A Fool's Promise

"When you make a vow to God, waste no time in fulfilling it, for He takes no pleasure in fools. Do what you vowed." - Ecclesiastes 5:3

I've become so cautious lately of what I promise to people and to God. I think our culture has forgotten the value and power of words. We take lightly what we give as our word and promises are no longer promises. More importantly, how many times do the words, "I swear to God," come out of our mouths? Or how many times have we been in a bind and tell God, "I promise that if You do this for me I'll pray every day and go to church every Sunday!" King Solomon, who wrote Ecclesiastes, had a term for us when we use this language often - fools. Only a fool, someone who is ignorant, can throw around promises and vows. I don't want to be a fool before God any longer and am working on letting my yes' be yes' and my no's be no's. Be a person of your word. Be a person of integrity. If you do make a promise to someone, fulfill it so people respect you and not take you for a flake. And if you make a promise to God, fulfill it because you're underestimating the power of His right hand.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, help me to be a person of integrity. Put in me the resolution to be truthful and not fool myself and others with promises I can't keep. Help me to fulfull all I have promised to You and others to the best of my ability. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Words

"From the same mouth come both blessing and curse. Brothers, this should not be the case. Can both fresh and salt water gush from the same source?" - James 3:10-11

I was just praying and God let me feel that a great way to tell the heart of a person is by the things that come out of their mouths. Just in the same way that fresh water can't gush out of the same place as salt water, good things can't gush out of the mouth of a wicked person. Yes, people can fool us and be hypocrites, but this is a personal test for each of you - think about the things you speak about. Who do you talk about? When you speak to others, do you speak to encourage or do you speak to put down? Do you use your words to help others or do you use them to manipulate for your own advantage? Do you use your words for deceit or for truth? Or sometimes, speech isn't even necessary, do you lend a voice when someone needs to hear a kind word? Or do you keep your silence and not help? Whatever you choose to say or not say, especially the things that blurt out when you're angry or surprised, are all a true reflection of who you really are, what's really in your heart. You may try to hide this from others, but God sees who you really are and His is the only opinion that matters.

We all have things we need to change and work on. First, we need to realize that speech is a gift God gave us to build and encourage those in need of kind words, not to hurt anyone else or bring ourselves up. Then, we ask God to help us work on those issues we have inside so that both our heart and our words can be pure.

Today's Prayer:
My Lord Jesus, search me and reveal to me where I am lacking. Show me if my words have offended people and how I can correct that and correct my own heart. Help me, too, to forgive those who have hurt me with their words and understand that their hearts are wounded as well. In Your Name we pray, amen.

God Calls You By Name

"Thus says the Lord, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; for I have called you by your name; you are mine." - Isaiah 43:1

We hear so many words during the day that we hardly give significance to them, but to the ancient Hebrews, words were vital. In the book of Genesis during creation, the author wrote that God spoke the world into existence. He said "let there be light" and there was light. His words made it happen. Even the names the Hebrews gave their children were of the utmost importance. The angel Gabriel was sent from Heaven directly to Joseph to give him the name he would give the baby Mary was carrying. To the Hebrews, words were life. They spoke truth and held promises. That's why the gospel is called The Word of God and Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, in other words, the promise of God made reality. Therefore, your own name is of vital importance. It is not only what your family and friends call you, but the essence of who you are to God. And just like the Word of God becoming flesh took so many years to come to pass, so are you a developing story to the Lord. When you read this verse, I want you to know that no matter who you are and what you have done, God has redeemed you so you should not be afraid of anything. You may be carrying a shameful sin, be struggling with addiction, depression, guilt, low self esteem, or so much stress and tribulations that you doubt the very existence of God, but still, He has redeemed you. You had nothing to do with that. Your redemption is God's personal, free gift to you.

This is why He has called you by name and told you that you already belong to Him. By calling you by name, He is looking directly at you and all of your faults and all of your doubts and still telling you not to be afraid. There is nothing you hold in your heart that the Lord doesn't already know. By calling you by name, He is calling the essence of you, not your sins and struggles. Your life is a work in progress to the Lord and where you are now does not define you as the way God sees you. He sees so much more in you, after all, He made you in His image. Whatever you're going through right now, listen to the voice of God in your heart - do not be afraid, He has redeemed you. He has called YOU by name and you are His…and nobody can't take you away from Him.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for looking past my sins and my faults and still calling me by name. Thank You for Your mercy and always being patient when I am so weak and even doubt You. Strengthen me, my Lord, so that I get rid of the fear I have in me and enjoy Your salvation. In Your Name we pray, amen.

He Will Give You Words To Speak

"So keep this in mind: do not worry in advance about what to answer, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict." - Luke 21:14-15

When Jesus first gave these instructions, He spoke to the apostles so that they wouldn't fear people that would persecute them for their belief in Him as the Messiah. Jesus also gave these instructions with the full knowledge that you and I don't face these religious persecutions in our lives today, but never the less, Jesus knows how quarrels and confrontations with others, either enemies or those we care about, cause us pain, suffering and hurt. Here in Luke, Jesus gives us His word that when dealing with these types of situations, we are not alone for the words that come out of our lips are not our own, but God's as long as we call on Him for strength.

As in all things, problems arise, but for and through everything, Jesus promised to be there for us as our defender, even when it comes to confrontations and arguments.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, sometimes I just can't find the words to express myself during tough situations, but I know that You, who know my heart and the heart of my opponent, can speak through me and help settle all my worries and my problems. Please keep my faith in You strong to see me through this. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Have An Answer

"Always have an answer ready when you are called upon to account for your hope, but give it simply and with respect." - 1st Peter 3:15

It's funny how things spread through word-of-mouth, especially with the power of the internet. There are some among us that, without even realizing it, have the power to influence so many people. Therefore, as people that have heard the voice of God and try to imitate Him each day, please remember that you too are disciples of Christ and are under the obligation of furthering His message. I don't mean this in the way that you should go out and preach, but if you feel it you should, but in the way that when you see yourselves in everyday situations, do not hold back from saying "thank God" when something goes well before others or don't refrain yourself from telling someone that you're praying for them. Be ready to show to all that you are a follower of Christ through your actions, and even if you do this before one or two people, you have helped to plant a seed that God will help grow! And when people ask you if you believe, even when you know that they don't, stand up for your faith for you are defending the work of God. The words that come out of your mouth along with your actions will bring many to God.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me strength and courage to proclaim and defend Your Word wherever I go. Please help spread Your message of love through me so that many more may believe. In Your Name we pray, Amen.