Tag: intentional

Intentional Words

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

A gentle tongue is the tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

Are your words gentle and intentional, rich with meaning?

We usually mean what we say, yes?

Or do you spout forth anything which immediately pops into your brain?

For example you might say, “I’m sick to death about it” when asked about a particular situation.

Do you want to be sick literally until the point of death?

That’s what you just said.

No, you didn’t mean that, so don’t say it.

Don’t declare death over yourself.

Or you might say, “I can’t stand my ______”. Could be a body part, your housing, or your job. Sometimes it can even include your family!!!

If you declare you cannot stand something, you are speaking death over it. Utter displeasure. And your body reacts appropriately.

If you cannot stand something, you wish it gone, because you can no longer deal with it.

Isn’t that too extreme to ever use again?

Thinking again about Proverbs 15:4, how gentle is your tongue?

Your words, are they intentional?

When you have a gentle tongue, your words become intentional in a good way.

You speak life with your words so perverse words do not break your spirit.

So how do we proceed? When your brain reverts back to the patterns of worry and fear, speak life instead.

Use your words to declare you fully trust God and are eagerly anticipating God’s plan to unfold. And until then, you are sheltering in the safety of His peace, absent of fear and worry. Why? Because you know He’s got this, you, and everything else.

A gentle tongue from the tree of life produces blessings for the giver and the receiver, erupting into happy bombs inside your head.

Recently while eating a late dinner in an Oklahoma diner, a waitress approached our table. I looked up with my salad question and smiled at her. She immediately gave me the nicest compliment, telling me I was so beautiful. What unexpected, sweet words!

Perverse speech affects us just as much, doesn’t it? Speaking from selfish hearts can bring all of us down real quick. Not what Jesus had in mind when He talked about fellowship with others.

Words are one of the biggest tools Satan uses to produce death in us when speaking over our situations and in others, when speaking to them.

Our words were designed for life. Remember that the next time you open your mouth, which will probably be soon.

Photos by Amador Loureiro, Kyle Glenn, Patrick Tomasso, & wisconsinpictures on Unsplash

Coasting Through Life

Published on by amylinnea5 Comments

Are you coasting through life?

In it for the ride, surviving to live another day?

Or are you living with purpose, making each day count?

It’s easy in our world, to stay in our lane, creating comfort at all costs.

Unfortunately, those costs sometimes include relationships, serving others, or neglecting God’s very plan for our lives.

Did you know God has a plan for you?

Involves more than sitting around on your phone.

Or thinking only of yourself.

Are you pursuing it? Are you asking God what He wants you to do?

Oh, He can work without you, but He’d rather use you.

It’s better when you can be a part of what God does.

Are you intentionally pursuing God or your movie list?

Are you intentionally giving yourself to others or to your social media feed?

God wants all of you.

He wants your yesterdays, your todays, and your tomorrows.

Doesn’t mean you’ll be serving soup in the cold every day.

But you might a few times.

Doesn’t mean you will never relax with the TV.

But you might watch a little less, as you dig into His Word.

Doesn’t mean you will eat out less often.

But you might skip a couple, opting to give more to others instead.

Will you have to completely change? Neglect all the fun?

Nope. You’ll actually begin to desire what He has for you.

All boils down to asking God what He longs for you before bowing to your every whim.

Asking His spirit to heal your heart, allowing His love to flow through your fingers.

Asking Him to fill your thoughts with His wisdom, thinking of others before yourself..

And asking Him to guide your steps as you learn to walk step in step with Him.

Stop coasting, instead choosing to live intentionally for Him.

Photos by Clay Banks, Julian Hochgesang, & Rod Long on Unsplash