Hold Your Peace!

Notes on Joyce Myer's program, Enjoying Everyday Life, July 9/12.

James 1: 2-5. There is a treasure in your trial. When you go through a trial, let this be the first thing that comes out of your mouth. Watch what you say, use wisdom with your words. Your words have power! They can carry your faith to the Kingdom of Heaven and release angels to help you. Or, they can carry your fear to the kingdom of darkness and release more trouble in your life.

We have faith, but it must be released. It's released through words and action. If you are waiting for prayers to be answered, then confess the answer in faith, call those things which are not yet as though they are now. Let's not bow to our feelings and confess that we believe God is working for good and will bring the answers.

Isaiah 53:7. He was like a lamb being led to the slaughter, but He didn't open His mouth. When Jesus was arrested, beaten and led to the cross, He did not open His mouth to say anything negative. He would not give the devil anything to work with. He was not going to let His feelings or the temptation of the devil make Him say something that would give the devil any power. This was a time when Jesus was in great anguish. It was an eternal battle and an emotional one so He kept His mouth shut and trusted God.

When times are tough and emotions are running high, don't speak out of your feelings. Get away somewhere alone and calm yourself. Ask God for the grace, His strength to say and do the right things.Don't shoot your mouth off. Don't let your ego try to defend itself. Trust God and speak wisely.

James 3 and 4. When you give testimony, don't brag. Don't say things that are between you and God. Speak those things God has given you permission. Don't complain, don't criticize, don't speak negatively, not even jokingly. Remember that your words have power. God created with His words and we are created in His image, so through Christ we have that opportunity too.

Numbers 13: 27. Ten of the spies judged by what they saw and said there was no way they could fight the enemy. Two spies wanted to go fight right away because they believed God gave them the victory, and in the end they won the battle. Don't look at the circumstances, do what God says to do and trust Him that He does know the answer. Things aren't always as they appear.