Month: September 2020

Words that bring life or death

Which words produce life, and which produce death? The words that produce life become words of a blessing. But if they produce death, they become word curses.

What is a word curse? It can be anything spoken to you, by you or about you concerning you and your life that you believe, and it is a negative, unloving, unkind or abusive statement. Usually they are spoken by an authority or parental figure and you believe what they said. When you repeat the statements with belief, they become your reality.

God speaks life over us not death. His word is filled with good things that are truths. It is essential to know who you are in Christ so that you can refute the lies of the enemy, yourself, others, or the world. Not everything spoken to us is beneficial to us. We need to recognize what is being spoken so we can refuse to believe any lies, wrong beliefs, or harmful words (word curses) spoken to us, or by us.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Proverbs 18:7 “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”

Proverbs 18:20 “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.”

Numbers Say to them, “As I live says the LORD, just as you have spoken in my hearing so I will do to you.”

Matthew 12: 36-37 “But I say to you that for every idle word man may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37-For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Your words are producing either blessings or curses. We eat of our words! that is powerful thought. So, for a minute think on your words lately and how they made you feel. What type of words are you speaking and thinking?

Remember as a man thinketh so is he. So, your thoughts are producing blessings and curses too. Usually what we think is what is coming out of our mouths. Jesus said out of our hearts our mouths speak. The heart and mind are connected. You cannot separate heart and mind. The mind is part of your soul, the soul is the mind, will and emotions. Your heart desires which is will so you can see how intertwined they are.

To be whole we must be willing to face uncomfortable things. Wholeness is essential to overcoming all obstacles. “Obstacles are things that block one’s way, prevents or hinders progress.”

Word curses block our way because they can be subconscious and undetected, they also can attract demonic interference. (‘Interference means the action of interfering or the process of being interfered with.’)

How do you get free of word curses, negative words spoken by you or to you, or inner vows you have made to live by which are destructive to live by?

First ask God what are the negative words this is identifying them. Second renounce them and refuse them. Replace them with a truth. Ask God for the truth to replace them. Go to the Beauty for Ashes page and follow the prayer.

We used the book ‘God Therapy’ by Timothy Lane M.A. We followed his ‘God Therapy’ steps in ‘breaking word curses and unhealthy beliefs.’

Beauty For Ashes page.

What is the Turtle Factor?

What is the turtle factor? How does the turtle factor effect our lives? How long does something take to make an effect?

Do you remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? If not, the story is about a race and the hare starts out strong and fast and the tortoise moves along slow and steady eventually the hare wears out and cannot finish the race. He never set a pace, he did not appreciate the tortoises easy slow and steady pace either. But in the end of the story the tortoise finished the race and won.

Life is like the tortoise and hare. You can start out fast and furious but life throws curves, obstacles, and mountains to climb. It takes endurance and stamina to make it to the end. To me this is the turtle factor.

Growth is not instantaneous it is gradual. We live in a modern age with quick results, fast food, and the internet where things move rapidly. But life is more like the turtle factor. The turtle factor is a gradual growth process that builds character, endurance, and wisdom.

It is the same in the Kingdom of heaven the parable of the mustard seeds has multiple life lessons for us to learn. In Matthew 13:31-32 Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

The man is anyone of us. He took a seed and sowed it, meaning he planted it. Anyone who gardens or farms understands that there is a season the seed dies before it germinates, and the growth process starts. The first day of planting does not bear fruit, it is costly and laborious. You must plow the soil, make sure the soil is fertilized and you physically must get the seed in the ground accomplished. Then you make sure it has the proper amount of daylight and water to give it time to sprout. This is all before you even see growth.

And then the season of waiting begins! The turtle just keeps moving never giving up even though the hare taunted, laughed, and harassed him. The turtle just slowing kept moving forward.

Once the seed is planted the mustard seed is the least of all seeds. Sometimes in life we may feel like we are the least of everyone and it is taking too long, and we are not going to get to the end or grow. But the truth is that you are growing but just like a seed you do not see it till you come through the soil of life.

The parable of ‘the kingdom of heaven goes on to say that the mustard seed when grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.’ When our growth period of a ‘seed of the kingdom’ is complete, we are also grown and helpful to others. We can then give of our experiences of growth and help someone else along in their growth period. We can give our support, wisdom and grace learned through our own growth process in life. That is all part of the turtle factor.

Choose the turtle factor and just keep moving forward and do not allow the ‘hares’ of distractions, harassments or obstacles get you discouraged, depressed or disillusioned. You will succeed if you just keep going.

The Parable of the Sower

What does the parable of the sower mean to you? When reading the bible, it is important to read it with three thoughts in mind. What does it say, what does it mean and how do I apply it to my life? I was reading in Matthew chapter thirteen ‘The parable of the sower’ and I saw something revelatory for me. I am sharing it with you.

Matthew 13:3-4 “Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4)And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.”  Jesus explains to the disciples what the parable meant.

Saying in Matthew 13:18-19 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower; 19)When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.” I believe there are key words in this parable to help understand how we receive the word and what to do with it. A seed is the word of God and it needs to be understood. With out understanding we can not apply the word to our lives. When ever we read the word, we need to have these three thoughts of what does it say, what does it mean and how do I apply it. What is said is more than just words it has a meaning that must be understood.

We can understand Gods word through the revelation of His Spirit. If you just read the bible with out understanding you are filled with words but when the understanding of intent is revealed it produces life change and faith.

Matthew 13: 5-6 “Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth 6) But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they has no root they withered away.”

Jesus explains what this part of the parable means in Matthew 13:20-21 “But he who received the seed on stony places, This is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21) yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”

This person hears the good news gets excited but has no root in himself. The root is, ‘the root of Jesse’, which is Jesus.

The bible tells us in Isaiah 11:1 “there shall come forth a Rod from the Stem of Jesse, and A Branch shall grow out of his roots.”  And in Isaiah 11:10 “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.”      

The parable says this person has no root. Either they have not received Jesus, or he has a shallow relationship with Jesus, so he endures only till it is not convenient, there’s trouble or persecution comes because of the word.

I sensed the Holy Spirit say this parable is about your heart in relationship to the (seed) the Word of God and how you receive it and understand it. That is why what it says, what it means and how do I apply it is so important.

Matthew 13:7 “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and chocked them.” Jesus explains this part in Matthew 13:22 “Now he who received seed among thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches chokes the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”

This speaks to us about our focus and how the cares of the world events and amassing riches can choke the word in you. How by letting them take your focus away from receiving and understanding the word of God. You can become distracted to the point of unfruitfulness. There is nothing wrong with riches if it does not steal your relationship with the Lord but if it becomes your idol it will choke the word.

Matthew 13:8-9 “But other fell on good ground and yielded a crop some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9) He who has ears to hear; let him hear!” Jesus explains the parable in Matthew 13:23 “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Good ground is a repentant, humble, and forgiving heart this type of heart can hear, receive, and understand. It produces fruit 100,60,30. Hear the word, understand it, and then apply the word to your heart and life and it will produce fruit and your fruit will multiply.

Have you checked your tongue lately?

What is a tongue check? What causes our words to come out? How important are your words, do words really matter? I believe they do! Have you checked your tongue lately?

The power of the tongue!

We are living in a day and age where words are used flippantly as if a lie is truth and that there are no absolutes but is that a truth? How do you judge a truth you might ask? Before the 1900’s truth and morality was judged by absolutes of the Word of God. But since relativism started back centuries ago and moral relativism was introduced in 1904 but not widely accepted until the 40’s and really took off in the 60’s truth in America started to slip into a slippery slope of moral relativisms and no absolutes. But just because society decided there are no absolutes does that mean it is true? The answer is no, therefore our words still matter.

Our words can be faulty and based on our opinion’s, assumptions, beliefs and fact less but when backed by God’s Spirit and truth our words are powerful. I have seen God’s word make a change in people’s lives. The bible states in Proverbs 18:21 “Life and Death are in the power of your tongue. And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Jesus said out of our heart our mouths speak. What types of words are you speaking? Are they words of life or death? A tongue check is done according to the word of God and it will show what those words produce.

In Matthew 12:34 Jesus said to the religious “Brood of vipers! How can you being evil, speak good thing? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” This would mean a tongue check involves a heart check. You can change your words but if your heart is not changed and healed the words will eventually come out again.

But in Matthew 12:35 Jesus states, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” This statement by Jesus shows us our hearts store treasures of good and bad. He goes on to say your words will be judged. Every word spoken wow that makes me stop and think what have I been saying?

Jesus adds in verse 36 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” Men meaning mankind so this includes everyone will give an account for everything we speak wow that is a little scary especially if you think words do not matter. If you judge someone else’s words and then do not judge your own words how will you give account for that?

Jesus went on to say in Matthew 12:37 “for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” We need to let the Holy Spirit convict us if we are speaking words that do not produce life. I pray our words be seasoned with salt, truth and grace. I do not know what words you speak but God knows. Let His Holy Spirit and Word do a tongue check on you today.

I pray this scripture for all of us today. Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

The Power of Forgiveness

What does forgiveness mean to you? How important is it? What are benefits to forgiveness? These are some of the questions we will answer.

Forgive means: “Stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake; Cancel (a debt)”

Forgiveness means: “the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven.” First with these definitions we see that forgiveness is a process. Pardon deals with the emotion of the offense and the feelings of resentment toward a person who hurt, offended or acted in a manner that we felt hurt by.

How important is forgiveness it is essential to your overall mental health? Unforgiveness plagues the mind and heart. It revolves around a continuous dialogue of thoughts in the mind that wants justice or revenge. But it keeps you locked into the pain, hurt, and negative emotions.

There are no benefits to unforgiveness. Why do we hold on to unforgiveness can only be answered by the person? Everyone gives different reasons, but it is usually the event itself. And the injustice of the hurt and sorrow. But in truth unforgiveness is only hurting us, not the one who hurts us.

Power in forgiveness is a key to unlocking a hurt. Forgiveness does not abolish the offense. It does help you to walk free of the pain and sorrow of the offense. Forgiveness places you in a place of restored peace. When we are unforgiving, we do not have true peace. We may have repressed the hurt, but it always comes back up.

Pain must be expressed, processed, and relieved or it is locked in the recesses of our mind and heart. Therefore, forgiveness is a process. Our minds must give the pain a voice through expressions and the emotions of the hurt is processed and then the words of ‘I forgive you for…’ will flow freely. Then the healing of God can fill the area the pain and sorrow lived, and you can be restored and filled with peace and joy.

Jesus bought forgiveness for us with God, but it also opened the door of empowerment of forgiveness for us to others. The word of God tells us to forgive as we have been forgiven. There have been things in my life that have happened to me without God’s help and healing I would not be the person I am today.

I have seen many different individuals and couples walk through the process of forgiveness and receive the healing it provides. The power of forgiveness lives within each individual choice. Once you choose to forgive ‘someone’ the process starts and then you can be healed of the pain, hurt and sorrow of the offense through forgiveness.

What are Strongholds and Roots?

What is a stronghold? Where are they erected? How do we pull them down? What is the difference between strongholds and roots?

The Holy Spirit spoke to me years ago “When there are bad roots in our lives such as rejection, shame, fears, etc. you have to first pull-down the stronghold protecting the root or roots, to be able to uproot the bad root’s so you then may be able to live in freedom.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 AMP “For though we walk (live) in the flesh we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4) For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh & blood] but they are mighty before God, for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. 5) [In as much as we]refute arguments, theories, and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true]knowledge of God, and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ(the Messiah, the Anointed One.)”

What is a stronghold? I thought years ago the stronghold was the action, habits or behaviors that you can’t control but no that is just fruit. The stronghold is the thoughts, arguments, theories and reasonings we use to uphold and defend our actions, habits and behaviors. So, the real strongholds remain the beliefs, thoughts and views that validate our actions, habits and behaviors.

Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon “a stronghold is what one uses to fortify and defend a personal belief, idea or opinion against outside opposition. A Stronghold is the fortification around and defense of what you believe especially when you are wrong.”

I used to think a stronghold was a habit, action or addiction that you cannot stop on your own. But we must understand the action is just the fruit of the stronghold.

The stronghold is the thoughts, arguments, theories and reasonings we use to uphold and validate our actions, habits, behaviors.

Strong’s Greek Dictionary Stronghold: “To Fortify, through the idea of holding safely; a castle (fig: argument: stronghold)”

Webster’s Dictionary stronghold “1) a fortress 2) an area dominated or occupied by a special group”

Since we now know exactly what a stronghold is, we need to answer where are they, the answer is they’re in the mind and heart.

The mind is like a rudder to a ship it steers the body. We usually feel or think before we do. I’ve heard it said an addict relapses in their mind before they relapse physically. This statement lets you know how important your thoughts are.

Strongholds protect roots (the arguments, theories and opinions) that validate the behaviors or actions need to be removed so that the original ‘root problem’ can be dealt with. You can choose to change how you think but if the original (root problem) hurt, pain, or trauma is repressed then it will surface in all kinds of unhealthy behaviors, actions and attitudes etc.

Root “3) a support: base 4) an essential part or element: core A primary source or origin.” Roots “To become firmly settled or entrenched…”

God’s Word states in Jeremiah 1:10 “See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and the kingdoms to root out and pull down; to destroy and over throw; to build and to plant.”

By the power of the Holy Spirit we are going to begin to pull down strongholds (the beliefs, theories, opinions and arguments that are contrary to God’s way & word) so that we can up-root bad and unhealthy roots (root problems) in our lives and then plant healthy seeds which will make healthy roots. The word of God is the seeds of truth we are going to sow and plant in our minds, hearts and lives.

Take a moment and look at your life where are you concerning acceptance? Do you feel accepted or are you struggling with feelings and thoughts of worthlessness? Do you speak well about yourself? If your answer is no, then it’s time to let the Holy Spirit show you what reasonings, theories, and opinions  (strongholds) that are validating your behaviors, actions, habit’s or addictions to medicate yourself to feel accepted. Or the words you are repeating in your head to continue to feel worthless. When we feel or think we are worthless it comes from a hurt, pain, trauma that must be healed.

Unhealthy roots (root problems) develop when we repress hurts, traumas or pain from our past. They can form into unhealthy ways of coping. All pain needs to be voiced when we deny hurt a voice, we push it down, but nothing stays down it always comes to the surface in ways that we least expect. These are the roots (root problem) that need to be healed.

My prayer for you: Dear Heavenly Father through your Holy Spirit uncover the strongholds (thoughts, theories and opinions) that are defending & validating the behaviors, attitudes or actions and I pray you heal each person reading this to feel accepted. Lord remove any blinders to the truth of who you are and bring clarity and healing to the pain and hurt that is causing unacceptance in Jesus name. Amen Who is the keeper of your mind? The Marvelous Mind & Know your thoughts!