Open Doors

What I had planned for today's entry is not what God had planned.  No, He had something else in mind entirely and I am honored to share this word from our Father today.   For many years I've heard teaching on the words we speak.  The book of Proverbs is filled with little reminders of the importance of our words.  I believe that our words can open doors for good or for bad.  As I was reading "Thirty-One Days of Praise" by Ruth Myers I came across a sentence that reminded me of this and was the springboard for the Lord's entry today.  "....that when I offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, I open a door for You to rescue me and bless my life, and I prepare the way for You to rescue and bless other people, near and far."

It's a very simple concept.  Thanksgiving, praise, prayer, worship, encouragement...all open doors for the Lord to come in and work in our lives and the lives of those around us.  The usher in His presence and His power, bring in His healing and share His love.  These are the kinds of doors we want to swing wide open every day.  It's like these type of words bring in fresh spring air. 

Conversely, complaining, gossiping, slander, cutting someone down, cursing....all these open a door which would best be left nailed shut.  These type of words bring in darkness, hopelessness, disharmony, and evil.  These are not the things I want running rampant in my life, and I'm pretty sure no one else does either.  They bring in toxic, polluted smog!

When I think of all the times I walk around the house muttering complaints about this or that, I am mortified to think what was walking in those doors my words opened.  We would do well to remember there is a realm beyond our, a spiritual realm that is very real.  Not only do we open the door for negative forces to flow freely through our lives, we focus our attention on the negative, pulling our eyes away from Jesus and His loving presence in our lives. 

I don't mean this to sound like hocus pocus.   Our words are not magic incantations that bring about changes in events or circumstances.  But they are a reflection of our heart and do, in a sense, have power to fill the world around us with either good or bad.  It's as if we welcome in either God's Presence or Satan's presence by the words we speak.   We serve a wonderful, loving, powerful God who SPOKE into existence the world we live in.  That is how powerful words can be.  Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness by SPEAKING Scripture.  God's Word is our most powerful weapon of all. 

Proverbs 10:11  The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

Proverbs 10:32  The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

Proverbs 12:6  The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.

Proverbs 12:14  Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.

Proverbs 16:27  Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.

Life giving, helpful, saving, beneficial...these type words open doors for God's goodness to march through.  Lord, help us all to watch our words and use them wisely, use them to open doors for Your power and love to flow through in our lives and the lives of those around us, near and far.  Lord, I don't want my words to open doors for Satan to work.  Please help me and all of us shut those doors soundly.  Let us praise You throughout the day, give thanks often and speak encouragement to those around us.  You are worthy, You are holy.  Lord, let our words by like salt, adding flavor to make this world a better place.  Thank You for this teaching today Lord.  Another timely reminder.  In Jesus Name.  Amen. 

Pick a Proverb or two to memorize and meditate on it today.