By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. Hebrews 11:3
So the lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. Genesis 2:19-20
…What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23
2. OUR WORDS WILL IMPACT OUR PURPOSE
WE MUST STOP SPEAKING NEGATIVITY INTO A LIFE THAT IS FILLED WITH POSSIBILITIES.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old; While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord.He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” Luke 1:6-7;11-20
WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO SPEAK IN YOUR LIFE YOU WILL EVENTUALLY LIVE IN YOUR LIFE.
3. OUR WORDS WHEN SHIFTED TO PRAISE WILL PUSH THROUGH ANY CIRCUMSTANCE
Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin; For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:28-34;37
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. Luke 1:46-49
WORSHIP SEES BEYOND YOUR CURRENT REALITY AND INTO GODS DESTINY
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:3-6
TAKE HOME
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:20-23
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29
…Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? Luke 9:23-25
OUR TIME INVESTED IN OTHERS IS THE GREATEST COMMODITY BECAUSE TIME IS THE ONLY THING YOU CANNOT GET BACK WHEN IT’S GONE.
…A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29
When we serve others we start physically and spiritually connecting here on earth with what our souls will do for all eternity.
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”; After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:1;3-7;12-17
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION
THE HEART OF SERVING
1. SERVING STARTS WITH ME
Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10
2. SERVING STARTS WITH BEING FAITHFUL WITH THE SECRET OPPORTUNITIES
“You can map out a fight plan or a life plan. But when the action starts, you’re down to your reflexes. Thats where your road work shows. If you cheated on that in the dark morning, you’re getting found out now under the bright lights.” Joe Frazier
WHAT WE DO IN THE PRIVATE TIMES IMPACTS HOW WE WILL BE IN OUR PUBLIC TIMES
For the lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. Proverbs 5:21
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:1;3-4
3. SERVING STARTS WITH THE INSIGNIFICANT AREAS EVERYONE ELSE IGNORES.
If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Galatians 6:3
Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10
Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:42
4. SERVING STARTS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING IT’S THE MISSION OF JESUS
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13
A love that goes beyond self and is willing to serve the interest of others CANNOT BE IGNORED BY the world
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35
TAKE HOME- OUR COMMITMENT
You must each decide in your heart how much to give…. 2 Corinthians 9:7
BLOOMHERE.ORG/KINDNESS
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:16