Today I thought about what people see when we cross paths throughout my day. Knowing there are people who are searching for something to fill their emptiness and knowing there are believers like me that sometimes need encouragement to keep walking the straight and narrow - is God being glorified in everything I do and say? The Bible says we were made for God's glory, but what does that actually mean, biblically? A sea of hands raise to the familiar song, "Show Me Your Glory", but do we actually know what we are requesting knowing that God's glory burns up everything that is not like Him - are we truly open to it? So here's a study prompt that should cause you to ponder the meaning of God's glory, how we bring glory to God and what that ultimately means for us in our daily lives. Happy journaling!
]]>Here is the focus for May that is functioning more as study prompt for you. Think about we are said to be "set free" as Christ followers. What's the difference in God's definition of freedom and the world's? Happy journaling!
]]>For those of you who watched my Insta-story the last week of March, you saw that I was doing a 6 day study with gospel artist Kiera “KiKi” Sheard. We would do a quick virtual group study for 15 minutes and then end in prayer; each day focusing on a new topic. On the third day, we talked about “Watching Our Mouths” and I couldn’t help but want to expound upon some of the things we touched on.
Below you will find my notes from the group study. Remember, this is meant to get you started and focused on the subject at hand - to mediate on throughout the month and practice life application. Dive deeper and support your questions and answers with scripture. I find really zeroing in thoroughly on subject matters helps us to retain what it is we are learning when studying God’s word.
Watch your mouth
Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue can bring death or life (MSG – Words kill, Words give life; they either poison or fruit – choose
As a kingdom citizen/King’s kid, the Lord has given our tongue power to speak and move things in heaven, on earth, over our loved ones, in bad situations, in sickness etc.
– He has given us that authority.
The words you speak are what’s happening in your life
Our inheritance is connected to God – we are created in his likeness (Psalm 82:6-7)
I can speak things and expect them to come to pass
Be conscious of what you release (even when joking)
Matthew 12:33-37 – a tree being identified by its fruit – whatever you feed your spirit or flesh, becomes rooted in your heart and whatever is in your heart has to come out.
The mouth speaks what the heart is full of - What is your heart full of
Discontentment, rage, malice, worthlessness, jealousy…
v.34b for whatever is in your heart is what you say
Judgment - You will give an account of everything you say (purposed or idle v.36)
“they will either acquit you or condemn you”
Prince of the air – Satan (Ephesians 2:2)
Not a physical fight – Eph 6:12 -we wrestle not against flesh and blood…
2 Cor 10:3-5 – we are not waging war according to the flesh…
Because warfare starts in the mind, think about what you’re feeding it. Are you giving the enemy a foothold?
Detox – what do you need to cleanse your mind of
Music, people, certain movies, food?
What do I need to do to train my mind physically because a lot of times what is happening spiritually manifest physically (physicals sometimes reveals what’s happening in spiritual)
Romans 12:2 – Renew your mind!
Who are you – when you know who you are and whose you are,
you walk differently
Col 3:23 - Do everything 100% as you’re doing it unto the lord
Authority - Mark 16:17 (18) “The miraculous signs will accompany those
who believe: They will cast out demons in my name , and they will
speak in new languages …”
Luke 10:19-20 “Look I have given you authority over all power of the
enemy, and you walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them.
Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey
You; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.
When is your heart is in the right place? - when under subjection of the lord
and you’re living righteously
key to being powerful in your speech
**Make sure not to constantly make excuses for sin because you know sanctification is a process and later find yourself in a place of a reprobate mind.
**Power in my confession is predictable- like Hezekiah and lot we can be in on what God is going to do when we walk closely with Him
Remember: THERE IS POWER IN EACH WORD I RELEASE
For more perspective on "Watching Our Mouth" click HERE
Scriptures: Prov 15:4 Pslams 131:3 Heb 1:1-3I'm going to share my journal notes on a brief study of II Kings 4:1-7 I did with my new friends at Ebon Temple in Orlando. However, please continue to dive deeper into this passage and subject during the month of February to see where you need to exercise your faith. Also, reflect on the times where God has done the seemingly impossible on your behalf.
4 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”
3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
Notes:
Properly evaluate the current situation
1. husband has passed = left debt
2. children will be sold into slavery if not paid
Don't waste your time and resources on things that are dead.
Ask for help
1. Are you willing to help yourself? (set aside pride)
2. What skills, talents and gifts do you have that can help you?
You always have a little = grace
Be willing to involve the community]]>