Dessert for DinnerHow sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. —Psalm 119:103 (NLT)On a warm summer afternoon, you might hear that familiar sound faintly around a street corner—the gentle, whimsical chime of the ice cream truck. Cold ice cream in the heat of a warm afternoon provides a kind of comfort that makes the afternoon more bearable. The truth is that most of us crave ice ...  Read More

Ezra 3:1-7Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem.  Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers arose and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God.  So they set...  Read More

Pressing Toward the GoalThe Christian life is a marathon not a sprint. You learn perseverance. That’s why I felt the poignancy of Paul’s words: “. . . not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on” (Philippians 3:12). We don’t simply keep on. We press on.The Greek word translated here as “press” indicates applying force, applying pressure. So how does that apply to us...  Read More

“They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.” — Joshua 5:12Israel’s weary wanderings were all over, and the promised rest was attained. No more moving tents, fiery serpents, fierce Amalekites, and howling wildernesses: they came to the land which flowed with milk and honey, and they ate the old corn of the land. Perhaps this year, beloved Christian reader, this may be thy case or mi...  Read More

Social MediaI couldn’t close this SPEAK LIFE Bible plan without commenting on the Social Media world that we live in. Without a doubt, social media is a HUGE influence on our thoughts and, therefore, on our minds. This is a very dominating source of input. Have you considered the positive, life-giving value of social media versus the negative and destructive trap that it usually is?So many people ...  Read More

Words to Live BySince the enemy lies to us, we need to decide to speak power and truth back to him! We need to take action steps to turn the tide of negative words and thoughts. We need power-filled WORDS TO LIVE BY. And then we need to speak them over and over until they reach our hearts and our thoughts.The truest thing about me is always what God says about me…not what I think or feel and not w...  Read More

Ezra 2:1-5Now these are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city.  These came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah.  The number of the men of the people of Israel: the sons of...  Read More

Self-TalkThe loudest voice we hear is our own voice. The voice inside of us…our self-talk. So quiet, but so powerful. Self-talk is a real deal. Self-talk is something we do naturally throughout our waking hours. It is a form of neuro-linguistic programming. Because of its repetitive nature, it has the potential to mold and sculpt our consciousness.Our enemy is a destroyer. He likes to bring lies i...  Read More

Choosing to Speak LifeWhat we say matters. Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this power constructively, building up others, or destructively tearing them down. It only takes a few words to hurt someone.  And those wounds may heal but they leave scars that never disappear. Our words have enormous power with the ability to help or to harm, to he...  Read More

Think About What You Think AboutThere is life-giving power in our thoughts. Our thoughts matter. Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) states, “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Our thoughts matter as out of the abundance of our thoughts flow our words. The thoughts and inclinations of our heart shape the reality of who we are. They shape our thinking which will ultimately shape our words and therefore...  Read More

The Power of the TongueLife and death are harnessed in the power of our tongue! Do we believe this? Even though the tongue is a small thing, it can make grand speeches. A tiny spark, also a small thing, can set a great forest on fire. The rudder of a ship is another small thing that can direct the course of a large vessel. Among all the parts of our body, the tongue is the most powerful and can se...  Read More

Ezra 1:1-11Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appoint...  Read More