Word Power Creations

Changing Our Minds...Changing My Mind

2010-09-18T14:15:00.005-05:00

I’m notorious in my family for changing my mind! After all, it is a woman’s prerogative, right? If I decide to take one course of action (doing something, buying something, etc.), invariably I’ll decide I should choose another. By the time I act, I’ve changed my mind more than once, and it’s a surprise what I end up doing! During this process, after I’ve exhausted my mind, just to give myself peace, I decide “When the time comes to act, whatever I end up doing is how it will be.”

Changing our minds can be either a good thing or a bad thing. I want to talk about changing our minds for our own good.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable perfect will of God.”

Wow, I’ve just this minute figured out that I can change my mind! I CAN CHANGE MY MIND! I can change my mind-set about everything! I’ve practiced and practiced and am now an expert at changing my mind. Now I can put it to good use.

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I started this article over a month ago, but didn’t know exactly how to finish it. I made the conscious decision to start believing what God’s Word says, rather than to believe what my mind tells me. I decided what I was thinking and believing wasn’t working very well in my life. Well, duh! Once it hit me that I can really and truly change my mind and mind-set about how I think, I was off and running. Amazing things have been happening to me since I figured out I can change my mind!

The most amazing or impacting for me is how my mind has changed about myself. My whole entire life I’ve thought, “I hate myself”, “I don’t like myself.” “I wish I wasn’t the way I am.” I’ve walked in frequent periods of depression and hopelessness. I’ve berated and hated how I am, how I talk, how I act. And God’s Word of, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” … more condemnation! How can I love anyone if I don’t love myself?

In the last week or so, I’ve found the thought going through my mind, “It really doesn’t matter.” Or, “It just doesn’t matter.” This has been in response to my actions, after I’ve talked too long, or too much, or done something embarrassing, or just acted in a way that, in my mind, made me look stupid. And as I kept saying it, it finally registered to my mind and spirit that it really doesn’t matter! I am who I am, and I like who I am. WHAT WAS THAT? Did I just think that? Really? Wow! Now I find myself saying out loud “I love myself. I love who I am in Jesus. I love how I think and process things. I love who I really am. I may not like how my words come out haltingly when I talk, but I accept that it just doesn’t matter, because it’s “what’s inside” me that counts!

Wow! Jesus just set this captive free! It is truly a miracle, a supernatural sign and wonder in my long life! Thank you Jesus! There are endless possibilities before me now…

Wilbur T. Cornfield - The Swallow Who Spit by Harlas Seidel

2010-08-22T18:12:00.005-05:00

Wilbur T. Cornfield: It was a fine name my parents gave me, and I know they were so proud on the day I was hatched. I was just a tiny featherless body with feet and a beak, but I guess that’s how all swallows look when they claw and peck their way out of the confines of their eggs.

Mom said that I was born with my mouth open and hungry all the time. She and Dad kept busy finding bits of food and flying back to stuff it into the mouths of their seven swallow babies. The interesting thing was that Rufus, Ralph, Rachael, Randy, Ruthie and Rasputin all obediently swallowed their food like good little swallows, but every once in awhile I felt this compelling urge to spit, instead of swallow. There was no reason; the food was okay, and I was hungry, but I just spit it out. Ralph was the biggest, and he generally got the food on the floor of the nest.

Mom and Dad caught me one time, and they lectured me pretty good. You know, “We work hard for our food. You’re being rebellious.” … and the ultimate, “Swallows are starving in China,” … or India, or some place.

Now, you and I both know that swallows are supposed to swallow, not spit. Well, maybe I was a little bit rebellious, but I wasn’t stupid. From then on, I tried to spit when no one else was looking. I would cover my beak with my featherless wing and spit as quietly as possible.

Ruthie was such a tattletale. And she watched me like a hawk, not a swallow.
“Wilbur’s been spitting again,” she’d say when Mom or Dad would light on the edge of the nest. I swear, she would rather tell on me than eat, and that’s saying a lot for a baby swallow.

I got into a lot of trouble growing up, but my feathers were growing pretty fast, and I was getting better at hiding my actions.

When the day finally came for us to leave the nest, I was more than ready. Mom and Dad woke us early one morning. “Time to try your wings, kids.” For days we had been jumping up on the lip of the nest and flapping our wings like we really would leap out to what we were sure would be certain death. Ralph almost fell one time. Rasputin and Randy beaked him just in time and pulled him back to the safety of the nest.

That morning there was to be no turning back. With their strong wings they forced Rachael up to the edge and over. The rest of us couldn’t see, but Mom took off with her and a couple minutes later Rachael landed on a branch above the nest. I knew they were going alphabetically and for once I was grateful that my name was Wilbur, instead of Andrew or Axel or something. Ralph was next, and he made it to the branch Rachael was on. Randy and Rasputin followed, flying and landing successfully. Rufus tried to hide, but let me tell you, a nest is not a good place for hide-and-seek. Boy was I glad to see Ruthie go over the edge: she was such a little snert!

Soon, my six siblings were perched on the branch above the nest. I knew what was coming, but I didn’t know if I was ready. Dad hopped toward me, and I don’t know what came over me. I started spitting uncontrollably.

“Wilbur!” I heard Mom say. “Now stop that! You’re a Cornfield and Cornfield’s don’t spit.”

I felt Dad’s strong wings pressing against me, and I think he pecked me, too. I was still spitting when I plunged over the edge of the nest. It was about 30 feet down, as the crow flies; but I wasn’t a crow, and at that particular moment, I wasn’t flying, either. The last thing I remembered was Ruthie yelling at Mom. “Wilbur’s spitting! Wilbur’s spitting!”

I don’t know how long I lay on the ground, but when I woke up and looked around, they were all gone: Mom, Dad, Rachael, Ralph, Randy, Rasputin, Rufus and Ruthie. I wiggled my feet, legs, neck and wings. Nothing was broken, but I was still pretty woozy. I hopped around a little and made some swallow sounds to let Mom and Dad know I was okay, and I was hungry. But they didn’t come.

I was very sorry for my rebellion then, and I swore to myself that if they would only come back for me, I would never ever spit again.

About that time, I heard a familiar flapping of wings. Suddenly Mom was there beside me, and I knew I would be safe. She fed me a morsel of food and told me that she loved me. I told her I would never spit again, and I was sorry for my rebellion.

I guess this is about the end of my story. Mom and I hopped over to the edge of an embankment. She flew out and back a couple of times to show me how, and then she gently nudged me. I flapped my wings, and before you knew it, I was flying. We rejoined the family just in time to head off to Capistrano.

The moral of my story is, “Children, obey your parents. And stop spitting!”

Signed,
Wilbur T. Cornfield
Swallow

P. S. The T. stands for Truebird

Harboring a Grudge by Harlas Seidel

2010-07-23T10:02:00.002-05:00

Picture a ship, Y.S.S. (Your Soul’s Ship) Bitterness, filled with pirates and cutthroats, pulling into a harbor (The Harbor of the Grace of God). It is tied up to a pier, and the crew is about to go on shore leave. The crew plan to terrorize the inhabitants of this place.

Look at the crew as they leave the ship. Pride swaggers down the gangway. Pride is always first. He always draws attention to himself and never backs down from a fight, whether he is right or wrong. Things always have to be done his way or not at all. And he will fight with anyone who opposes him. He is loud and boastful and eternally striving to prove his point, in order to get others to follow him. He used to be the captain of this ship, and never thought his demotion was fair. He is subversive, and struggles to regain control, so he can take the ship wherever he wants.

The next off the ship walks with a limp, and is covered with scars and wounds. He is a very close companion to Pride. You can hear him muttering to himself and to anyone else who will listen. He is a pitiable character, and in fact, his name is Self-Pity. He stays very close to Pride, even though Pride has led him into a lot of scrapes and fights, and Self-Pity always gets hurt. He makes a lot of sniveling noises, and never hesitates to let others know how tough his lot in life is, or to show off his scars. The thing is, most of the scars never heal because Self-Pity continually picks at them and opens them up anew.

Self-Pity has no real position in the crew of Y.S.S. Bitterness, but goes around with his two side-kicks, Murmuring and Complaining, bending the ears of those foolish enough to ask how he’s doing. In fact, Murmuring and Complaining are the next two down the gangway. They stick close to Self-Pity, knowing that if he were ever fired, they would be out of a job as well. You can hear their incessant chatter as they disembark, and you know that the dark little rain cloud hovering over them will follow them into the town. Quite a crew: Pride, Self-Pity, Murmuring, and Complaining; but really this is only the foretaste of that which is yet to come.

There is a space before the next two characters begin their descent down the gangway. The reason is obvious when you see their countenances. Anger and Hatred are good buddies; but only with each other. They can recount every bad thing that has ever happened to them, and the more they think on these things, the madder they get. They are uptight, and don’t care who knows. Everybody better stay out of their way; for in their thinking, they have been pushed far enough. And they won’t take it any more. They lash out even during their calmer moments. And they are forever on guard, perceiving every action from any other as hostile. They are ready to take revenge, and fighting fair is not something they do very well.

After awhile, a hulking, giant-like person steps to the edge of the gangway. The ship actually leans toward whatever side he is on. This is the Captain of the Y.S.S. Bitterness. A scowl distorts the features of his face. The boards groan beneath his feet, afraid they might break under his weight. Captain Grudge is coming ashore. (This is what is known as harboring a grudge.)

The crew are all waiting for Captain Grudge; something is wrong. The Harbor Master is speaking to them in a calm voice, but one with definite authority. The ship, Y.S.S. Bitterness is not being granted access into this harbor at this time. The Harbor Master introduces Himself. Forgiveness is His name. His police, the shore patrol, Love, Joy, Peace, Long-Suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance are with Him. They surround the crew of Y.S.S. Bitterness to make sure that Forgiveness’ orders are carried out.

Pride tries to speak, but Meekness points his sword at Pride’s throat, and Pride is broken. Self-Pity tries to tell of all the wrongs done him, but Faith stares him down. Then as if at a signal, Captain Grudge turns and lumbers back up the gangway. Anger and Hatred threaten, but in the end they are silenced by Peace. They follow Captain Grudge, with the rest of the motley crew slowly trailing behind.

The ship hoists its sails and Y.S.S. Bitterness leaves the Harbor of the Grace of God. The village is once again safe and returns to expressing praise and worship to the Living God.

Magnify The Lord!

2010-06-27T09:37:00.000-05:00

When we read the scripture, “O magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.” (Psalms 34:3), we usually think of expressing honor to God in praise and worship.

However, in Philippians 1:20:21, Paul gives us a different slant on magnifying the Lord. “Christ will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through life or through death. For to me to live is Christ – His life in me: and to die in gain – the gain of the glory of eternity.” (Amplified) Let us consider what it means to magnify Jesus in our bodies.

The definition of magnify is to give honor, to make great, to enlarge. If words are too small for us to read, we might use a magnifying glass to enlarge them, so we could see them better. In actual fact, we would either put the magnifying glass directly on the words or position it towards them. The glass would be focused upon the words we wish to see, and we would have to look through the glass to see them.

What do we magnify or put the magnifying glass on in our lives? What are we focusing on? Is it Jesus? Or is it self? If we focus on ourselves, we are in essence magnifying ourselves. So what we see is still ‘self’ and all that we ‘are’, including our failures and wrong habits, and/or our successes and all we do that is right and good. When we look at or focus on ourselves, we also will naturally draw other people’s attention to us.

Consider this familiar scenario. We see someone standing outside looking up at the clouds and pointing towards the sky. As we watch, someone else comes and does the same. Soon we have to go see for ourselves what everyone is looking at. If we look at ourselves, the magnifying glass is directed at our hearts or ‘self’. To personalize this, I look at me. How to I measure up? Am I a success or a failure? Am I happy or sad? Is life hard or easy for me? Am I a good Christian or a bad Christian? If I stay focused on me, eventually other people’s attention will be drawn to me. And I might get criticized or exalted depending upon how I am evaluated by myself and others. Unfortunately, we all tend to look at ourselves and each other, judging what is good and/or bad in all our lives. It is still we who are being focused upon or ‘magnified’, not Jesus. People see us, not Jesus.

John the Baptist said in John 3:30, “I must decrease, and He must increase.” As we take the magnifying glass and focus it on Jesus in ourselves and each other, He is increased. This magnifies and gives honor and glory to the God who created the universe, who lives in those who believe in Jesus Christ. Let’s look through the glass and see Jesus. We look at who Jesus is, even if it’s ‘only us’ He lives in. We see His love, His goodness, His mercy, and His power, and He lives in us! And as we keep our eyes on Him and point to Him, pretty soon someone else will come along and be curious about what we’re looking at with such rapt attention and awe. And Jesus will be magnified in our lives, not us. What we all will see in Jesus. Is that not what we all long to do, to “magnify the Lord” in our lives?

Jesus prays to the Father in John 17:22-23, The glory which you have given Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that you have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” We can cooperate with God’s plan for us to be drawn together in one by putting our magnifying glass upon Jesus, not just in our own lives, but in one another’s lives as well. Let us help each other to focus on Jesus, rather than self, within each of us. Let us magnify and exalt the lord together!

BUT - For Us or Against Us?

2010-06-18T10:40:00.005-05:00

How many of us have heard or said these words?
“I believe God loves me, BUT...”.
“I know God forgives me, BUT…”.
“The Scripture says…, BUT …”.
These are all words using the big “BUT” against us.

The following is a reversal. Why not use “BUT” for us?
1. God loves me totally, completely, unequivocally, irrevocably, forever - past, present, future. NO BUTS. (Romans 8:35-39). I was cut off from God (through Adam and Eve), BUT God sent Jesus (because He loves me – see #1) to shed His blood for the remission of my sins, bringing me into salvation and relationship with God. (John 3:16)
3. In my flesh there is no good thing, BUT my flesh has been crucified with Christ. My flesh can’t keep God’s standard, BUT Jesus is keeping it for me. (Romans 7:18-Romans 8:4; Philippians 2:13)
4. I am experiencing hard times and tribulation, BUT Jesus Christ lives in me and He has overcome the world; I am more than a conqueror in Him. (John 16:33: Romans 8:37)
5. My life doesn’t seem victorious, BUT God is completing the work He began in me. (Philippians 1:6)

CHALLENGE:
Next time you use the little word “BUT”, use it for you (positive), rather than against you (negative). Make your own list! Besides giving you a whole new outlook, it also works wonders in searching the Scriptures to see if a thing is true, rather than searching to see if a thing isn’t true. “The Bereans received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” ( Acts 17:11)

Final Thoughts...
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, BUT WE KNOW that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

“The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 6:23)

Seidel Archives Introduction

2010-06-18T10:08:00.005-05:00

Several years ago, I put Harlas' and my writings into church publications such as monthly newsletters, bulletins, and magazines. A couple of the magzines were Branch News and Heartbeat (Listen for the Heartbeat of the Spirit) from The Vine Christian Fellowship in Eugene, OR. I'm labeling these articles as Seidel Archives, rather than Heartbeat archives, since I realized a lot of our writings were so spread out.

I'm having to retype these as I go (from existing hard copies). May you be encouraged and blessed from reading or "rereading" them with me.

Words and Focus

2010-05-14T10:54:00.000-05:00

What is our focus? What are we looking at? 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “We look not at the seen but the unseen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.” It also tells us to “not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

When the problems of life seem to “encroach on our space”, it is time to redirect our focus on God, on His Kingdom, on our spiritual lives. Instead of keeping our eyes fixed on us and our problems, or the problems of our loved ones, we need to put our eyes on God. One way we can do this is by changing the words we speak. We can take our eyes off ourselves and turn them to God by reading aloud (or reciting from memory) scripture verses having to do with who God is, and what He’s done and does! I’ve tried this and it works! We can get the spiritual momentum by swinging our eyes around, off ourselves and on to God.

Wow! This answers the question I’ve had a lot of times over the course of my life. I’ll be going along good “in the Lord”, and it seems like there is a spiritual dynamic or momentum that keeps growing, and I’m hearing from God and seeing things in the spirit almost every day. Then “something” happens, and all of a sudden, that momentum is gone. And I feel like I’ve lost it, lost that connection, and it feels awful! Once you’ve tasted that kind of life in the spirit with the Lord, and you lose it, you know you’ve lost the best thing in your life. I’m not talking about losing my salvation, or even actually losing my connection with God, but rather losing that continual, daily connection of being able to see things in the Kingdom and hear words from the Holy Spirit. (If you’ve never had that kind of life, and would like to, first of all seek God, but let me know and I’ll share with you how I learned to develop that kind of walk with Jesus.) I’ve learned that if I “lose that momentum”, I can just start building that momentum again! And the sooner I start after “losing it”, the easier it is to recover some of the momentum from before..

Back to words and our focus! The Bible says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” It also says “Set your affection on things above.” These are scriptures that address what our focus is. “What are we looking at?” Like Peter when he walked on water because Jesus said, “Come.” As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on top of the water! But then he took his eyes off Jesus, put them on the waves, and started to sink. Sometimes our problems, or the affairs of this life, busyness, all the activities or business we have to take care of, plus work, just take up so much time that our focus becomes on those things, simply to survive. As hard as it may be, we each have to find or make time to turn our eyes back on Jesus, on the eternal spiritual kingdom.

We can speak words about how God works in our lives. Even in the midst of the busyness we can say “God keeps me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed or fixed continually on Him.” Isaiah. 26:3. We can say, “God’s got my back! He always leads me in triumph in Christ Jesus. God always provides for me. I am a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, therefore, all my needs are met according to His riches in glory.”

Like David, we can say “God helped me slay the lion, and the bear (previous problems in our lives), and He is well-able to slay this giant, mountainous problem in my life. He is also well able to give me wisdom to know how to handle all the affairs of my life. He will give me the wisdom, spiritual help and guidance I need to get me out of the mess I got myself into. The Holy Spirit will teach me all things and bring to remembrance all things Jesus said. He is God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,. God made man and raises man from the dead. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

These are all scriptures I’ve put into my own words, made them my own declarations to speak and declare over my life. I encourage you to do the same. Speaking God’s Word or words redirects our focus on Him and His eternal Kingdom. When the affairs of life claim all of your attention, redirect your focus by speaking God’s Word, and speaking scriptures that declare who God is, and what He has done and can do.

Words, Heart, and Life

2010-04-29T07:28:00.000-05:00

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.” Proverbs 15:4. These scriptures connect our words with life; now let’s see where our hearts fit into this equation.

God is Spirit, and we are made in His image. Therefore we are also spirits, who have a soul, and live in a body. Our spirit is often referred to as our heart, our inner man, or the hidden man of the heart. Our spirit is who we are, the real us. Our spirit is the part of us that connects us to God the Father, Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. It is also the part of us that will live forever, either in Heaven or Hell, depending on what we believe about Jesus, who is the only way to Heaven.* That is a brief definition, or explanation of our hearts. It is necessary for us to understand what or who our hearts (spirits) are, and the impact our words have on our hearts.

Jesus, Himself, is the one who linked words, heart, and life together. He said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) Jesus also said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) He said to God, the Father, “Your words are truth.” (John 17:17) Here again we see the correlation between words (truth), heart (spirit) and life. Remember, God is a creative God, and we are made in His image. Words in our hearts (spirits) spoken out loud create. They create either life or death.

Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) He also said “The things that come out of the mouth (words) come from the heart.” (Matthew 15:16) Solomon said in Proverbs 4:20-23 to keep God’s word “in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” The NIV version says the heart is the wellspring of life. The Amplified Bible says it this way. “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard; for out of it flow the springs of life.” Above all, we are to guard our heart with diligence and vigilance, and keep our hearts secure in God’s Word. “Your word have I hid in my heart.” (Psalm 119:11)

It is imperative that we guard our hearts. The way we do this is to keep God’s words in the midst of our hearts. We don’t let them depart from us; we don’t neglect, or ignore His words. We put His words into our hearts by reading, speaking, memorizing, and meditating. If we keep an abundance of His words in our hearts, then when we speak, we will be speaking life, creating hope and life in other people. That is so powerful!

However, the reverse is true. If we don’t put His word in our hearts and minds, the words that come out of our hearts will be words of death both to us and the people around us. Again that picture of a burned forest comes to my mind: death, devastation, and destruction. The choice is ours. Every day we can choose life or death. Let’s choose life. Proverbs 15:4 shows us a different picture than the burned down forest. “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.” Let’s replant that forest with living, healthy, thriving trees!

Keeping God’s Word in our hearts affects our entire lives. God’s words are spirit and they are life. Since God is spirit, His words are spirit. His words create life. They create spirit life. And this spirit life is eternal! His words in our hearts cause that eternal spirit life to flow into our lives and out to others. The spirit life, which is in God’s words, not only brings life to our hearts, or spirits, but also affects our souls and our physical bodies. It brings health to all of our flesh. (Proverbs 4:20-23) And by guarding our mouths and tongues we can keep our souls from trouble, and keep ourselves from calamity. (Proverbs 21:23, NKJ and NIV)

Picture that wellspring of life flowing through us, creating a sense of well-being and peace in us. See it spilling out to other people as we speak life out of the abundance of our hearts.

*(1 Thessalonians 5:23; John 3:5-8, 16; John 4:23,24; John 6:63; Ephesians 3:16; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 3:4; Romans 1:9, Romans 2:29, Romans 8 whole chapter; 1 Corinthians 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; James 2:26; 1 John 4:2,-; 1 Corinthians 6:17, 20; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Colossians 2:5; Hebrews 4:12; )

Prayer of Faith - a Lifeline

2010-04-09T20:37:00.005-05:00

Today a friend prayed for me. Her prayer of faith (in God for me) was like a lifeline at a time I needed a lifeline.

It has been my experience that we can have great faith in God for answering and helping other people; there's not a doubt there that God will answer. But sometimes, when it comes to having faith for something in our own lives, it's harder to do. And then someone who does have that great faith in God for us comes along and prays for us, and their faith sparks our own faith! (Remember, it only takes a spark...) We believe because they believe that God will answer the needs in our lives.

It's like a lifeline of faith...we're drowing or floundering in a sea of doubt, and their prayer becomes a lifeline to pull us into the boat of faith and victory.

James 5:15:
"The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the lord will raise him (or her)up..."

James 5:16
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much.

Just a current example of how important and powerful our words are, and how they can change lives!

Words, Heart and Life

2010-03-31T10:47:00.000-05:00

Speaking Words

2010-02-24T09:17:00.001-06:00

This next section of articles will be focused on the words we speak. We will consider concepts having to do with our tongue, mouth, speaking, saying, talking, and confessing. We will revisit the nature of words from Article # 2. We will review some scriptures and look at new ones.

Words Matter
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) This scripture alone should scream at us that we absolutely must consider the words we speak. Death and Life…it doesn’t get more basic than that. It is imperative that we realize our words matter! They are powerful enough to create life and death, not only in our lives, but in the lives of other people. Parents know this concept…”Watch your tongue, boy!” Does that sound familiar to anyone?

James also talks about the tongue. (James 3:1-9) He says the tongue is a small part of the body, but has power over the body. Like a bit in the mouth of a horse, or a small rudder on a ship, which can turn the horse or the ship in the midst of a storm, our mouths can turn our whole bodies. He goes on to say that our tongues are a fire, a small spark of a fire that can destroy a whole forest. So our tongues can destroy our whole bodies. “It (the tongue) corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” He says if anyone is able to control the tongue, he is a perfect, mature man, able to keep his whole body in check.

This sounds to me like what comes out of our mouths is much more powerful than we have thought! It is serious stuff! Death, life, and a fire… our tongues, the words we speak, may be the most important part of our bodies. They set and establish the course and direction of our lives. This means we can turn our lives one direction or another by the words we speak (like the rudder on a boat). What direction are our lives going? Are we satisfied with them, or would we like to change them? Our words can create a path of destruction, leaving behind rubble and ruined lives (started with the small spark of a fire). I picture trees that were once green and healthy ending up black and dead. Our words have enough power to do that in someone’s life! That is devastatingly sad. Or, we can leave a legacy of life and vitality, creating a thriving forest or greenhouse in someone’s life!

Let’s consider a similar analogy. Houses, like trees, or forests, are also burned down by a spark of a fire. Picture our lives as a house. Maybe it needs a little repair, a new coat of paint, some flowers blooming in the yard. Then a neighbor comes along and says something negative, ugly, or untrue. The house loses a little more paint, the window breaks, the plumbing goes haywire, what little grass was in the yard turns brown, and the trees and shrubs decay. If more people come by and speak some of those same kinds of things, our house might burn down altogether. However, maybe other people, possibly a friend or even a stranger, comes along and says something positive or encouraging to us. The house brightens up – perhaps it just got that new coat of paint – the window got a new window pane, the grass is watered and turns green, the plumber fixed the plumbing free of charge, and our yard has beautiful flowers in it along with healthy green trees. And all of these things happen because of the words spoken by someone’s tongue. That is powerful!

Our tongues can create death or life. They can turn our lives around to go a different direction. They can destroy a life, including our own, or they can build up and create a thriving life full of wisdom and maturity. The choice is ours. We each must decide how to use our tongues, whether to speak words of life or words of death, words to build up or words to destroy. What an exciting opportunity we have to change our lives, and to make a positive difference in someone else’s life! The choice is ours!

Thoughts at Work

2010-02-01T11:09:00.000-06:00

Think of our minds as the “work place.” Sometimes we have to work hard to think the right thoughts, but the benefits that come from thinking God’s Words are fantastic! It has the best “benefits package” around…great pay – abundance and blessings beyond measure – plus profit sharing, eternal life, health, and retirement assurance. And the paid vacations are out of this world! There is no thrill like vacationing in the Kingdom of God. The things you get to see and experience there spoil you for any other vacation spot. But…back to our minds, the “work” place. Let’s go into our work cubicles and put our thoughts to work.

Thoughts: Job Description
1. Wage war against every wrong thought.
2. Cast down all imaginations and thoughts that exalt themselves against God’s thoughts.
3. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
4. Renew our minds, so our lives are transformed.
5. Set our minds securely and steadfastly on God, on things above, and on things of the Spirit.
6. Think only on the pure, good, lovely, just, noble, praiseworthy thoughts. (Philippians 4:18)
7. Any other task that is revealed by the Word of God, including special projects.

2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 tells us that our weapons are mighty in God, and that they can pull down strongholds. It goes on to say that these weapons have to do with our thoughts, arguments, and imaginations. We win when we “cast down arguments (imaginations) and every high thing (thought) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Thoughts that do not line up with God’s word are strongholds in our lives, and work against us. When we start thinking God’s thoughts (His Word), we can pull down those strongholds and change our lives! Words (even thinking them) are powerful. God’s Word is powerful and life-changing!

Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We renew our minds, and change the way we think about things, by meditating on God’s Word. We can be transformed by thinking God’s thoughts.

One of the benefits of setting our minds on God’s Word is peace. We can have peace of mind.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is steadfast on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
“Set your mind on things above.” (Colossians 3:1-2) “Those who live according to the (Holy) Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit. To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6) Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. (John 14:27)

Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.” These things are what we need to live, like water, food, homes, and clothing. God promises abundant life and exceeding abundance above all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20: John 10:10) Abundance is one of our perks!

Jesus also said in Matthew 6:20-21, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We store up treasures in heaven by putting God’s Word in our minds. When it is in our minds and hearts, no one can take it away. And the Holy Spirit promises to remind us of it when we need it. Our treasure is secure!

Although our thoughts sometimes have to work overtime, it is a blessing in disguise. When we achieve our thought goals, we get to experience all the joys of a job well done, and we have a sense of accomplishment and victory, resulting in our lives being changed! It is well-worth the effort we put forth to think the right thoughts, and to think God’s thoughts.

The Name Game

2010-01-28T20:18:00.007-06:00

I digress a little here...got the idea from my friend MaryLee Glassburn.
This was kinda fun... try it!

...Posted by Sharon Seidel 1/28/10
YOUR REAL NAME: SHARON ANN SEIDEL
YOUR GANGSTA NAME(first 3 letters of real name plus - izzle): SHAIZZLE
YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (favorite color and favorite animal): BLUE DOG
I'm not really an animal lover.)
YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (MIDDLE NAME, AND CURRENT STREET): ANN NORTHRIDGE
STAR WARS NAME (The first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of Mom's maiden name): SEISHMAR
YOUR SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): RED PEPSI
(Diet, that is...maybe it should be RED DP)
YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (Mother's middle name and fathers middlename):
RHODA JOHN
YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of your pets): BLACK BABE
(Daughter's now deceased dog, one of my favorite pets)

Our Minds

2010-01-13T18:37:00.001-06:00

There are two scriptures that talk about the mind of Christ. And they have a direct bearing on our mind.

“We have the mind of Christ,” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
“Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

It is sometimes hard for us to agree that we have the mind of Christ. It seems more like a lofty goal, than an accomplished fact. However, if we are born again, we do have access to the mind of Christ within us. God says in Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:16, “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” If God has put His law (His words) in our minds, then we do have the mind of Christ. God has given it to us. Therefore, we can choose to let His mind work in us. Not only that, we have the Holy Spirit in us to remind us of God’s Word, and to reveal it to us. (John 14:16-26)

“God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) God has given us a sound mind! The NIV calls it “self-discipline”. The literal meaning of sound mind means “safe-thinking”. A sound mind is able to think right, has the wisdom to make good judgments and right decisions. It has the ability to exercise self control, and to discipline its thoughts and thought patterns. This is the mind that God has given us! It sounds a lot like the mind of Christ, or God’s mind, doesn’t it?

There are many other scriptures that talk about our minds. They give us instruction about how to enter into God’s higher realm of thought. They show us a higher way to live our lives. It is a better way, God’s way. Colossians 3:1-2 says, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek (set your hearts on) those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Here we are actually told to set our minds up there with God’s thoughts and to seek the things above. When we take heed, or pay attention to His words, we can learn how to walk and live in the Spirit, in the Kingdom of God. We do this by meditating on His Words, and by letting His Words “dwell in us richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)

Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-39, “Love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” How do we love God with all our mind? By putting His Word in our minds. By thinking and meditating on His Word until we truly know Him, know His heart, know His love for us and His love for all other people. By putting His Word in our minds until our minds are saturated with His Word, and our hearts are truly beating in sync with His, until we are expressing His love back to Him and to other people.

Jesus also said in 6: 22, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.” Two thoughts come to my mind. One is that our eyes should be focused on God, and we do that by reading His Word. The other is that we talk about seeing with or in our mind’s eye. When I see into the Kingdom, or see spiritual things, I generally see in words by way of the thoughts that come to my mind from God. This is how I see with my mind’s eye. And when I share the things God has shown me with others by speaking or writing, I share by using words. But they were originally thoughts in my mind.

Our minds are created in God’s image! They absorb and process amazing amounts of data. We talk about “inquiring minds want to know”. If we inquire of God about His Word, He will explain His Word and reveal His mind in us. Imagine the amount of God’s Word Data we can absorb and process in our minds.

God's Thoughts

2010-01-05T08:41:00.001-06:00

We talked about the importance of thinking good thoughts, and thinking thoughts that line up with the Word of God. God’s Words are His thoughts expressed in words. The Bible has much to say about God’s thoughts.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace (good) and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” The NIV says it this way, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you.” He goes on to say in verses 12-13, “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

The Lord thinks good thoughts about us! And did you catch the part about Him listening to us? He’s a good listener (# 7. Hearing Words). Along that line, let me also mention 1 John 5:14-15, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” And do you know why? Because the Lord thinks good thoughts about us! He plans to prosper us, give us a future, and give us hope!

Isaiah 55:8 tells us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” If you think about it, how awesome is that! He doesn’t think like we do! He thinks thoughts of good and not evil. His thoughts toward us are thoughts of peace and good. He thinks good thoughts of us. And we can know what those thoughts are! All we have to do is ask Him.

When we are born-again, God sends us the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Counselor, or the Helper, to teach us all things, and remind us of everything Jesus said to us. (John 14: 16-26; 17:20-24) Peter also tells us that “God’s divine power has given us everything (in His Word) that we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3-4) There are other scriptures that talk about us knowing the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. Look for them! God wants us to know Him, to know the mysteries of the Kingdom, and to know who we are in Him.

God’s good thoughts about us are too numerous to list all of them. But I must talk about His thoughts toward us that are written in Psalm 139. I will paraphrase some of them, but I encourage you to read it for yourself. First of all, He created us, in our innermost being. His eyes saw our unformed bodies before we were born. And all the days ordained for us were written in His Book of Life before we ever came into being. He knit us together in our mother’s wombs. He made us in the secret place, and we were woven together in the depths of the earth. He knows us, every part of us, and is familiar with all our ways. He knows the words we are going to speak before we speak them. He protects us with His divine hand. There is no place we can go on this earth, or even into outer space, that He won’t be there with us at all times. He shines His light into our darkness. His thoughts towards us are so precious and vast that they would outnumber all the grains of sand. He loves us! We are the beloved of God. That’s who we are!

Think about it! He thought us first…He saw us in His mind’s eye! With His thoughts, His Words, we were created! And remember, we were created in His image! (Genesis 1:26, 27) How wonderful it is that we are that important to God. When we are tempted to think wrong thoughts about ourselves, or each other, let’s think about how God sees us. We are all His precious, beloved creation. Also, let’s remember: the thoughts that we think, if spoken and acted upon, can create what we are thinking and seeing in our mind’s eye. If we think good thoughts, they can create good things in our lives. And, if we think God’s thoughts (those found in the Bible), He also goes to work to uphold and perform His Word in our lives. (Hebrews 1:3; Isaiah 55:11)

Thoughts are Words

2009-12-29T11:50:00.000-06:00

Our thoughts are words. We may think in different languages, but regardless of the language, we still think words. This may sound pretty elementary, but I want to stress the correlation, because we are talking about word power. What we think is powerful because words are power! I believe that God “in the beginning” first thought the words He spoke to create the world and all that’s in it. In the same way, what we think influences what we say and do. It colors our perception of every facet of our lives.

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks, so is he.” If we are what we think, who are we now? What do we want to be, or who do we want to be? What have we been thinking , or thinking about, and meditating on? I recently made a list of wrong thinking about my own life. And I can follow those wrong thoughts to wrong results in my life. It was quite an eye opener, but it’s not too late, even for me, to change those thoughts and thought patterns. In fact, I’ve started, and it is working! How powerful it is that we can be who we want to be just by changing what we think! That’s very thought-provoking!

Fast From Wrong Thinking:
God is so amazing! He brought revelation to me through two Christian television programs just this morning. One revelation was the idea of a “fast from wrong thinking, instead of a fast from food”. The people who did that saw fantastic results in their lives. We should try it! When negative or wrong thoughts come our way, let’s take those thoughts captive and change them! (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) Sometimes we don’t recognize that we’re thinking negative, or thinking wrong thoughts. We just think that’s who we are and how we think.
The test of wrong thinking is this: Wrong Thoughts Are Thoughts That Do Not Agree With God’s Word.

The other revelation was Galatians 6:3, “If any man thinks he is something, when he is not that thing, he deceives himself.” Sometimes we think something wrong about ourselves! When we do that, we deceive ourselves. The following are some examples of wrong thinking, and how we might correct that wrong thinking.

“I’m just never going to get ahead.” “I’ll never be able to pay the bills.” “I’m always going to be stuck in this situation.” “No matter what I do, it never works.” To start with, try turning the negative thoughts into positive thoughts. One way to do this is by adding the word but… We can say, “It might look like I am defeated, but I always triumph in Jesus Christ, because He always causes me to (and leads me in) triumph!” (2 Cor. 2:14). Or we might think, “I am lonely, no friends, and no one loves me, but Jesus loves me, because His love never fails. He is always with me, because He said He would never leave me nor forsake me. Jesus is my friend, and He sticks closer to me than a brother. Since He cannot lie, I know I am loved and never alone!” (Heb. 13:5; 1 Cor. 13:8; Prov. 18:24; Titus 1:2) These are examples of the true, positive, life-altering words we should think.

Other ways we think something wrong about ourselves have to do with how we see ourselves, and what we think about ourselves. “I’m fat, I’m ugly, I’m too short, I’m too tall, I’m un-likeable, I talk too much, I can’t talk right, I can’t talk to people, and My mind doesn’t work right.” Those are only a few of the wrong thoughts that we might think. The way to make sure we are thinking right is to find out what the Bible says about us. Who are we in Christ? How does God see us? We can find these answers in God’s Word. God has a personal word to us! If we ask Him, He will lead us to the right words we need to hear and think.

Remember Philippians 4:8, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” If you consider these words, you might sum them up as, “Think about only positive, life-building, life-affirming words and things.” These words are powerful and can change our lives. When the Bible tells us what we are to think, we must value those words or thoughts, and practice thinking them. God gives us instructions for our good! Out with the wrong thoughts, and in with the right!

2009 - A Christmas to Remember...or forget???

2009-12-27T07:14:00.002-06:00

2009 will be a Christmas to remember, or maybe one to forget what lies behind... if it ever is behind enough to forget!

Kansas City had a snow blizzard Christmas Eve day... It was still snowing last night-Saturday. The first blizzrd actually wound its way around in a circle and came back to us again yesterday, although it never really stopped snowing for long in-between. We had 7-10 inches of snow, with snow drifts well over 2 feet. Our porch was covered with snow up to the door step. And our neighbors had snow up to their front doorknob!

In spite of this, we had a great time with our daughters and families. Since both girls live here close by we were able to have dinner, and opened our presents on Christmas Eve, a family tradition. It was fun watching our grandsons open all of their presents and getting so excited!

After they left, and we were on our way to bed, Harlas said, I think it's cold in here, I'm going to turn the heat up. Only our thermostat said EE. (What in the world does that mean? Our manual made no reference to it.) In essence, we had no heat. We called our heating guy on Christmas morning (and his birthday, no less) and he came out and told us we need a new furnace! So, we have been without regular heat since Christmas Eve. Supposedly we are getting a new furnace tomorrow, but since he doesn't take charge cards, we have to arrange financing first thing, and still get a furnace delivered and installed.

But this Christmas is still giving.... Last night, with all the snow on the roof, our roof started leaking! We have high vaulted ceilings, and the leak has now stopped, but has torn away a huge chunk of plaster. And of course the leak is above the stairs going down to the garage and ground level, (we live in a tri-level), so it is almost completely inaccessible to the ceiling...with the bottom of the stairs being the furthest distance from the ceiling. And there is nothing to be done until spring, probably, when someone might be able to get to the roof.

More snow is predicted on Wednesday, with no weather above freezing in the imminent future. I think this is one Christmas I'd rather forget than remember.

But I have remembered to be thankful! We have electricity, and are using space heaters during the day, and heating with our gas oven, and have plenty of food, and our family for moral support and cheering up! Other than being cold and wearing 3 layers of clothing, we are all doing just fine!

Here's hoping all your Christmas celebrations were full of fun and family!
Sharon

Hearing Words

2009-12-16T07:05:00.000-06:00

Jesus had a lot to say about hearing and what we hear. In Mark 4:23-24, Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.” This tells us to take heed, or pay close attention to, what we hear. I believe it also implies that we need to develop a “hearing ear”.

What or how we hear affects the thoughts that we think, and even the words we speak, or the actions we take in response to what or how we hear. What we hear can influence us for good or bad. When we constantly listen to depressing or violent words, it affects our thinking about ourselves and maybe about life in general. Or if we hear good, positive things about ourselves, it makes us feel good, and can change how we look at ourselves.

When we listen to someone speak, are we hearing with preconceived ideas? Are we listening with biases that color and influence what we hear? At some point in our lives, we have probably all taken offense to something someone has said, and responded, “What’s that supposed to mean?”. Are we listening to prove someone wrong, or are we listening to hear truth? Are we listening with “selective” hearing, so that we tune out everything we don’t want to hear? That’s like the old saying, “In one ear, and out the other.” Or are we listening intently to glean all we can from what’s being said?

“Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use it will be measured to you, and to you who hear, more will be given.” This scripture also brings to my mind the question, are we good listeners? When people talk to us, do we really listen to them? If the same measure that we listen with will be measured back to us, will anyone really listen to us? Or will they tune us out like we have tuned other people out?

The Old Testament in the Bible (Numbers 13) tells us the story of the 12 spies. The Israelites had been miraculously delivered from the Egyptians, crossed the Red Sea and were in the desert waiting to cross over into the Promised Land. Moses sent 12 spies into the Promised Land to spy out the land and report back to him. When they returned, two of them, Joshua and Caleb, had a good report of a land flowing with milk and honey and that the Israelites were well able to conquer the inhabitants of the land. However, the other 10 spies reported that there were giants in the land that made them look like grasshoppers, and they could not take the land. The people in the desert believed the “evil” report, or the negative report of the 10, instead of believing the good report given by Joshua and Caleb. They then wandered around in the desert until they died. They did not see the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb did! While this is talking about what they believed, I think it also points to what and how they “heard”. They obviously did not have a hearing ear to hear what God was saying. They didn’t hear truth! This is a good example of the majority being wrong.

The Bible tells us in Romans 10:17 that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” If faith comes by hearing, we need to be hearing the right words. It is important for us to be hearing the Word of God. It’s also good when we hear ourselves speaking it.

In hearing God’s Word, do we stretch our minds – stretch our faith – listen intently for the voice of God, listen intently to hear truth, hear life? To hear in the Spirit, see in the Spirit? Do we listen for His voice? Do we measure out our hearing in large, finely-tuned doses to be able to hear more? For the more we hear, the more we will be given. Jesus said in Mark 4:11 that we have been given the ability to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God. So if we listen, we will hear! Jesus also said in John 10:1-18 that He is the Good Shepherd and His sheep know His voice. If we are born again believers, we know His voice. Let us listen with hearing ears for His voice in everything we hear or listen to. There is life in His words. His words have power that can change our lives.

Words and Goodness

2009-12-07T09:41:00.001-06:00

We talked about the importance of us believing God’s Word, and that it can even keep us from harm, like stepping in a hole. Now, I want to talk about another underlying characteristic of God’s Word, and that is the goodness of God. Here again, you might ask, what’s this got to do with words, or word power? And again, I say, everything! We must believe in His goodness, otherwise we miss the heart of God when we talk about His Word, our words, and the power of His and our words.

I always get excited when I think about the fact that God’s Glory is His Goodness! Just think! His Glory, which we equate with ultimate power and perfection, is Goodness! In Exodus 33:18-23, Moses said to God, “Show me Your Glory.” Then God said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the Name of the Lord before you.” God allowed Moses to see His back because that is all the glory or goodness Moses could see and still live. Also, in Exodus 34:5-7, God declares Goodness as part of His Name. His essence, name, and character is goodness. God’s goodness is that powerful!

Goodness is also listed in Galatians 5:20 as one of the fruits of the Spirit. And then it says, “against such there is no law.” Think about it. There is no law against goodness, speaking good things, doing good things! Since God created us in His image, that same goodness resides in us, whether or not we acknowledge it or live by it. Jesus said in Matthew 12:35, “A good man out of the good treasure of His heart brings forth good things.” God’s goodness is in His Word, is His Word. His Words are good! When we put the good Word of God into our hearts, we are able to bring good treasure out of our own hearts.

God’s goodness shows up in other ways, too. Romans 2:4 says, “Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads to repentance?” It is God’s goodness, not His wrath, which leads us to repentance. When we do or say something wrong or hurtful, someone’s wrath only ignites more anger in us. But God comes along and forgives and is good to us, which in turns melts our hearts and causes us to repent, and be restored into fellowship with Him. That’s true power!

James 1:17 goes on to tell us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no shadow of turning.” God, out of the goodness of His heart and nature, gives us good and perfect gifts. All the good things that happen and that people do and say are good and perfect gifts from God above.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be completely, thoroughly furnished for every good work.” Did you notice the good work? God’s goodness gives us good words so we can think and speak good words, and carry out His good work. Everyone benefits when good comes into their lives. When the Word of God comes into people’s lives, they are changed! That’s power!

Philippians 4:8 says, “ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.” We are to think on the good things!

Before we talk about our words and thoughts, we need to understand the motivation of God in telling us what to say and think and do! It is because of His goodness that He gives us instruction and tells us to pay attention to His Word. He is endeavoring to see good and not evil triumph in our lives. He also wants to equip us to do every good work. We carry His Name of Goodness in us to speak and do good things.

Words and Faith

2009-11-29T21:10:00.001-06:00

Luke 18:8: … when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?

As a believer, my first response is yes, of course, “I’m a believer, I have faith!” And I would venture to say that most everyone who goes to church, and a lot of people who don’t, would have the same response.

The whole story is found in Luke 18: 1-8. This passage talks about an unjust judge, who after being pestered continually by a woman, grants her justice. After this parable, Jesus says, “And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

What does this have to do with words? Everything! Faith is believing what someone says is true, and believing they will do what they say. It is sometimes acting on what they say because you believe it is the truth. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word.” Faith and the Word are linked!

2 Corinthians 4:13 says, “It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.” Faith or belief in the words we hear or read causes us to speak words with conviction and power. It is the foundation of what we will be talking about throughout this series of articles. We must believe that what God says in the Bible is true, because it impacts the power of our thoughts and words.

We found out in Numbers 12:19 and Titus 1 that God cannot lie. And it is important to God that we believe what He says. Remember that saying, “A man’s only as good as His word?” Since we’re made in God’s image, you might say God’s only as good as His word. And He cannot lie, therefore His word is good, never changes, and always remains true. Think about if you were to tell someone something that is true, and they kept saying, “Nuh-uh! I don’t believe you.” Imagine how frustrated you would become. Eventually, you’d probably say, “Just forget it”, and walk away. Perhaps you were trying to tell someone “I love you,” and they just wouldn’t believe you. Or, you were trying to warn someone of something, like the hole they were about to step into, or something a lot worse, and they refused to believe you and stepped into the hole, etc.” And you just had to watch them do it. Think how sad or horrified you’d be to have to stand there and watch it happen!

Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” It is essential for us to have faith in God and in His Words. How much of God’s Word do we really believe, and/or believe in enough to act on. When He warns us, do we heed His warning, or does He have to watch us walk headlong into the “hole” in front of us? Although this is an endless subject for consideration, let us each look at our own beliefs and lives, and let God speak to us through His Word.

Remember Isaiah 55:11? “So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” If God’s Word is that sure, and He cannot lie, then let’s be encouraged to have faith in Him and in all His Word, so we will be able to emphatically say “Yes, He will find faith in me!”

Words are Food

2009-11-21T08:27:00.000-06:00

Jesus had much to say about “bread and the word”. He made the following statements:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and He who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
“I am the living bread, and the words I speak are spirit and they are life.”
He went on to teach His disciples to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Matthew. 4:4, 6:11; John 6:35, 63

When our physical bodies are hungry, we go and eat. It’s as simple as that. We can even do it without giving much thought to it other than, “What is there to eat?” or “What do I feel like eating?” And in my case, if there’s a bag of chips, or leftover popcorn anywhere near me, I can start eating without even thinking, because I’ve developed some bad eating habits. I’ve found out in my own life that hard as it may seem to be, bad habits are breakable, and good habits are “makeable.” I’ve actually developed a taste for foods I never thought I could eat. I did this by tasting them, eating them because I knew they were good for me, and telling myself over and over, “I sure do like this!” Truthfully, (weren’t we talking about speaking truth in Article 3?) my husband Harlas taught me how to do this. He was the one who learned to like Diet Pepsi as opposed to Pepsi by telling himself that he sure liked it, and how good it tasted. And He’s the one who keeps saying to me, “Here, Sharon, just try a bite/drink of this.” Thanks, Harlas!

The same dynamic applies to our spiritual “body”, our “inner man”, or the “hidden man of the heart” as our spirit is sometimes called. Our spirits need spiritual food daily. Spiritual food feeds our spirits so they can grow and be healthy and strong. Jesus’ words are spirit and they are life. God’s words are our spiritual food and they are life, they build and sustain life in us! Come on, try a bite!

From my experience, the more of the Word I read and speak and put into my mind, the more of the Word I want to read. I can “eat” until I’m full! Referring to the Scripture verses above, this fullness is meant to be achieved daily. In that sense, every day I can eat my fill and not be hungry for that day. We Christians talk of hungering and thirsting after more of God. That may sound like an opposite stance from never hungering or thirsting, but the meaning behind that is that we don’t have to go hungry or thirsty, for when we come to Jesus, He fills us up. The daily part means that every day we can eat until we are saturated with the Word. Then we go away from the “table” and let the Word settle in our hearts; we meditate on it, and let God speak to us through those words. Then the next day we eat or read more. This is the way our spirits grow, and the way we increase our capacity to learn more, and understand more of the Word. And our lives are changed by this! We grow as a person on the inside.

God’s Word is Spirit and Life! When we read His Word, it is like pumping life into us! Picture it as getting a blood transfusion of pure untainted, healthy blood. And the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the Breath of Life. Reading God’s Word is like breathing in oxygen, which our lungs need desperately to live! Our inner man is literally hungering and thirsting for the Word of God.

When God reveals or makes a verse in the Bible clear to me, it is the most exciting thing! Has your life become humdrum or sort of blah? Do you want to feel alive? Try “eating” a daily dose of God’s Word! This will sustain you throughout your day, and change your life!

Speaking and Creating Life

2009-11-18T05:23:00.000-06:00

We’ve discovered that God is into creating life with His tongue, with His words. Since we are made in His image, He is into our creating life and prosperity with our tongues. That’s a lot of power that God has trusted us with. He has given us the choice which kind of words we speak - words of life and good or words of evil and destruction. But He wants us to speak words of life, encouraging words, words that uplift or “uphold”, and impacting words that accomplish His purpose in our lives and the world around us. He wants us to join Him in His purposes! When God speaks, He creates, upholds and accomplishes! And He encourages us to do the same.

Abiding, Meditating, and Speaking

2009-11-18T05:20:00.003-06:00

And Jesus says in John 15:7, “If you shall abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” When we read and meditate on God’s Word daily, we are abiding in His Word. We are putting His Word in our heart so we can speak it. This means we can speak life! And God says we can ask what we desire, and it shall be done for us! As I read these scriptures, I’m struck over and over again what power there is in God’s Word! I get more and more excited, the more I study about words!

Death and Life

2009-11-18T05:12:00.003-06:00

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21. ::::: And God says in Deut. 30: 14-15, “The Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, His decrees, and His laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”

God Cannot Lie

2009-11-18T05:07:00.002-06:00

Another fact we should know about God is that “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” More simply put, “God cannot lie.” (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2) ::::: God cannot lie. His Word is true, therefore we can believe that what He says is true, and He will perform or finish whatever He has spoken. God created us in His image, of His essence, and breathed His life into us, making us living souls, or speaking spirits. Words are so important to God that He made the whole world with words and upholds it with words. He even sent His Word to earth as a man, who is the Son of God, Jesus. That’s a mighty emphasis on words! And He created us to be just like Him. He wants us to think words and speak words like Him (We are not God, but we are made in His likeness, and of His essence.) In fact, Ephesians 4:15, 25 tells us that the way to “grow up” and be more like Jesus, who is the Word, is to speak the truth in love, to put off falsehood and lying, and speak truthfully to each other.

Created in God's Image

2009-11-18T04:54:00.004-06:00

God created the world and all that is in it by speaking words. He even upholds the world by the Word. And the words that God speaks always accomplish and prosper in what He sent them to do. (John 1:1-3, 14; Genesis 1:1, 3; Hebrews 1:1-3; Isaiah 55:11) ::::: With that in mind, I want us to consider that God created us in His image. Genesis 1:26-27 and 2:7 says, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. So God created man in his own image. And the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being (soul).” One translation says ‘man became another speaking spirit’.

Today's Question for Dialogue

2009-11-07T07:50:00.009-06:00

2 Timothy 2:13 says, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny himself." ::::: (my paragraph marks) :::::
My question is, "What does this mean or say to you? Use examples if you want." ::::: This has long been a scripture I hang on to when I have "blown it" in my relationship with the Lord. Example: I ignore him for days, but have learned that when I come to Him, He is always still there ready to share His heart and life and revelations with me. He is a constant in my life. ::::: I recently read the commentary in my Bible that says that Jesus will deny us before the Father if we deny him in times of persecution or trouble. I purposefully paraphrased that. ::::: This has bothered me for a few days, as these commentators are well known Biblical scholars (I won't tell you what Bible I'm using other than it is a NKJ.) So, I decided this would be a good dialogue question. I am a journaler, and have had a prayer journal of sorts for at least 20 years. I neglect it for sometimes months, but every time I come back to it, God pours out His heart and gives me pictures and words and revelations. As for me, when I am faithless, He remains faithful to me. ::::: Again I ask, "What does this scripture mean to you?"

Today: Another Answered Prayer

2009-11-05T21:50:00.002-06:00

I would like to thank God for another answered prayer. I guess you might call it ongoing answered prayer. I have been praying about my weight and health for at least a couple years now. 3 and 1/2 months ago, a friend of mine told me about an antioxidant drink called Jus and got me to try it. (Jus is made from 23 superfruits, berries and herbs, plus Resveritrol.) My life hasn't been the same since! I've now lost 31 pounds, am able to run up and down stairs without losing my breath, and I have tons more energy. My cholesterol and blood pressure counts are now normal, whereas they were high before. I have been able to exercise some where I haven't been able to for several years due to back and joint problems. I've noticed too that my mental health is a lot better. I've been willing to tackle doing new things that before I thought were too complicated and scary, like this blogspot and facebook, and other endeavors. I don't get depressed any more, and if I get attacked in that manner, I'm able to say "I don't have to be depressed." and am able to shake it off. I feel younger, more like I used to feel. Harlas, also has seen a lot of health benefits. His energy level has increased, and he doesn't get so tired from his physically demanding job. He's able to go up and down stairs normally, whereas before he had to go up sideways. He hasn't taken any nitro at all since he started taking Jus. (He had a stent put in his artery 2 years ago and would need the nitro once or twice a week.) So both of us are extremely thankful that God brought Jus into our lives. I feel like a new woman! Thank you God! PS If anyone is interested in knowing more about Jus, check out http://www.myjus23.com/sseidel and/or email me.

Today: Answered Prayer

2009-11-05T21:43:00.002-06:00

God is so very good. Harlas' (husband) car is almost dead, so we are forced to buy another car. Car shopping is a pain and sometimes discouraging. But I felt I should call a local dealership where we bought my car in Feb. I did, and we found the right car for Harlas, a 2006 Nissan Altima with low miles and good mpg. We will pick it up on Monday. Thank you God for once again answering our prayers and meeting our need! Now I can concentrate on looking for work. Another prayer for God to answer. I'm glad he enjoys answering our prayers. I would appreciate prayer for finding a job.

Words Accomplish and Prosper

2009-11-05T08:09:00.001-06:00

Isaiah 55:11 ... “My Word that goes forth from My mouth shall not return to Me void or empty. But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” ..... When God speaks words, those words always accomplish or finish what they were sent to do. Another way to say it is that they always prosper in what they were meant to do. Success and victory always follow God’s Words. Always! That’s awesome power! ..... Parting Thought: Not only do God’s words create, uphold, accomplish and prosper, our words do too!

Words Uphold

2009-11-05T08:05:00.003-06:00

Hebrews 1:3 ... “…God’s Son (Jesus, The Word) is upholding all things by the Word of His Power.” ..... Notice the tense here is present – upholding. God’s Word is currently still upholding all things, including the world and all that is in it. Some definitions of uphold are: hold up, carry the weight of, support, bear, shore up, bolster, maintain, sustain and preserve. This world is being supported and upheld by The Word of God! How awesome!

Words Create

2009-11-04T18:42:00.002-06:00

Words Create
Genesis 1:1,3...
“In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” - “Then God said, ‘Let there be light.’” ..... These words were followed by a lot more “Let there be’s”. Another way to put this, God said, “Light Be”, and by inference, “Heavens and Earth, be.”
God created by speaking words. ..... John 1:3...“All things were made through Him (The Word), and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
God created all things by The Word. ..... Hebrews 1:1-2...“God has spoken to us in these last days by His Son…through whom also He made the worlds.”
God created the worlds through His Word, who is Jesus.

In the Beginning...

2009-11-03T19:17:00.004-06:00

The origin of words is God and The Word, Himself, who is Jesus.

John 1:1-2,14,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
Take a minute to consider this statement, and think about the power it took for a word to become flesh! That’s pretty awesome!

The Bible tells us some amazing things about words, and about the power of words! I want to look at three truths which are the foundation for what we want to build in our own lives. They are not the only truths about the Word we will find on our journey, but we will start with these. These three things are: Words Create, Words Uphold, and Words Accomplish and Prosper.

Word About Following My Blogs

2009-11-02T08:42:00.003-06:00

I am recreating a series of articles I did about Word Power. Until I discover a better way of doing this on this blogspot, to follow these you need to start with the first one I did (at the bottom of the list) and go forward from there. Since I am new to this, suggestions are welcome. From time to time I may want to add something current or relevant in my life, so will try to think of something "clever" to preface my titles with that will give you a clue that this is what I'm doing. By the time I've exhausted my Word Power articles, I should have a better idea of what else I want to do with this blogspot. Whatever I write, remember, words have power, and whatever words I write, they are my word creations. The same goes for your word creations, too. I've enjoyed glimpses of your lives. It's a nice way to get connected, or to stay connected. Thanks for tuning in to Word Power Creations. Sharon Seidel

Origin of Words

2009-11-02T08:35:00.002-06:00

I’ve discovered the origin of words! This will be an ongoing adventure, so let’s begin the journey now. First, let me say this: I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe the Bible is God’s Word and is Truth and Life. If you don’t believe these things, don’t let that stop you from continuing this journey, because there is power in words, and the Bible is full of information about words and how words affect everyone’s life. I believe you will find truth about words that will indeed impact every area of your life, and may even cause you to place more value on the words you think and speak. You may experience the power of words in your own life. Okay, here we go ... In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God….

Words Impact Our Lives

2009-11-02T08:31:00.001-06:00

Our whole lives are impacted or ruled by words. Words are all about communication, about expressing what’s inside of us, who we are, what we think. Words connect us to other people. We think words, we read words, we hear words, we speak words. We play word games, we watch word game shows on television, we play word games on the computer. Talk shows and reality shows are based on people speaking their words or thoughts and beliefs. Movies, plays, and television shows are often judged, not just on acting abilities, but on how well written they are. A good script can make or break a movie! Books are written with words, and are critiqued not only on plot or interest, but often on how well written it was. Songs are often dependent upon the words to speak to the audience. Good lyrics may make or break a song. Poems are all about painting pictures with words. The right words are absolutely imperative in communicating the intent of the poet. We talk about people being good communicators and good speakers. We say a man is only as good as his word, his word is his bond, his word is as good as gold. We talk about people being “wordy”. (Oops, maybe being “wordy” is hitting a little too close to home!)

Power In Words

2009-11-02T08:05:00.001-06:00

A man is only as good as his word.
His word is his bond.
His word is as good as gold.

Watch your words.
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

These words are food for thought. (What words are you feeding your thoughts?)

The above statements are fairly common and we’ve all heard them (or words like them) over the course of our lives. Maybe we’re sick of hearing them!

Did you know there is power in words? Probably you’ve already noticed that! Words can make us feel good, or feel bad. Words spoken to us can influence the way we think about ourselves. Words spoken can also change our actions and reactions. They certainly can affect our emotions!

Blogs of Note...not mine. What are these? Can I get rid of them?

2009-11-01T11:07:00.000-06:00

I just clicked on the "Blogs of Note" and got a bunch of weird blogs. Does anyone know where they came from and how I can get rid of them?

I did add Mary Lee Glassburn's blog to my "Reading List" though.

Word Power Creations is Officially Here!

2009-11-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

I now have a blog spot. That part was easy. The hard part will be deciding what to post. Thank you Mary Lee Glassburn, for strongly encouraging me to do a blog spot.

Words are powerful! They do lots of things. They teach, instruct, encourage, rebuke, exhort, criticize, tell about something, describe something. They can also tear down rather than build up. They have creative power. Therefore, Word Power Creations.

I love words! From the time I learned phonics, and learned to read, I have loved words. I love to read and I love to write. Several years ago, I created a Christian magazine called “Listen to the HEARTBEAT of the Spirit” (through the church we were attending at that time). A year ago, spoke to me that it was time to write again. Thank you, God! Word Power seemed like a good choice for me, since I am passionate about God’s Word and how important words are in our lives. And now it's time to share some of this with you on Blog Spot.