It's been a while, I know. I am wondering if anybody really reads it anyway, but my heart is too full not to share in hopes that it will speak to someone.
I have been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be an encouragement to my brothers and sisters, and maybe not everyone has had this same experience, but it seems to me that when God is trying to get something across to me, He uses a variety of ways and He broadcasts the message everywhere I turn. Needless to say, I have had many conversations about encouragement lately and heard my share of messages concerning this.
On Saturday I was traveling with a friend and she brought Deuteronomy 30 to my attention. We shared about how God was calling us to choose between life and death for not only ourselves, but for our descendants as well. It made me think about how I speak and what power the words I choose have...not only on those around me, but also their descendants as well. For example, I am also studying the lasting effects of generational strongholds and how it affects the freedom of believers in a Bible study I am working through. If I speak words that kill someone's spirit to his/her face or behind his/her back, then that can have lasting effects on how that person thinks of Jesus, thus affecting the faith of his/her descendants as well!! Then the youth pastor at my church gave an amazing message yesterday on the power of the tongue to speak life or to speak death into situations, people, and even themselves. Jami and I watched a movie last night with a powerful message on choosing to invest (both by words and actions) in someone's life and the effects it can have. And it was just like my Sovereign God to make it clear just one more time yesterday as I was in His presence and reading Colossians when He pointed these words out to me from the treasure of His Word...
"Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don't forget to pray for us, that god will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them...Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out." Col. 4, The Message
I hear the Lord has really speaking some things about what He has for me, including the power that lies in the words I choose. I know He has been telling me for a long time that my role in the Kingdom is to encourage all people. Because of this, I am recognizing even more that the enemy's strategy is to attack my joy. But he can't steal it...he can't take it unless I give it willingly. (great example--i was really excited about writing this blog until I accidentally ran the computer chair roller over my toe. just kidding. but it did roll over my toe...)
Listen to what our brother James was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about this concerning the tongue:
"People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty pool."
James 3:7-12
Let's covenant with Christ to choose life and portray His voice in a way that honors Him by speaking life and not death.
joy,
lauren
P.S. i know this is long, but i would appreciate your thoughts on this. love you all!! | 
