister and me, and I am sure most of you have heard it too. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all. Amen? You know the other saying, "Count to 10." Do we want to say things that are going to harm people and then come back to harm us? Think about that for a moment. Remember there is power in our words. We can curse or bless with what we say. Amen? Romans 12:2 tells us to be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Once you prove God’s word to be true to yourself the gates of hell will not be able to prevail against it. You will know that you know that it is the truth and no one will be able to steal it from you if you continually guard your heart. 1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. Church, this passage is simple and uncomplicated, but filled with expectation. What we are called to do is to bless and to receive blessings. Discovering the power that is in blessing will open up a whole new world of thinking and living. Blessing and its counterpart, cursing, will set a path for us without our being fully aware of it. It is renewing our mind and we find how to do this in God's Word. Friends, in closing, please turn to John 8: 31 and 32. We are going to go in a bit of a different direction. I very rarely go a Sunday without mentioning the importance of each of us being in God's Word. Who in John 1:1 does it say is the Word? Jesus! We do believe that? John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Friends, we being grafted into the family of God are now part of His chosen people. Amen? Do we believe this? Jesus was and is the Light of the world, the image of the invisible God. Those shall have the light of life who follow Him, being guided away from destroying error and damning sin, and having that enjoyment of God which will be to them the light of spiritual life in this world and life everlasting in the world to come. All who will have God for their Father must discover Him through the Light of the world. Galatians 3:13 KJV Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: For those who are not sure what the blessings and curses are, read the entire chapter of Deuteronomy 28. I want to leave you with two last scriptures. Proverbs 21:23 KJV Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 1 John 5:18 KJV We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. With these two verses, should we not want to live our lives for God as best we can? When we totally surrender to Jesus, we can. I would ask you this week to ponder over the verses we looked at. Make them important to follow in your life. For those who don't have a Bible reading plan, will you start today? Could you spend enough time each day to read one chapter a day? For those of you who are on Cross Roads Fellowship, there is now an audio Bible there. Could you spend time listening to that daily to get fed? Prayer. Communion.
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