What's in Your Words?

A popular commercial asks the viewer, "What's in your wallet?" A few years ago, the big-selling question was"Got Milk?" Apparently viewers liked/like being asked questions. Here's a question that is, perhaps, new to you: "What's in your words?" By that I mean I'm wanting to know the content, tone, and value of what you're asking or saying.

Many people are talking without really saying anything. In fact you may know those who fit this unfortunate description. As they, themselves, might say, "Oh, I'm just talking."

In Proverbs 18:21 we read that death and life are in the power of the tongue. In John 6:63 Jesus stated that the words He spoke were spirit and they were life. Proverbs 4:22 shows us that God's words are life to those who find them and (they are) health-or medicine-to all their flesh. There's a pattern here of God's words being words of life. It's then our choice to speak (God's) words of life, or words contrary to God which are words of death.

We, for the most part, choose what words we'll say on a regular basis. We can resort to allowing our tongues to spew out toxic words tainted with hate, fear, strife, unforgiveness, sickness-even death. Or we can speak words of encouragement, peace, faith, love, hope, and tenderness. Either way, it's our choice.

Since words really do matter, it is so important that we view our words as seriously as we do our health and financial wellbeing. Why? Because words are containers: they contain life or death, health or sickness, prosperity or poverty, in seed form. The hearers of your words then decide whether to believe them or not, to allow them to germinate  and produce fruit, or not. Which is better to tell a coughing friend, A."It sounds like you're coming down with something. After all it's flu season", or B."Aren't you glad for health, strength, and deliverance from sickness?" Pssst: the answer is B.

Now, some go the extreme where you can't ever tell a joke or say something funny. Good, clean humor can be beneficial, not just all day long. Remember, humor comes from God.

So, what's in your words? What do your words contain? I know that, for myself, I'm working at being better at speaking words of life, encouragement, and blessing, rather than "just talking." If I were to meet you that's what I'd be doing, because you're worth it.

How Are Your Supplies?

If you've read much about Civil War history, you'll recall that, at the Battle of Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, the Confederate armies were led by General Robert E. Lee. But General Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union forces, wasn't there. So, where was he? While General George Meade commandeered Union troops at Gettysburg, General Grant was at the Battle of Vicksburg, in Mississippi.  Fought over a nearly two-month period, the battle resulted in a Union victory. One significant result was that the Union now controlled the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy in two. Supplies for Confederate troops, once readily available, were no longer close to those in need of food, medicine, clothing, weapons, and ammunition. Without supplies men were put at risk of starvation, sickness-even death. The Confederacy was never the same.

In life it's important to know where your supplies are, and have ready access to them. Like it or not you need certain supplies to succeed in your Christian walk, such as:

1. A Bible. What natural food is to your body, the Bible is to your spirit. It's faith food.
2. Time with God. It's called fellowship. You need times of worship, thanksgiving, and talking to God, your Heavenly Father, about every area of your life.
3. A good Bible-believing (and practicing) local church to attend and get involved in.     You need their supply, and they need yours. Mutual supply.
4. Fellowship with other believers. If you work around non believers, fellowship with another Christian can be an encouragement to you, as well as to that fellow believer.
5. Access to good Bible-based teaching by reputable ministers. Most of what's on the Internet is a bunch of junk, including what some ministers are teaching. There are, however, plenty of good ministries serving up spiritual food you can grow from.

Opportunities to give into the support of good organizations. This is above and beyond tithing through your local church. Giving to missions, the poor-there are qualified people and ministries out there to get involved with. Ask God to show you; ask around. One such place is The Orphans Hands, (www.theorphanshands.org), a ministry in Moldova (Eastern Europe) dedicated to rescuing girls from sex trafficking; boys from slave labor. It's one that my family supports as well.

Philippians 1:19 talks about the supply of the Holy Spirit. By the Holy Spirit, God supplies our supplies. It is up to us to use them. Be thankful for supplies. Keep them near you. Use them continually.  You keep your supplies, and they will keep you.

How are your supplies? Smart phones have a Bible app, even if you don't have a Bible of your own. Spend time with God. You need the time with Him-and so does He with you. You get the picture. If you're needing some supplies, ask God for them. He's in the delivery business, so watch for His provision. Stay near your supplies; enjoy life.

The Five-A Team

Most jobs-most of life-involves being part of a team. Classroom assignments, sports, church production, and workplace projects-these are but a few of many potential scenarios where teams are involved. Even Jesus had a team. For the most part, jobs involve working with at least one other person-often more. Given the likelihood of working with others I have found that, by knowing and putting into practice certain basic principles, success in life can come easier.

Have you ever wondered why talent and personality go only so far on the job?  Why is longevity so often demonstrated by those whose character more than makes up for apparent-or actual-less talent and average personality?

Perhaps because, in life, character matters.

In my book The Five-A Team: Character Traits for Success in Life, I list five traits-all beginning with the letter A. When applied, these traits will make a measurable difference in the life of those who desire to succeed in life. You can find my book on Amazon http://a.co/guTlNEv and iBooks http://tinyurl.com/hd7alkv.  This book would make a great gift for graduate.

A few years ago I was addressing several college business students. I told them that, if they'll show up for work sober, and on time, there's a place for them. The teacher agreed. Attendance and sobriety are a big deal to employers. As I state in my book, perfect attendance helped save my job, when others had more talent-and far more personality.

Personally, I believe that success in life is something worth pursuing at an early age. Children can start putting character traits into practice at an early age. By the time they're teenagers they'll be ahead of others waiting at the starting line, so to speak.

I do ask that those making a purchase please leave a review for others to see. I believe that you'll be blessed by what you read-even more blessed by putting what's read into practice.

After reading the book, what additional traits can you suggest?