I received an email not long ago, however, that wasn’t nearly so encouraging. The woman was upset. She had been hurt by people during her work-at-home journey, she felt used and abused. She took that anger out on me. I was heartbroken as I read that email and felt this woman’s pain. My heart ached not just for the anger that she expressed, but at seeing the pain behind her words.

Words give us power. They allow us to communicate what God is teaching us. They give us the ability to share the joys and triumphs of life.

And yet, words can be used to wield another sort of power as well – the power to injure. We can so easily hurt others with the words that write and speak. I can think of countless times that I have spoken something without thinking – with no intention of hurting someone – and injured the person on the receiving end.

James 3:3 -6 tells us:

“Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

What a powerful statement that last line is. Read it again: “It [the tongue] corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” The words we speak can corrupt us if we choose to speak words that belittle others, hurt others or tear others down.

On the flip side, in Proverbs 31:26 we find out how a godly woman uses her words:
“She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.”

A woman who fears the Lord chooses her words carefully. She is calm and patient and thinks before she speaks, therefore she speaks “wise words.”

This is of such importance both as mothers and as businesswomen. We have the power to use our words to build up those who work for us, to make things right when a customer is dissatisfied, and to encourage and equip our children to live godly lives. The flip-side is true as well. We have the power to tear our children down, to complain about colleagues or customers, and to speak words that will do much more harm than good.

If I were to ask your family or friends if you are woman who speaks wise words or words that corrupt, how would they answer?

Let’s take some time today to evaluate the things that are coming out of our mouths. Let’s slow down and think before we speak. Let’s choose words that show our children our love for them even in the midst of frustration. Let’s reach out to our co-workers and colleagues and tell them that we appreciate them.

To Read This Week: Genesis 5

Leave a Comment: What can you do this week to make your life count?

Do you ever think about how God sees you and your success? Do you believe that He wants you to succeed?

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Believe it or not, the sentence above is a quote directly from Scripture – Psalm 20:4. If our hearts are right with God, we are on track for success in life. Now, this may not mean that each of us can be a millionaire, but it does mean that God wants to lead us down the path to success.

This proverb (see Proverbs 2:7) is a powerful reminder that our God is a God of justice. He “holds success” for the upright. Does that mean wicked people can’t be successful? No. We must look at the sentence following and be reminded that God is our shield – if we trust in Jesus. Only by trusting in the person and power of Jesus can we be seen as “blameless in God’s sight.” (1 Corinthians 1:8)

You see, God looks at us much differently than we look at ourselves. We see our sins, failures and shortcomings. However, when we believe in Jesus as our salvation, God sees us as blameless. What freedom there is in that truth!

There are other areas of life where we need a perspective change as well. You see, many of us, especially Americans see ourselves as poor. We makes comments like, “I’m so broke.” I’ve been guilty of this more times than I can count. But I recently had a wake-up call as to how God sees my financial status.

In his book Weird, pastor and author Craig Groeschel shares:

If you earn $37,000 a year, you are in the top 4 percent of all wage earners alive today – certifiably rich by anyone’s definition. If you make $45,000 a year or more, you are in the top 1 percent of wage earners in the world.

How many of us can say our family income is $37,000 or more a year? Many of us easily fit into even the TOP 1 PERCENT of wage earners worldwide. That is a staggering truth. That makes us not poor, but RICH in the world’s eyes….and in God’s eyes. Sadly, we believe we are poor because we do not manage our finances responsibly, nor do we share much of what we have with those in true need.

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Ephesians 4:28 reminds us that have a God-given responsibility to share. This Thanksgiving, let’s change our perspective. Let’s see ourselves for who we truly are – children of the King, co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), people who have been given much and who need to look outside of ourselves and see the need that exists around us.

Let’s make each day not only a time of thanking God for what He’s given us, but going a step further and changing our lives to reflect our gratefulness.

“So Abram left Haran as the Lord had told him…”
Genesis 12:4

What step of faith (no matter how big or small) is God asking you to take today?

To Read This Week: 2 Sam 24

Is there an area in your life that you need a change in perspective?

Leave a Comment!

Read: 1 Samuel 30:7-31

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about pushing through when things get hard. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

* In what areas of your life are you experiencing hardships?

* What ONE THING can you do this week to push through and keep going?

* How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or send your request in here)

Comment Below!

Read: The Parable of the Ten Minas
Luke 19:11-27

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about rejoicing. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

* In what areas of your life might you not be using your resources in the best way possible?

* What ONE THING can you do this week to make a change?

* How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or send your request in here)

Comment Below!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about rejoicing. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

* What areas of your life do you need to surrender to Him?

* Are you hurting? Pour your heart out to Him for He is your refuge (Psalm 62:8).

* How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or send your request in here)

Comment Below!

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about appearances. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

* What areas in your life are you still trying to “appear” to be good enough in?

* What steps can you take to be authentic in these areas this week?

* How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or send your request in here)

Comment Below!

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about Prov 14:23. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

* What has God shown you through this verse this week?

* What is your FIRST Step? or NEXT Step?

* How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or send your request in here)

Comment Below!