Life Plan Devotion #51 [Spring Cleaning, Negative Talk, Day 1]

Hi, Everyone.
I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for a terrific new week. Today, we continue our Spring Cleaning mini-devotional series. You're doing good work! :)

Life Plan Devotion #51 [Spring Cleaning, Negative Talk, Day 1]

     Last week we spent time spring cleaning, seeking to get strife out of our heart and home. Whether it's disobedience, intrigue (stirring things up for one's entertainment),or fussing about little things, all forms of strife lead to quarrels, factions (separations), and battles. As always, love is the answer, and if you ask the Lord for wisdom in how to deal with the strife in your heart/home/work place/church, He will be faithful to give you answers/ideas and provide healing.
     Today, we begin looking at a second area where God desires we clean out--negative talk, in all its forms. For today, pay special attention to how many negative words are spoken by and around you. You may even find that negative talk has become a habit, but habits can be replaced with new, better habits.
     James 3:5 says that "the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." Our tongue can sure get us into trouble, can't it. Jesus said, "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth" (Matthew 15:11). It is so important that we watch what we say, because "the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21). Based on the things you say today, what will be your fruit/reward tomorrow?

Proverbs 18:21 [NLT]
"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."

What this has to do with weight loss: Are you speaking life into your weight-loss journey, or are you speaking death? Pay attention to things you say about your journey. If you're speaking positive words of hope about your journey (Example: "I know I will get to my goal weight and be able to maintain"), you're speaking life into it. If you're speaking negative words of frustration about your journey (Example: "I'm never going to get to my goal weight, at this rate"), you're speaking death into it. What you say today will come to pass tomorrow, so choose your words wisely.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I often forget how powerful words are, both those spoken by myself and those spoken by others. Help me to really listen to what is being said, and help me to clean out all negative talk from my heart and home. May all our words honor You and be helpful and healing words for this home. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, determined to listen for and get rid of negative talk in your life.

Blessings,
Mary

Good Morning Mary - I have been off site for about a year now and really believe that God is prompting me to be more vigilant in  my study and WL journey.  Love the Spring Cleaning and the prayer - thanks for the time and dedication to keep this going. 

Love Sally

Hi, Sally.
How exciting, to read that you are following God's prompting. I'm sure your time in following His plan for your life will time well spent, and you will see dreams fulfilled. Thank you for reading and replying. If I can encourage you in any way, feel free to contact me by PM. Writing and posting this daily devotion blesses me, too. :)
Blessings,
Mary

I've really noticed the importance of this in the last year since our little great grand daughter was living here and now lives right next door, not that we were "potty mouths" but may just more negative than needed. With her around we are all much more aware of what comes out of our mouths because she is a little 2 year old parrot and repeats everything! Nothing like little ones to focus our behaviors.
Hooray Sally is back we missed you!!!!

I absolutely know what you're talking about. I learned it when my children were little, but then it came back again with our grandkids. Not only do they tend to talk like we do, but they will often walk like we do! [Do I REALLY walk like an old lady?] :)