What We Speak is a Matter of Life Or Death….PROVERBS 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." What we think about, will decide what comes out of our mouth. And our words will betray what our heart and mind has been filled with.

A young girl, complained to her mom, that she had a stomach ache. Her mom told her it was because her stomach was empty, and said that she would feel better when she had something in it. She made her a small snack and sure enough, she felt better immediately.

Later that afternoon her teacher dropped by to talk with her mom. While she was chatting, she mentioned she'd had a bad headache all day long. The girl, based on her experience earlier, announced to her teacher, 'That's because your head is empty. You'd feel better if you put something in it!' (Sometimes children can be very profound)

Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good….for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks”.

When we speak, we are prophesying into our future. We can experience blessings in our life by the words that we speak, but we can also set things in motion in our lives, that are the opposite of what we desire, if we have allowed our heart and mind to dwell on the curse instead of the blessing. We can control our whole life if we control our tongue. Just like a rudder can steer a large ship, our tongue can determine the direction of our lives.

One guy said “You might as well smile today, tomorrow could be worse”…

The condition of our heart and our mind is determined by what we focus on the most. Our words become the overflowing of what we’ve been thinking and dwelling upon.

MATTHEW 12-37 "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

PROVERBS 6:2 "You are defeated by the words of your mouth, and you are captive of the words of your mouth."

Don’t keep defeating yourself with your own words. Your own words keep snaring you and you become the prisoner of what you keep saying.

WE ARE WHAT WE BELIEVE…and what we believe is the results of what we allow our minds and hearts to dwell on the most. Garbage in/ garbage out…I call it Spider mouth, because we can weave a web and snare ourselves with our own words….Spiders in/ spiders out!!! I don’t like spiders!

There is enormous power in speaking the word of God. God created the universe by the words that He spoke, so when we speak the word of God , the same creative power of God will be released to accomplish the purpose for which it is sent out into our world. Put Good, and healthy, uplifting and encouraging, inspiring and courageous, truth and justice in, and the same will flow out!

The word of God gives us faith and knowledge for salvation. It creates courage, hope and inner strength and endurance. We must continually hear the word of god in order to fill our hearts with the qualities and characteristics of an overcomer. We must not listen to the words of fear and unbelief.

JAMES 3:1-10 "We put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, and we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the Captain wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider that a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a potential for evil among the parts of the body. It can corrupt the whole person, It can set your whole life on fire...

Sometimes with the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. So that blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this should not be so.”

I realize that the perfect person doesn't smoke, doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs, doesn't swear, doesn't get angry, doesn’t ever say the wrong thing and oh yeah, doesn't exist!!!…So we don’t have to apologize for not being perfect, but we must start somewhere…..and that somewhere, is what we allow our minds to dwell on….

And if we dwell on what Paul says in Philippians 4:8 “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report”…. It will give us the proper building materials for our confession, and go a long way in helping us speak the word of God boldly by faith . Faith gives us the confident assurance of the promise even before we see the fulfillment.

We must speak the promises of God over every situation we face . The word of God is the sword of the Spirit that we can use against the enemy. It is spirit and truth that pierces the spirit world and shatters all that is false and deception. It is a light that reveals the hidden things of darkness and illuminates the things of Christ. It is the bread of life that nourishes the soul and spirit. It is a creative force that is able to transform what is into what can be.

Abraham , David , Joshua and Caleb spoke words of faith in times of trial . The Lord wants us to be strong in the word of faith even in the midst of the times of uncertainty and transition. You will never cross the ocean if you insist on staying on the shore”. We must speak in faith against the mountains that we face as we claim the promises of God that brings substance into uncertainty.

We must boldly proclaim our faith in God and speak the praises of God for who he is, not just what He does .

We must speak words of trust and hope and undying assurance, and avoid words of fear and doubt and unbelief, for they are poison to the soul.

Romans 10:8 But what shall I say? “The word is near you and in you, it is in your mouth and in your heart, it is, the word of faith which we are proclaiming”.

There is irresistible supernatural power in God's word; it will not return to Him empty. •• God’s Word will accomplish His desires and His purposes. The word of God will not fail and it will not come up lacking, it will get the job done! The Word of God is powerful, it has the best guarantee you could possibly have, because it is guaranteed by God Himself, to be effective. •• When you speak the Word of God, you are tapping into limitless power!

Jeremiah 23:28 “Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully ... v29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

This hammer can drive home a nail, and get positive results. •• This hammer can break down obstacles, crush barriers, and overcome all the negatives.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness…He was tested in three areas….1. His Identity 2. His Authority 3. His Source. Three times Jesus spoke to Satan: “It is WRITTEN!”, and Satan’s schemes were defeated.. He found His identity in the word…He found His authority in the word, and He found His source in the word. We don't have to guess what God's words are. Jesus didn't guess. He quoted the Scriptures (so should we)…IT IS WRITTEN…. When you don’t know how to pray….IT IS WRITTEN…When you don’t know what to say… IT IS WRITTEN!

Jesus said in John 6:63 "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”. Speak His words, speak the Scriptures, because the word of God is life.

Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” and the dead man came out...

Those words pierced into the realm of the dead and took death’s captive as the captive of life.

John 8:32, Then said Jesus, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.

We speak out God’s Word to our "Lazaruses" “You Devil, of lies and deception, come out, because you are overcome by the blood of the Lamb”…. “Cancer, leave this body, because by His stripes we are healed.” … “Finances, come into line, because my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory. My body is redeemed, my finances are redeemed, My circumstances are redeemed..”COME FORTH!!!

The Word of God in our hearts is a powerful antidote for sin. I often see the cross as God’s hypodermic needle, ejecting us with that crimson serum which neutralizes the power of sin….Drugs/alcohol/ or prescriptions, I don’t need you, because the Son of God has set me free!”.… any addictive dependencies, “You have no more control, because Jesus has set us free”…. Any and all habits that would try to control, There’s a new boss in the neighborhood, and “We are more than a conquerors through Christ who loves us and gave Himself for us”.

Boldly and Confidently take your stand on the Word of God. SPEAK the Word, and expect its infinite power to bring forth astounding results in your life.

The Roman centurion in the bible who sought Jesus for his servant who was sick, understood this. He told Jesus that He didn’t have to even bother to come to his house, but believed that all Jesus had to do was to speak the word of faith, and his servant would be healed. AND HE WAS!!

The word of God, spoken in faith in the Name of Jesus, has awesome power. It holds sway over the natural realm, and is able to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

HEBREWS 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

When Jesus appeared to his disciples following the resurrection, Thomas saw Him but wanted further proof, so Jesus told him to put his finger in the nail prints and thrust his hand into his side…then Thomas believed….but Jesus said “More blessed are those who do not see but yet believe.”

The word of God is our substance which we handle, as surely as Thomas handled the body of Jesus….“Faith in God’s word, is our substance….. (hear this) it is the substance of what we do not see but the reality of what we hope for!!!!!

ROMANS 8:25 tells us that the thing which often defeats us, is something which is a challenge for all of us….it says" But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we truly hope for what we do not yet have, then, we wait patiently for it. "

It is in the waiting room of life that discouragement, doubt and unbelief often come to visit. No wonder patience is referred to as a great virtue! It is here that we often win or lose the battle. We are often defeated in the waiting room…Even in the delays of life, we have Fellowship with the creator Himself, forgiveness, peace, new life, new hope, adoption as sons of God, a new nature, sanctification, holiness, deliverance from the curse, healing, health, prosperity, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the favor of God and His power and authority.

God’s word is as good as His reputation and as constant as who He is. He has put everything on the line, to back up His word to us! The bible tells us that God’s word is all the substance and evidence we will ever need, whether we see it at the moment or not! We believe that nothing is final until God has had the last word!.

Hebrews 10:36 “ For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise”.

Usually, faith involves delayed gratification… We usually refer to anything that delays our personal gratification… as suffering and sacrifice. If we can’t have it immediately, then we are on the Via Della Rosa…(which translated, is…. “The road of suffering”) Genuine faith involves self-discipline, compassion, patience and delayed gratification.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently (dzay-teh'-o...having an intensity, to require patience and self-discipline from yourself) to seek Him.

The walk of faith is like taking a walk in the clouds…. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the limitations of what we can only see and know in the natural realm. Thank God for those who have trained their spirit to see and value the invisible, and who have learned to see opportunities where others only see troubles and problems!

The things which hold the greatest value in my life are things that I cannot see. I can’t see heaven, but I value it. I can’t see Jesus, but I believe in him and put my life in his hands. I can’t see the events in history that made my salvation possible, but I know I’m saved. I can’t see angels, but I know in my knower that they are real. When I’ve watched Christians die, I couldn’t see them leave their bodies to go and be with the Lord, but that’s what I believe happens at death. I believe that I am more than a body. I have a soul. I can’t see it, but all of these invisible things, I believe and I value. I value them with my life. In fact if you were to ask me which I value more, I value the invisible realities more than the visible realities. I believe that everything I can see with my eyes is temporary, but there are permanent and eternal things that I cannot see with my natural eyes.

1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known”.

Our reputation in the spiritual realm has to do with things that we cannot see, touch, taste or feel. But those invisible things have an effect and influence upon the things I can see, touch, taste and feel.

Our confession can bring us to our destination, or take us where we never planned to go….. A woman called to make reservations, "I want to go from Chicago to Hippopotamus, New York" The agent was at a loss for words. Finally, the agent "Are you sure that's the name of the town?" "Yes, what flights do you have?" replied the customer. After some searching, the agent came back with, "I'm sorry, ma'am, I've looked up every airport code in the country and can't find a Hippopotamus anywhere. The customer retorted, "Oh don't be silly. Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!" The agent scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, "You don't mean Buffalo, do you?" The woman said, "That's it! I knew it was a big animal!"

Mean what you say and say what you mean! Someone has said “Everyone has a photographic memory but some just don't have film”…”Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused”.

2 Corinthians 4:16 “ Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. v17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. v18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”..

The source of Faith is the word of God. There is a correlation between our knowledge of scripture and our faith sight. The more we know about God, the easier it is for us to physically experience that belief. The more we think in the language of the Bible, the easier it is to see the manifestation of our belief. The more we think like God, the easier it is to fix our eyes and our values on what is unseen.

It is well said that “A faith that cannot be tested, is a faith that cannot be trusted”

When sickness comes – Do you believe Jesus?

When death comes – Do you believe Jesus?

When the bottom falls out of life – Do you believe Jesus?

When the answers to your prayers are delayed – Do you believe Jesus?

When you are ridiculed for your faith – Do you still believe Jesus?

When you are looking at a hopeless situation – Do you believe Jesus?

There is a reason that the verse at the exact center of your bible is Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man”.

When I place my problem beside the Lord, it suddenly grows very small. No matter how great it looks in my eyes, it is nothing compared to Him! After all, a God Who can create a universe from nothing can do anything! A God Who can part the sea, rain down manna from heaven, heal a sick body, raise dead people, and save a lost soul can do anything! He can handle it! It may be that you have a problem that you cannot handle. It’s bigger than you are and it seems out of control. He can handle it! He can cut it down to size! Bring it to Jesus and trust Him to take care of it for His glory!

Satan’s attacks will try to shut you down, in three specific areas…Expect it! If you’re prepared and aware in your defensive game, then your offensive strategy will always succeed. Those three areas which Satan will always target are….

Your Praise, (if he can stop your praise, he can load you down, overwhelm you and wear you out) He will get you to seeing nothing good, nothing positive, nothing praiseworthy, because he wants you to go by feelings not by faith, by physical sight and not by spiritual sight, by human reasoning and not by the word of God.

Second, is Your Proclamation…He wants to stop the spread of the kingdom and distract you from your first priority…of speaking life. He will succeed if he can turn your faith inward, and cause it to become a Sterile Christianity that effects no one, and changes nothing... powerless and meaningless!! All talk and no action!

Third is Your Prosperity…. He wants to stop you from sowing your seed, so you won’t get a harvest….He wants you to become stingy, and selfish. He wants to get you so financially troubled and bound, to be so overwhelmed with lack, that you can’t support the gospel, give to the needy, or even take care of your own Responsibilities!

Expect it…the attack will be on YOUR PRAISE, YOUR PROCLAMATION, AND YOUR PROSPERITY!

1 Corinthians15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. v58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord”.

That’s right, when you don’t see anything, remember, what you can’t see is very powerful…..You have fellowship with God, forgiveness, peace, new life, new hope, adoption as God’s children, a new nature, sanctification, holiness, deliverance from the curse, deliverance from demon power, healing, health, prosperity, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the favor of God and His power and authority.

With the natural eyes, what we can see is only the tip of the iceberg…But what we actually have is out of this world!

So we choose to speak life!!!!

“The Joy of the Lord is my decision..The love of God is my reason..Redemption is my new attitude…Peace is my habitation…Hope is my new direction…Patience is the path that I choose….Faith is my declaration…

God’s Word is my new reality…Jesus is my abundant life….Victory is my present position…

Let’s all speak life together…..

This year, I declare that I am stronger and braver, not timid nor weak. This year, I declare that my past will no longer limit my future and just because I couldn't achieve something yesterday doesn't mean I won’t succeed now. This year, I declare that I will honor the talents God has given me, I will express my gifts which I have been given, and I will exercise the creativity that is in me. This year, I declare that l will be true to my avalues, respectful to my God given mission and fiercely focused on my goals and dreams. This year, I declare that I am a contributor and not just a consumer, I am a giver, not just a taker and a victor, not a victim. This year, I declare that I will be part of the solution and not the problem. This year, I declare that when I fall, I will certainly rise and when I'm in doubt, I will persist.

This year, I declare that I will contribute to my health, feed my mind and nourish my soul. This year, I declare that I will surround myself with people who are smarter, faster, stronger and better than me so I am uplifted by their models and inspired by their examples. This year, I declare that I will set the standard in my work, inspire and encourage others and develop and expand my skills and abilities. This year, I declare that I will invest in my family in greater ways, be more grateful and appreciative of my friends and encourage all those I am connected with. This year, I declare that this New Year is MY year. My time to grow, excel, laugh, love, win, believe, persevere and serve, knowing that with God’s help, I am truly the leader of my fate, the owner of my results and the hero of my destiny. So help me God….