What would happen if I could keep track of my words like some people keep track of their steps?

We once lived in a house with a mold problem.  Of course, we didn’t know it at first, but then evidence started cropping up in obvious places.  By the time we noticed the mold, we had already begun inhaling the microscopic spores and experiencing their effects in our bodies.  Had we not removed ourselves from the moldy conditions, we could have suffered great sickness and damage from something we never could see in the air.  We could have suffocated in our own home.

I also have experienced a similar danger spiritually – suffocated by my environment – and chances are you have also.  Negativity does to our spirit what mold does to our respiratory system.  Surrounded my negative people and hearing an infestation of negative talk, we take on a negative tone in our own speech and perpetuate its unseen yet spiritually crippling effects.

As we start this week, let me encourage you to be mindful of the effect what you say and how you say it has on others around you.

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. – Ephesians 4:29

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. – Colossians 4:6

“Corrupting talk” mentioned in Ephesians 4:29 does not refer to the content of our speech – i.e. foul language – but to the effect our words have on others.  CHOOSEwords that build up, and say them in a MANNER that is gracious and palatable.

For this week, concentrate on eliminating

criticism,

complaining,

and gossip.

Instead speak words that are 

positive, 

encouraging,

and beneficial.

BE INTENTIONAL.  Don’t contribute to the negativity pollution that pervades our culture.  Instead by a breath of fresh air to those around you.

Today’s Flash Back Friday – professing believers need to be careful before criticizing professing atheists.

There is an old adage that says, “The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” Of course, no one wants to eat an elephant literally, but the adage reminds us that even the most daunting of tasks can be whittled away in smaller increments.

You may be facing some daunting challenges in your life. Maybe you are in over your head financially. Maybe your marriage is less than ideal, or your relationship with your kids is strained. Maybe you have a work project that seems impossible to accomplish. Maybe your spiritual journey has somehow stalled or gotten off-track and you feel more distant from Jesus than ever.

Let me suggest some small bites you might take out of the elephants in your life.

1. Honestly assess where you are in the most important areas of your life. You can employ an matrix you wish to assess yourself, but be honest. You can’t get to where you want to be until you honestly come to grips with where you are.

2. Ask God where He wants to move you in this area. We can set goals and standards for ourselves, but unless we are moving toward Him, we will always find ourselves unfulfilled and overwhelmed. Spend several days in prayer over the important areas, asking God to give you His vision for your life.

3. Pick out ONE SMALL STEP that will lead you closer to where God wants you. Be specific. Maybe it is a prayer and Bible reading plan, or a date night with your spouse. Maybe it is breaking down a project at work into manageable sections. Whatever the case, start with just ONE STEP and take it.

4. Once you complete that step, take another. Then another. And another. Each step of the way, take a moment to reassess. Make sure that step moved you closer to the goal, and then prepare for the next step.

Even after writing this, I look back and it seems overly simplistic. But if it so simple, then why aren’t we doing it? Why do we choke trying to swallow a whole elephant? Begin your small steps TODAY.

How can we navigate life when it seems we are trying to balance on a highwire of responsibilities, demands, and circumstances?

What if the Resurrection had not actually happened?  What if Jesus was a hoax?  What if the story was actually fiction?  We considered that Easter Sunday.  Take a look for yourself.

The Hope of Easter
1 Corinthians 15:12-20

If the resurrection had not happened:

• God is not who we say He is (v 14-15)
• Life is pointless. (v 17a)
• We are helplessly sinful. (vs 17b)
• There is no hope for the afterlife (vs 18-19)

BUT!!!!!

• Jesus IS alive
• Life has purpose
• Forgiveness is available
• Heaven is obtainable

A flashback from a couple of years ago. Something to think about as you go about your Saturday before Easter today.

Articles and Blogs

4 Ways to Cling to the Lord – Sam Storms on Crossway.org

7 Simple Steps to Refresh Your Prayer Life – John Piper

Cohabitation and Church Attendance Factor into Likelihood of Divorce – Aaron Earls

Worth Repeating

“Faith is acting like something is so even when it is not so in order that it might be so simply because God said so.” – Dr. Tony Evans  @drtonyevans

“God’s ultimate purpose for you is not limited by today’s present reality.” – Louie Giglio @louiegiglio

“A pessimist is somebody who complains about the noise when opportunity knocks!”
— Oscar Wilde      (from Twitter feed of @ikereighard )

“Until I learn to master myself, I cannot learn to be a servant of others. Lord, teach me how to do both.” @DrDavidLAllen

“You will never meet a pessimist who regularly spends time with God…because connecting with our Creator always changes our perspective.” @BenWallis79

Another Look