Category: Uncategorized

Today we are continuing the topic of the power of words and speaking specifically about how our words affect other people. You can probably look at your own life and see where words have hurt someone you love. I can remember one particular instance recently when my son spilled massage oil all over the freshly cleaned living room carpet…..my words were less than kind, and I had to ask for forgiveness from my sweet little boy, who just wanted to give someone a nice massage. It was a lesson that hit too close to home, because I had used massage oil as an illustration at our ladies conference earlier in the year of how powerfully our words can bring healing. There are times that we do need to bring correction, and the best way I have found to do that is through the “oreo method”. The cream inside is the important part, and if you cushion your correction with a compliment on each side (the cookie part), it seems to go down better. In the “oreo method”, the process makes us say 2 positive things to the one thing that needs adjustment, or in the area that we need growth or change. Wash it all down with a little milk (the Word) and it makes everything taste great! (Or at least a whole lot better!) Let’s use our words constructively, and build, encourage and edify those around us.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Do you hate friction and turmoil as much as I do? One of the reasons I hate tension is because I am a peacemaker by nature. Hi, this is Dorette Schaal with your daily eword. I do like everyone to get along well, and I especially like it when there is joy in the room. What is very evident is that words are very often the way that tension is created, but words are also the pathway to peace. We are going to look at that this week, and find a way to use our words to ease conflict and tension, and find a way to use our words to bring peace and joy. My prayer for you this week is that if there is conflict in your life, let’s seek for resolution. God is not the author of turmoil, but of peace…..Let’s use our words to live peaceably with all. Here is your daily eword.

Monday
It’s not hard to see how we get ourselves into trouble with our words. Sometimes it is just thoughtlessness, or speaking before we think things through. Sometimes we let our emotions take us places we should not ever go. When we meditate on our negative thoughts, they often take the jump from a simple thought, to imagination, to become a strong hold. It talks about that in II Corinthians 10:4,5, and 6. The best definition I’ve ever heard for the word stronghold, is something that holds on strongly in your life. It can become like an actual force that keeps you from growing or moving ahead, because it has entangled its talons around your life.

The thing that happens so often when we let something become a strong hold in our life is that we begin to think, imagine and meditate on all the negatives that go along with the thing that is holding on to us strongly. All of the sudden, instead of a small thing that needs to be dealt with, we have a huge mountain that very often is far removed from the original issue. Sometimes people can’t even remember what the original issue was, and they are still upset and in turmoil.

God’s desire for us if that we live on the higher plane. When issues come into our lives that need to be resolved, we use our words constructively, and find resolution to conflict. An interesting fact that has been proven in studying healthy marriages is that those who are good at conflict resolution are the ones who will have a lasting, productive, joy filled marriage. It filters over in other areas as well. If we can get good at using our words constructively, especially when working through conflict, we can live peacefully with all men as we are told to do in the Bible. Sometimes wisdom would say, there are some people that are better kept at a distance because of their behavior toward you. We do need boundaries and the Bible tells us to guard our heart. Just because the words “I forgive you” have been spoken, doesn’t mean that it is wise to put your heart and soul on the line again, but it also is not an excuse for building walls around your life.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

If we want to reach our potential, two words come to mind. DIVINE ALIGNMENT! We want the tires on our cars to be aligned – we get to our destination easier that way. Our tires don’t wear out as quickly, and we even get better gas mileage. If you are an organizer, or a methodical person, you like all your ducks in alignment. It helps to have things run smoothly. If you’re a marksman or an archer, to hit the mark, you need the “sight” in alignment. Even playing tennis, golf or shooting pool, alignment is important. The way you stand, or how you hold the cue, makes a whole lot of difference. God is all about alignment, He wants order in the church – God wants His church to have proper alignment – He wants things decent and orderly. God wants families to have order and alignment, understanding submission and authority. Order in the family….what a great idea. Walking the Christian walk, we are aligning ourselves with God. To do and be and have all that God wants for us, let’s get in His divine flow, which is His will for us. God wants to enlarge us. Just like anything else in God, it starts first on the inside, so it can be manifested on the outside. You already are bigger on the inside than you think you are! When we are divinely aligned, favor, blessing and abundance flows your way! I want to encourage you, flow in your gifts, and grow in your gifts. Then you’ll glow in your gifts! Light that flame inside, and shine your light and let the whole world see.

Hi, this is Dorette with an encouraging word for kids today. I hope you know how important it is to ask Jesus to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior. I know personally that living for God everyday of your life, for your whole life is the only way to live! I want to encourage you today!

Now is the time that you are going to be moving on to the next grade. Congratulations! Do you know that in the Old Testament, God often told people to put markers or piles of rocks, or build an altar when and where something great happened? We don’t do that very often anymore, but mile markers are still important to God. Do you remember when you first gave your heart to Jesus, and asked Him to be your Lord and Savior? Do you remember when you asked Him to forgive you of all your sins, so that you could be His child, and a part of His family? That was an important day. I remember when I did that as a six year old at a Vacation Bible School. I had gone to church every Sunday since I was a baby, and on that day in June of 1968 in Mrs. Parrizato’s back yard Bible School, I gave my heart to Jesus. That was a big mile marker for me. The Bible says when you give your heart to Jesus, you become a new creation….that the old is gone and now we are all new on the inside. So as important as it is that we keep learning and growing and move up to the next grade, the most important milestone you could ever cross is the one where you decide to follow God and live for Him. Not only is it the most important, it is the biggest adventure you could ever choose. Living for God is all about loving Him, loving others, and loving this wonderful abundant life that Jesus came to give. So as you move up to the next grade, if you’ve never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you can do it right now. Repeat this prayer after me, Dear Father, I come to you in Jesus name, and I ask you, to be my Lord and Savior, forgive me of my sins, I choose to follow you, and I will live for you, all the days of my life. Thank you for receiving me, into Your Family. In Jesus Name, AMEN. Let me know if you prayed that for the first time. Today is a mile marker day for you. Congratulations! If you already are born again, I’d love to hear from you too!

It is time to light the flame and let it burn brightly. You are the light of the world is what what Jesus said about you! Here is a poem to encourage you on your journey!

As you move on to your next step
There’s a fresh new place for you
You can do and be and have
All I have for you to do

Your giftings and your callings
I have surely placed them there
It time to rise and own them
They’re from Me, but meant to share

So let your flame burn brightly
You’re my light unto the earth
Its your destiny and purpose
And why I gave you birth

You are full and running over
Here’s a bow to place on top
As you choose to keep on running
Keep on growing, never stop!
Dorette 4/25/09

For any of you who are walking on toward something greater in your life, remember this thought specifically. God gave you gifts, but they are meant to be used to bless others. Why not commit today to rise and own your gifts, choose to perfect them through knowledge and then begin using them. How exciting it will be to see God’s people doing what God’s stamp is on their life to accomplish! Start now, and never stop!

One very important element in actualizing our potential is to be people of faith. As believers, it should be natural for us to have a strong faith life. We live by and walk by faith. So a very important key to actualizing your potential is to operate in faith – Roman 1:17 tells us that the just shall live by faith. That’s who we are, that’s how we live. Let’s be believers who BELIEVE! Here are some ways to operate in faith.
a) Call those things which be not as though they are as it says in Romans 4:17, 18 The Bible doesn’t say, call those things which are as though they are. That takes no faith! When can you stop using your faith? NEVER!
b) Remember what God has spoken to your heart. Don’t give up on your dreams and visions. We are God’s sheep and know his voice… Dream Big! Go for it! Be in His will! You are God’s son or daughter…just like it says in Joel 2:28,29…..Dream God’s dream for you.
c) Stay optimistic – we win! We believe all things are possible. We speak to mountains. We resist and rebuke the enemy and believe for victory. Don’t be moved by what you see or what you feel. Have a spirit of Faith – believe and speak I Cor 4:13,16 Remember and operate in this important truth – I am not moved by the world, I am moved by the WORD!
I hope you are beginning to believe that you can fulfill your purpose on the earth. God is into doing things in ways we don’t expect, and using people just like you. In fact, He wants to exceed your expectations… He’s good at doing exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. Think about that….and be encouraged.

Today we will continue to talk about actualizing all of your potential. Yesterday we talked about increasing your core strength. Today we’re talking about one more thing that is important is reaching your potential and that is getting better at what you are good at – find your strengths and excel. You can’t be good or an expert at everything! As it says in II Peter 1:5-11 we are to continue being perfected. How do you do that? Here’s some ideas.
a. Find your strengths. Where are you strong? Add to that knowledge. Pat yourself on the back for what you do well. Start simple if you have to!
You got out of bed! You love and serve your family. You choose joy over depression, give yourself another pat on the back! GOOD JOB! You’re a good parent, you have great discipline! Perfect your strengths!
b. Quit kicking yourself for what you don’t do, or what you aren’t good at. If you have areas to improve, and we all do, look at them as growth areas! Know where your weaknesses are, but concentrate on what you do well! Quit comparing yourself with others. Do what you do…..really well!
c. Use your time wisely. To get better at anything means you have to make time for it. Find your time drains. Where are you wasteful with your time? Make the most of every opportunity and every moment you have.
You do have the ability to improve…and when you do you will be closer still to doing, being, and having all that God has for you!

Speaking words that cheer up and encourage are like finding buried treasure. They bring joy for a moment, and then often have lasting benefits!

The book of Colossians is full of buried treasure that benefits our relationships. In the second chapter of Colossians, verse 2, Paul writes, My purpose is that you may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that you may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that you may know Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We are encouraged to “know and discover” all of what God has for us. He uses encouragement to help us grow in our relationship with Christ. That is what a good friend will do.

There are many circles of friendship. I look at Jesus and see that he had 3 very close friends in his closest circle, the next circle had the 12 disciples, and the next circles were larger than that. Whoever you have in your circles, make sure the ones closest to you are the ones who help you grow. You need to have people around you who speak life into you! To be a good friend, we have to do the same in our relationships. We want to be around people who fortify and defend us, not flatten and defeat us!

What are some ways you can fortify a friendship with your words? 1) Take time to really listen. 2) Think about what you would like to hear if you were in their shoes…..is it time for a 3 point sermon, or do they need some empathy? 3) Fill your words with God’s Word. Find scriptures that pertain to their situation and let it wash over them to heal and cleanse. All of us can use come refortification, and a friend can be a burden lifter.

What are some ways you can defend a friendship with your words? 1) Stick up for them! Be a loyal friend, keep your word, and use your words to guard and support them. 2) Speak honestly – don’t let them go down the path of sin, call a spade a spade! Be sure you are honest both ways, and give them credit when it is due. 3) Most of all, be a person of prayer, and pray a hedge of protection around them. Our words in prayer are powerful! Things change when we pray…..circumstances can turn around! Why not distribute some of the wonderful treasure of encouraging words to the friends in your life. It may be just what they need to find victory on their journey.

Hi, this is Dorette with an encouraging word for kids today. I hope you know how powerful words are. The Bible tells us that there is the power of life and death in the tongue. I want to encourage you to speak only life giving words. Here is your encouraging word for kids today.

Hey kids, do your friends say mean things to each other? There is this weird trend to say hurtful words to friends in fun, but I am not a fan. It doesn’t matter who you are, words can hurt worse than a wound. If you have started doing that, or know friends who do, I want to encourage you to set a different standard. Mean words should never be spoken to anyone. We should never say them, and we should never hear them. That would be a perfect world, but we live on an imperfect earth, where we can be good examples and treat others like you want to be treated. Luke 6:31 tell us to do just that. I don’t like my thoughts or ideas being slammed, even in fun. I’m sure you are like that too. I know you hear people laughing when they are slamming someone else, but it is not Godly, and it is not right. You and your friends can be ones who treat others with respect, and choose to encourage instead of discourage others. What are some words that might encourage a friend?
How about these:
I appreciate your friendship
You are way cool
I think you are awesome
Your ideas rock
My mom is happy I hang out with you
You make me laugh
Thanks for helping with my schoolwork
Can I help you with yours?
Use those ideas to let your friends know you appreciate them. Make sure you use your words to build up and encourage your friends. They will grow in confidence from the words you say. Remember to say good things to yourself too! You can build up your own confidence that way too.

What words do you like to hear from your friends? What words do your friends like to hear from you? Just in case you need some starters, here are some suggestions:
You teach me so much
I want to be like you when I grow up!
You are such a great friend
I’m glad we are friends
I believe in you
Let’s do lunch
Can I make your family dinner?
Can I help you get ready for….a party, or other big event?
You are a great…..wife, mother, friend, prayer partner, workout buddy
I’m better because I know you
I appreciate your prayers
Can I pray for you?
God is working in your life
You inspire me
I’m blessed by our friendship
I love saying those words to my friends, and thankfully those are words I have heard from my amazing friends. With too many friends to mention, I am so thankful that words from friends have encouraged me in all circumstances in my life….joys and sorrows, laughter and tears, health and sickness, and the good and the bad. And especially over 50th Birthdays! I hope you recognize the value of words in friendships, and that you let your friends hear encouraging words from you regularly.