Category: Relationships

Life and Death Are In The Power Of The Tongue

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We must be careful of our words and how we use them, especially those who have spiritual authority: like a mother or father over a child, a husband over his wife or what we speak overselves; there is power in the tongue to bring life or death.

“Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21

What Does Life and Death In The Power Of The Tongue Mean?

It means that the words we speak have an incredible power to shape our lives and the lives of others. Our words can be used as a tool to bring life—by bringing encouragement, comfort, and hope—or to bring death—by spreading hurtful lies, gossip, and negativity. Every word we say carries with it a profound responsibility and a potential to make a difference.

In Matthew 12:37, Jesus said, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” This verse teaches us that the power of our tongue can have lasting consequences. We are ultimately responsible for the words we use and how they affect ourselves, as well as others.

Our words have the power to lift up or tear down—to bring life or death into a situation. We should always remember that we are accountable for our words and think carefully about how we use them. When we choose to speak life, rather than death, it has the power to bring light and hope into a situation—and can even bring about miraculous transformations.

In Ephesians 4:29, it says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” This verse encourages us to speak words that are edifying and full of life. In our conversations with others, we should strive to bring hope and joy rather than hurt and despair.

James 3:10 says, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” This verse warns us against saying one thing in one moment and then something completely different in another moment. Our words should always reflect integrity and thoughtfulness.

Our Words Can Bring Life or Death

Life and death are in the power of the tongue. That means we should take everything we say very seriously. Let’s look at specific ways to speak life and some of the ways we speak death.

We Speak Life By Encouraging Others

We can use our words to bring life by encouraging and uplifting those around us. We can choose to speak words of kindness that build up instead of tear down. Consider speaking truth in love and offering words of affirmation when we talk about others—including ourselves.

In Hebrews 10:24, it says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” This verse reminds us that our words have the power to bring encouragement and motivation into someone else’s life.

Our words have the power to bring about positive change, inspire others, and even heal broken relationships. We can use our words to make a difference in someone’s life—by offering them hope and comfort. For example, speaking words of affirmation can be especially powerful for someone who is struggling with low self-esteem or depression.

We Speak Death By Being Critical

One of the most common ways we speak death into the lives of others is by constantly being critical. We can use our words to tear down and discourage those around us. But when we do this, we are not using the power of our tongues for good.

In Proverbs 18:21 it says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” This verse reminds us that words have power—and whatever we speak can bring life or death into the lives of those around us.

Therefore, let us be careful with our words—that they may bring life and not death to those around us. May we choose to use our words for good and make a difference in someone’s life!

We Speak Life By Speaking The Truth

It’s also important to speak life by speaking the truth. This means avoiding manipulation, exaggeration, and fabrication with our words. It means saying what is true and helpful in a respectful manner—and not using our words to manipulate others or spread lies.

In Colossians 3:9-10 it says, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” We should always strive to use our words responsibly and respectfully—and never twist the truth or mislead others with our words.

By being mindful of the power of our words, we can choose to bring life into every situation. Life and death are in the power of the tongue—so let us use our words wisely, for the glory of God.

May we speak life into each other’s lives, and uplift one another through our words!

We Speak Death By Gossiping

Gossip and slander are another common way that we can speak death into the lives of others. We should never spread rumors or engage in gossip, as it has the power to ruin someone’s reputation and cause a lot of hurt.

In Proverbs 16:28 it says, “A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” This verse reminds us that our words can be destructive and hurtful if we are not careful.

Gossip is not an innocent thing. Let us be mindful of what we say and not use our words to spread malicious lies or destructive rumors. May we choose instead to speak life into the lives of those around us, and never use our words for evil.

We Speak Life By Praying For Others

We should also use our words to speak life by praying for others. We can pray for those who need encouragement, healing, and hope in their lives. By being intentional with our prayers, we can bring joy and peace into someone else’s world.

In James 5:16 it says “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This verse reminds us of the power of our prayers—and how they can bring about healing and restoration in the lives of others.

Really, there are few things better than praying for someone. When we pray we are asking God Himself to intervene in a person’s life. We’re asking the most powerful and loving being in the universe to do good to someone. Is there anything better than that?

We Speak Death By Complaining

We should be mindful of how our words affect those around us. We should avoid complaining or grumbling about people and situations, as it only brings negativity into the atmosphere. Additionally, complaining tends to spread. When you complain it tempts others to complain as well.

In Philippians 2:14-15 it says, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

Our words can be a light to those around us—or they can be a source of darkness. Let us use our words wisely, and strive to speak life into every situation. We can use our words to bring joy and hope into the world, rather than negativity.

Speak Life By Using Words Of Blessing

Finally, we can use our words to speak life by speaking words of blessing over those around us. We can choose to use our words to bless instead of curse. This means choosing not to criticize or pass judgement, but rather offering grace and mercy through our speech.

In Numbers 6:24 it says, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.” We can use this verse as a model for offering words of blessing in our lives.

When we speak words of blessing, we are using our words to bring life and joy into someone else’s world. We can bless people with our words, whether we are giving an encouraging word in a difficult time or simply speaking kind and gentle words. Let us choose to use our words to be a blessing!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “life and death are in the power of the tongue” mean?

This phrase comes from Proverbs 18:21, which says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” This verse is referring to how powerful our words can be—in that they can bring death or life into a situation. Our words have the power to create positive or negative change in the world, depending on how we use them.

What does it mean to speak life?

To speak life means to use your words to encourage and lift up those around you. It means speaking words of blessing rather than criticism, and using our words as an instrument for good in the world. Using our words to speak life means being intentional about bringing joy and hope into someone else’s world.

What does the Bible say about speaking life?

The Bible is full of verses that encourage us to use our words wisely and speak life into every situation. In James 3:5-6 it says, “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” This is a powerful reminder of how important it is to use our words for good, rather than evil. Let us strive to be mindful of our words and speak life into every situation!

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*** By Stephen Altrogge at The Blazing Center: theblazingcenter.com

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Human Trafficking: The Facts and How to Help

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Human trafficking is closer than you think, the film ‘Sound of Freedom’ opens the pandora’s box by raising awareness to the general public of a dark, underground $150 billion dollar industry. This incredible true story is about federal agent Tim Ballard, played by Jim Caviezel, who quit his job and put his life on the line to rescue trafficked children from sexual exploitation, this has been tastefully done and brings light to this heinous activity. Seeing the film is the first step in spreading awareness about child trafficking, see the trailer above and more information can be found here: Visit angel.com/blog/sound-of-freedom to read more about how you can join the fight to end child trafficking. Please support the movement, the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is that good men stand by and do nothing, be the voice of those who have none.

“It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” ~ Luke 17:2

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is a nefarious practice that many thought had been abolished years ago. However, slavery is alive and kicking in the 21st century and is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world, it is big business worth $150 billion dollars! It covers an array of ways to exploit another human being for profit, whether it be slave labor, sex slavery, organ harvesting or drug trafficking, the list goes on and gets darker.

There are 27 million enslaved, 7 million of them children and increasing. So many of us aren’t aware of how wide spread this issue is, because it’s not at the forefront of the media, and we think it doesn’t happen where we live. But this is the closet crime that is exploding and rising all around us at astronomical rates. There are more people enslaved today than any time in history, even when it was legal!

Where is this taking place?

The subject matter is too dark for polite conversation, but burying your head in the sand won’t make it go away. This evil is prevalent worldwide and according to the charity organization ‘save the children’ statistics, children make up 27% of all human trafficking victims worldwide, and two out of every three identified child victims are girls. The United States is the largest consumer of child rape videos and one of the largest producers worldwide.

MYTH: Traffickers target victims they don’t know

FACT: Even though this is true, a majority of the time, victims are trafficked by someone they know, such as a friend, family member, family friend, a person esteemed in the local community or a romantic partner.

MYTH: Only girls and women are victims of human trafficking

FACT: Boys and men are just as likely to be victims of human trafficking as girls and women. However, they are less likely to be identified and reported. Girls and boys are often subject to different types of trafficking, for instance, girls may be trafficked for forced marriage and sexual exploitation, boys for sexual exploitation also, but more likely to be trafficked for forced labor or recruitment into armed groups.

MYTH: All human trafficking involves sex or prostitution

FACT: Human trafficking can include forced labor, domestic servitude, organ trafficking, debt bondage, recruitment of children as child soldiers, and/or sex trafficking and forced prostitution.

MYTH: Trafficking involves traveling, transporting or moving a person across borders

FACT: Human trafficking is not the same thing as smuggling, which are two terms that are commonly confused. Trafficking does not always require movement across borders. In fact, in some cases, a child could be trafficked and exploited from their own home or community. In the U.S., trafficking most frequently occurs at hotels, motels, truck stops and online.

MYTH: People being trafficked are physically unable to leave or held against their will

FACT: Trafficking can involve force, but people can also be trafficked through threats, coercion, or deception. People in trafficking situations can be controlled through drug addiction, violent relationships, manipulation, lack of financial independence, or isolation from family or friends, in addition to physical restraint or harm.

MYTH: Trafficking primarily occurs in developing countries

FACT: Trafficking occurs all over the world, though the most common forms of trafficking can differ by country. The United States is one of the most active sex trafficking countries in the world, where exploitation of trafficking victims occurs in cities, suburban and rural areas. Labor trafficking occurs in the U.S., but at lower rates than most developing countries.

DO YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS BEING TRAFFICKED?

Spot The Signs

Identifying trafficking is the first step to stopping it. Understanding the signs to look out for could help the most vulnerable people within your community.

Significant Signs

Stop the traffic organisation Stop the traffic states, that there are a number of signs that are common across all types of exploitation. Including, if a person:

  • acts as if instructed by another, as though they are forced or coerced to carry out specific activities
  • demonstrates signs of physical or psychological abuse, such as lacking self esteem, seeming anxious, bruising or untreated medical conditions
  • seems to be bonded by debt or has money deducted from their salary
  • has little or no contact with family or loved ones
  • is distrustful of authorities
  • has threats made against themselves or family members
  • is not in possession of their own legal documents

SAVE THE CHILDREN: If you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-800-373-7888. The confidential hotline is open 24 hours a day, every day, and helps identify, protect and serve victims of trafficking.

Stop the traffic: Spot the signs – STOP THE TRAFFIK

Identifying trafficking is the first step to stopping it. Understanding the signs to look out for could help the most vulnerable people within your community.

Specific Signs

Many of the main types of exploitation have significant signs that are specific to them.

NSPCC: Report child trafficking What You Need to Know About Child Trafficking | NSPCC

Children who are trafficked are intentionally hidden and isolated from the services and communities who can identify and protect them. If you’re worried about a child, you can take steps to keep them safe.

  • If you think a child or young person is in danger, contact the police on 999.
  • Contact your local child protection services. You can find their contact details on the website for the local authority the child lives in.
  • Contact the Modern Slavery Helpline to get help, report a suspicion or seek advice. Call 0800 012 1700 or fill in their online form.

Living in the end times

We live in a fallen world with entitled individuals who think they have a right to do what they want, when they want and to whomever they want without accountability. There has been a major attack on our children from every side because they are the new generation that is supposed to be an arrow in the bow for God’s Kingdom and this attack starts in the womb. (I will do a separate article on this important subject). It’s easy to become discouraged when we focus on the news today, but there is goodness and hope in a broken world, look to God’s promises and don’t be mere hearers, but doers of the Word. There are many brave heroic individuals who have been doing just that, and one walking in their calling is a man called Victor Marx, a victim of abuse himself, on the frontline defending and being the voice of those who cannot defend themselves, shares what we need to know about child trafficking. He’s an abolitionist, NGO specialist, activist and philanthropist, and is the founder and president of ‘All Things Possible’ that rescues children from child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation and has assisted in the arrested of thousands of predators.

Quotes

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 (ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” -Romans 15:13 (ESV)

Here are a few ideas on how to be a light in your sphere of influence:

  • Start and end your day reading the Word of God.
  • Memorize God’s promises.
  • Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
  • Love your neighbor.
  • Pray for people in your life.
  • Pray for the world. Pray for our leaders.
  • Pray for people who are oppressed.
  • Share God’s love with others.
  • Give to those in need.
  • Get involved in meeting a need.
  • Show acts of kindness.
  • Encourage those who are discouraged.
  • Give the gift of love, peace, gentleness, patience, grace, kindness. (navigators.org)

How to get involved?

Please start by watching and supporting the film the sound of Freedom, there are numerous ways to support the individuals on the front line, but to get a flavor of what’s going on, I urge you to watch sound of freedom, it’s a dark subject matter that has been tastefully done, but punches you right in your stomach and at the end of the film, you can either choose to bury your head in the sand or stand up and do something about it.

Support the non-profit organisations fighting human trafficking:

Destiny Rescue: Destiny Rescue

All Things Possible: https://victormarx.com/trafficking-solutions/

Child Liberation Foundation: Child Liberation Foundation

Stop the Traffik: Spot the signs – STOP THE TRAFFIK

The Nazarene Fund: Home – The Nazarene Fund

Save Our Children: Save the Children UK | International Children’s Charity

NSPCC: What You Need to Know About Child Trafficking | NSPCC

Relevant articles:

Child Safety Online

5 Ways Your Kids Are Under Spiritual Attack

How To Overcome Porn Addiction and the Link To $99 Billion Dollar Sex Trafficking Industry

6 Reasons Why Sexual Predators Target Churches

Trusting God to Heal the Scars of Sexual Abuse

Self Worth and Self Esteem

Forgiving Others

Prayer For Forgiving Others

The Abortion Debate

Deal Radically with Impure Thoughts

Invisible Barriers to Healing

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**Article by Lori McPherson / Picture Angel studios

An Interruptible Life

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“Now the LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by.”‭‭Genesis‬ ‭18:1-3‬ ‭NASB‬‬

I was challenged by Abraham’s willingness to be interrupted. It was in the heat of the day — when he’s finally taking a bit of rest, when it’s too hot to work, when it’s inopportune — that the Lord visits him. And instead of putting Him off, Abraham goes out of his way to make the Lord comfortable. He quickly runs to and fro to attend to his special Guest.

And this must have been an atmosphere that Abraham cultivated at home: he hears no argument from his wife, who was likely in the middle of preparing dinner for her family, when he asks her to drop everything and make an extra meal. And he hears no argument from a servant when he tells him to quickly go kill a choice calf.

What an attitude! No matter how inconvenient, Abraham sprung into action. It spoke to me of having a willingness to be interrupted, to not be so fixated on my own plans that God can’t allow a distraction or inconvenience or conviction or interruption to come across my path.

I’ve found He often comes in the heat of the day, when we are not “expecting company,” so to speak. How do I respond when He interrupts or asks something inconvenient of me?

“Would you mind to come back later?”“Now’s not really a great time…”

I got a call the other day, at what felt like the worst possible time, and I took it, without total peace in my heart. And the Lord showed me moments after I hung up: “You aren’t jumping at the opportunity to serve, to have your plans messed up, to be inconvenienced.”

I long for this heart: “Don’t pass me by!” And it challenged me to see my lack as evidence that I cherish the Lord’s nearness far too little. Isn’t it the highlight of my day when He drops by?

Interruptions Reveal What We Love

Imagine if, unbeknownst to you, your best friend from childhood, or high school or college, someone who you really treasure, arrived at your doorstep. You haven’t seen him or her in years.

Do you apologize that you can’t be bothered because you’re busy tidying up? Or explain that you’ve got errands to run? Even if you already had dinner plans, you’d cancel them!!

Why? For love!!

So when there’s a need, why am I so deeply inconvenienced? The same reason: for love of my plans, for love of my system.

And the Lord wants to come in the heat of the day and “mess with” that. And He wants to see: do I have a “drop everything” mentality? It says Abraham “hurried” (v6) and “ran” (v7) and “hurried” some more (v7). I’m sure Abraham started the day with a to-do list, which I’m sure was prepared in all diligence. We know nothing whatsoever about anything else Abraham was doing that day.

But Abraham sprung to service at the Lord’s interruption. He even killed a tender and choice calf – God wants to see, when He shows up, is there anything precious I’m unwilling to sacrifice? Will I give Him the best?

We may say, “Lord, send me anywhere! I’m ready to move! I’ll go to the darkest jungles for You!”

But He may very well respond, “Send you anywhere?!? I can’t even send you anyone! You can’t be bothered! You can’t be interrupted. Your plans are so precious.”

Oh for such a longing to be pleasing to the Lord that we are willing to lead an interruptible life!

Jesus’ Interruptibility

It wasn’t just Abraham! The gospels are filled with stories of Jesus’ interruptibility. He was so interruptible that, in the middle of a sermon, several men dug a hole in His roof (Mark 2:1-4)! On His way to heal Jairus’ daughter, He cheerfully entertained an interruption by a woman with a severe health issue (Matthew 9:18-23). In fact, one of Jesus’ most famous miracles came as a result of His willingness to be interrupted.


John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin, and when he was killed, it grieved Jesus’ heart to such an extent that He sought to be alone with His Father. “Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself…” Do you know what happens next, in the middle of Jesus’ special time alone with His Father? The passage continues, “…and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:13-14‬). And after healing them, He doesn’t stop there. His disciples wanted to send them away because it was getting late, and folks needed to eat their dinner.

“But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” They *said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish””(‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:16-17‬).‬‬ We know how the story ends. But it’s amazing to see how the feeding of the five thousand began: with Jesus, grieving over His cousins’ killing, seeking to spend a moment alone; and yet, still willing to be interrupted.

What a challenge to me, especially as I find I can be most un-interruptible when I’m trying to get some time alone with God!! It’s amazing to see that Interruptibility is at the very heart of Christ.

Rebekah’s Interruptibility

Is it any wonder that when Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his only son, the heir of the greatest inheritance on the earth, she would be marked by the same zeal to jump to serve?

“She said, “Drink, my lord”; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink. Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking.” So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.”‭‭Genesis‬ ‭24:18-20‬ ‭NASB

‬‬ Rebekah was simply going about her “family chores” that day. Who knows what else she might have had on her list, but even when she’s unexpectedly interrupted and asked for help, her attitude is remarkable: she didn’t lazily serve as a duty, doing the bare minimum. She diligently went above and beyond. Little did she know that the “big door” of marriage (let alone a once-in-a-generation-marriage!!), which she certainly desired, would swing on such a small hinge of cheerful service.

As I read her story, I felt my heart longing for the wisdom and grace to raise children who move quickly to serve, who run to go above and beyond, and who can be cheerfully interrupted. And I felt the Lord speak clearly to me: “If you want to raise such children, seek to be an interruptible father, yourself!”

Welcome My Children in Jesus’ Name

It’s easy to think, “but how can I welcome interruptions like Abraham did? He had the privilege of being visited by God Himself.”

Thankfully, Jesus makes it clear in the New Testament how we do actually have the opportunity to serve Him directly: “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:40‬ ‭NASB‬‬

When I cheerfully welcome an interruption from even the least of my brothers in Christ, I am welcoming Him, just as Abraham at the tent door.

But the Lord takes it even a step further:“And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said… ‘Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.’”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:2, 5‬ ‭NASB‬‬

What an incredible encouragement! When I am willing to be cheerfully interrupted by my children, I have the opportunity to receive the Lord Jesus Himself. The thing that’s truly amazing to me is, I have this opportunity countless times per day! And I was jealous of Abraham’s “unique opportunity”?!? I’m sure he’d rather have my daily opportunity to welcome the Lord at the door of my tent.

Thank God for revealing that cheerfully welcoming interruptions and “receiving a child in Jesus’ name” (which means receiving them for His sake, considering Jesus, in the fear of God, and out of reverence for the dignity He has bestowed upon them as creatures made in His likeness) is the ultimate opportunity to welcome the Lord and serve the least. There are many such opportunities in the heat of every day, and I believe the Lord will help me to be clothed in the gentleness in humility of Jesus Christ, Who is the Ultimate Example of an interruptible life.

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**By Jeremy Utley © Copyright – Jeremy Utley. No changes whatsoever are to be made to the content of the article without written permission from the author at NCCF Church

Forgiving Others as God Has Forgiven Us

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But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses. ~ Matthew 6:15

God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). The very first characteristic of the Divine nature that every one of us encountered when we were converted was His mercy. That should also be the very first impression that others have when they encounter us, if indeed we have partaken of the Divine nature.

There is no mercy found in hell and no mercy found in our flesh either. Our flesh is naturally hard towards others and it is easy to deceive ourselves that such hardness is part of the Divine severity. Such is the deceitfulness of sin.

If we could look into Heaven right now, we would find that God is constantly forgiving others. From every part of this world, believers and unbelievers are constantly crying out to Him asking for forgiveness for their sins and their failures. And He is always forgiving them – 24 hours of every day. Some may be asking for forgiveness for a sin that they have committed for the 1000 th time. He still forgives, for that is His nature. Jesus said that we were to forgive others in exactly the same way (Matthew 18:35)

Jesus also said that we were to forgive our brothers seven times in a single day (Luke 17:4). A day was reckoned as 12 hours. This meant that if your brother sinned against you at 6 a.m. one morning, and asked for your forgiveness at 7 a.m. you were to forgive him. If he committed the same sin against you at 8 a.m. and asked for your forgiveness at 9 a.m. you were to forgive him again. Then at 10 a.m. he does the same thing a third time, and asks for your forgiveness at 11 a.m. You are to forgive him. He repeats exactly the same sin at 12 noon and at 2 p.m. and at 4 p.m. and comes back each time, an hour later and asks for forgiveness. Each time, you are to forgive him, without keeping any record of the number of times you have forgiven him already, the same day. Some who are legalistically minded may say that Jesus did tell us to keep a record up to seven times. That is exactly what Peter once said to Jesus, and he was told that he was to forgive his brother 490 times (Matthew 18:21,22)

That is what God’s nature is like. And the good news of the new covenant is that we can partake of His nature. It is easier to speak about this than to actually partake of it. We all know that from experience. But “the kingdom of God is not in words but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20)

The glory of Christ is radiated through us, not by our mouthing so many wonderful “truths” and doctrines, but by our manifesting the love of God to others.

***Prayer for forgiving others

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***Copyright – Zac Poonen. No changes whatsoever are to be made to the content of the article without written permission from the author at CFC India.com. / Photo at Pexels

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What Is God’s Love Language?

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If you are a man or a woman and claim to be a believer and part of the church, you are Jesus’s wife. You are His Bride and He is the bridegroom, and if we are His Bride, we need to ask ourselves the question, “what type of wife am I?” Am I asking God to send me a spouse, when I’m not even a good wife to Him. If you are saved, do you recognize you are part of the Bride of Christ? And instead of getting people to try and understand your love language, how about you trying to understand God’s love language.

Do you know what God’s love language is?

A) Quality time
B) Words of affirmation
C) Gifts
D) Acts of service
E) Physical touch
F) All of the above

Answer: F, all of the above.

First of all, Jesus loves quality time. He loves when you spend time with Him in prayer. He loves when you dedicate the morning and just bask in His presence, and seek His face and dwell in His Word. He loves quality time when you dedicate the evening or when you set apart a time in your life where you’re fasting to get closer to God. You want to hear His voice and want to know His sound, and want to be in His presence. God loves quality time.

The Lord loves words of affirmation, not because He needs to be affirmed, but He knows that when you affirm Him, it affirms you! Can I mess with you a second? You don’t read the Bible for God, you don’t read the Bible for God, you don’t pray for God, you’re not watching this message for God, you don’t listen to sermons for God, you don’t worship for God, all that’s for you. You praying is not going to make God any more faithful.

It’s not going to make Him any more Holy, it’s not going to make Him any more righteous. You worshipping is going to help your mind from worrying, because you can not worry and worship at the same time, and a lot of us has got it muddled. We think we’re doing God a service, because we attend church, because we are giving, because we are praying, because we are fasting, and God’s like… don’t you understand I’m already Holy? I can’t get any holier than I already am. I am in a lane all by Myself, there’s no league, I have no competition. The devil’s not even my adversary, I have no competitors, no adversities! You are doing this for you, you’re doing this for your words of affirmation, it affirms you.

He loves when you use your gifts, why? Because He gave them to you. He loves when you worship, because you are using that gift. He loves when you exercise your gift of artistry, your gift of speaking, that gift of business skills, He loves when you do that, because it shows Him off.

The Lord loves acts of service, when you are serving your community, when you’re serving your wife, when you’re serving in the Church. He loves service because you are His hands and feet, so it makes Him look good when you do this!

And God loves physical touch, you know how you touch the heart of God. Anytime you choose His will over your will, that touches His heart. Anytime you say, “God I don’t want to do this, but I trust you and you’re my husband and I’m going to follow you, and I’m going to submit to you, it gives God glory.

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**Adaptation from Jerry Flower’s sermon called “Wifey Material” Link: https://youtu.be/swKKTPIV8zA