"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (NIV) Proverbs 10:19

You probably know the pain of regretting words you have spoken out of pride, dishonesty, envy, gossip, or anger. Although you could seek to restore bruised relationships through repentance and forgiveness, spoken words can never be retrieved. In the book of Ephesians 4:29, Scripture warns, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”

Death and life are in the power of the tongue of witnesses according to the testimony they bear, of judges according to the sentence they pass, of teachers according to the doctrine they preach, of all men by their words bring life or death to themselves and others. Some by their loose tongues or the falsehood they utter are the cause of their own death and others, and some by their silence, prudent speech and prevalent intercession obtain life for themselves and others. Yes, judgment at the last day will proceed based on a man's words. "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned", Matthew 12:37. Also, Psalm 109:17-18 says “He who loved to pronounce a curse, may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing; may it be far from him. He who wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water and into his bones like oil”

Words are powerful because they are seeds that yield a good or bad harvest (depending on what you speak). There is power in finding scriptures on your situation and speaking what God has to say about it. That always yields a good harvest, restores hope and happiness. Beloved, God wants to bless you. Please, don’t let your tongue get in the way of your blessings. Control your words.

Overwriting - the godly approach || More

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."(NKJV) Ephesians 4:31-32

In computer data storage, overwriting is the process of replacing old information with new information. It generally occurs when unused file system clusters are written upon with new data.

Ever wondered how serene and harmonious the world would be if men lived with forgiving hearts?

Certainly, as we journey on as Christians, we need to continually do away with these aforementioned vices and cling to godly virtues.

As the writer admonishes, it is about time we show more kind-heartedness, compassion and forgive one another as often as necessary so as to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18).

Just as our Lord forgives our trespasses, so should we be eager to ward off all bitterness, wrath, anger and several other vices. Our contemporary era is mostly adulterated, and as such, we need to continue being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving one another so as to keep us going.

May God help us to overwrite our wrongs and cling to doing good at all times.

Faithful unto death || More

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." (KJV) Rev. 2:10b

The early church suffered great persecution from both the Jews and the Roman government. These persecutions were meant to stop Christians from remaining faithful to God. Amidst these persecutions, and the ones yet to come, the Lord comforts Christian with the revelation to the church through the Apostle John.

In the same vein, Christians continue to suffer several forms of persecution. Some people are coerced to join ungodly and corrupt practices at their workplaces, in schools, in our communities, from family and friends among others. These persecutions are darts thrown at us by the devil with the aim of causing us to slip off The Way. Jesus comforts us today that he knows our afflictions and poverty (denied needs). However, the good news is that He is much aware of these challenges we are going through and the ones yet to come.

Many so-called men of God present a contrary view. That Christians are not to go through difficult times and that the emergence of difficulties in life is as a result of ‘something supernatural’ that must be dealt with. In the passage, Christians are not promised a problem-free life but a victorious one over challenges. This means that our faithfulness must not be a nine-day wonder but a continuous daily effort. Those who remain faithful unto death will receive the crown of life. This crown of life is eternal and the things of this world cannot be compared to it. Beloved in Christ, be thou faithful unto the end and you shall receive the crown of life!

Don't lose heart || More

"All this for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are washing away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (NIV) 2 Corinthians 4:15-16

Many things happen in our lives and we find them difficult to understand. At times, the effects of these bitter circumstances leave us devastated. The pains we experience are memories we take with us each passing day. Consequently, we tend to overlook all the good things God has done in our lives.

My brother or sister, no matter how difficult your life may be for you right now, I want to remind you by way of encouragement that God allowed all these tests to come your way to make you a better Christian.

We must see that these challenges are FOR OUR BENEFIT as written in scripture (Romans 5:3-5). We must know that as Christians, our lives are letters being read by others (2 Corinthians 3:2). They are to encourage others in the faith. Whatever comes our way, God expects that we come out victorious so that many will give thanks and glory to God for the abounding love and grace upon us.

Formerly, I never understood God’s love for me and I must say I have reacted unacceptably to many situations in life, but at a point in my life, I chanced upon a book entitled, “CLIMBING HAPPINESS HILL” by Alan M. Bryan. In this book, I learnt to let go and let God take control because he knows the best for my life. I say this to God’s glory, after reading the book, my friends tell me I have changed. I am happier in God and less worried about everything in life.

God loves you and he is working for your good. Thanking him for how far he has brought you is the sure way to see the beauty in your life. Don’t lose heart, whilst thanking God for His grace.

Never forget the Gift || More