Your Words Have Power!

I challenge you to start really listening to what you say about yourself. When you have the power of God living inside you (the Holy Spirit) you are basically making declarations with whatever you say.

So, if you say, "I'm not very good at balancing my checkbook." You have just declared yourself incompetent with your checkbook. What kind of things are you saying about your body and the way you look? I go to Jazzercise frequently and even in this super-positive, fun environment people say all sorts of gobbledegook about their bodies. 

While we are thinking about our words, let's examine what you say about others. Last night at Jazzercise I heard a mother tell her daughter in a silly, joking manner, "You better do that you lazy butt." Hey, I am all for having fun and being silly with each other - I could tell the daughter took no offense to what the mom was saying, but those words sink into our souls. Your words have power! You can declare victory and freedom over something or you can just as easily curse yourself or others with your words. 

Let's look at James 3 for help in understanding about how our words have power:

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

We have to work with God to keep our tongues in check. As God's word says, it is an unruly, evil, and full of poison. We can choose to bless others and ourselves or curse. 

It can be so difficult to say kind words to ourselves if we are full of self-hatered, self-bitterness, and self-rejection. If you find yourself really struggling to say anything positive about yourself you are really needing to receive some freedom prayer. Look for a prayer and worship center in your area, consider doing the online For My Life training to help you receive deliverance from what ails you, or contact me through email and I will help you.

Remember the truth about who you are in Christ and that God has never had a bad thought about you. Pray for God to help you catch words that could hurt yourself or others before speaking. 
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In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302

and the Be in Health ministry 

Negative Words - True or a Lie?

How often does a negative, condemning thought float through your head? "Oh I shouldn't have done that. That was terrible!" or "I failed again. I can't believe it."
We have talked quite a bit about who you are in God and choosing to agree with that. But, what if you did make a mistake or you really think whatever you are hearing that is negative is really true?
Take 5 minutes and ask God, "God this is what I was just thinking. (insert your negative thought here) Is this true? What do you have to say about it?" Then write down (if possible) what is said and BELIEVE it. Choose to agree with whatever God says. Remember He has never had a bad thought about you. 
What about that mistake you made? We have discussed that you should no longer be looking at any decision from a pass/fail mentality, but looking at and grading outcomes. But, if you really feel stuck, like you know you did make a mistake - what then? Simply ask God, "Was this truly a mistake?" and "What do you want me to learn or know from this?"Again, choose to agree with whatever God tells you. Walk in freedom, my friend! Condemnation is not a part of God's world and He certainly wants you to be totally free from it!

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In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302302

Positive Thinking Only Diet

This is no ordinary diet. There are no food restrictions or specific rules to follow when it comes to eating. Rather this diet is a brain diet.
How positive is your thinking these days? How often do you have a negative thought about anything?
If you find you are having a constant steam of condemnation going around in your head, please read my post entitled "Getting Rid of Self-Condemnation Forever"
Now that condemnation is gone from your brain, how many other negative thoughts do you find yourself meditating on? For instance, what role does worry/fear play in your life? How often do you find yourself complaining? Doubting? Just feeling down-in-the-dumps?
God really wants to free you from this too! So why not go on a diet for your brain.

Steps to Positive Thinking Only Diet:

Your main goal is to make it one entire day without a negative thought. If you have a negative thought, you must begin again to make it 24 hours without one.

1. Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and discernment about when a thought is negative and not beneficial. Also ask for him to help you hold it captive and release it.

2. Begin your day. When a negative thought comes up in your head, notice it is there, then throw it out in the name of Jesus. Just having this thought come into your brain does not count. It is MEDITATING on the thought or PERSEVERATING on it that gives it power. This is where Satan can get a foothold into your life.

3. Replace the thought with a verse. It can be any verse. Or simply say the name of Jesus over and over until you are focused on something new.

4. Build stamina in holding every thought captive just as you do when you build endurance in exercise. It will be hard at first, but do not give up. God will give you freedom from negative thoughts.

5. Do not get discouraged. Whatever you do, do not allow condemnation or anything negative to come into your head when you are unable to hold a thought captive. This is hard. It takes practice. One woman took 6 months of doing this daily before she could make it through one whole day without negativity sneaking into her thoughts. Ask God to strengthen you! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230