The Absalom spirit

The Absalom spirit

SIB, Pastor Chew Weng Chee

When we look at the timeline of David’s life, we see a certain trend. Every time he reaches a high, he suddenly plunges down. After his anointing as king, his defeat of Goliath, and being taken into the royal family, David suddenly found himself pursued by a jealous King Saul to the ends of Israel and beyond, forcing him to become a fugitive. After he became established as King of Israel and enjoyed many successful years, he fell into adultery and murder, and his sin resulted in a downward spiral for both him and his family. Similarly, many successful students, businesspeople, even church leaders and pastors, after attaining great success suddenly find themselves plunging down into despair. Sometimes God allows these things to happen to remind us that we are human, and that we need Him.

The Absalom rebellion against David was a follow through of the judgment on David’s sin. Nathan had prophesied that the sword would never leave David’s house, and his family suffered tragic consequences. Although David had been forgiven, there were still terrible consequences for many people for some time. Besides that, the sin had also blunted David’s spiritual acumen until he could not see the rebellion coming at all. We need to beware of the Absalom spirit which is the spirit of divisiveness in the church.

Absalom was the third son of David, and though the Scripture records him as being very attractive, there is no mention of his spirituality. It is important for us to remember 1 Samuel 16:7 which shows us that God looks at the heart and not the outward appearance. Absalom was charming, deceptive, cunning, subtle and treacherous. He turned the hearts of the Israelites against David using favors, flattery and casting doubts over his father’s concern for his people. The Absalom spirit causes chaos and confusion in a church or business. Its ultimate aim is to undermine, to tear down and gain mileage for himself, projecting himself as savior or salvation.

How come David did not spot it? Because of his sin, David’s spirit was blunted. He could not discern and missed it. We must be very careful not to fall into the same mistake. The roots of the rebellion actually started earlier when Amnon raped Tamar, his half-sister. David heard of it and was furious but he did nothing. Absalom hated Amnon and later took it upon himself to kill him. There was immorality and bloodshed in his house, for David had not taken control. If the father does not take authority, all hell breaks loose. The father, the company head, the church leaders has to do what is righteous. David should have dealt with it based on God’s standards. He would have been unpopular but it is better to be unpopular than compromised. If we do not define ourselves, we allow others to define us. We must maintain the standard of God. Though there are those who may hate him and seek to destroy him, Pastor Chew has one standard, God’s absolute standard. David failed because he did not take control. We have to believe that when we do what is right, God will back us up. Pastor’s experience is that when he takes a stand for God, God backs him up all the way. We cannot compromise on God’s standard.

There are 6 particular characteristics of an Absalom spirit that we must beware of.

Firstly, the Absalom spirit plants doubts and casts slurs on God’s ordained leadership. They criticize the pastors or leaders, saying they don’t care, that they don’t develop you.

Secondly, the Absalom spirit uses kindness, handouts and favors as their means to gain the hearts of the people. They take effort to carefully construct an image to impress.

Thirdly, the Absalom spirit needs an audience to thrive. They will speak to 2,000 people but not two. If there is no audience, it goes somewhere else. They look for people in want, discontented people, those who are anti-establishment. They are very dangerous.

Fourthly, the Absalom makes promises he does not intend to keep. Pastor Chew mandate is that as God’s servant, he tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. People like to hear certain preachers that keep saying God blesses and blesses, that it’s ok to want bigger, better things. These preachers never preach about suffering but only about the grace of God. All SIB pastors are called to preach the truth, without fear or favor of men.

Fifthly, unforgiveness and bitterness are the underlying causes for this type of spirit to germinate. Some people are hurt and offended that the Pastor hurt them, that the Cell Heads hurt them. We are called to forgive, and not give room for the Absalom spirit to work. It thrives on offenses. We need to forgive and move on with our focus to build God’s kingdom.

Sixth, the Absalom spirit is able to deceive even the elect and bring them over to his side. The most wise person, Ahitophel was deceived. He was David’s wisest counselor and his betrayal affected David most significantly.

Seventh, the Absalom spirit will surface sooner or later to cause rebellion.

How do we fight the Absalom spirit?

Firstly, be decisive. We need to make a clean cut. We cannot accommodate it, like David did.

Secondly, be discerning.

Thirdly, be devoted, totally committed to God and to His kingdom. If God is for us, no one can be against us! Do what is right, and we will have a clear conscience before God.

Finally, Absalom was caught by his own hair as he was running away from David. Ultimately, the hair that was his pride killed him. The head represents authority and the hair arrogance. Basically, Absalom set himself as head and by his head he was finally judged.

In closing we were reminded to beware most of pride, for pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Those who walk in pride he is able to humble

Those who walk in pride he is able to humble

Scripture: Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” Daniel 4:27

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 4:37

Observation: Daniel Chapter 4 tells us the most interesting story of how the great King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a strange dream about a great tree that was cut down to the stump after judgment from Heaven. Daniel explained to the king that the tree represented him, and how God would judge him for his pride by giving him insanity for 7 years where he would live alone. However, after the 7 years, Nebuchadnezzar would acknowledge the greatness of God, and His sovereignty over the whole world. Then he would be fully restored and his kingdom given back to him.

The major lesson from this chapter is found in the second passage, that we must beware of pride. We must always remember that God is sovereign and everything happens according to His will, according to His purpose. There is no room for us to become proud and think we are great on our own strength, riches or abilities. All that we have comes from God, and we must never forget that, but be grateful to Him in humility and honor Him for all He gives us and enables us to do. The Scripture says that God despises the proud but gives grace to the humble. Jesus said “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled but whoever humbles himself will be exalted”, and “whoever wants to be the first must be the very last, and the servant of all”. Jesus showed us the way by His humility and humble death on the cross. Always, always beware of pride, and remember to be humble.

Secondly, it is interesting that in the first passage, despite the judgment shown by God in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel showed the king a way out. If he would humble himself and renounce his sins and instead do what was right and being kind to the oppressed, his prosperity would continue. To willfully continue in ways of sin is a way of pride and rebellion towards God. But if we repent and turn back to God and do right, His judgment will be averted. He is a forgiving, merciful God, but we must be humble and come to Him in sincerity.

Application: Acknowledge that God is sovereign over the whole earth. Thank Him for all that He has given us. Humble ourselves before God, and ask Him to forgive the pride that is in our hearts. If we are in a particular sin, repent, and seek God humbly. He will forgive us. He gives grace to the humble.

Prayer: Father God, You are sovereign over the whole earth. Everything belongs to You, and all I have has been given by You. Thank You, Lord, for all the grace You have given me. Forgive my moments of pride O Lord, but give me a humble heart like You, Lord Jesus. Forgive my sins, lead me to repentance, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit and a deep desire to follow Your ways. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.

They trusted in Him

They trusted in Him

Scripture:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Daniel 3:28

Observation: In Daniel Chapter 3, we see yet another great incident. This time, the King, perhaps spurred on from the dream has ordered a great statue of gold to be built and instructed everyone in his kingdom to bow down to it. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego dramatically refuse and are thrown into a fiery furnace. Amazingly, as they prophesied to the king, God indeed delivered them and not a hair on their head was singed. In yet another great moment, the God of Heaven turned a terrible, life-threatening situation into a time of great reward for His servants.

In the first passage, we see the courageous reply of the three young men, and there is much we can learn from it. Firstly, they stated that they did not need to defend themselves before him. They knew that they answered to God first, and anyone else, no matter how powerful was secondary. Ultimately, it is God who judges us, not man. Likewise, we too are not to judge others, as Jesus taught “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Do not condemn or you will be condemned”. Each man will answer ultimately to God for himself. 

Secondly, they stated that God is able to save and that He would save them. The first step is believing that God can do it. He can quiet the storm, He can walk on water, He can cause the seas to part. The second step is believing that God will do it. It is easy to believe that God can do anything but to believe that He will look down upon us and do something for us is a different matter. However, as we grow to know God more, we will realize that though God is great and we are so minute when compared with the whole great universe, He is a loving, personal God who listens to even a little child who calls out to Him. When little children ask for something, they do so honestly and expectantly, and that is how we need to learn to be with God. As the Scripture says “unless you become like little children, you will no wise enter the kingdom of God”.

Thirdly, they stated that they were willing to die in the flames rather than betray God. Ingrained in their belief was that this life is only temporary, and there is a far greater reward after death for those who are faithful to God. They had an eternal viewpoint rather than an earthly, temporal viewpoint. Only with that view will we be willing to die for our faith if required to do so.

In the second passage, we see how the king was amazed at the great loyalty of the three young men to their God, and the miraculous way that God rescued them. Their faithfulness had opened the way for the king and indeed all the people to have a new found awe and respect for their mighty God!

The key point in all this is that they trusted God. In life or in death, they trusted Him and we too need to learn to do that too.

Application: Reaffirm that we are first answerable to God before all others in all we do. Declare that God is able to do all things and praise God for being willing to help us despite His infinite greatness. Praise God that He is a loving, personal God, that listens to those who call out to Him, and blessed them with His presence and His providence. Choose to view the world from an eternal viewpoint, recognizing that we are only strangers in this world and our destiny is in a far, better place. Pray that we will always, always trust Him.

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, we thank You that You are great, above all the heavens and the earth, and You are the ultimate judge of all mankind. Praise You, Lord, for looking down on the sons of man, to reach out to those who seek You. Help me always have an eternal perspective, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who chose to honor You even in the face of death. Let my heart always trust You, Lord Jesus. In You only I put my trust. In Jesus name, Amen.

Wisdom and power are His

Wisdom and power are His

Scripture: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” Daniel 2:20-23

Observation: In the second chapter of Daniel, the lives of the four friends are seriously threatened when the king decides to execute all the wise men of Babylon because he has a disturbing dream that greatly troubles him and he cannot even remember it. As all of us should do in our time of trouble, the four friends got together and prayed to God for help. As the Psalmist says “God is our refuge and our strength, and ever present help in times of trouble.”

God, in His mercy and for His glory, answered their prayers, and gave Daniel the dream and its interpretation and they were all saved. Daniel himself was greatly rewarded for this and his friends too were promoted as a result. God turned a treacherous life-threatening situation into one that greatly profited Daniel and his three friends. We are reminded not to look with human eyes at a situation but continue trusting in God who is able in an instant to turn something bad into something incredibly good.

The prayer of Daniel here is also highly instructive. Firstly, Daniel starts off with praise to the name of God forever and ever. God introduced Himself to the Israelites as Yahweh, meaning “I am”. God always is. Past, present, future – God transcends all of it. He is forever. We should study the names of God and declare it, and praise His name. We praise You, Jehovah-Rapha, for You, O Lord, are my great Healer. Bless You, Jehovah-Shalom for You, O Lord, are my peace.

Secondly, Daniel declares that wisdom and power belongs to God, and that He is in control of everything. Times and seasons change according to God’s will, and every king is only there by the will of God.

Thirdly, Daniel acknowledges that it is God who gives men wisdom and knowledge. The Scripture warns us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. All that we have, our wisdom, our knowledge, our abilities, our place in society are all given by God. There is no room for us to be proud but instead to be thankful for all He has given us.

Finally, Daniel thanks God for answering their prayers by revealing the dream of the King and its interpretation.

Application: Whenever we may be in trouble, turn to God for help in prayer. He listen to those who humble themselves before Him. Remind ourselves that all governments, all trends, all things in all creation are according to God’s will. We may think any particular situation is hopeless, but we must remind ourselves that all is in God’s hands. According to His wisdom and power, He can change any situation in an instant. Study Daniel’s prayer as a model prayer we can follow. For example,

·      Praise the names of God that we can think of and its attributes, for example:-

Yahweh – I am

Adonai-Jehovah -- The Lord our Sovereign

El-Elyon -- The Lord Most High

El-Olam -- The Everlasting God

El-Shaddai -- The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People

Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator

Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Nissi -- The Lord our Banner
Jehovah-Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah-Mekaddishkem -- The Lord our Sanctifier
Jehovah-Sabaoth -- The Lord of Hosts
Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present
Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker
Jehovah-Eloheenu -- The Lord our God

·      Declare that God is in control of everything

·      Thank God for His wisdom and power

·      Thank God for answered prayers

Prayer: Lord, I praise You that You are the Great I AM, You are forever, from everlasting to everlasting. I praise You that You are Jehovah Tsidneku. You are my righteousness. I bless You for You are Jehovah-Mekaddishkem, my great Sanctifier. I honor You as Jehovah Nissi, my banner. You hold all things in Your hands O Lord. You are in control of all situations. I will ever trust in You. Thank You, O Lord, for Your great wisdom and power, and I thank You, Lord for listening to my prayers. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.

Ten times better

Ten times better

Scripture: In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. Daniel 1:20

Observation: In the book of Daniel, it starts off by focusing on four young Hebrews who have been taken into captivity in Babylon. They were among men of excellent upbringing, from the royal family and the nobility, and they were also bright and handsome, with aptitude for every kind of learning. Basically, they were the cream of all the young men in Israel. It is interesting that in those days, the Kings of the great empires would seek out the best minds and talents from their captured territories regardless of race or religion.

Forcibly taken from home and thrown into a strange land, and even given new unfamiliar, ungodly names, these young men would have had a very difficult time. However, God in His providence, had allowed the four friends to be together. Just reading the Scriptures, we can already quickly sense the deep bond and friendship among the four young men. They drew strength from each other as well as their common faith in their living God. As said in the book of Ecclesiastes, a threefold cord is not easily broken. In this case, four was even stronger.

In the new land, God was with them and gave them favor in the eyes of the official in charge of them. They knew that the royal food given to the trainees would be unclean by God’s law and resolved not to partake of them. Still, though the official favored them, he feared for his own life if they did not look as healthy as they should because of poor eating. And here, Daniel gave the official a simple solution, a 10-day test, to see if their diet would cause them to look any worse than the other trainees. Daniel’s solution also had all the earmarks of faith. He believed that God, the great God of miracles, would easily bless them and cause them to look even healthier than the others, and God certainly did. Not only that, God honored their faithfulness, by blessing them with wisdom and understanding ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in Babylon.

Throughout this chapter, we get this common thread. God is with the young men in their difficulties. He gives them favor with those who are over them. He gives them good health. He gives them ability and wisdom to excel in their work.

Application: Praise God that it is He who gives us good health, who gives us favor with our bosses, who gives us the ability and wisdom to do our work well. Ask God for His wisdom and desire to be righteous and just and ethical in all that we do.

Prayer: Praise You, Father in Heaven that You are always with us. It is You O Lord who blesses us with good health, who gives us favor with those above us, who enable us to do our work well. Help me be righteous in my workplace O Lord. Lead me to do what is right and just always. In Jesus name, Amen.

The inheritance

The inheritance

Scripture: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “These are the boundaries of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two portions for Joseph. You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your ancestors, this land will become your inheritance. Ezekiel 47:13-14

You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. Ezekiel 47:22

Observation:

At the time of the temple illustrated in Ezekiel, there will also be an assignment of the land of Israel according to the twelve tribes. During the time of Ezekiel, the Israelites were all in exile, and although a remnant came back led by Ezra and Nehemiah, after Jesus’ death, they became scattered again throughout the nations. Only after World War II, did they come back again and from the country of Israel that we know today. Still, the boundaries of Israel are still to be extended and the inheritance not allocated in the order described at this moment.

Nevertheless, this very specific assignment of the land is a reminder of the future inheritance of Israel and God’s amazing faithfulness. Not one promise that He has made will be broken. All will be fulfilled in due time, just as He has said.

It is interesting also, that Ezekiel 47:22 speaks of foreigners living alongside native-born Israelites, and being considered the same as them, also being allotted an inheritance. This scenario could not be envisioned during the time of Joshua, but during this time, things are different. It is sort of saying to us that God has included us Gentiles as His own children together with His people.

What is spoken in the New Testament about our inheritance?

In Ephesians 1:13-15, Paul says “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Firstly, the deposit of our inheritance is the Holy Spirit. We are sure of the inheritance we have one day from God because of the Holy Spirit who is with us.

Later, Paul continues in Ephesians 1:18-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Part of our glorious inheritance is simply belonging to God’s holy people. We who hope in Jesus become part of His royal family and able to receive His incomparably great power!

The Scripture also warns in Ephesians 5:5 “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Some think they can continue to enjoy sin after they are saved. However, the Scripture is clear that those who continue to be immoral, impure or greedy has no inheritance in the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 9:15 makes it clear for us that it is only because of Jesus Christ that we can receive the promised eternal inheritance, as it is written “
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

And in 1 Peter 1:3-5, our inheritance is beautifully described as one that can never perish, spoil or fade, but is kept in heaven for us. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Application: Praise God for the marvelous heavenly inheritance that He has prepared for us. Let the vision of our heavenly inheritance move us away from obsession or trust in earthly things, but towards hope in heavenly things. Recognize that God’s people are part of our glorious inheritance. We are part of God’s great family called together to be in Him. Examine our lives to see if we are in sin, recognizing that no immoral, impure or greedy person will inherit the kingdom of God. Our minds are key. It is so important to set our minds in looking towards Christ, and growing in Him rather than looking at the world and how to gratify the sinful nature.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You that it is only in Your sacrifice alone that I am able to have a heavenly inheritance. Lead me, dear Lord, each step of the way, that I may look heavenward and seek Your glory rather than the things of the earth. Strengthen us and uphold us O Lord. Blessed be Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.

The trees by the river

The trees by the river

Scripture: Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12

Observation: This particular topic has a special place in my heart, as I have named my blog – tree-by-waters.blogspot.com. Trees are mentioned from the very beginning of the Bible, and were created even before the creatures. They are meant by God to be a source of food, of life for every living creature. However, at the same time, the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the centre of the Garden of Eden was the subject of man’s fall because Adam disobeyed the Lord’s command not to eat from it.

Thereafter, Abraham came to dwell under the great trees of Mamre at Hebron. The picture of Abraham dwelling under the great shady trees there reminds us of God Himself being like a great shade over us, giving us comfort and shelter. As the Psalmist writes “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty”.

Just as God created fruit bearing plants to bear fruit and give life, He too created man to bear fruit. John the Baptist warned in Matthew 3:10 “
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Throughout Scripture, men are very often likened to a tree, and as we study it, we can find certain qualities that cause a tree to bear fruit.

The first and probably most well loved Scripture on this topic is from Psalms 1 which speaks about how blessed is the man who does not follow evil but instead delights on God’s law and meditates on it day and night. He is likened to a tree beside streams of living water, which bears fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever he does prospers. The first quality we should desire to have is to shun evil and love God’s Word.

In Psalm 52:8, David exclaimed “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.” The second quality is trust in God. Jeremiah 17:7-8 also gives us a wonderful picture of this ““But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

The third quality is righteousness. Psalm 92:12 says “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon” and  Proverbs 11:30 proclaims “the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.” The Scripture says that “the righteous shall live by faith”. We are righteous not by our works but by faith in salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who has covered us with His righteousness. Does this mean we are no longer sinners? No, we still sin, due to our fallen nature. However, in our heart there is a desire to be righteous, and our mind is set on becoming more and more like Jesus. One day, when Jesus returns, He will make us perfect, just as He is perfect.

The next quality is a soothing tongue. The tongue has the power of life and death. A tongue that speaks words of hope, of encouragement, of life, is like a tree of life, bringing good and healing to many. The opposite is a perverse tongue that tears down and corrupts. The tongue is a dangerous member of our bodies, but we need to make it submissive to our Lord Jesus.

This picture in Ezekiel of the river of life from the temple causing trees to grow and bear fruit and leaves for healing can interestingly also be seen in Revelation. “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:1-2

Application: Desire to bear fruit and pray to God to give us more of His Holy Spirit. Pray for a greater hunger for God’s Word. Trust in God more and more. Believe that Jesus has made us righteous, and desire to live out His righteousness more and more. Submit our tongues to our Lord Jesus. Let Him change the way we speak.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your river of life that flows through me and gives me life and hope. Let Your Spirit dwell so deeply in me that I will bear His fruit and be a blessing to others.  I submit my tongue to You O Lord. Help me speak words that heal and build up rather than wound and tear down. All that I am, all that I have, use it for Your glory O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.