Mean what you say

'…Let your 'Yes' be yes and your 'No,' no…' James 5:12 NIVNIV

Saying what you mean is just the beginning. Meaning what you say is the next step. Don't say one thing, then walk away and do the opposite. When you say 'that's the last time', make sure it is! Start with the small things (like how much time you'll spend on the games console or starting your assignment before the last minute), and you may well find it filters into some of the bigger decisions and actions too. If you're not planning on doing something, don't say you will. And stick to your guns too; if you tell your friend you're not going to let him borrow your bus pass anymore, don't let him. Saying 'Oh ok, just this once', makes him think it's ok to keep coming back and before you know it he'll be walking all over you again. Have you ever heard a mum screaming at a kid, 'If you don't stop that right now you'll have to go to your room'? The kid doesn't stop, so the mum says, 'This is your last warning'. Still the kid doesn't stop—but still the mum doesn't take action. The 'final warnings' just keep on coming. What does the kid do? Whatever they want to, of course. Why? Because empty words have no meaning. If you want people to listen to what you say, respect you, and value your words—then make sure you place value on them too, and follow through on what you say.

Friday, 26 February 2010
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201002252062/Mean-what-you-say.html

Listen to your prayers, because they locate your level of spiritual maturity

What are you praying for? Are you asking God to give you more stuff--a bigger house, a new car, a bigger salary? What you pray for indicates what is important to you.

It is a great lesson to examine what the people in the Bible prayed for.

King David, in Psalm 27:4, prayed, One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. He asked God for just one thing: that he would dwell in God's presence. David clearly knew that in God's presence he would receive everything he needed (see Matthew 6:33).

Paul also didn't pray for worldly things. Instead, in Philippians 1:9, Paul prayed that the church would walk in love: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more. Paul knew the importance of love, and so he made it a point to pray that the church would grow more and more in love.

Furthermore, he prayed that believers would be strengthened spiritually: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being (Ephesians 3:16).

In short, your prayers can tell what you consider to be important. If you are only praying for worldly stuff, then you are neglecting what is of lasting value: knowing God, dwelling in His presence, walking in His love, and being strong spiritually.

Therefore, decide to adjust what you're praying for. Learn to listen to your prayers, because they locate your level of spiritual maturity.

Weekly Wisdoms for the week of November 23, 2009
http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2009-11-23

Listen to God

‘...your ears will hear a voice...saying, ‘This is the way...''

Isaiah 30: 21 NIV

Whenever you step out to try something new a voice within you will whisper, ‘You must be out of your mind. You're not capable of this. You just jumped in way over your head.' Don't listen to it! It's the voice of Fear, and it doesn't play fair. It loves to hit the rewind button on your past failures and feeds on your deepest insecurities.

But there's another voice: Faith! It says: ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' (Isaiah 41: 10 NKJV) Tuning out Fear and tuning into Faith doesn't mean your problems are automatically solved or that the other voice just fades away. No, it's more like having an intense conversation with a close friend in the middle of a noisy, crowded place. There may be other voices around you but you don't hear them because you're so focused on what your friend is saying. That's how it is with God's voice. Whether He speaks to you through the Bible, through a friend, or through your favourite podcast, He's always communicating with hearts that love Him. His promise to you is, ‘Your ears will hear a voice...saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it." One Word from God, just one, can totally change your mood. So today, take time to listen to God's voice.

Thursday, 19 November 2009 http://www.word4u2day.com.au/200911181923/Listen-to-God-1.html?bsb_midx=0

It's time to get away

"..."Come aside...and rest a while.""
Mark 6:31 NKJV

Check out Jesus' life in the gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; and you'll see He sets us an amazing example. He was so controlled, even under extreme criticism. He never wavered from following God's plan.

The good things in life aren't always the right things, and that's hard. You might be chasing after something that God wants you to leave, or vice versa. So how do you know what God wants? Follow Jesus' example, and get away! (Luke 4:42). Go to a deserted place, and meet with the Lord. Now, that doesn't mean you have to go and sit in your little brother's sandpit in a heatwave; it just means a quiet place to think, pray, refuel and listen to God.

It's easy in the busy-ness of life to get carried away doing everything at 100mph. We treat our brains like a Ferrari, thinking they're at their best when they're fastest. Everyone around you might tell you that time is money; and the devil loves that. If he can keep us so busy with life, surrounded by crowds and noise with no time to think, we won't be spending that quality time with God, which is what he wants.

Jesus turns the tables on the rest of the world, and says 'come to me' So will you? Will you stop, get away from it all, and check that you have been saying yes to the right things, according to God?

06 April 2009
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/