Speak Life!

A genuine Christian looks after the needs of others, especially orphans and widows in distress, while keeping hyimself unspotted from the moral pollution of the world. This is the kind of religion that our heavenly Father looks for in His people.
James 2:27

There are people who are honored on television for being heroes and from what I have seen, they have earned the right for such honor. We also honor musicians, singers, actors, performers or community activists as being great for their talents, but they are not judged for their character. We as christians are judged by our character and integrity, not just over our deeds and good works.

The Word of God is so profound and rich to me that says, "if anyone thinks he's a good Christian..." He challenges us to take a deeper look at what we believe and of ourselves. We can think one thing and yet be another; we say to ourselves, I'm a good person or Christian and yet, our chrisitianity means nothing if there is no self control in what we speak. We are not the judge; God's Word is!

I was leaving the Mall last week and a young woman almost ran over me with her SUV. She was cursing at me as she passed and then she turned into her parking space. She exited her vehicle with her two friends and obviously forgot about the woman she almost smashed a moment ago. I noticed the back of her car and saw that she had the fish (you know, the one that stands for Christianity) on the back. I asked her if she was a christian and she said, "yes" and then I reminded her that she almost ran over me and cursed me out. I let her know that I was a Christian as well and that her witness should not be her insignia on the back of her car, but her speech and actions. I let her know that she had been a poor witness for Jesus Christ. She and her friends looked stunned that I was even having this conversation with her and they were really taken by surprise. She and her friends apologized for their actions and I quickly accepted their apology. I pray that they remember that their christianity is not just for Sunday worship service only.

So many of us live from day to day without any control over our mouths. We think; therefore we speak, not thinking about the consequences of what we say. Far too many times there are no restraints placed over our minds or our tongues. The fruit of self control has not been developed in us yet. One scripture all Christians should learn is that out of the issues of our heart, the mouth speaks. That is such a deep scripture to me, because it forces us to take account of what proceeds out of mouth and we will know what is in our heart when our hearts bear fruit in what we speak. There is a lot of darkness in some of us that must be rooted out. What's in your heart?

One thing is for sure, we need to stay connected to positive, happy, cheerful and optimistic people who are filled with the fruit of joy. I'd rather spend my time with positive people, than to spend one minute with a pessimist. Negative people look for reasons to find fault or something wrong with people or their actions. They look for negativity and people find themselves walking on pins when they are around them, because they are afraid to be judged. They are always picking up demonic spirits in people or negativity, because of everyone else who carry the spirit of heaviness. Maybe it's just a dark cloud over their heads called depression and they need deliverance or some meds themselves. I get tickled when a person says that they can't attend a certain church because they saw a demonic spirit on sommeone. Well, if that is so, can these same people walk into a department store or grocery store? Can they go to the doctor's office or hospital? Certainly, they can't do any form of ministry to the harvest because their are demonic spirits within that group. If we see that a person has a demonic spirit in Church, then feel free to cast it out!

We may be in a season of trials and tribulations and don't have the strength to display joy, but God does not cease to be God. This is the time for intercession to help those who are struggling. We lift them up until they are able to stand themselves. Even in hard times, the time will come when we must encourage ourselves. Paul said that in whatever state he found himself in, he learned to be content. Contentment have nothing to do with the situation you currently live in; but in your relationship with God. Yes, life may be difficult; but God is still God and He is good. He is close to those He loves in times of trials and His angels are dispatched to strengthen us. I believe the Holy Spirit kicks in a little extra joy for us during those times of testing.

There is never a time for us to say whatever we want to say just because we are hurt or angry. We should always be sensitive to the feelings of others. We may be right, but we don't always have to say it and if we do have to express our opinion, we should make sure that we speak the truth in love.

So to some of you super Christians, you may want to take another look at yourselves, because you may be living in self deceit and be a christian in name only. Bridle your tongue, put restraints on yourself and use self control in speaking or judging, because you don't know who is listening.

What do we put into our hearts? Do we listen to positive people, programs or read positive material? Our minds receive information all day long; some positive and some negative. We have to choose that which is positive, good, beautiful and that which will fill our hearts with joy. Bless yourself; put on inspiring music that lifts the soul and think of things that you have done that make you happy. There are times that we have to force ourselves to soar above our problems and praise God. I have never seen praise fail; it always lifts us out of a dark place. Praise God for who He is and your breakthrough will come. His presence will lift you into another realm and whatever the problem will shrink in your life. God delivers us when we live in a state of praise and all darkness will dispel.

As for me, I will bless the Lord at all times for His praise shall continually be in my mouth. What comes out of my mouth is what is in my heart. I praise the Lord, so therefore, I wrapped in Him.