Tag: Power in Speech

Back To School Series, Children, Prayer, Speech

Back to School: On the Way to School

EmpowerMoments - Take a MOMENT daily to EMPOWER you

School has begun for most students across the world so EmpowerMoments is featuring a series entitled “Back to School”.  Read this week as our writers will share stories and learned lessons from their school-related experiences.  So, come and get on our EmpowerMoments school bus!

This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (Psalms 91:2 NLT)

This morning I noticed my daughter was really hyper or as I call it, “on 10”!  I’m sure part of it had to do with her NaNa coming to visit this week and the sweet tea she allowed her to drink for breakfast.  Can’t trust Grandmas!  At any rate, I wanted to snatch her in the midst of her speedy transitions throughout the house, but I remembered a promise I made to God when she first started attending school.  I promised to never yell at her before she went off to school because I didn’t want her to have a bad day.  I knew that my words could speak either life or death to my daughter (see Proverbs 18:21) and I eventually took yelling out of my discipline strategy all together.

My daughter continued her morning routine of talking seventeen miles a minute (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree) and dancing throughout the house.  I sternly redirected her towards getting dressed to avoid being late.  She was obedient and we then proceeded to our vehicle.  When I strapped her in, I told her we were going to pray all the way to school, and we did.  We thanked God and prayed about her behavior this morning and her future actions at school. As we pulled into the parking lot, we sang our school song as we do every morning and she hopped out into the arms of her teacher.  I was confident that she would have a good day!

I share this story because it is imperative that we not only send our children off to school on a good note, but help them recognize that God is a present help when they need to learn self-control. Furthermore, they need to know that God is not just at church, but He walks with them during school.  I remember getting on the bus every morning to face this girl that used to bully me all the way to school.  I hated riding the bus because she was so mean to me.  I felt so alone and contemplated telling my Mom, but I didn’t think it was that serious to tell anyone.  So, I prayed every morning that the mean girl wouldn’t try to start a fight with me.  I recall another incident in high school when I failed a try-out for the drill team captain.  That loss hurt me to my core because I wanted it so bad.  I cried for days and the only thing that allowed me to move forward was the prayers my mother shared with me during that time.  During those instances, I imitated what I saw my mother or other Christians do in times of grief and trouble.  They prayed.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for my children.  Thank You for trusting me to be their guide here on earth.  Lord, I ask that Your Spirit cover them with Your precious blood.  Father, I pray that every encounter is used to build and enrich them.  Help them to be a leader amongst their friends and to share the love of Christ.  Lord, I pray they remain focused while in class, obedient to the rules, sensitive to those that need them, and strong when they face challenges.  Father, please protect the teachers, staff, and administration.  I pray they operate under Your anointing through order, fairness, humility, love, kindness, and intelligence.  Lord, please protect my children on the playground, at practice, and to and from school.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to pray over the child in your life before they go to school.  Pray with them and for them.  They need to know that God is their refuge in times of confusion, fear, trouble, misbehavior, bullying, and defeat.  When they recognize that you go to the Father on their behalf, they’ll imitate you.  I refuse to accept that prayer has been removed from schools.  Teach your children to pray!  We do not know what they face every day and the burdens they carry.

What are some ways you incorporate God into your child’s school life?

Read a related EmpowerMoment:  Take Time for Them

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As a professional, Mrs. Khalilah Burton is a College Biology Instructor. She is also currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Higher Ed and Community College Leadership. Khalilah is passionate about her faith journey and uses this key scripture as her inspiration: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV) She and her husband serve as Co-Service leaders and Co-Group leaders of SustainedLove, which supports marriage get-a-ways from Family Life. Khalilah also serves as a guest speaker and panelist for various events for women and Christian empowerment. Khalilah resides in Millbrook, Alabama with her wonderful husband Donald Burton, Jr. and their two daughters. They attend Vaughn Forest Church. Check out Khalilah’s Christian weight loss blog here.

Attitude, Back To School Series, Character, Direction/Guidance, Self-Control, Speech

Back To School: Trifling!

EmpowerMoments - Take a MOMENT daily to EMPOWER you

School has begun for most students across the world so for the next two weeks, EmpowerMoments is featuring a series entitled “Back to School”.   Read each day as our writers share stories and learned lessons from their school-related experiences.  Come and get on our EmpowerMoments school bus!

Thinking back over the 18 plus years of schooling I have embarked upon in my lifetime, I immediately thought of a multitude of joyous occasions to share with our EmpowerMoments readers.  It was then that I recognized that the most influential lesson I learned was a result of my very first suspension from school.  As my Spanish teacher distributed the graded exams from the week prior, I laughed and giggled with my tenth grade friends certain that I had passed with flying colors.  When the paper arrived on my desk full of red marks, my first reaction was to blurt out, “This is trifling!”  As I searched the entire sheet for an indication as to why I received such a low score, my teacher approached my desk and sent me directly to the principal because ‘I called her trifling!’

Trifling!

It was when I arrived in the office that I realized just how serious everyone else was taking this one word.  In my mind it was my phrase of the month, nothing more than a mere cliché that I had adapted for everything. I was issued a two-day suspension and a phone call to my parent; I became even more enraged because of the disciplinary actions taken.  My verbiage of choice was not one that deserved a bleep or a sensor; yet, I was being penalized to the fullest extent of my school district.

“For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.  Your own mouth condemns you and not I; your own lips testify against you.” (Job 15:5-6 AMP)

Two days of suspension and a month after being grounded, I still didn’t fully understand what I had done wrong in this situation to have my social life placed on pause.  Back then I chose to use the word in a very loose context but the definition was purely insulting.  It did not make total sense until I grew older and developed a personal connection with God for myself.  Just as my teacher felt disrespected by my preferred adjective, I would be even more appalled if my relationship with the Father was labeled with such an offensive and harsh term.  Recently, a guy that I know challenged the depth of my love for Christ in a joking manner, but I ended up feeling the sting of his words much like my teacher did back in 2000.  At first I wanted to send him to the nearest principal’s office to be reprimanded when I remembered that Romans 10:9 boldly states that if I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead, I am saved without dispute.  It was then that I realized just how serious my actions were years ago and I FINALLY accepted my punishment.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for allowing me to learn the lessons, even if they occur years later.  Help me to stay sensitive to the words I speak into the atmosphere for they can easily become applicable to my life.  Fill me with words of Your love so that people will be able to see You and none of me.  Please keep me grounded in You that my ears, eyes, and mouth gates will continuously bring glory to Your Kingdom at all times.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Women of God, I EMPOWER you to think back over your days and look at the bigger picture of it all.  Even the happiest times taught you a lesson that can help you to become a better Christian.  Never allow the enemy an opportunity to let his “trifling” ways shine through on a child of God like you.  Have a Blessed week. ☺

What moments from your past or current school days have taught you lessons in becoming a better Christian?

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Ms. Latasha Sampson is an accomplished writer who is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Human Resources Management.  She resides in Nashville, Tennessee where she is a faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She serves tirelessly with the Evangelism Team there.  Latasha also works at Mt. Zion as a member of the Administrative Support Staff. Her favorite scripture is “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.” Isaiah 54:17

Goals & Dreams, Growth/Maturity, Speech, Word of God

How Are You Framing Your World?

EmpowerMoments - Take a MOMENT daily to EMPOWER you

I love the beginning of the year. Everyone is so optimistic and determined to accomplish new goals or endeavors that were not achieved the prior year. These goals are the infamous New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately in most cases, by the end of February, the optimism and ambition has been kidnapped by distraction, frustration, discouragement, and slothfulness. Then you start to witness the year progressing like the last one. When this happens to me, I ask myself what is the source of the repeated offense? What am I not doing?  Why does this keep happening?

There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. Proverbs 19:21 KJV

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverb 3:5-6 KJV                                                                                                                                                                                                          

When we make goals, do we consider what God desires for our life? If we don’t consult Him, and what we want doesn’t come into fruition, we can’t allow frustration and disappointment to be our pilot for the rest of year. If we don’t immediately get rid of frustration and disappointment, they will start speaking for us! Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21 KJV) We must get a revelation of the power we possess and start framing our world with the Word, opposed to what we see and want. Going forward, we will speak the Word and allow what God wants for us to manifest!!

DAILY DECLARATIONS

I decree and declare I am prosperous in ___________ and health even as my soul prospers. (3 John 1:2)

I decree and declare the eyes of my understanding are being enlightened that I might know the hope of my calling. (Ephesians 1:18)

I decree and declare I walk in the Spirit so I won’t fulfill the lust of my flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

I decree and declare that I walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7 )

I decree and declare I am delivered from every affliction.  (Psalm 34:19)

I decree and declare I am more that a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)

I am loved, creative, unique, sanctified, fearfully & wonderfully made, and powerful in the name of Jesus!

Dear Daddy,

I thank You for Your love, grace, mercy, and most of all Your selflessness. You love me so much that You don’t mind sharing Your dominion with me. Forgive me for forgetting who I am. I thank You that from this day forward I will walk as Your child exercising my power on this earth! I cancel every negative word I spoke against my life and what others have spoken in the name of Jesus! Father, today I choose to speak Your word on this earth and cause the invisible to become visible. I welcome Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven in my life, in the name of Jesus! That means because there is no sickness, disease, rebellion, frustration, discouragement, lack, poverty, or confusion in heaven I decree and declare that they are powerless and ineffective in my life on earth! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to make daily declarations over your life! Open the Word and allow the Word to lead you to speak what God has already ordained for your life! Today, I EMPOWER you to call a thing that be not as though it were! (Romans 4:17) I EMPOWER you to frame your world with a ‘Let there be’ spirit (Genesis 1:3) Let there be peace in my home, marriage, and community…Let there be doors opened for me…Let there be salvation throughout my family and on my job…Let there be courage within me!

Ms. Rodnisha L. Anderson resides in Chicago, IL and serves as an elder at Life Redeeming Ministries. She works diligently with the Singles and Intercessory ministries. She is married to the Lord and becomes whatever she needs to become to reach the people for the building of God’s kingdom. Rodnisha truly desires to witness successful single women thriving in the kingdom of God.  Her favorite scripture is 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

Attitude, Co-Workers, Gentleness, Growth/Maturity, Kindness, Love, Relationships, Self-Control, Speech

Lord, Help Me Watch My Mouth!

EmpowerMoments - Take a MOMENT daily to EMPOWER you

Lately, I have been in rare form!  I used to be very concerned about what I would say and how I would say it because I didn’t want to offend or hurt peoples’ feelings, but over the last couple of months all of that care and concern has gone out of the window!  It came to a head this week at work.  Monday, I told one of the engineers, “I don’t care if you’re not cold, the kids are; turn the heat on!”  Tuesday, I told the programmer, “I am not going to go back and change my attendance. You detained these students; YOU go to the office and have their attendance fixed!”  Then Wednesday, I said in a meeting, “The reading workshop should not be run by our English department given that the data shows that whatever you all are doing is not helping our students read better!”  Of course one of the English teachers was extremely offended which changed the whole tone of the meeting.  After the meeting, another teacher and my principal both had conversations with me about my tactless comment.  My defense was, “Well it’s true!”  I immediately felt convicted!  My mother’s words instantly came back to me saying, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it!”

My behavior over the last couple of months has been unacceptable!  The more I have thought and prayed over it this week, God has revealed to me JUST HOW destructive my behavior has been.  He reminded me of why He had placed me in this building– to be a light in darkness. “Ye are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14a KJV) My school is plagued by so many negative things: teen pregnancy, drug use, dysfunctional families, and not to mention our students’ academic struggles.   My assignment is not only to teach but also to show God’s love and power to save, heal, and deliver.  I had truly lost sight of that.  My tactless comments and interactions with my colleagues were doing three things in particular:

1) Causing Hostility – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger…” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)

I was creating a hostile environment to the point that every time I got up to present, make an announcement or anything else, eyes rolled, lips smacked and what I was saying was tuned out because of the hostility and resentment I had caused.

2) Stunting improvement – “A brother offended is harder to be won over than a strong city…” (Proverbs 18:19 AMP)

Because I have offended some of my colleagues in the past, they fight against anything that they know has come from me.  For example, last year my students got very high scores on the ACT writing test.  Many of the kids attributed their success to how I taught them to write essays in history.  Our principal implemented that strategy school-wide at the beginning of the year and it has been a non-stop fight.  No one has said it is a bad strategy; the only reason has been, “We don’t want to do it like that!”  I have inadvertently hurt the students’ by offending some of their other teachers. 

3) Hurting my witness – “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 NIV)

How can I profess to be a Christian and be so tactless and non-compassionate to other peoples’ feelings? God is never like that with me. Even when He is checking me, I know that it comes from a place of love and desire for me to be better.  I’m sure the recipients of my comments do not feel the same way, and that I could not go to them and talk about Christ afterwards. 

Paul explains how we are to interact with people in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all men to that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings.” (NIV)  I must humble myself and watch how I say things in order to complete the assignment that God has for me.

Everyone always quotes Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (KJV); however, v.20 really impacted me when I sought the Lord about this issue. “From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.” NIV   What kind of fruit is my mouth producing?  How does it taste?  Is it bitter?  Is it sour or just plain rotten?  What kind of harvest am I expecting in my life and what harvest am I going to get if I continue on the way I have been.   In the future, I am definitely going to strive to keep these questions in mind and CHECK MY MOUTH!

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for conviction!  I also thank You for allowing me to see who I really am and take steps to change for the better.  I pray that You continue to help me to talk to people as You would and temper my words with compassion and love.  I ask that You move upon the hearts of those I have offended with my words so that they can forgive me and those relationships can be restored. Lord, please help me to watch my mouth! In Jesus Name’, Amen!

Today I EMPOWER you to show the love of Christ in everything, especially in how you speak to and interact with others.  One way to do this is to EVALUATE, EVALUATE, EVALUATE!

  1. Evaluate the urgency of the comment! Does what you want to say really need to be said?  If the answer is no, don’t say it!
  2. If the answer is yes, evaluate how it can be said in a Godly, tactful way that will actually facilitate a positive response.
  3. Once you have thought about how you’re going to say it, then evaluate what is the best timing.  Pray and ask God to give you wisdom to know when to say it.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1.9 billion since inception in 1982. Because of generous donations from supporters like us, Susan G. Komen for the Cure  has become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. Please consider making a donation to continue the fight:  http://ww5.komen.org/donate/donate.html

Ms. Katrina Richard is an up and coming professional residing in Chicago, Illinois.  She strives to incorporate knowledge and life-skills to teenagers in her profession as a high school history teacher.  Katrina is very active in her church community where she serves in the prayer ministry as well as in the nursery.  She has a passion for serving in the lesser known areas of ministry because she believes every facet of ministry is important to kingdom building and spiritual development of the believers. Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Finances, God's Protection, Inspirational, Marriage, Money, Self-Control, Speech, Stress, Submission/Surrendering, Trusting God

It Takes a Storm to Prove How Strong Your House Is

EmpowerMoments - Take a MOMENT daily to EMPOWER you

One night it was raining so hard that I woke up and started to pray. “God, please cover my house and my family in Jesus’ name.” The rain was beating against the windows and the lightening was flashing. I commanded the storm to pass my house and not let any harm or danger come upon it. The storm passed and the only thing that happened was that our lights went out.

Well even though the physical storm had passed and the house, my husband and daughter were physically safe, there was all hell breaking loose on the inside. Those of you who are married know that a financial strain can put a marriage in a bind. Well the past few months have been challenging  for my family because our finances took a dive. Bills were past due and in jeopardy of being cut off and we didn’t know where we would get the money to pay them. When money is funny every other part of the marriage is too. I started saying some harsh things to my husband and vice versa. We started arguing more and we stopped healthy communication all together. Yes, I know the scripture: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:8, NKJV).” But I wasn’t abiding by it because I was angry and all I kept thinking was I don’t want to be the one to have to cover all of the bills. Instead of realizing that my husband and I are one, I became angry and start hitting him below the belt by throwing out hints about the bills. Honey, I opened the door and let the devil all the way in!

I was also lacking attention from husband. His father is terminally ill but I still wanted him to be with me all the time. Yeah I know, what was wrong with me? Why was I being so selfish? Why was I discouraging my husband instead of easing his pain? I started speaking death into my marriage and my household. Guess what? I almost murdered my marriage by not being the virtuous woman God called me to be. Whatever my husband would say I would go off not realizing that he also was longing for attention. Every chance I got I would tell him to get out or we could end our marriage immediately. I thank God for do overs!

Through all of this not once did I say, “God please cover my family through this storm.” I never even thought or cared about what my husband was feeling until one night I decided to take my frustrations to God because no one else was giving me the information I needed. I found out that we were in a terrible storm and my house would be blown down if I didn’t get my foundation in order.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7: 24-27 NIV)

I am guilty and very aware that I was not obeying the word of God. I should have been calming the storm but I was adding fuel to the fire. “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” (2 Timothy 2:23-24 NIV)

One day I was watching the Weather Channel and storm stories was on. When various earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and other storms hit the earth most houses were destroyed. The only houses that were still standing were the houses built on extremely strong foundations. I related this to my life and I had to take a step back and look into my situation and see how strong my foundation was. I needed to find out would my foundation crack at the first signs of rain or wind. “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:7 NLT) I needed to calm the storm in my life by reading the Word and praying to God.

One of my favorite songs is “I Told the Storm” by Greg O’Quin:

I told the storm to pass
Storm you can’t last
Go away – I command you to move today
Storm – when God speaks;
Storm – you’ve got to cease
That’s what I told storm!

When I started commanding the storm to pass God started working my situation out. Remember, it takes a storm to prove how strong your house is!

Dear Daddy,

Even though storms may arise in my home sometimes I am glad that You left Your word to help me build a strong foundation so my house would not crumble. I thank You for calming my storms when I could not calm them. I thank You for giving me a strong foundation to weather the storms of life. I pray that You cover my family and my house from physical, mental and spiritual storms and if I do encounter them I pray that You lead and guide me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to build a strong foundation in God by praying, fasting, reading your bible, finding a word-based church and surrounding yourself with Christian, God–fearing people that can lead and guide you. I EMPOWER you to build a strong foundation so that when the storms of life start raging your house will not be broken or destroyed.

Greg O’Quin’s “I Told the Storm”:

Mrs. Keviyona Ray is an ordained minister and co-pastor in training of The Christ For All People International Church. She is passionate about sharing the word of God with everyone she encounters. As a professional, Keviyona is a teacher for Chicago Public Schools. She loves her ministry of teaching and changing children’s lives. She is a devoted wife and mother of a wonderful daughter. Two of her favorite scriptures are Jeremiah 1: 5 – Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations and Proverbs 29:18 –  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Children, Family, Growth/Maturity, Marriage, Patience, Relationships, Speech

Do You Understand the Words that are Coming Outta My Mouth?

EmpowerMoments - Take a MOMENT daily to EMPOWER you

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NIV

I was meditating the other day about some things that have started to either come to life or have died in my life. When I was a new bride, I had an issue with this mouth thing. My new groom and I knew that I had an issue with my mouth, so this was the bulk of most of my prayers then. “Lord please help my mouth.” I was a nagging wife, but tried to act like I was “saying” things in a nice way so it would be masked as inquiries…WRONG.

Over the years, God had to deal with me about my mouth and how I approached my husband. When I said things like “Do you just not get what I am saying?” or “I can’t believe you would do that.” My mouth was casting murder on my husband. Through this death, it didn’t help that we were going through individual emotional problems, financial problems, job problems, and identity problems. Over the years God had to teach me the true underlying issue with taming my mouth. SELF CONTROL and PATIENCE. I had to learn to stop, wait, and think before I said something.  One of my spiritual mothers said to me, “Kay, what life are you speaking into your husband.” I couldn’t answer. I’d become so mad over the years because of my judgment of his decisions, different argument style or lack thereof that I didn’t know what to do.

God started showing me, in the midst of our discussions how to approach and respond to my husband. “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4 NIV). I started speaking life over my marriage and over my husband. I WAS THE ONE TO PUT THE SUPERMAN “S” ON HIS CHEST. When he made a decision I didn’t like, I waited maybe a day or two before responding. I would take my issue to the Lord for guidance on bridling my tongue.  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) My theme scripture mentions he that loves his mouth will eat its fruits. I must say I am definitely eating “fresh” fruits from speaking gently to my husband. The return is one hundred fold.

Not only have I learned how to speak to my husband, but I am a new mom of one daughter. Raising her is all new to me. When I  started disciplining her, it was with harsh tones. “You BETTER not do that again, you hear me.” Or “If I have to tell you one more time (screaming at her) I am going to spank you.” I was convicted every time I spoke to her like that because I felt I was depositing deathly correction into her spirit. I walked by her room one day and saw her scolding her dolls. Saying my exact words and in my exact tone, I was heart broken. At that moment, and since then, I’ve learned to provide gentle, stern correction that’s not as irate. Before, I was bearing irate fruit from her. Now that I speak more gently, yet stern, even if the rod is coming afterwards, her spirit is not broken or degraded.

There is life or death in your tongue. You have the right to choose. You can say, “I hate my job”, and you will probably go into work with that attitude, have a bad day, and leave every day feeling defeated. Or, you can wake up saying. “Lord I thank you for giving me a job. Father help me to see the good in it until you see fit for me to move on.” You can tell your spouse, “I really wish you would get your act together”, which will lead to broken spirits, broken communication, and anger. Or you can say, “Honey, I believe in you. I know things may be tough right now, but I am certain (because you prayed) that God will give you the tools you need to move forward and I am backing you 100%.” You could walk around feeling defeated because you hate how you look, your personality, your weight, your hair. Or you could say, “Lord I love me some me. You made me wonderful and until I can see what you see, encourage me to smile, because you made me.” What you say can determine how your entire body reacts. Study James 3.

Dear Daddy,

Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Thank you for this word today teaching me to control my tongue. I want to speak life, not death. I want to be an encourager, not a complainer. Help my mouth of praise carry over into my daily activities and my relationships. I love you for always speaking to me, so please help me to speak to others in a more virtuous way. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Is there an area in your life experiencing a premature death? Your tongue has the power to speak life. I EMPOWER you today to speak life into your dead situation and watch how God multiplies the fruit of it.

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As a professional, Mrs. Khalilah Burton is College Biology Instructor. She is also currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Higher Ed and Community College Leadership. Khalilah is passionate about her faith journey and uses this key scripture as her inspiration: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.  She teaches Young Adult Bible Study and Sunday School and also serves as a guest speaker and panelist for various events for women and Christian empowerment.  Khalilah resides in Huntsville, Alabama with her wonderful husband Donald Burton, Jr. and their energetic three-year old daughter where they attend St. Luke Christian Church.