A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!
James 3:3
There is power in the words we speak. They have weight. If I told my children they were not very smart, they would probably believe it and begin to base their life around that false truth. If I told them they were beautiful, kind, adventurous, etc., they would begin standing on those things. As a mom, I have a huge ability to shape the way my kids think and the foundation on which they stand. I have words that can bring a positive outcome or a negative one.
God created with words. "Let there be..." And since we are made in His image, perhaps we should be aware of how we use our words. When we speak, it should be words that build up and create peace, hope, love and faith. Toby Mac has a song called 'Speak Life'. Maybe you've heard it? He sings, "Hope will fall like rain when you speak life with the words you say. Raise your thoughts a little higher. Use your words to inspire. Joy will fall like rain when you speak life with the things you say. Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted; watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak life."
A church we know and love has what is called a Night of Healing Prayer, a service devoted to praying for the physical, emotional or spiritual needs of individuals. Those prayer ministers speak life! It's a place and time where the world is blocked out for a little while and you are immersed in the presence of God. Peace, joy, and love are swirling from every angle, wrapping around you like a luxurious, warm blanket. Words of life are spoken over you, encouraging you to believe and to rely on the truth and promises of God. Hope is released in the heart that is feeling overwhelmed. Joy is released in the downcast soul. Peace subdues the fear-filled mind.
All of us need to be reminded that God is with us and speaking to us. He is over all things. He is completely aware of who we are and all that we are experiencing. Fear is not ours to hold in our hearts, for He promises something better. Instead of a spirit of fear, He gives us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). He loves us because He is love. He's faithful and true. Through such prayerful reminders we are carried into heavenly places, where we are meant to dwell. (Ephesians 2:5-7)
I believe every time we pray, worship or just speak a word of encouragement, we are allowing The Word to give life where it's needed. We are facilitating a meeting between the thirsty, hungry soul and the Bread of Life.
In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. (John 1:1AMP)
Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me, whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me shall in his turn live through and because of Me. This is the Bread that came down from heaven. It is not like the manna which our forefathers ate, and yet died; he who takes this Bread for his food shall live forever. (John 6:57-58 AMP)
Filling our souls and spirits with The Word is imperative to our lives here on earth. So many things come at us - things that are meant to steal, kill and destroy us. But when The Word is in us, and the Spirit of the living God is leading us, we are more than victorious. When we speak His words and speak life, we are throwing life preservers to drowning souls. Souls that hear so much negativity and hopelessness from the world that it's like having weights around the ankles pulling them under.
As believers we are meant to reveal His glory. By lifting our voices in faith, hope and love, we are revealing Him. We are meant to speak the Word of God boldly. Confidently. Lovingly. Connecting lost souls to The Word of life and truth. I love that "He sends His word and heals us, and rescues us from destruction." (Psalm 107:20) And now I feel He is sending us - filled with His word - to feed His sheep. "So speak life! Speak life! Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak life." (Toby Mac)
"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power making it active, operative, energizing, and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life soul and the immortal spirit, and of joints and marrow of the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 AMP
