You may think your words don’t matter

Indeed, oh friend they do!

In a moment you can build up or shatter

With words that come from you

Power of death and life are in the tongue

Those who love it will eat its fruit

What is said may not seem very wrong

In fact, it may even seem cute!

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24

 Sticks and Stones

When I was a child, one of the ways we used to defend ourselves from people who called us names was a little rhyme that said, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but calling names won’t hurt me!” Sometimes it was good because it stopped the name caller, but other times  more often than not, it really didn’t work. It wasn’t ‘just a name’ and actually, the name was painful. It was often accompanied by a whole barrage of nasty unkind wounding words that hurt long after they had been said.

Often the wounds made by these words, though not always visible, were more painful than receiving a physical blow, and these word wounds didn’t always heal or heal properly.

I have recently been reminded of the words of Jesus to His disciples as recorded in Mark 8:15 - And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 

Leaven is yeast in bread that acts similarly to a catalyst. The leaven or yeast determines the quality and density and even the flavour of the bread as it proves. These two leavens of Herod and the Pharisees were opposed to the leaven (the yeast, the catalyst which make things grow) of the Gospel of the Kingdom and the covenant of Christ and we are to beware of them.

In the Bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 it states: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

The idea of testing all things is not a license to judge everyone and everything from whatever narrow perspective or interpretation you believe to be righteous. This kind of negative judging is simply called condemnation.

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, (obscurity) we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7

Walking in the light together, walking in covenant is not first about walking in agreement it is about walking in love.

As we begin to celebrate the appearance of the Light of the World this Christmas I would like to ask a question.

Could we develop a community church where everyone’s strengths are celebrated and everyone’s weaknesses are carried, covered but not covered up?

We need an attitude of mind and communication of mouth that highlights a commitment to love others regardless of their response.

More than ever before, I believe the church local and universal requires leadership. Just because we may perceive ourselves to be strong does not mean we no longer require leadership, fathering and accountability. In fact if we feel no need of these things we are in deception and our assessment of our own strength is over inflated. I believe leaders still need to emerge today.

Have. You noticed so much in the world is changing and actually so much in the Church is changing too, at international, national and local levels.

There is however, One who is our constant in the change, Jesus never changes His disposition towards us, He never changes in how He sees us and wants us to reign in life in relationship with Him. Malachi 3:6 states:

"For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed."

And the verse that gives us utter security is found in Hebrews 13:8:

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Since He never changes and His word never changes, who does that leave?

On occasions, I get a little concerned about certain statements I hear in messages or read in articles about the Scriptures. I agree that the Trinity is not God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Bible. We know the Trinity is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, and they all honour the written scriptures in the Bible

The same Holy Spirit that lives and abides in us is the same Holy Spirit that inspired the Scriptures. It is a living book to those who are God-breathed and it is a significant place of encountering Jesus for many millions across the earth.

We have all been taught as Christians the importance of loving our neighbour regardless of their differences from us. In an increasingly cynical world this becomes hard to do in our strength indeed we were never supposed to fulfil this command of our Lord in our own strength.

We tend to focus on actions in human relationships as words have become so cheap and promises easily broken. However, it is true to say that words are very powerful. The old saying 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me' is only partially true.

Peace is only found when we are reconciled to Father God. Every thought of distance, of separation, of sin, of unworthiness just makes us dull to the reality of our reconciliation. Every thought of "God will get you for that" and "Don"t mess with God or He will smite you" does not produce in people the fear of the Lord but simply fear of approaching God full stop. Greatness of character is shown in how merciful we are not how judgemental we can be. God makes sure His mercy is triumphant over judgement.

God wants us free from labels and opinions that others try to place on us.

God names us not according to our challenge or weakness or sin but according to His Grace and kindness towards us, and according to His purpose for us.

Empowering Grace speaks of God’s ability to help us say no to stuff that destroys us and it also reminds us to focus on our face to face relationship with Christ that defines our life and decisions,

In September and October we are looking at grace and identity in our gatherings so the blog posts under that topic will be posted to as a small addition to this topic.