Thursday, February 18, 2016

THE WORDS WE SAY ARE POWERFUL?

Dear Grandkids,
Here's another thing I need to tell you about so that you can maybe save yourselves a lot of grief. No one taught me this when I was a child. If I had only known how powerful spoken words were back then my life would have been so much better. Some of the things that came out of my mouth were disgusting and vulgar and so shameful I would like to forget I actually said those things and the consequence's are still with me today, but I am counteracting all the negative, hurtful, ignorant, and shameful things that came out of my mouth with positive, loving, up building and wise sayings the best I can. Instead of telling someone how ugly, stupid, and dumb they are I try to build that person up with nice words, and if I can't think of anything nice or helpful to say to someone then I won't say anything at all. Another thing kid's, when we think we are hurting someone else with our words we are hurting ourselves even more. Jesus told His followers that it "wasn't what went into our mouths that defiled us, it was what came out of our mouths that defiled us.
   Now, the real power in the words we speak lies in what we tell ourselves. If we say to ourselves things like this, "I can't be good enough to play that game, I'm too small." Or something like this, "No one likes me, I'm ugly, I'm stupid, I suck, I will never be loved, I'm bad because I made this mistake and now everyone hates me." Or, "The person I want to be my friend won't like me." Or, "The girl at school I like will never like me." I can think of all kinds of stupid, untrue things I used to say about myself that came true after I said them long enough  because those words were powerful and I fell into the very things I said because my mind with those words took me in that direction. I started believing all those words were true and so that's how I became, which caused me much grief, depression, disappointment, anger, and frustration and all those feelings made me even worse. I believed I was dumb, ugly, unlovable, stupid, weak, and would never be loved, always poor, always lacking, never having what I wanted and never being the kind of person who was loved and respected. The kind of person who was looked up to and admired for being polite, respectful, thoughtful, generous, kind, trustworthy, and friendly.
Because of what I was told about myself, the words my dad spoke to me, and the words I spoke to myself in my mind, and out loud, that was who I became. I was one of the bad kids, the kid that cussed, smoked, bullied, was disrespectful, selfish, without manners, hurtful to others, negative about almost everything, so that's how my life was for many years. If only I would have had someone to show me the error of my ways, the 'words' I spoke to others and to myself were so important. That's why I'm letting you know now that you should be careful about what you say to your self and others because, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it's fruit." Proverbs 18:21  (N.K.J.V.) and, "The fools lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating." Proverbs 18:6 (N.I.V.) and "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."  Proverbs 17:28 (N.I.V.)
We all need to take these words to heart and be careful of what we say, even  now I have to think about what I'm saying and be careful not to put my "foot in my mouth" so to speak, and sometimes I still say things I need to apologize for. What I hope to teach you with this letter is to just be aware of how powerful the words you speak and think are. Here's how you should use your words, "I am smart, I am strong, I am lovable, kind, generous, helpful, friendly, funny, honest, trustworthy. People like me, I am a good friend. I am beautiful, handsome, talented, skillful, thoughtful, godly, and funny. I am well provided for by God. God heals me, helps me, protects me and loves me. I am a giver. Read and listen to God's Word to get rid of the negative words the 'world' teaches. And remember, "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12  (N.I.V.)
So, say the words that describe what you want your life to be like and keep on saying those words until it becomes reality even if you don't feel that way or your life is not that way yet it will happen as you say so don't give up but keep on using your words wisely and you will save yourself much grief. This also takes practice.... Love Grandpap

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." Proverbs 13:3 (N.I.V.)
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18 (N.I.V.)
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in silver settings." Proverbs 25:11  (N.I.V.)

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, in Jesus name we pray that You help us to control our tongues and to think about what we say and help us to always speak good words about ourselves and others. Let us use words to help us live better lives and to be a blessing to others. Help us to build each other up and not tear each other down with our words. And thank You especially for Your Word which gives us life and health and power. In the name of Jesus, Yeshua, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, according to Your Word, make it so... Amen

    

Monday, February 15, 2016

FORGIVENESS ?

Dear Grandkids,
I'm writing this letter to let you know how important it is for you to forgive others who may have wronged you or made you mad. Forgiveness should be immediate and sincere. It is not that easy to do and again this may take practice on your part.
As you grow and mature you are bound to have someone in your life that will do or say something that will hurt or offend you so the sooner you learn this lesson the better for you. Because 9 out of 10 times the person doing the offense could care less if you are hurt so you are not forgiving for their sake but for your own sake. The longer we hold unforgivness in our hearts the longer we are robbing ourselves of joy and peace in our own minds. Here's what Jesus said about forgiveness, "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" "I do not say to you up to seven times, but seventy times seven....." Matthew 18:21-22. That means forgiving always. Like if you are at school and another kid does something to you that hurts or offends you and you don't forgive them then every time you see that kid you have a bad feeling in your heart and remember what they did or said. This is a joy stealer and a peace of mind thief. Yes, if we hold back forgiveness then we give them that power over us to take away our joy and peace. So be quick to forgive and slow to get mad. As soon as someone does something to steal your joy tell them something like this, "What you said really hurt my feelings but I forgive you." "What you did really offended me but I just wanted to let you know I forgive you for it."  
This is maybe a little harder than the other way, which is the opposite, like a "pay back." Like if someone calls you a bad name and then you call them a worse name. Or if someone steals from you or lies to you then you pay them back by doing worse to them. Again, I take this advise from the bible where it says, "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men." Romans 12:17  (N.K.J.V.)  And again, this may take practice because it is our natural instinct to want to pay back evil for evil but that only makes things worse for everyone. I'm sure you will have the opportunity to try this both ways, being "forgiving" and choosing "pay back," you'll see what I mean.
Now here's the hardest part of forgiving, it's when you do something really bad or hurt someone you love and care about and when you have to forgive yourself, now that's the hard part. I struggle with this daily. I have a hard time forgiving myself for the things I've done in the past that hurt the people I love the most. I won't go into all the details because I don't want to go back there. I only wish I could take back all the hurtful and selfish things I've said and done in the past to the people that I loved the most. So what I'm trying to tell you now, is to think about what you say or do before you do or say something you will regret because you can avoid so much heart ache that way. OK say, you are disrespectful to your dad and mom or you hurt their feelings in one way or another, later on you may wish you hadn't been that way toward them and now you must forgive yourself. Or you get into a relationship with someone and you are unfaithful to them and hurt them deeply and they never heal. Even though you love that person the pain you caused them will still haunt you. It's just easier to not to do things for which you need to be forgiven or you need to forgive yourself for.
Jesus died for all of us to be forgiven of all our sins and wrong doing so we need to likewise forgive those who have wronged us. This is more wisdom from His Word. This is the "Kingdom" way.  The "world" does not think this way so if you take this wisdom to heart it will make your life much better and you will be blessed on account of it. If you chose to do things the way of the "world" then you will be under the curse of the "world." We can chose "blessing" or "cursing" I would chose the blessing, it's a way better way.   Love Grandpap

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Here's what Jesus says:

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."   Mark 11:24-26  (N.I.V.)

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord God, in the name of Jesus, thank You for Your Word and the wisdom that You share with us. Thank You for loving us and forgiving us and for saving us from all our wrong doing and sin. Help us to be better people and bring glory and honor to Your name. Let us be forgiving to others who have wronged us not only for their sakes but especially for our own sakes and help us to forgive ourselves for the wrongs we have done that still haunt us and hold us back from feeling joy and peace within us. I forgive all those who have hurt me in the past from the least to the greatest and I pray for extra strength to forgive myself for the ignorant and selfish things I've done in the past to those I love the most. In the name of Jesus, Yeshua, our Lord and King make it so..... Amen  
     

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

YOUR INHERITANCE?

Dear Grandkids,
 I spent most of my life working and lived paycheck to paycheck just like my dad and his dad before him. Our family had no 'wealth' to speak of. If only they were taught the biblical principles of how to become wealthy things would be so much different for all of us today. But now, we have the Word of God to guide us and set us on the right path. Even though I am just learning how all this works, I have not been in lack for years since I began to understand that God give us the power to become wealthy and we only need to follow His instructions to prosper.
I offer no excuses to you now for not having much to leave behind for all of you except that I have had to deal with personal issues that have held me back from experiencing God's best for my life. I will talk about these 'issues' later. At the time I am writing this letter to you the only thing I have to leave behind is a small tract of land and the mineral rights that go with it. And it's not even paid for yet. But I am only 60 years old and by the grace of the Lord I hope to have this paid off before I die. And what ever possessions I have accumulated at that time you are all welcome to split up between you. But the 'real' wealth I am leaving you is not silver, or gold, or precious gems, or a bunch of hundred dollar bills hidden in my hiding places, but it is the wisdom that is found in God's Word. I can't stress this enough to you! If you follow God's ways you will become as wealthy as you have the faith to become. The way you do this is first you 'must' believe that He is God and He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Then thank Him for answering your prayers, not for 'money' but for blessings, prosperity, freedom, security, contentment, joy, peace of mind, provision, more than enough of every good thing to be a blessing to others by giving and sharing, there by bringing glory and honor to His name. That's what you should pray for not "Lord please give me a million dollars", no, listen kids, you need to ask for what is in His kingdom and believe me, there is no such thing as money there. So, when you pray for the things in His kingdom all these other things will be added to you in this life.
I will give you an example of how this worked in my life. Not many years ago, about five to be exact, I started a blog and I posted almost everyday. I got up early before I had to leave for work and wrote down my requests and prayers to God. I read the Word and shared that with whoever would read it. I prayed for exactly what I told you to pray for and I thanked Him before I received anything. That's what 'faith' is, believing 'before' you actually see it be real in your life. Well, after one year most of those prayers were answered, I had quit my cigarette habit the first month, I was able to retire the sixth month, I was a blessing to people I didn't even know by giving consistently, even when I was on unemployment I gave 10%, then out of the blue, I got a financial break through of $108,000.00 which was more money than I'd ever seen in my hand at one time in my life. Those are just a few of the things God made happen for me. And I am not perfect person, I am a sinner, even today I struggle with sin but I confess those sins and weaknesses, all the selfish desires, all the wrong thoughts I have, everything I do I know is not good and try to do better. I confess all these things to God and He forgives me. Much the same way your mom and dad and me will forgive you of whatever you might do that is bad or wrong because we 'really' love you. But God loves us even more. So know that there is nothing you could ever do to stop God from loving you and caring for you. Believe me when I tell you that He does not want to see any of us begging for food and living in lack and poverty. Remember, He is your heavenly Father, your Creator and your Source for all good things. Talk to Him now and you will have whatever you ask for in faith believing.
There is so much more I can't wait to tell you but for now you can practice talking to your heavenly Dad, in Hebrew they call Him Abba, which means Daddy. So, my advice to you if you want to be 'rich' in this life is just ask your heavenly 'Daddy' for the things in His kingdom and wait. You'll see what I'm saying is true.    I love you, Grandpap

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

"But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to you forefathers, as it is today."   Deuteronomy 8:18  (N.I.V.)

"A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous."  Proverbs 13:22   (N.I.V.)

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes other will himself be refreshed."   Proverbs 11:25  (N.I.V.)


PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank You Father God for all our blessings, especially for Your Word that gives us wisdom and instructions on how to prosper and be secure and not lack any good thing. Thank You for loving us even when we are bad and don't listen to You and for setting us on the right path when we ask. Help us to learn more about Your kingdom and how it works in our lives now so we can experience true joy and peace and prosperity. You are awesome Father God! Thank You Abba Father for answering our prayers and watching over us and keeping us safe and happy in these last days before You come back here and gather all of us to Yourself... In the name of Jesus, Yeshua, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, according to Your Word make it so.....Amen