The Power of Ephesians 4:29

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29, NIV

 

 

A very powerful verse.  One that I personally go back to again and again.  Recently I started thinking about this verse in two specific areas of life and wondering how it would play out.  Meaning, what would really take place if we actually tried to live "Ephesians 4:29".

Those areas...

1)  What we say to our spouses

and

2)  What we say to ourselves.    

Could you imagine if you did not allow anything to go out of your mouth that was not:

*helpful

*building someone up

*Shows grace and benefits others

 

What would your relationships look like?

 

Now imagine if you spoke that same way to yourself.

 

How would your life be different? 

The key to life is found in God's word.  The key to our relationships, self-esteem, past, present and future is all found in this book.  In Hosea 4:6 we are told that we are destroyed by our lack of knowledge of God's word.  God's word is not scary or something to stay away from (that is what the enemy wants you to think).  God's word is not too hard to understand (there are people and resources to help and God's Spirit will also help). 

The truth is, God's word is so powerful, so liberating, so filled with joy, peace and wisdom that there is no wonder the enemy fights us so much to learn more and more about God's word.  

The word of God is meant to be lived out and by doing so have our life shaped in an amazing way.

So start this week.  Start living the word out.  Give Ephesians 4:29 a try and see how your life is change.

Editor's Note:  The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today.  If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121.  You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

What Living Psalm 37: 1-7 does with Worry

Here is a question to think about...

Have you ever worried about how other's are becoming successful?  Maybe it is that coworker who became manager on not so ethical terms.  What about worrying about people or are just evil.  People that insult you or make it their goal to create as much hardship in your life as possible.  Anyone coming to mind yet...

If so, you are not alone and God's word has something to say about this:
  
Psalm 37:1-7 NIV

¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

These scriptures are very direct with what God has to say about the topic of worry.  They are direct also about what is excepted when having a relationship with Him and how this relationship unfolds when it is pertaining to worry.

So what does God want from us:

1)  Do not worry about or be envious of evil people
2)  Trust in God
3)  Do good
4)  Delight in God
5)  Commit your life to God
6)  Be still and wait on God (the KJV says "rest in the Lord")
7)  And again, just in case we forgot....do not worry about evil people succeeding.

Let's trust God.

Let's believe that God will do everything that are in these scriptures.

Let's focus on what we have been asked to do instead of worrying.

Editor's Note:  The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today.  If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121.  You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Learn about Joy

I know a person who has struggles, hardships and sicknesses and yet this person is known to be optimistic, does not complain and finds a way to enjoy the day.

I know another person who has struggles, hardships and sicknesses and this person is pessimistic and complains daily.

I find these two people very fascinating and I have learned a lot from them both.

Which would you say you are more like?
Maybe even ask a few people that are the closest to you for some additional feedback.  The people that REALLY know you and will tell you the TRUTH.  

If you are interested in becoming more like the first person I have an idea for you.

Focus on Joy instead of Happiness. 

There is a difference.

Joy is what sustains and happiness is what flows in and out.  It sounds simple but it really is something that must be practiced and become a discipline.  Here is some information from the greatest source (and expert) on joy that will help if you decide to practice this:

Psalm 16: 9

Psalm 90:14

Psalm 4:7

Philippians 4:4

Psalm 122:1

Psalm 126:3

Psalm 5:11

1 Chronicles 16: 27

1 Chronicles 16: 31

Zephaniah 3: 17

1 Thessalonians 5: 16

Psalm 16: 11

Psalm 33: 1

Psalm 33: 3

Romans 5: 3

Isaiah 12: 3

Isaiah 51: 11

Romans 15: 13

Psalm 37: 4

Psalm 32: 11

Habakkuk 3: 18

Proverbs 15: 13

John 15: 11

Nehemiah 8: 10

Psalm 118: 24

To read all of these click here!

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page. 

Fear: A New Day

Fear is something that plagues many of us. Whether it is how we are going to make the next bill, will my child make the right choices or will my loved one be healed fear can creep in and take hold of our lives.

Recently I have been praying about a situation that I felt REALLY needed to be answered in a certain way and it was answered in the OPPOSITE way.  You got to love moments like that!  At first peace came and then fear started to creep in and take up residence in my mind.  

There have been times in my life where fear has been firmly conquered by Christ’s power and other times where I have, in the words of Beth Moore, allowed a “past fear to project on a new day”.  Time after time I am brought back to one scripture:

 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Tim. 1:7 (KJV)

Don’t misunderstand me.  There is such a thing as healthy fear (i.e. the type that keeps us from dangerous situations).  Although the type I am talking about does nothing helpful.  This scripture has released me so many times and continues to do so when that unhealthy fear would want to control.

So I encourage you to ask yourself a few questions:

Is fear taking up residence in my mind?

Am I allowing a “past fear to project on a new day”?  Many of our fears come from past dangerous situations we are no longer experiencing.   

Do I have a scripture that has spoken to me?  Remember, God’s word is alive, active and powerful (Heb. 4:12)!

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page. 

Stopping Insecurities Now!

The Foe:
It would be nice if they would stop after middle school, it would be nice if they would stop after high school, college, first job, marriage, children, mid-life, or retirement.  Insecurities can be a foe that follows us from the first day in kindergarten when being teased regarding the way you dressed, or spoke, or looked (kids can be cruel) to feeling that you really do NOT have the ability to be in that educational program or be in that new job (and when the one in charge sees you for who you are (or the lack of who you are) you will be let go). 

What type of insecurities do you deal with? 

Possible Reactions to the Foe:
When faced with this ugly enemy, one possibility is to listen to the insecurities and believe them as absolute truth.  From this choice, one can be ruled by them by not living and experiencing life.  You may not meet those new people, look into that new job, or ever feel secure in any relationship you have.  The other extreme is you may feel these insecurities, you may hear the messages being played in your head but you fight them by saying and acting in the opposite manner.  You may fight these insecurities by replacing them with messages such as "at least I am better than that person" or "I am going to make sure I get this promotion no matter who I walk over".  A dangerous cycle that can lead to living a life of pride.  Others may ignore these messages and act in ways that are very much linked to them, but never realize WHY they are doing these self-destructive behaviors.

How have you reacted to insecurities throughout your life?   

The Cure for the Foe:
Is there a "right" or "healthy" reaction to insecurities?  Is it possible to be cured from this foe that can follow us from crib to grave.  What would that even look like?  If being cured does not take on the appearance of listening and agreeing with the statements nor acting or stating the complete opposite how could one reach what is TRUTH and live in FREEDOM from insecurities?  Next time an insecurity rises within you, next time when that negative message comes to you, try a few of the following:

Pay attention to what you were doing (or about to do) or who you were around when this feeling and message came to you.  Sometimes certain people/places can be triggers of insecurity for us.  You may be better prepared when the circumstances present themselves again.

Ask yourself, "Is this a message from God or the enemy (also known as the father of lies)?".

Ask God to reveal the truth to you concerning this message.  Remember there is nothing that God cannot reveal to us about ourselves where God cannot fully heal.  

Find a trusted friend or spiritual mentor to help you process through this journey.  Don't allow insecurities to follow you to the grave. 

And remember the following:  

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 (NIV)

Resources:

Moore, B. (2010).  So Long Insecurity:  You've been a bad friend to us.  Carol Stream, IL:  Tyndale House Publishers.

Silent Cries, Secret Wounds, Experiencing God's Healing Touch. (Sermon Series at Mecklenburg Community Church by James Emery White).

Spiritual Mentors are available in Community Care at Mecklenburg Community Church.  For more information click here.