(Romans 10:9,10 KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life.” For the last few weeks we looked at what and whom we should be praying for. I gave you practical examples and I hope they will assist you to develop your prayer life.
I believe this series is drawing to an end. As we begin the drawdown I want to flow in the same vein (for a few days) as our last message. In our last message I gave you a sample prayer for taking control of your tongue and your words. Why are your words so important? The Bible actually has a great deal to say about the importance of your words. At the end of the day it comes down to this: good or bad, you will have what you say. The words you speak, especially from a believing heart, have a lot to do with what you experience in life daily. So it stands to reason then, that words of prayer must be followed and supported by words of faith.
Let me give you a real-life example of what I mean. Yesterday I spent most of the day in the bed. We were in NYC this weekend, getting our oldest son ready for his externship, and someway, somehow I left myself exposed to the elements too long. I drove back from NYC on Sunday evening and I could sense that something was attacking by body. I could (and should) have gotten aggressive right then and there, with my prayers, but I did not. I simply went to sleep. By the time I woke up yesterday my body was in pain, I was running a fever, and I felt terrible. I prayed, stood in faith, and got some rest. This morning I got up feeling much better, but I can still feel (good thing I live by faith and not by how I feel) the lingering effects of the illness. I got up, prayed in accordance with the Word of God, I am here writing Today’s Word and I am ready for a productive day. Now, I prayed words of prayer this morning and I prayed them from a believing heart. But I must now back up these words of prayer with words of faith all day long. When I get to work inevitably someone will ask me how I am doing. At that point I must ensure that whatever comes out of my mouth is supporting my prayers and not words that can actually cancel them out. If I were to say, “My body’s killing me. I was sick all day yesterday and I am still sick. I feel terrible;” then whatever I prayed this morning is going to be null and void.
Tomorrow we are going to take a closer look at Romans 10:9,10. This passage is commonly used for salvation. We believe that confessing (with our lips) Jesus as Lord, from a believing heart, actually changes our eternal destination from hell to heaven. If that is true, and most Christians believe that it is, then doesn’t it stand to reason that the same would apply to other areas of your life? If speaking believing words that agree with God’s Word kept me from going to hell, then I have to believe (and I do) that speaking believing words that agree with God’s Word will keep peace in my marriage, warmth in my home, obedience in my children, health in my body, success in my career, and much, much more.
So what does this mean to you today? A few quick things:
1. Your words can either support or cancel out your prayers.
2. Speaking words from a believing heart is what kept your life from hell and this same combination can keep hell out of your life.
3. Speaking words of faith (all day long) after your words of prayer can actually reinforce your prayers and help you to HOLD ON until you see the manifestation of your prayers.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this teaching. Not only do I take control of my tongue and my words, but I speak words of faith, from a believing heart, all day long. My words of faith support and reinforce my words of prayer. I am consistent in what I believe and speak. I say what I believe and I believe what I say. I never allow my words to contradict my prayers or Your plan for my life. I pray words of prayer, I speak words of faith, and I have what I say. Thank You Father for teaching me to live by faith and to speak ONLY those things that are pleasing in Your sight. I declare these things by faith. In Jesus’ name, amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
