The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue( Proverbs 18:21), A person can speak several words a minute and several thousand an hour. You can imagine how many words an average person speaks in a day! We could fill a library in a lifetime! If we did, what would the title of those books be? The tongue has a powerful influence on others, God is looking for a set apart holy life and one of the key parts we must guard with all diligence is the tongue. The truth is, we all have problems with what we say. That is probably why the Bible says so much about the tongue, Proverbs is filled with verses about both the positive and negative aspects of the tongue, 170 times to be exact. Speaking negatively is costly in the spiritual world, while watching what you say can bring spiritual reward. The Battle of Jericho is a great example of this, they marched around the city three times and with one big shout the walls came tumbling down. Your words are living and active and they are designed and intended to give us life rather than tear us down. They can build relationships or they can break them apart. With one word God spoke the whole world into existence, with one word he healed the sick and raised the dead back to life.

You have the power to change the course of your life by the words you are speaking. If your life needs an adjustment take a good look at the words you are speaking and ask the holy spirit ” the helper” to help you speak only what God says about you to others. Once you truly get a revelation about the power of your words from God and begin to align your words with God, you can change your life forever. Matthew 12:35 says ” What you are sowing you shall reap”. Let me ask this question What kind of words are you sowing?, If you speak positive affirmations every day, then slowly your mind will start to believe they are true and that is exactly where your life will be and is headed. Whichever way your tongue goes you will go! Are you going to let your little tongue spark up destruction in your life and your church or are you going to let it spark up life? Authority and power are delivered with your words, what are you giving power and authority to? Your words will either deliver you or bind you. Here is an example of the Israelites and the promised land, they saw the land was flowing with milk and honey but they spoke words of destruction. They were grasshoppers in their own eyes compared to the enemy. They spoke it over their lives and it was so, Whatever words you speak is where your life is bound to go. Don’t get snared by the words of your mouth but instead put on the full armor of God and speak life over yourself, your friends, and your family. We need to make sure our words line up with God’s word and when it does we are unstoppable. The ways in which we use our words reflect the way we think, This is why it is crucial we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us with our thoughts. Romans 12:2 says ” Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good pleasing and perfect will”.

Once you get a hold of this principle it is a vital key to how successful your life will be, daily positive affirmations have helped me so much in training my mind to have a positive attitude and outlook on life, I now see the potential in people as well. People marvel and ask how and why I have such a positive outlook on life and I just smile and say Jesus and positive affirmations repeating every morning, It is just that simple. Here is an example:

1. I am a child of the most high King
2. I am confident
3. I am full of Joy
4. I am filled with peace
5. I have the mind of Christ

But if we let our mind fill with dark thoughts and let it spiral out of control, then that is not what God intends for us or what he ever wanted to happen. Speaking positive things about ourselves may not be believable the first time, but as you diligently repeat them, your mind is transformed and you begin to believe them and act like you are those things. I can tell you first hand our flesh and mind does not like being transformed and will fight tooth and nail to stay where it is, but diligence and repetition is key in this situation, and if you use positive declarations daily and do not give up when you don’t see progress the first day, I can promise you your mindset will change and you will become a more positive minded person.

Luke 22:14-23 says ” When the hour came Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table. He said to them I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.” ” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said ” Take this and divide it among you, for I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes”. ” He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it. and gave it to them saying ” This is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup saying ” This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you “. A little later Judas partook of the Lord’s Supper unworthily, and if YOU do it you can pronounce judgement on yourself. When you eat and drink the bread and cup you are remembering Christ’s sacrifice and the deep meaning behind it. Jesus said ” If you don’t drink the cup and eat of the bread you will have no part of me “. You are proclaiming the Lord’s death as you eat the bread and drink the cup until he returns once again. When you take Communion, you are supposed to examine yourself so that when you eat of the bread and drink the cup you don’t do it in an unworthy manner, because if you do it corporately it can bring judgment on everyone else who is doing it with you. Communion is a serious event meant to be taken seriously and it is a holy moment with serious meaning. You can take it as often as you like, but if you truly get the meaning of it, you only need to do it once a day because of how powerful the blood of Jesus is. Besides being born again in Christ, a healthy body and mind are the greatest blessings anyone can have. The Holy Communion is God’s ordained channel of healing and wholeness. Make sure you do not take it with an attitude, or do not take it so much it begins to lose its meaning and it’s just going through the motions, It shouldn’t ever lose its meaning to you.

Imagine you are sitting in the Upper Room candles are the only light with the disciples at a table and Jesus at the head, he looks around at us all and says how he has eagerly desired to eat this meal with us all. Then he lifts up a cup with wine and says ” This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”. Then he breaks the bread and says ” This is my body broken for you, do this in remembrance of me”. Jesus looks around as we eat the bread and take the cup, then he says ” One of you will betray me this night “, he hands a piece of bread to Judas and Judas takes it and eats it and Jesus looks at him ” Do what you came to do ” he says and Judas leaves the room.

I would have loved to be a part of that Holy moment between Jesus and his disciples but the closest I can get to it is reading it in his word. You might be asking what is the purpose of communion? I am glad you asked, It is to receive from Christ, the peace, love, nourishment, and joy we need. This is something we are privileged to do, The bread and wine are tangible ,visible, reminders of Christ’s love. It is commanded to participate in this, participation at the Lord’s table is not an option. We anticipate his return when we take communion and fellowship with our fellow believers and God. I personally have taken communion more times than I can count, but each time it is a Holy and special moment that I never take for granted and it makes me examine myself. and my decisions leading up to this moment. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of what Jesus did in the past, a symbol of our present relationship, and a promise of what he will do in the future. So the Lord’s supper, although a memorial of a death, is not a funeral, as if Jesus was still dead. Rather, we observe this memorial knowing that death only held Jesus for three days-knowing that death will not hold us forever either. We can remember Jesus death with the happy knowledge that he has triumphed over sin and death! Scripture also teaches that the full meaning of Communion, includes relationships among God’s people, and not simply our private interaction with God. In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul speaks of the cup as sharing in the blood of Christ, Similarly the bread we break and eat is sharing in the body of Christ. It is truly time for us to experience deep fellowship with Christ when we take Communion. His mercy is enough for all who would come to his table, his blood has the power to cleanse you and heal you if you need it. Hope is never lost because there is still an empty grave even when we remember his death and sacrifice through taking the cup and bread. 1 John 1:9 says ” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness”. I truly believe that if we really understand how powerful this meal is, it will never lose its meaning for us.

In Conclusion, remember to before taking part in Communion examine yourself and confess your sins to Jesus and he will cleanse you of your sins so you can partake worthily once again. My prayer for everyone is that you will never lose how special, or how meaningful, this event is to you and for you.

Born again believers must be Kingdom Minded. God equips us with gifts and talents for his glory and to impact the eternal Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 says ” Seek first the Kingdom and all will be added to you”. We always need to be thinking about how our actions will affect the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a framework that allows us to see things from God’s point of view. A commitment to the sovereign cause of Christ, motivates us to present ourselves as a sacrifice and seek first the Kingdom of God. Our eyes should be fixed on those things that are above, where Christ is seated at God’s right hand. When a person is consumed with God and his kingdom, he or she will experience peace and no anxiety or worry . We lose our God-centered mindset, when we are worried or anxious. By practicing these things we will bring the God of Peace back into our lives . According to Paul, a believers logical and reflective thinking determines whether or not he is spiritually saved and fruitful. ( Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the spirit desires.) (The mind of the sinful man is death but the mind that is controlled by the spirit is life and peace Romans 8:5-6.) It is important to note however, that a truly born again person desires what the spirit of God desires. This is the Kingdom by Pat Barrett from Elevation Worship comes to mind as I write this. The song goes through the beatitudes, and then ultimately goes to This is the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Beatitudes

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit
2. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted
3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for rigtheousness, for they will be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Sons of God
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of Righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

In being Kingdom Minded, the beatitudes are vital because they inspire us to live according to the characteristics described by Jesus . Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth or decay destroys, neither where thieves break in and steal. ( Matthew 7:7 Ask and he will) Our father loves us so much that he gave us these principles to assess what he has given us. When you , Seek, Ask and knock, the door will be opened for you, and you will find, and you will receive. You will never find satisfaction in the things of this world but in finding his Kingdom. Simply surrender and allow him to fill your heart and mind with Kingdom thoughts and he will, that’s all he wants. Don’t trust in your own wisdom and your ways, seek wisdom from the one who knows you far better than anyone else ever will. Our top priority should be his glory, the advancement of the gospel, and his kingdom so he can return and set the world right. Who he is, should be enough for us, and what he did for us should be enough. We should want to be Kingdom Minded if we have a relationship with him, the more time we spend with him, he transforms and renews our mind. I can imagine how the Sermon on the Mount went, Jesus standing in the middle of his disciples and a crowd that followed him wherever he went on the shore of Galilee. He speaks with such authority and power as he looks around at the crowd. I would have loved to be there in the middle of it all, just listening to him speak. His eyes are pools of love just begging for the crowd to get it, but he knows they do not yet. I would have been right at his feet, just listening to him in awe. He is the greatest teacher ever in all of history, past, present, and future. (Remain in me, as I also remain in you John 15:4 ) He is seated at the right hand of the Father, waiting for you to ask him to renew your mind to completely lose interest in the things of this world and focus more intently on the things of Heaven. He will do it because he is a good, loving, and gracious God and he wants you to be fully focused on him, and him alone and you will become a fountain pouring out to people who need it.

Heavenly Father,

I come to you right now and ask that you would fill anyone who reads your words that you have said through me with Kingdom Minded thoughts, Touch them with your holy spirit and let them know you are with them and wrap your loving arms around them. I declare it is done and you will break every stronghold that is coming against them right now In Jesus name!

Amen

Seek First the Kingdom and all will be added!

I have, and I still can’t wrap my head around , or comprehend, how wide, how deep, or how long it is. In John 3:16 it says that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten son and whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” That is one glimpse of the Father’s love for us. That verse is the core of what born again believers believe, that God loved the world and humanity so much that he came in the flesh, to die for us, so that anyone who confesses and believes shall not perish but have eternal life, and be completely wiped clean from the stain of sin. That is my God and I will sing of his Goodness all the days of my life! He is so faithful to carry out his plan in our lives just like he was faithful to carry out the plan of Jesus coming to earth, and he corrects us when we get off the beaten path because he loves us and wants the best for us. He is a Good father, a father to the fatherless, and a friend to the friendless. God literally gave his one and only son to rescue us from sin. We were lost and we didn’t know how much we needed him until he came, and he changed the world forever. He came to earth to seek, and save the lost, so we could live with God again because he couldn’t bear to be without us, and was not willing to just sit by and let us perish. The presence of the Lord is the only thing that can truly define you, not the things or objects of this world. Know and believe God’s love for you! I never get tired of saying Thank you Jesus for everything you did for me, and will continue to do in and through me. There is nothing like God’s love and we will never experience it any other way and you won’t find your worth anywhere besides through him. I can tell you that I know exactly who I am in him, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be trials or hard things that come up in your life. In this life, Jesus said it wouldn’t be easy but to take heart he has overcome the world and I know that I can overcome all that is thrown at me with him in me and by my side.

To further demonstrate his love for us was the Crucifiixion of Jesus, he was flogged, mocked, spat on, and they placed a crown of thorns on his head, while also being nailed to a cross with a sign above his head saying King of the Jews. That was not even the worst or most painful part of it, every sin past, present, and future, was placed upon his shoulders and he was separated from the father, all to bring us home and back into a relationship with him. When he was on the cross struggling to breathe, we were on his mind, through all the pain and suffering he went through, he desired for us to be free from sin and become righteous in the Father’s eyes. He went through death, hell, and the grave and he conquered it all for us. That still blows my mind and I’m so thankful for that every single day. He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one gets to the Father except through him. You are loved more than you know by someone who died to know you. His love for you is authentic, relentless, and it will never end. God’s love will chase you down, no matter who you are or what you have done, you are so loved and treasured by him and are priceless to him, so do not for a second doubt your worth to him. There is nowhere you can run or hide from him, he already knows everything about your flaws and shortcomings, BUT he accepts you and loves you even with all of that. He can turn your life around in a moment when you accept him as your Lord and Savior, call on his name and he will never leave you or forsake you, his mercy, grace, and love are flowing upon you like a river right now. God is able to take our mess and turn it into a testimony. I heard someone describe the best attribute of Jesus were his eyes, they were living, deep, pools of love. You are loved, significant and filled with purpose and he longs to have a relationship with you. No other religion has the fact that God literally came down and was born a baby and walked with us as he grew. He gave up his rights and came down to us, he was fully God and fully man. He knows and relates to everything we walk through in our lives , the fact that he could see to the other side of what he came to do is what makes me stand in awe of Jesus. He longs so much to be in a relationship with you, and is waiting for you to just come to him with all of your sins, and recognize you need him, he welcomes you with open arms, and there is room at his table for you and me. You are not too dirty, broken, or lost to encounter his redemptive love. Sometimes we need to be brought to the end of our wits to come to the beginning of our faith. With God you have life beyond your past, beyond your failures ,beyond your heartbreak, and beyond your worst moments. I can tell you my life has never been the same since I accepted him, and he became my Lord and Savior. I want that for whoever reads this blog! Not only did God save me from what I deserve, he gives me way more than I deserve, or can even imagine. Once you accept him, it is the easiest decision you can make for yourself and your future. You are a child of God and at the mention of his name, everything can change!

Heavenly Father,

I ask right now that you would pour out your love on everyone who reads these words right now, help each and everyone of them to have a renewed fire in their hearts for you and your word. Help them to know and trust that you are always good and faithful in every circumstance and continue the work in their hearts, that you are faithful to complete. You are the author and the finisher of our faith and we love you, touch every heart and speak to everyone that reads this blog right now In Jesus name!

Amen