A Church with a Heart for our Community

November 5th Tuesday

Greetings to you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a beautiful November morning – I believe that this is a “given day” and as such we need to be purposeful in first thanking God with our praise and second, in making this day purpose-filled and third, in simply enjoying it! I trust that you had a good weekend and Monday, and are ready for whatever adventure comes your way. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to make you aware of His presence in the daily activities and to infuse you with a generous amount of hope.

I have been listening to a lot of conversations and have noticed disturbing trend…many people don’t seem to ‘like’ themselves. People say some very discouraging and judgemental and unkind and untrue things about themselves. Sometimes it is about appearance, sometimes it is about how they respond to others, sometimes it is about things that they do or say, and sometimes it is about how they are interacting with others. You have probably heard these things as well–or maybe said some yourself. No one it seems is immune to negative self-talk. It seems to be much worse than ever…in fact some people are even ‘facebooking’ themselves with negative comments and then ‘liking’ the comment.

The Bible has much to say about using our words and conversation in such negative ways. It says in Isaiah that we will eat the fruit of our words…and that isn’t very appetising! It says in Proverbs that – Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences – Proverbs 18:21 TPT. It says in James that with our words we can bless our life or curse our life. I am aware that the many times we say that we are just having some fun and that it doesn’t mean anything and that’s not how we really think, but I wonder. I read recently that our advice is the only advice that most of us listen to.

Some time back I shared a simple little phrase froma book by my friend  Joel Osteen, and I think it is important to share it again.  Unfortunately, just because we have a faith and/or belief system doesn’t mean we aren’t subject to this kind of self-talk. The phrase is meant to be spoken to ourselves every morning regardless of how we feel and it goes like this: “Father-God, I thank You that You have approved of me. Thank You that You are pleased with me. Thank You that I am forgiven. I know that I am Your friend.” Then as you travel through your day remember four words: Approved by Almighty God. Perhaps you might even find it in your heart to make a few positive declarations over your life: I am anointed. I am blessed. I have talents. I am wise. I am ________ . If the Bible is right, and I believe it is, our words can invade our heart and mind affecting the way we see ourselves.

I have an idea – you might need help here…but every time you say something negative about yourself…penalise yourself with a 25 cent fine and at the end of the week buy yourself a coffee…and a donut or maybe a hamburger, fries and a milkshake or maybe a steak dinner…just saying!

Just a little something to ponder…blessings on you!