Crossroads

[JosephCross]

Righteous Lips Build Ships

God, please fill me with righteousness and may you use my words to nourish.

READ
Proverbs 10:18-21

REFLECT
Has anyone ever paid you one of those "soul-reviving" compliments? The kind that’s way more than just "great job" or "nice shirt," but one that speaks directly into your heart? Maybe it was something simple like, "you are so smart," having no idea that your entire childhood you were told, "you’re an idiot." And you end up with a lump in your throat, thinking, "That guy just read my mail."

In that moment, God was using someone’s words to nourish your spirit. The Bible tells us "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Those nourishing, spirit-feeding words of God are often spoken through others around us. The question is: will we swallow them, or will we "politely" refuse?

RESPOND
Today practice telling those around you what you think of them...the good stuff, that is. And when people tell you good things about yourself, practice saying "thank you" with both your tongue and your heart.

I know exactly how being the person in in the Bold phrase. As a child I was always being told that I was abnormal, weird, naïve, "stupid", a nerd, a fag, and so forth. The worst part was one day when a certain idiot said straight to my face that me and my whole family was "a complete waste of flesh and should disappear." It hurt unbelievably much. I skipped the rest of the school day and went home crying. I think I was nine years old then?
At any rate, it did not stop there. I got an e-mail from the guy who insulted me later that day, and he kept pestering me about how I was such a wimp that I got insulted from something so small. He also told me that I should die. Later on I actually got a total of three e-mails that day saying "You are not useless. You are a friend." From my few friends at school.

" 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value. "

The words from the wicked have the power to insult deeply, but kind words spoken truly have the power to heal and prevent the wounds caused by said wicked.

S.D.G. - Soli Deo Gloria

 

[Diggin Deep]

Words Bring Salvation

God, please continue to purify my heart so that my words bear good fruit.

READ
Romans 10:10

REFLECT
We’re learning that our mouth bears the fruit of what’s in our heart. Paul spells out for us that the recipe for salvation is simple. It’s one part heart (our heart chooses to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God), and one part mouth (we confess aloud what our heart has decided).

RESPOND
Consider the partnership between the heart and mouth. How much is in your heart that you’ve never spoken aloud? About others, about yourself, about God? As you go through your day, SPEAK ALOUD to God what you think of him.

 

[Diggin Deep]

I grew up being complimented by my family hence i learned to compliment others too in their success etc. But as i was being exposed in the society where people tend not to be happy about other's achievements instead there was always sarcasm or jealousy in their words that i learned to be more discreet with my compliments to others. Some also when complimented would tend to see you as trying to suck up to them seeing your words as a way to get something from them. Or worse, others observing such behavior would tend to see or judge you as being fake trying to 'play nice' to others even when that's not your intention at all. Hence followed, i resorted to limiting giving compliments even when necessary due to society's influence on me.

However when i attended a seminar- it opened my eyes to the importance of true words to others especially those who are hurting and healing. It laid out a practice that everyday, place 5 pennies in your right pocket and if you see someone who deserves a compliment or a pat on the shoulder- do so. Upon complimenting 1 person- transfer 1 penny to the left pocket and so on and so forth until the end of the day- make sure you've transferred all the 5 pennies to the left pocket. One's goal is to place a smile on one's face everyday through sincere compliments. This was a means to develop a habit to give compliments and encouragement to others.

I did ask during the seminar my concerns while growing and society's view to such compliments/soul reviving words and the answer given was that- just as long as you know in your heart that the compliments you give are sincere then one should not be bothered by what others think. Just sharing.....

Pennies...that is a pretty good illustration and something that is worth practicing. I've never heard that before. It is refreshing to hear how you were raised. It is also unfortunate that jealousy, envy and negativity plays such a huge role in our lives. I think the best we can hope for is that we know that our compliments and actions are sincere. There are people who will view compliments the same as negativity. No matter how nice you have been to them, they will always think you have an alterior motive and a trick up your sleeve. It's easier said than done to just go thru life, saying to ourselves, "Well I know what I meant and I can go to sleep at night knowing that." I've always been a very encouraging, positive and complimentary person in terms of other people. My worry is that because I am that way, people will just assume I am full of it and that my words and actions are half-hearted or that I have a hidden agenda. However, it is who I am and if I see an opportunity to speak well of another person...I will take advantage of it. If I don't, then I'm not being true to myself. You just never know when a kind word could help them thru the day or completely change their life.

 

[Diggin Deep]

I know exactly how being the person in in the Bold phrase. As a child I was always being told that I was abnormal, weird, naïve, "stupid", a nerd, a fag, and so forth. The worst part was one day when a certain idiot said straight to my face that me and my whole family was "a complete waste of flesh and should disappear." It hurt unbelievably much. I skipped the rest of the school day and went home crying. I think I was nine years old then?
At any rate, it did not stop there. I got an e-mail from the guy who insulted me later that day, and he kept pestering me about how I was such a wimp that I got insulted from something so small. He also told me that I should die. Later on I actually got a total of three e-mails that day saying "You are not useless. You are a friend." From my few friends at school.

" 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value. "

The words from the wicked have the power to insult deeply, but kind words spoken truly have the power to heal and prevent the wounds caused by said wicked.

S.D.G. - Soli Deo Gloria

JC...I am very sorry that you had to deal with the verbal and mental abuse you have during your childhood. No one should have to endure that and usually the person doing the bullying has had to endure the same things or worse. It is unfortunate, but it is life and at some point we have all been there. That doesn't make it any less painful. Words are one of the most powerful things on this planet. Thankfully you have found someone in your life who looks past our imperfections picks us back up when we are down.

I think it is extremely important in situations such as abuse to love ourselves unconditionally. It doesn't matter who you are, what you are or what anyone says about you...love yourself and more importantly, know that God loves you!

 

[sexysadie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRtkFiIAMGE​

 

[Diggin Deep]

The Power of Your Story

God, please give me the courage to speak your word and share your story.

READ
Revelation 12:10-11

REFLECT
Every one of us who chooses to follow Jesus has a testimony, i.e. a story about how knowing him has changed us, grown us, blessed us: "I used to be a jerk, but now I’m sort of a nice person." "I used to live in fear, but now I’m excited to discover what life has in store." "I once was lost, but now I’m found."

These testimonies have power. The devil is constantly accusing us, but by speaking about what Jesus has done in our lives, we can overcome him and his lies. Plus, the Bible tells us that sharing these stories builds our own faith. So, telling others about the wonders God has done in our lives not only crushes Satan, but also builds our faith muscles.

RESPOND
What’s your God story? Take some time to consider your testimony. If you have time, begin writing it down. And don’t be surprised if the opportunity appears for you to use your tongue to tell someone about a way God has moved in your life.

 

[purpledove]

The Power of Your Story

God, please give me the courage to speak your word and share your story.

READ
Revelation 12:10-11

REFLECT
Every one of us who chooses to follow Jesus has a testimony, i.e. a story about how knowing him has changed us, grown us, blessed us: "I used to be a jerk, but now I’m sort of a nice person." "I used to live in fear, but now I’m excited to discover what life has in store." "I once was lost, but now I’m found."

These testimonies have power. The devil is constantly accusing us, but by speaking about what Jesus has done in our lives, we can overcome him and his lies. Plus, the Bible tells us that sharing these stories builds our own faith. So, telling others about the wonders God has done in our lives not only crushes Satan, but also builds our faith muscles.

RESPOND
What’s your God story? Take some time to consider your testimony. If you have time, begin writing it down. And don’t be surprised if the opportunity appears for you to use your tongue to tell someone about a way God has moved in your life.

Very good points to ponder. As they say Satan uses our weaknesses and in every opportunity our mind to try to defeat us waiting for us to fall. We make Satan win of course when we easily give up in not sharing our testimonies that can win other people to Christ. Which comes to mind, the book by Joyce Meyer entitled:'Battlefield of the Mind' given it gives Biblical verses and means and ways to win over Satan. There's also a version: Battlefield of the Mind for teenagers/kids discussed in very simple kid friendly way. My son loves that book :nod:

 

[purpledove]

Love the lyrics of this song......It brings me to the core to know I have weaknesses and imperfections! excerpt from lyrics: 'I'm not perfect but i keep trying coz that's what i said i would do from the start'....When you're caught in a lie and you've got nothing to hide. When you've got nowhere to run and you've got nothing inside'....... In Christ we can do this who gives us strength :nod:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nBU9VR2X5g


Perfect lyrics


Falling a thousand feet per second, you still take me by surprise
I just know we can't be over, I can see it in your eyes
Making every kind of silence, takes a lot to realize
It's worse to finish than to start all over and never let it lie
And as long as I can feel you holding on
I won't fall, even if you said I was wrong

I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?

Making every kind of silence, it takes a lot to realize
It's worse to finish than to start all over and never let it lie
And as long as I can feel you holding on
I won't fall, even if you said I wrong

I know that I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/h/hedley-lyrics/perfect-lyrics.html]
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?

When you're caught in a lie and you've got nothing to hide
When you've got nowhere to run and you've got nothing inside
It tears right through me, you thought that you knew me
You thought that you knew

I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?

I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my, just myself
Just myself, myself, just myself

I'm not perfect, but I keep trying.......

 

[Diggin Deep]

Powerful lyrics...good song!!! Who sings it?

 

[sexysadie]

Hedley sings it silly...lol

 

[freakofnature]

Hedley sings it silly...lol

He can't see videos at work.

 

[Diggin Deep]

He can't see videos at work.

Thank you for clarifying That is correct...I can't view videos at work and very seldom get on after I leave work.

 

[Diggin Deep]

No Fear

God, please give me a spirit of boldness, and use me to speak life.

READ
2 Timothy 1:7

REFLECT
When our tongue is not serving the Holy Spirit, it’s often motivated by fear. Consider how many stories there are in the Bible about someone lying because they were afraid: Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was afraid and denied she had laughed. Peter was afraid and denied knowing Jesus.

Put Simply, fear will motivate us to be silent when God wants us to speak.

There is great blessing and discipline in the ability to be quiet, or to mind our own business. But if fear is driving our silence, then we may be robbing others of the life-giving words that God wants to speak through us. Even worse, we are being robbed of an opportunity to get more of God. Take courage and consider how God might want to use you and your tongue to build the Kingdom.

RESPOND
Write about a time when you felt you should speak up, but were afraid and didn’t. What happened? What do you think would have happened if you had spoken? Is this a pattern in your life? Today, ask God to redeem your fearful tongue. Whenever you feel afraid to speak, speak anyway.

 

[sexysadie]

He can't see videos at work.

Thank you for clarifying That is correct...I can't view videos at work and very seldom get on after I leave work.

I know, I just thought you'd know by the lyrics....I guess not everybody is a Hedley fan...lol...sorry hun.

 

[Diggin Deep]

I know, I just thought you'd know by the lyrics....I guess not everybody is a Hedley fan...lol...sorry hun.

No problem at all and no sorries ...I'll have to check them out. It's been a long time since I've actually taken the time to listen to Christian Radio.

 

[sexysadie]

It's a great song but I don't think it's from christian radio. Some songs just make you feel good inside.

 

[Diggin Deep]

It's a great song but I don't think it's from christian radio. Some songs just make you feel good inside.

Ahhh...I'll still have to check them out. Thanks for the posts SS!!

 

[Diggin Deep]

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

God, please give me more self-discipline, and help me control what I say.

READ
Proverbs 18:7

REFLECT
We’ve learned that our tongues are inherently evil. They insult, gossip, and crush spirits. They offer biting sarcasm veiled as a joke. They forego integrity for selfish ambition and lies.

But our tongues don’t just hurt others; they hurt us as well. With their lack of self-control and compassion, our tongues can betray us and make us look like fools. And we’re often our own worst critics.

"I’m so stupid. I look like crap. I’m such a failure."

Why do we find it so easy to agree with the accuser’s lies, instead of the truth of our Creator?

RESPOND
Remember Stuart Smalley? "I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, gosh darnit, people like me." Well, Stuart was actually on to something. Today, stop speaking harshly to yourself. Ask God what he thinks of you. And speak out loud the good stuff He tells you.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Press On
by Selah

When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all

Chorus:
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
To press on

 

[sexysadie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQJoNUEOhDM​