Angry? Choose Your Words!
Many in North America (USA) worry that they are in a losing battle to preserve civility (politeness, courtesy, respect). The use of profane words- words which are full of abuses and curses is so much on the increase that many young people do not think it is wrong and most adults do not seem to notice it or even care.
Professor Timothy Jay of John Hopkins University Civility Project, reports that children begin using abusive words they hear from their parents and on television worldwide, it has been noticed that the use of profane and indecent language or words increased more than 500% from 1989 to 1999.
Have we been bitten by this curse and abusive words bug? Always remember that you are in this world BUT not of this world. Sharp or profane words can impact your respect negatively. Stop cursing and using abusive words on your children, staff, clients or even your spouse.
Profanity includes speaking evil of people in their absence. This is gossip! If you cannot praise someone when he/she is not there then don’t speak about him or her at all. Note also that the ability to lie is a liability. In the book of Mathew Chapter 5 and verse 22 (Amplified Version), Jesus said “Whosoever shall say to his brother, you cursed fool (You empty-headed idiot!), shall be liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire”. The book of Colossians Chapter 4 and verse 6 says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt…”.
The children of the Kingdom should use the language of the palace. Being polite can open doors that fasting and prayers may not do.
A well-chosen word can speak volumes
Further study- Mathew Chapter 5 verse 17 to 26.
Source- Rev. Dr Chris E. Kwakpovwe of Our Daily Manna, 2013.
I Want it ALL!
I have been meditating a lot about wanting it all. Everything that God has promised me and has showed me his word. I have also been thinking on how to get this ‘ALL’ I so desire. That been said, I owe every success I have to date to HIM who made me and still enables me to prosper. However, some areas still need a breakthrough.
I was chatting with my husband and I wanted to get his own perspective on a complete and balanced life. I asked him if he thought that one person can really have it all, I mean, everything they really want and need on this planet earth. I asked him if he feels that there will always be something lacking?
I remember Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 verse 2, who passionately shared the scriptures, gave his all to serve the Lord, yet, he lived with an illness. Did he ask God to heal him? Yes! Was he healed? I am yet to come across that scripture but what I have read is that God left Paul with that illness, and yet the illness did not consume him. I am yet to have full understanding of Paul’s situation but it seems to me that Paul was still in service for God. The ‘thorn in his flesh’ did not limit his love for God. That is mind boggling.
My husband’s perspective is that something may always be lacking however it now depends on what is lacking. He goes on to say that, as long as it’s not a major lack, the process of ‘lack’ is designed for us (humans) to keep remembering God. His perspective left me feeling that we humans define what we call a ‘major’ lack and a ‘minor’ lack. A single and unmarried lady would see her situation of not having a husband a major lack while another lady may see it as a minor lack; A childless couple may see their situation as a major lack; a family with financial freedom and no peace/joy may see that as some degree of lack; An individual who happens to get into wrong relationships that burn may see that as an issue, hence a major lack. We individuals would define a lack based on what peer groups, culture, society, defines it as. Or do we define it by how we feel?
The grass is always greener on the other side, some would say. However the owner of the green grass puts a lot into ensuring that his grass seems greener. We all have various issues we are dealing with, however we need to appreciate what we have and not envy or covet others of what we think they have that we do not have.
My reflection on this article left me with one impression, and it is that God has pre-destined me for greatness; I have been blessed with ALL. I will come into it, eventually.
Do you have doubts where you are now and it seems where you need to be is far off? Be still and know him where you are, he will show you that he alone is GOD!
Hand Me Downs
I am recently discovering Mali Music Note (Listen to Job Experience here). This gentleman is on another wavelength when it comes to gospel sounds and lyrics. Watching his recent interview on BET’s Lift Every Voice, a programme that showcases everything within the gospel music industry, I got caught up in something the host said, making me reflect on this Christian walk of mine.
I remember growing up, as the first child, I had new things to wear and use. My parents bought me everything brand new, like every first child out there. When I started having siblings, some of what I used was handed down to my sisters. Makes a lot of sense and I am sure fellow mothers out there would agree with me. Unless your second born is of a different sex from the 1st child, you will almost instinctively hand over what you have used for your first baby, unto the second one.
It’s not to say I never had ‘hand me downs’ I did. My mom had a few clothes and shoes that she gave me when I started to mature in my teens. I loved those clothes and kept some for when I was much older. Some fitted me well, some didn’t Now, as a grown woman, I have defined what suits me in person, personality and as an individual and no longer have the hand me downs.
One thing the host of the show made me also realise is that most of us are living a ‘hand me down’ Christian life. We live in the idea or the understanding of who we think God is and how we should know/ relate to him. This ‘hand me down’ ideas are mostly from our parents, guidance, media or from where we may have grown up. Yes, we attended Sunday Schools, went to church every week day, attended conferences and prayer meetings et al but we never really knew for ourselves what this whole thing is about because they were handed down to us.
Some of us are still in this phase of life now. Refusing to discover what and who God is but always relying on other people’s understanding of God. Rather than operate based on what you have personally read and discovered for yourself in the bible, we instead follow what is said out there without making our own research and discoveries.
I was a victim of ‘hand me down’ relationship with God and still experience this now and again however I am breaking free, taking up my bible and reading it myself, taking up books on facets of life to read it myself, listening to teachings but ensuring I still go back to check and re-check with the word to be sure what I heard is coherent with what God has said in his word. The benefit of this is that you become sensitive spiritually, and know when to follow or not to follow on all things. (Daniel 11:32)
I believe this is where God is longing for us to be. To come to him and have a personal relationship with him. To know him while he teaches and shows us the truth. It is a daily progressive walk and I can guarantee you that it is so amazing the things you will discover.
Stop living in the shadow of who your parents, guidance, media and friends say God is. The same way you do not wear ‘hand me downs’ any more, get over your ‘hand me down’ relationship with God and get fresh with Him and all that relates to Him.
It is never too late!