Our church had a teaching on fasting last weekend. We were challenged to do a 3 day fast, however we felt God leading. The teaching was that physical hunger leads to spiritual hunger. When we fast we deny ourselves something and use that time of denial to focus on God.
God gave me a physical example of focus a few weeks ago. I was told of a waterfall in one of the parks in our area. So one day, I set out to find it. My trek did not end unrewarded. In the midst of a man -made park with lake and a couple wooden bridges, there it was. Now this is no Niagara Falls, just a miniature rush of water, but the sound of moving, living water always calms my soul. As I stood behind the waterfall, looking at the lake and trees, my view was distorted. One step to the right and it all became clear again.
I sensed God trying to say to me that sometimes my life is blurry because I have let sin, or busyness or trying to accomplish things in my own strength take my focus away from Him.
Once I lose my focus, I lose my strength and energy, I lose my joy and peace and eventually the desire to fight the good fight required in this life gets dimmer.
My step to the right to sharpen my view was the challenge of the spiritual discipline of fasting. I felt led to do breakfast the first day, breakfast and lunch, the second day and all day on the third. I spent more time than usual in prayer and God was so faithful in giving me strength and focus in the face of temptation.
I will not share all the details just some insight He gave me. I will say that I felt so refreshed and energized and a new hunger for God. My soul and my body felt cleansed. My only prayer besides strength was to know Him more and He was faithful in showing me.
My clarity came in the middle of my time through a little bird. I was out for an early morning walk and as I reached some water, I noticed a tiny bird fluttering overhead. This bird was flapping like crazy and then a gentle breeze would come and lift its wings, letting the bird float gracefully through the air. This pattern repeated over again but it just seemed more peaceful with the wind under its wings.
As I witnessed God's creature, the word complacency came to me again. Complacency actually means according to Webster's, ' a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of unpleasant possibilities.'
I felt this bird was a picture of when I am complacent in my walk with God, I place my security in myself and flap my wings like crazy trying to figure things out myself. I need a little resistance or action in my circumstances to create the breeze for me to glide on. This turns my focus off of me and back onto God.
I have witnessed as Christians that we are deceived in our complacency. We may feel that quiet pleasure or security and then easily forget the unpleasant possibilities of the devil lurking and prowling waiting for an opportunity to kill, steal and destroy.
We need to be diligent to know God and keep our focus on Him. I encourage you if life has become blurry, to take whatever step to the right you need to bring clarity to your circumstances. I am praying for His revelation in your lives!
Matthew 7:33,34, 'But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
Friday, July 15, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Day 31- The Fasting Tongue
James 3:6-10 ' 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. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers this should not be.'
(Side note in case you have not come to this realization yet, no man can tame the tongue alone, but with God's help we can!)
This day of the tongue is my own addendum to Deborah Pegues book. Praise God He helped me to persevere and finish this blog series. In the past finishing well has not been my strong point.
I will not share the authors' appendices but instead encourage you to purchase this powerful little book. You will then have on hand the tools of the daily tongue evaluation checklist, alternative uses of the tongue and an arsenal of tongue scriptures.
I will share a poem she included, by and unknown author called, 'The Power of Words'
A careless word may kindle strife;
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A bitter word may hate instill;
A brutal word may smite and kill.
A gracious word may smooth the way;
A joyous word may light the day.
A timely word may lessen stress;
A loving word may heal and bless.
It is easy to read the words I have written and say Oh yes, I need to change that or think, that is where I need God to work. My friend gave me an interesting statistic the other day. We only retain 10-20% of what we hear, but we retain about 80% of something we discover. My husband also added we retain 80% of something we hear if its repeated 7 or more times.
Remember when I said we believe more of what we say to ourselves than anyone else? So I encourage you to go on a journey of discovery for the areas where you need a tongue fast.
If none of these areas seem to be an issue for you, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your truth. Find a strategy that works best for you to deal with these areas.
I am going to start in the areas that jumped out to me most. I will practice meditating on God's word about the issue.
Although it is good and sometimes necessary to pay attention to the things we do wrong. We would be farther ahead if we practice doing the right uses of our tongue in order to leave no room for the negative ones.
God 'just happened' to show me a Joyce Meyer teaching today that was entitled. '6 Things to Say on Purpose'. She also reminded me if it comes out of your mouth, it was in your heart. So I truly want what I say to be pleasing. Joyce's 6 things to say to ourselves are:
1. Stay busy blessing everything - start your day, my day is blessed in Jesus's name & proceed to speak that over your family and friends.
2. Be thankful and say so - as she said, you may have a thankful heart but open your mouth and speak it.
3. I was made to encourage.
4. I'm telling the truth - no matter what
5. God's word is in my vocabulary
6. I'm going to say just enough - As Deborah Pegues would say do not give in to loquaciousness. Be quiet enough to hear the Spirit's directions for your words to speak.
I think you have heard my heart if you've been following along. There were areas that spoke to me more than others. In all fairness and to encourage you to keep on this journey with me, these are the ones I'm starting on; the hasty tongue, the judgmental tongue, the doubting tongue.
I know there will be so much freedom if I learn to walk in doing the opposite of these tongue uses alone. Especially if I line up with God's word and trust Him for my outcomes, to not doubt how big & mighty He is and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Press on my friends in fasting this wild creature in our mouths. The more we starve out the evil by speaking life with it, the more joy, life and victory we will experience.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Thank you for Deborah Smith Pegues God inspired teaching and permission to share some of it. Bless you all as God leads!!
Speaking the Truth
Colossians 3:12-17 ' Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitiude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.'
Psalm 71:8 'My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.'
Excerpted from 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (Harvest House Publishers 2005). Autographed copy of the book and workbook available at www.confrontingissues.com.
(Side note in case you have not come to this realization yet, no man can tame the tongue alone, but with God's help we can!)
This day of the tongue is my own addendum to Deborah Pegues book. Praise God He helped me to persevere and finish this blog series. In the past finishing well has not been my strong point.
I will not share the authors' appendices but instead encourage you to purchase this powerful little book. You will then have on hand the tools of the daily tongue evaluation checklist, alternative uses of the tongue and an arsenal of tongue scriptures.
I will share a poem she included, by and unknown author called, 'The Power of Words'
A careless word may kindle strife;
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A bitter word may hate instill;
A brutal word may smite and kill.
A gracious word may smooth the way;
A joyous word may light the day.
A timely word may lessen stress;
A loving word may heal and bless.
It is easy to read the words I have written and say Oh yes, I need to change that or think, that is where I need God to work. My friend gave me an interesting statistic the other day. We only retain 10-20% of what we hear, but we retain about 80% of something we discover. My husband also added we retain 80% of something we hear if its repeated 7 or more times.
Remember when I said we believe more of what we say to ourselves than anyone else? So I encourage you to go on a journey of discovery for the areas where you need a tongue fast.
If none of these areas seem to be an issue for you, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your truth. Find a strategy that works best for you to deal with these areas.
I am going to start in the areas that jumped out to me most. I will practice meditating on God's word about the issue.
Although it is good and sometimes necessary to pay attention to the things we do wrong. We would be farther ahead if we practice doing the right uses of our tongue in order to leave no room for the negative ones.
God 'just happened' to show me a Joyce Meyer teaching today that was entitled. '6 Things to Say on Purpose'. She also reminded me if it comes out of your mouth, it was in your heart. So I truly want what I say to be pleasing. Joyce's 6 things to say to ourselves are:
1. Stay busy blessing everything - start your day, my day is blessed in Jesus's name & proceed to speak that over your family and friends.
2. Be thankful and say so - as she said, you may have a thankful heart but open your mouth and speak it.
3. I was made to encourage.
4. I'm telling the truth - no matter what
5. God's word is in my vocabulary
6. I'm going to say just enough - As Deborah Pegues would say do not give in to loquaciousness. Be quiet enough to hear the Spirit's directions for your words to speak.
I think you have heard my heart if you've been following along. There were areas that spoke to me more than others. In all fairness and to encourage you to keep on this journey with me, these are the ones I'm starting on; the hasty tongue, the judgmental tongue, the doubting tongue.
I know there will be so much freedom if I learn to walk in doing the opposite of these tongue uses alone. Especially if I line up with God's word and trust Him for my outcomes, to not doubt how big & mighty He is and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Press on my friends in fasting this wild creature in our mouths. The more we starve out the evil by speaking life with it, the more joy, life and victory we will experience.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Thank you for Deborah Smith Pegues God inspired teaching and permission to share some of it. Bless you all as God leads!!
Speaking the Truth
Colossians 3:12-17 ' Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitiude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.'
Psalm 71:8 'My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.'
Excerpted from 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (Harvest House Publishers 2005). Autographed copy of the book and workbook available at www.confrontingissues.com.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Day 30 - The Silent Tongue
Silent - making no sound, refraining from speech, speechless, mute, unspoken - understood, implied
Apparently the saying Silence is golden is only a part of the proverb. It is actually Speech is silver, silence is golden. The author shares a story in which silence is not golden.
'I heard a story about a husband and a wife who were feuding and giving each other the silent treatment. One night he realized he needed her to wake him up at an early hour to catch a flight. Not wanting to humble himself and be the first to break the silence, he left her a note to wake him at 5 am. The next morning he awakened to find out that he had overslept by a couple hours and had missed his flight. As he leaped out of bed to go and angrily confront her, he noticed a piece of paper on his nightstand. The note read, "It is 5 am. Wake up!"
Deborah Pegues showed us 29 days of negative ways we use our tongue. She has dedicated the last chapter to ways in which silence is not necessarily the best way to use (or not use) our tongues. She reminds us that talking is essential to maintain good relationships. These are the instances the author shares when silence is not golden.
1. When someone uses it as a passive, retaliatory means of expressing anger or displeasure.
2. When we refuse to defend someone against unwarranted criticism or vicious rumors.
3. When our silence results in us making an undesireable decision by default. Silence can indicate consent.
#1 The Silent Treatment as its lovingly referred to. Unfortunately I can recall too many instances as a parent or in my first marriage when I used this as a means of manipulation to get my own way. Thankfully God speaks to me very quickly if I try to use this form of the tongue now.
#2 Silent in the face of Injustice. Don't we all need someone who will defend us and our character. I hope I can stand for things that are right, or not right. If someone comes against my character, I pray that God will defend me through another. What about those who have no voice at all like the abused, abandoned, orphaned, widows. Are we making a stand with our words and actions for them?
#3 Mob mentality. Are we willing to stand up and face persecution or risk not being liked or understood in order to not silently agree with decisions being made. Prayer has been taken out of public schools because the majority of people did not protest. How many things have we silently agreed to? How many things could be changed by one brave voice? How many lives could be saved?
I love the story of Esther. I encourage you to take time to read this amazing book in the bible. In a short synopsis, Esther, a young Jewish woman, found favour with King Xerxes when he banished his wife who disobeyed him. He made Esther his queen. Through a series of events in which Esther spoke up, risking her life more than once, a whole nation was saved.
Her uncle spoke these words to encourage her to intercede for their people. 4:14 'For if you remain silent at this time relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this.'
So although we are not likely in a royal position, be aware of any opportunity when God may be calling you to speak up, for such a time as this!
Speaking the Truth
1Peter 2:15 'For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.'
Excerpted from: 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (Harvest House Publishers 2005). Autographed copy available from: www.confrontingissues.com
Apparently the saying Silence is golden is only a part of the proverb. It is actually Speech is silver, silence is golden. The author shares a story in which silence is not golden.
'I heard a story about a husband and a wife who were feuding and giving each other the silent treatment. One night he realized he needed her to wake him up at an early hour to catch a flight. Not wanting to humble himself and be the first to break the silence, he left her a note to wake him at 5 am. The next morning he awakened to find out that he had overslept by a couple hours and had missed his flight. As he leaped out of bed to go and angrily confront her, he noticed a piece of paper on his nightstand. The note read, "It is 5 am. Wake up!"
Deborah Pegues showed us 29 days of negative ways we use our tongue. She has dedicated the last chapter to ways in which silence is not necessarily the best way to use (or not use) our tongues. She reminds us that talking is essential to maintain good relationships. These are the instances the author shares when silence is not golden.
1. When someone uses it as a passive, retaliatory means of expressing anger or displeasure.
2. When we refuse to defend someone against unwarranted criticism or vicious rumors.
3. When our silence results in us making an undesireable decision by default. Silence can indicate consent.
#1 The Silent Treatment as its lovingly referred to. Unfortunately I can recall too many instances as a parent or in my first marriage when I used this as a means of manipulation to get my own way. Thankfully God speaks to me very quickly if I try to use this form of the tongue now.
#2 Silent in the face of Injustice. Don't we all need someone who will defend us and our character. I hope I can stand for things that are right, or not right. If someone comes against my character, I pray that God will defend me through another. What about those who have no voice at all like the abused, abandoned, orphaned, widows. Are we making a stand with our words and actions for them?
#3 Mob mentality. Are we willing to stand up and face persecution or risk not being liked or understood in order to not silently agree with decisions being made. Prayer has been taken out of public schools because the majority of people did not protest. How many things have we silently agreed to? How many things could be changed by one brave voice? How many lives could be saved?
I love the story of Esther. I encourage you to take time to read this amazing book in the bible. In a short synopsis, Esther, a young Jewish woman, found favour with King Xerxes when he banished his wife who disobeyed him. He made Esther his queen. Through a series of events in which Esther spoke up, risking her life more than once, a whole nation was saved.
Her uncle spoke these words to encourage her to intercede for their people. 4:14 'For if you remain silent at this time relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this.'
So although we are not likely in a royal position, be aware of any opportunity when God may be calling you to speak up, for such a time as this!
Speaking the Truth
1Peter 2:15 'For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.'
Excerpted from: 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (Harvest House Publishers 2005). Autographed copy available from: www.confrontingissues.com
Monday, July 4, 2011
Day 29 The Indiscreet Tongue
Indiscreet - lacking prudence, good judgment or circumspection, careless, foolish, hasty, inconsiderate, unthinking.
Proverbs 2:11 'Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you.'
I like the example from the story of Noah that Deborah Pegues begins this chapter with. 'After the great flood that destroyed most of the earth, Noah planted a vineyard. One day he got carried away and drank too much wine. His son Ham discovered him in his tent - drunk and naked. Scripture tells us that Ham "saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside" (Genesis 9:22) Exercising more discretion than Ham, his brothers would not even look on their father, but backed into the tent and covered him with a garment. Their discretion was a sign of their maturity. One who is discreet shows prudence and wise self-restraint in speech and behavior - and always reaps a positive consequence.'
'Have you ever found out something about a leader or other prominent person and could not refrain from telling someone? If God has trusted you enough to reveal someone's nakedness or sin, have you ever considered that you were not to "see" and "tell" but rather to cover that nakedness with discretion and intercession? A leader's punishment is God's business.'
I had a live example last night of an indiscreet tongue. we bought season tickets to our CFL team when we moved to Regina. Sunday night was their first regular season game that Wade, Owen and I attended together.
The row we have, we are surrounded by seemingly good people. A grandma and her grandson who is about Owen's age. A dad and what looks like his 3 daughters, below us an older gentleman and a man I assumed to be his son. Above us was another story. A young man so admittingly drunk that he could not see straight, his friend and another father son duo. All of these 'men' seemed to favour swearing over the rest of the English language and a particular 'f' word especially. They had a total disregard for the family setting. There was no discretion used in front of these 10 year old boys, a total lack of good judgment. It makes me sad when I have to debrief my son after inappropriate things happen that are unneccessary really. We are praying God intervenes into this new sphere of influence that He has blessed us with.
Be discreet now, you never know when God will show someone your nakedness. Hope that wisdom is all over your experience and you are covered.
Speaking the Truth
Proverbs 8:12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.'
Haggai 1:5 ' Now this is what the Lord Almighty says "Give careful thoughts to your ways."'
Ephesians 5:15-17 ' Be very careful then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil, therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.'
Excerpted from: 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (Harvest House Publishers 2005). Autographed copy available from: www.confrontingissues.com
Proverbs 2:11 'Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you.'
I like the example from the story of Noah that Deborah Pegues begins this chapter with. 'After the great flood that destroyed most of the earth, Noah planted a vineyard. One day he got carried away and drank too much wine. His son Ham discovered him in his tent - drunk and naked. Scripture tells us that Ham "saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside" (Genesis 9:22) Exercising more discretion than Ham, his brothers would not even look on their father, but backed into the tent and covered him with a garment. Their discretion was a sign of their maturity. One who is discreet shows prudence and wise self-restraint in speech and behavior - and always reaps a positive consequence.'
'Have you ever found out something about a leader or other prominent person and could not refrain from telling someone? If God has trusted you enough to reveal someone's nakedness or sin, have you ever considered that you were not to "see" and "tell" but rather to cover that nakedness with discretion and intercession? A leader's punishment is God's business.'
I had a live example last night of an indiscreet tongue. we bought season tickets to our CFL team when we moved to Regina. Sunday night was their first regular season game that Wade, Owen and I attended together.
The row we have, we are surrounded by seemingly good people. A grandma and her grandson who is about Owen's age. A dad and what looks like his 3 daughters, below us an older gentleman and a man I assumed to be his son. Above us was another story. A young man so admittingly drunk that he could not see straight, his friend and another father son duo. All of these 'men' seemed to favour swearing over the rest of the English language and a particular 'f' word especially. They had a total disregard for the family setting. There was no discretion used in front of these 10 year old boys, a total lack of good judgment. It makes me sad when I have to debrief my son after inappropriate things happen that are unneccessary really. We are praying God intervenes into this new sphere of influence that He has blessed us with.
Be discreet now, you never know when God will show someone your nakedness. Hope that wisdom is all over your experience and you are covered.
Speaking the Truth
Proverbs 8:12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.'
Haggai 1:5 ' Now this is what the Lord Almighty says "Give careful thoughts to your ways."'
Ephesians 5:15-17 ' Be very careful then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil, therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.'
Excerpted from: 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (Harvest House Publishers 2005). Autographed copy available from: www.confrontingissues.com
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