Powerful Winning Words

A childhood rhyme says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” By experience, both children and adults know that could not be further from the truth.

But words also have power for good . . . building up instead of tearing down . . . overcoming evil with good . . . stopping arguments and formulating peace.

Do you have a Bible? You have access to some of the most powerful words in the world:

 My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty,

But it will accomplish what I please,

And it will prosper where I send it

Isaiah 55:11

For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword,

It pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.

It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Jesus understood the power of God’s Word and set an example for us in its use. After Jesus’ water baptism by John, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted (tested) by the devil.

Read about it in Matthew 4:1-11. You’ll see the devil refers to scripture three times, but misinterprets it. Jesus, on the other hand, knows God’s word and applies it correctly.

Three times, Jesus refutes temptation by saying, “It is written.” He then follows up with an appropriate scripture.  

How can we use God’s powerful words? First, God’s Word will help us live God’s way. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” As we read our Bibles daily, God’s word can help us avoid temptation.

But we are also warned that the devil is our adversary, prowling around seeking someone to devour. We are told to resist him, standing firm in our faith (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus did this by knowing and applying scriptures when and where needed.

Powerful winning words are not automatic. Jesus said: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Remember: Daily food keeps us strong, both physically and spiritually. 

Pixabay: wooden blocks, visual concept; printablue.

  

The Weight of Waiting

In our modern times, not many of us are open to waiting. In those times, we can feel weighed down. That’s to say we feel burdened, pressed, or even depressed.

I’ve experienced times of waiting for answered prayers. One was during nine months of treatments for cancer, away from my husband due to insurance availability. Another was the day-by-day strength and wisdom needed to be a family caregiver.

I found a way to endure the weight of waiting.

It began with a daily reading of the Psalms. I had previously kind of passed them by as records of sorrow and crying out to God. This time I read them all, and found many uplifting psalms of praise and good reports.

While being treated for Stage Three Breast Cancer in 2007, Psalm 40 became a favorite. Like David, I poured out my heart to the LORD. His Presence was very real as He lifted me out of despair and gave me a song of praise (Psalm 40:1-3).  

I knew he heard my prayers, but I had to wait for His answers.  Years later, a neighbor said, “I’m sure you’re always waiting for the next shoe to drop.” I said, “No, not at all. God heard my prayers and gave me a good report, so by His grace I keep moving on.”

David knew about the pit of despair. But he also knew the way out was to trust in the LORD (v.2,4-5). Have you ever tried to walk in miry soil?  

Mud, of course, is soil mixed with water. While we may be glad for the rain, at times it may bring unexpected challenges.

David did not allow himself to get bogged down by circumstances. Not only did he have a new song to sing, but it was a delight to do God’s will while enjoying God’s mercy, loving devotion, and faithfulness (v 3, 8, 11).

The weight of waiting is a fact of life. David prayed honestly, “Hurry to help me, LORD. Don’t delay” (v. 13, 17). Meanwhile, he waited; he didn’t give up!  

Pixabay:

 

 

My Favorite Four-Letter Word

I hear this word five days a week at the end of *Allen Jackson NOW. This is a new half-hour program where Pastor Jackson of Murfreesboro, TN handles pertinent topics with interviews, then ends with a pastoral perspective. He closes by saying, “I believe we have more reasons for hope than despair.”

Love used to be my favorite word, but it varies from the mundane to the sublime. I love lemon pie, I love going on vacation I love my husband, I love God and God loves me.

Levels of love seem to vary, depending on other people; however, hope is a personal choice.

Job is one of the best examples of hope. His wife had no patience with his suffering. She said, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

To Job’s credit, he let her negativity float on by. Hope was his choice, and he would not give it up. He said she was speaking foolishly and concluded with this: “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” (**Job 2:9-10)

When three well-meaning but non-comforting friends came by, Job had an even stronger answer: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” (Job 13:15). His hope gave him the strength to stay focused on his faith.

Hope results in joy. Characteristics of believers are to include being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and persistent in prayer. (Romans 12:12) Thank God for the work of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures to help us develop these three things in our lives.

If you have not read the book of Job lately, now would be a great time to do so.

Job’s story is one of personal patience, perseverance, and his choice to endure. The way I see it, hope might have been Job’s favorite four-letter word, too.

*Allen Jackson NOW is available on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) Monday through Friday. I watch on DISH, but if you prefer streaming look for their app at tbn.org.

**All scriptures are from the Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible (BSB), Published by Bible Hub, Pittsburg, PA, USA, Copyright 2022, Used by Permission.

Pixabay Illustration: I pulled this one years ago for my picture file. That was before I knew I was to credit someone. 

Two Fellows on a Ship

There’s one undeniable fact about a ship’s passengers. Together, they are headed in the same direction. That’s why I think fellowship can also mean friendship.

Today I shredded an old church directory but the introductory statement caught my attention: “This is not a “Church Directory” or a “Family Directory” in the traditional sense, but a “Friendship Directory.” The goal has always been to make it easy for people to connect in positive ways . . . encouraging one another . . . helping one another . . . praying for one another . . . always building up the Body of Christ.”

I also reviewed the closing statement: “As you reach out to one another may “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philippians 4:23, NIV) as you continue to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, NIV).

I can’t imagine life without friends. As a child I took to heart this verse: “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24 (KJV). This proved to be true in school, at work, and in church. I would also remind you, when it comes to friendship, don’t discount family.

My recent fall required surgery and 24/7 home care for nearly eight weeks. It not only made me appreciate the value of friendship, but I realized you don’t create meaningful friendships overnight.

Before my fall, I made weekly luncheon appointments with friends. I never dreamed I would need their physical and moral support on a deep level later, but I thank God for each one. I’ve asked Him to bless them in ways that mean the most to each of them.

Each friend is enjoyable because of their unique interests and character traits. Day and night we were two fellows on a ship. I believe our journey succeeded because we followed the church directory advice to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Close fellowship can’t help but cause some stress. My friends learned new things about me and I about them, but by God’s grace we kept the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I’m grateful for that.   

Joy Beyond Tears

How often have you seen a grown man cry? Not often, would be my guess. There are times, however, when tears are comforting and just the release of pressure that is needed.

That's what you would have seen back in 2007 when my husband and I had just gotten out of the doctor's office with the report on my breast biopsy: Cancer, Stage 3, immediate treatment needed. 

Out in the car, we shed our tears, then said, “We’d better get on over to the recommended Oncologist’s office.” It had many chairs, nearly all filled. I was not very used to medical scenes because I’ve enjoyed generally good health for most of my life. I sat there thinking this felt like a cattle call, and then I thought what a strange term!

My name was called and my new life began. The interview covered health history, recent medical reports, and insurance. Then I was given an almost immediate appointment with the oncologist.

This wonderful woman did not let me out of her office until she had personally booked my lab work to be done that very day, a MUGA test for my heart, and my next appointment. Her plan included chemo, surgery, and radiation.

My case was unusual in that I not only had Stage 3 Breast Cancer but Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). It was so painful I couldn’t bear to wear a seatbelt or have any pressure on my breast at all.  

What kept me encouraged through 9 months of treatments was God’s word. I found hope in the Psalms. I was reading Psalm 84:5-8 (NLT) this week and it reminded me of the joy I found while walking through my valley of tears.

Verse 5 says, “What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD.” Verse 12 adds “What joy for those who trust in you (LORD).    

God’s word is true. I experienced joy beyond tears during my cancer journey. Perhaps you’re on a tearful journey of your own. I encourage you to find a translation you enjoy and look for hope in God’s word every day.  

When the Wind Blows

WHEN the WIND BLOWS*

Just a couple of days ago a strong stormy wind got our attention. My husband and I saw the dark clouds while running errands. We were thankful to be safe inside when the storm arrived.

I've been in major rains before, but this storm seemed even more fierce. From our living room window, we watched the wind blow sheets of rain off our roof and out over the deck.

The electricity went off and on three times in fifteen minutes. I was glad we had a couple of battery-powered backup units for the computer and entertainment center. But the storm reminded me to share a story I had written about another windy day. 

Here it is:

A Photo Reminder

I always smile when I look at a photo posted in front of my desk. I took it on a vacation while trying to keep my balance by leaning against a tree. The wind nearly bowled me over as I was standing on a bluff overlooking a small valley.

I finally decided to enjoy the view from our car, though there was a wire fence in that area.

I thought the fence would hinder my view but I had some great entertainment. A variety of birds did touch-and-go landings on the fence just to the right of my passenger-side window. With such strong wind I was amazed they chose to land on a wire at all.

Finally, a pretty blue bird with a white underbelly landed with his feet about two inches apart. His tail stuck nearly straight up for balance. My photo is a little blurry because I hurried to get the picture.

I thought he would take off quickly like the others, but he didn’t. My husband and I both admired that little bird’s tenacity since he was fighting the same wind we had just fought.

High Winds

You’ve probably heard about winds of adversity. Adversity can be something physical or mental that causes us to struggle. It may cause us to feel perplexed, confused or uncertain and we feel at a loss, wondering what to do.

In Psalm 42:5 David asked himself, Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? In 2 Corinthians 4:8, Paul wrote about being hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. Those are good reasons to be downcast, but both men chose to keep their focus beyond life’s challenges and frustrations.

High Hopes

David encouraged himself with a little self-talk saying, “Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

Paul wrote that in spite of all the adversity he experienced, he was not crushed or in despair, nor did he feel abandoned or destroyed. He chose to focus on things unseen, “since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Keep Your Focus

As I watched that little bird land on the wire, I wondered what’s your motivation? All the other birds barely landed before they took off! One thing for sure, it was a personal choice.

Like the little bird, we do a balancing act. 

While acknowledging the reality of what our senses tell us is happening, we can move past that to focus on eternal, unseen things known by faith and hope in God and His word.

Remember, when the wind blows and you’re facing adversity, choose your focus and hang on.

Note: Do you know someone who would find this story encouraging? Why not forward it to them?

*When the Wind Blows is from my book REFLECTIONS: Inspirational Stories from Everyday Life (available from BookLocker.com)