Lately, I've been centering my Bible studies around faith and the power of the tongue. I haven't had to reach very far for material. It seems the more I learn, the more revelation I receive...and the more excited I get! Here is one of my studies that was actually inspired by two of my amazing mentors, Grant Gardner and David Parker. They are and have been a huge source of support, encouragement, knowledge and friendship for me. So...thanks, fellas. =)
Abundance = Great plenty; extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply of fullness...
"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Matthew 12:34-37
I like the Holman version in parallel...
"For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. I tell you that on the day of judgement people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
The question is (rhetorically speaking, to make you think)... what's in your storeroom?
Lysa Terkeurst says that whatever you focus on first in the morning is what you are saturated with most throughout the day. I believe this. I experience it first hand. Although there is never a point in the day that is 'too late' to get into the Word (and I often do throughout the day as I'm led to), the first fruits are generally most productive. After all, is it not easiest to fill an empty bucket?
Let me step back a minute...
The other day I watched Pastor Willie George's Part 2 of the Armor of God series where he talks about the Girdle of Truth. The girdle is the centerpiece of the armor. Most of the other pieces are hung on, tucked in to, or attached in some way to the girdle. It protects the waist, loins and reproductive organs of the body. Now, we know our war is not carnal. Satan has a strategic method of attack by penetrating our mind with thoughts...
Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ..." (1 Peter 1:13)
Thoughts are seeds. But a seed is only productive if you plant and water it. I've heard Pastor George say that our thoughts' way to our heart is through the tongue. So, when we speak our thought, we are planting that seed in our heart. If life and death are in the power of the tongue, and the heart is our source of life, then we absolutely must control our minds. That's where it begins, isn't it? That's not saying that we must have full control over my thoughts. That's not realistic. I like what one of my mentors said to me in our last Bible Study..."You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you don't have to let it nest there." If we have a thought that is contrary to what God says (about anything), we can shoot that bird down. That's, of course, another piece of the Armor and a whole other topic of discussion...one I'm learning more about wielding.
Back to the bucket. If it's full of crap (bird poop?) then clean it out. Then fill it up with the truth and plant it in your heart. Replace the crap with confession....
Crap:
I'm not sure I have enough potential for personal growth or for making an impact on anyone.
Confession:
I am confident of this very thing... that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. My love will keep growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment. I am filled with the fruit of righteousness through Christ to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:6,9-11)
Crap:
I really don't feel like a leader...
Confession:
I am level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. I am an example of good works, self control, and teach with integrity and dignity. I am a leader, encourager and teacher and will not be disregarded. (Titus 2:1,6-7, 15)
If we fill our empty bucket in the morning with the overflowing abundance of God's Truth... we're not leaving much room for crap in the first place, are we? For then we are already tuned in, tucked in, hung on, and attached to it so that we can discern which seeds are worthy to plant.
One more thought...
Don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands...write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:1,3)
If our heart is a tablet, then our tongue is the pen. If someone were to pick up the tablet and flip through the pages, what would they learn about us?
