Words That Produce Life

Well, I have finally become an official resident of the Volunteer state, Tennessee!  Earlier this week, I spent an entire morning driving out to the next town about 30+ minutes away, in order to surrender my Oklahoma driving license in exchange for a Tennessee Real ID driver’s license.  Then I turned around and headed back home to Mt Juliet and a stop at the county clerk’s office to acquire a Tennessee license plate. 

As it turns out, I was minus one important piece of documentation… my car’s Oklahoma registered pink slip (which was actually green), and needed to drive back to my place, which thankfully wasn’t too far away.  Upon my return to the clerk’s office, I opted to get a specialty plate that celebrates Tennessee’s rich music history and just happens to have a picture of a guitar on it that looks exactly like my brother’s 1960’s replica, that he played during our band days (and still has today) in the late sixties and early seventies!  I sent him a picture of the plate and told him that it was in honor of him and our band, “The Higher Priced Spread.”

I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed or not, but going to these governmental state and county offices tends to not be most people’s favorite activity.  And from what I have personally experienced in the four different states that I have lived in… this distaste seems to be a common thread.  So, I had to laugh and make a quick decision that I was going to keep a positive and joyful demeanor, when I drove up to the Driver’s License office and the line was with at least ten people standing outside the door!

As I inched toward the door, I could hear the moans and groans and less than complimentary remarks about how slowly things seemed to be moving.  But I kept a smile and interjected a humorous remark whenever it seemed to fit.  And you know… it really wasn’t that long a wait.  I was in and out within an hour and before long had the not-so-happy looking clerk (at both offices I went to) smiling, laughing and thanking me for coming in!

So, when I finally got home, I felt satisfied that I had brought a little bit of cheer and LIFE into the lives of those individuals that I interacted with. 

In last week’s blog post, we talked about speaking Words that give LIFE and took a peek at the scripture from the book of Proverbs where King Solomon wrote,

“Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.” (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

And I mentioned in the postscript, that in my next post, we would look at a few places where we could find Words that give LIFE that we can speak into the lives of those around us.  Well… I am pretty sure that you’ve already deduced that I was going to point us to the Scriptures to find power-packed, creative Words that are infused with the glory of God… that we can put into our hearts and then release through our mouths into the atmosphere we inhabit!  So… then… Let’s Do It!

In John 1:1 & 4 the Apostle of LOVE wrote that,

“In the beginning the Word (ie; Jesus) already existed. The Word (ie; Jesus) was with God, and the Word (ie; Jesus) was God…  He was the source of life, and that life was the light for humanity.” (God’s Word ©) 

This verse, and many like it throughout the Bible, informs us that God’s Word is actually Jesus talking to us and is in fact, the very source and power of the life that we need in which to bring the tangible, life and/or situation changing presence of His power into everything we do, say and think!

When I interact with people, like at the two different agencies I went to get my new state documents, the Word that is inside of me just sort of comes out in my conversations.  It has become a part of who I am… I guess that was one of the many things from my wife’s life that rubbed off on me!   And it is that Word… Jesus’ Word… coming forth from my lips, that changed the environment of complaining, short tempers and exasperated faces into some laughter, the release of tension and positive vibes around the office.

Remember, if you will, where Mark concluded his gospel, by declaring that the disciples (as examples to the entire church, past, present and to come*),

“went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the WORD with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20 – KJV)

In other words, the Lord works with us, will guide us, inspire us and teach us in our daily Christian walk… but it is His Word, spoken from our lips, that brings the life, change and the miraculous power required to bring a positive outcome to the various situations and needs that we and those around us might encounter on a daily basis.

So… What will it be?  Words that kill… or Words… His Words… that have the creative power to produce LIFE?

Have a terrific rest of your weekend!

 

 

*See Ephesians 4:11-12 / Mark 16:15-18