The Daughter: Day 1 Her Lips

Day 1 of 31: Her Lips

Theme Scripture:
Proverbs 31:26 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness."

Memory Verse:
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Psalm 62:1 "Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation."
Focus Verses:
Matthew 12:33-37 (vs.34)
Luke 6:452Tim. 2:16, 22-26
James 3:1-18 (10-12)
James 4:11
Psalm 62:1, 5
Colossians 3:8
Mark 7:21-23
Titus 2:3
Proverbs 30:10
Ephesians 4:29
Proverbs 6:16-19


ATMOSPHERE SHIFTERS!: We are atmosphere shifters! We can shift the atmosphere around us, as well as the atmospheres around others. There are many ways we can shift the atmosphere. We can shift our atmospheres around us rather by worship, obedience unto the Lord, making and stepping in a decision, becoming willing vessels. Another way we shift atmospheres are with our mouths! This is where I would like to focus. Our mouths. Our mouths can reward us. It can also get us into trouble. "Don't let your mouth write a check your body can't cash!", is a phrase we all have heard at least once in our life time!

Too many times we speak life AND death, blessings AND cursing with the same tongue from our day to day lives. As women of God, this shouldn't be so! We must know how POWERFUL our tongues, voice, and words really are!Our enemy, satan, knows exactly how powerful it is, which is why he fills our minds
full of lies and deceit, knowing that what we fill our hearts and minds will pour out through our lips! Therefore, creating an atmosphere of lies and deception around us, confusing our identity as children of God. (Matthew 12:33-37) We must refrain from believing those lies and meditating on those lies. We must refrain from speaking anything that is not of God rather over our lives, the lives of others, or even certain circumstances. 

While driving home from work one day made this truth really hit home for me. He flashed a vision of my mouth wide open yelling and filled with His flames of fire towards satan. And then He dropped this understanding in my spirit, "Our mouths are one of the most powerful weapons we have in God against satan if used in the correct way. That's why satan wants our minds to be flooded with so much negativity and negative words to be spoken over our lives and others, because he knows the power we hold once it is used in the correct way!"  Think bout it if you will. When God created this world, He only used His Words. His Words obeyed Him! No wink of the eye, flick of a wand, snap of the finger. His words obeyed Him! He is the first spoken Word Artist ever existed! That same God lives within us and has created us in His likeness. We can change the atmospheres around us with just the words we speak. We can change situations by just the words we say! Which is why it is very important to fill our mind and heart with the truth and love of Christ.  SPEAK LIFE! What's in the mind can have access to what's in the heart, and whats in the heart can spill out through our lips (without work) So, let Jesus be the reason you choose to speak today. Let Him be the purpose for your words today. This will not only affect you and your life, but the lives of those around you! Let Jesus live in your words today!


Consider These Questions 

• Why should we be careful of the words we speak?
• List 3 ways (in what way) we can speak life into someone's situation.
• Why do you think God desires an obedient tongue? A godly language

• Describe a time you spoke something negatively/ positively over yourself, someone, or a situation. What happened? How did it affect?
• What are some ways you can speak into your current atmosphere? (Do this NOW!)
• Explain how you now feel after speaking this LIFE over you and your atmosphere? How do you feel inside? Encouraged? Determined? Increased Peace? Increased faith? - As you go throughout your day, pay attention to any positive changes and write these down!
• Why do you think it is sometimes difficult to speak into our OWN atmospheres?
• It can be easy to encourage and speak life over someone else's life, but what about our own? What sometimes hinder you personally from speaking the truth of God over your own life?

SPEAK LIFE!: 

 "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." What we speak is the direct reflection of what's in our hearts. We can say one positive sentence, but if our everyday conversations and thoughts are negative, what is that saying about the heart? It is showing the direct reflection of our heart. What does your conversations look like? Are they encouraging, full of life and joy, or are they negative, complaints, gossip? What are some of the results from your your conversations. Do they encourage someone to grow closer with the Lord, or cause someone to forgive another person? Or, have they caused a division between two people. You can probably see where I am headed. 

We've all read the Proverbs 31 woman before. Just by looking at the theme verse above, we know her words are kind, full of wisdom every time she opens her mouth. Who is this woman?! I mean, can I please meet her?! I just wanna ask her how she does it ALL! Lol I don't know about you, but sometimes, I have trouble ONLY opening my mouth with wisdom and kindness. Sometimes when I open my mouth complaints exist, worry strikes out, worry's cousins doubt and fear makes a guest appearance. But the Lord knows we can ALL become her. He knows that we can become her, because we, His daughters, are the Proverbs 31 woman. In fact, we are BEYOND the Proverbs 31 woman. We will just use her story as an example of what we CAN become! 

SN (Side Note) : All these years ago, the Lord knew the Jenny you see today existed. Back in 2006 you couldn't tell me I would be where I am today, nor could you tell me that I would be where I am headed. He knew what existed within me before I did. But He loved, encouraged, and grew this woman in me to finally come to the surface, and bless the world. Guess what. He has and is STILL doing that with each and everyone of us. Yes, there is still room for growth. The best part of growth, is doing it with our Father! Let's embrace this season with our Father. We are BEYOND the P31 Woman. 

Looking at the P31 woman, what does she look like? Sound like? Am I replica of her. Does my heart show that I AM that P31 woman?

So, let's go back for a minute to the question. What does your daily conversations look like and what are their results? Are they encouraging, full of life and joy, or are they negative, complaints, gossip? What are some of the results from your your conversations. Do they encourage someone to grow closer with the Lord, or cause someone to forgive another person? Or, have they caused a division between two people? "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Matt.12:34) God desires godly conversations out of our mouths. 

• List some reasons why you believe God desires godly language from us.
• What are some ways we can go about achieving this?

We are His mouth pieces. We are His representation on earth. Not only that, but the Lord knows the power in our words. And as mentioned above in the first section, we are speaking not only into our own atmospheres but also the atmospheres of others.

Colossians 3:8  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth

Ephesians 4:29  Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

• According to Ephesians 4:29 WHAT is the reason for edifying words coming out of our mouths?

Gossip! The Lord has been placing this topic very heavy on my heart lately this year. Gossip is a DEATH weapon from the enemy. Gossip hurts and carries the spirit of division. No wonder gossip happens mostly within the church. People of God gossiping about people of God. As we know, God is NOT the author of gossip, but the father of lies, satan himself influences gossip. His whole purpose is to cause division in the midst of God's own people. When you put your mouth on someone, you are speaking death over someone's life. Many people believe that if just hearing about it and not speaking it is ok. Gossip is gossip. Listening to gossip and spreading gossip are all forms of gossip. You are partaking in it. Some will even use the excuse of "prayer lines" or "prayer request" just to share or receive information about certain somebodies. Everyone will give an account to every word spoken and deed done under heaven on judgement day. I used take part in gossip and was a victim of gossip. Which the Lord used all for His glory. Coming to an understanding of gossip, and why He hates it, God has given me tools how to defeat this spirit when it tries to present itself to me. When someone tries to share info with me about another person, I immediately begin to pray for that person with the one sharing it. Their reaction will most times reveal the true intentions on sharing such info. *Discernment is key. There are times when I know all someone wants to do is gossip, and I will tell them if their intentions are not to pray for this person, then don't bother. I will not entertain the gossip spirit. Sometimes people will come up and ask if so and so has said anything about such and such. When I respond no, they begin to tell me, and I will politely cut them off and state don't tell me. Their excuse to gossip sometimes consist of, "well, i feel the need to tell you so you know how to pray". Again I politely state, "don't worry. The Holy Spirit will lead me into praying for them unless He leads them to share it with me themselves." We have to be willing to keep our eyes to those open moments of temptation and constantly tell that spirit no, and pray for those who have yet been able to do so.

*Gossip carries the spirit of division. Proverbs 6:16-19 is an exact portrait of what gossip looks like.

Proverbs 6:16-19 

"These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren."



Consider These Questions

• What does gossip look like to you?
• What are some forms of gossip?
• What are some results from the spirit of gossip?
• What are some ways that can help you to abstain from gossiping?
• Why do you think God may be against gossip? In the church?
• List some damages that gossip can accomplish
• What area of your tongue needs to be tamed?
• Why do you think God desires for an obedient tongue, godly tongue?

• In which of these areas do you struggle with the most?

•  gossip/complaints
• slander/cursing
• vain babbling 
• lies/deception 
• hatred/ other

• Think about your past majority conversations these past couple days. Did they have a good or negative impact. Were they blessing or cursing.
• After thinking about the majority of your past conversations, what did they reveal to you about your heart?

The Daughter: Her words are holy, honorable, life giving, encouraging, peaceful, positive,empowering, beautiful, and sweet! Yet, powerful, full of boldness and courage. She held herself with much respect. (Character Focus: Queen Ester: Her Story is found in the book of Ester Chapters 1-10)

Social Media Activity: Post a Picture covering your mouth, and on it write what you will give up speaking this week, or a picture of what you WILL speak MORE! Make this personal!! (Feel free to share on your facebook timeline, twitter, any of our community spots listed on the landing page! Maybe even print it out and hang it on your wall, or stick it in your bible to remind yourself everyday.)


The Challenge: Speak ONLY what is truth, love, encouragement over yourself and others. (Verbal and Non-Verbal) : No complaints through out the day, no fowl language, nothing against God and His character, no vain babbling. Let the words you speak today GIVE PURPOSE!

As you go through out your day, constantly remain in prayer, even if it's a Thank You, Jesus or How are You, Lord! This will help to keep your mind on Christ through out your day.


Morning Journal


JOURNAL: This morning, set some time aside for you and the Lord today and pray. Journal as you feel led. Start writing about what you wish to change about the words you speak and the times you feel its hard the most. Ask Him to help you through out this day, and write those words/instances you will try to give up speaking for these 31 Days. And journal your expected out come.

DEVOTIONAL: Write the Theme and Memory Verse down. Now explain what the theme verse, and memory verse mean to you. 



Evening Journal


JOURNAL: Record or write your times in your journal through out the day of when you were able to Accomplish this challenge, or even failed and need more room to grow. PRAYER: Seek and Ask God in prayer for help, guidance, and guarding your tongues


DEVOTIONAL: Choose a focus verse from the day's challenge. Write that verse down. Explain what this verse is speaking to you. List 3 ways you can apply this verse to your life NOW!





Journal Prompts

OK, so maybe you're stuck in what to journal about, or maybe you're not the quite writing person, but you're wanting to get in on this whole journal with God thing. Listen, I've been there before. I've been stuck, made excuses, etc. Maybe the desire was there, but the motivation or creativity surely did not. One thing that helps me the most is pray and be honest with the Lord, and ask for His hand to help. Another thing that has helped many other people (I told you you're not alone lol) are journal prompts. So, for this challenge, I created a few journal prompts below that you can choose from when your feeling lack of motivation, stuck, and etc. Maybe it'll inspire you to create many of your own.

• Write a Prayer
• Write a Letter to God
• Write your thoughts from the day
• How has the devotional impacted you, are there any new revelations you received from the Lord?
• Write down the theme verse and what this verse says to you
• Search other scriptures that can help with this day's challenge and what it speaks to you
• Revisit Morning Questions- Write any new answers/meditations/thoughts you may have received regarding these questions from this morning. Maybe your answers from this morning's questions have changed. If so, write about them, what changed and why?
• Finish a sentence

                                "I recognize I still have an issue with....."

                                "I desire change in the following areas:......"

                                "Lord, I pray that You will help me to see Your hand in........"

Tonight, at the end of your day, be sure to spend time with your Father, and Journal what took place. How hard was it, did you do it in your own strength? What happened when Jesus came up on the scenes? Did you have more peace? What have you noticed about your speaking or language?

KEY TAKE AWAY

* Once we can get to the point of speaking like Christ, and as our Father will have us to conduct ourselves in our speaking, then our eyes will be open and ears ready to hear what the Lord is speaking, and just HOW much we really are LOVED by GOD! But first, we must erase every thought that is not like God by breaking the bondage the enemy has been speaking over us..we must begin speaking ONLY what God gives us to speak..which is HIS TRUTH! Truth is, you are beautiful, you are desired, and YOU ARE LOVED by God! He loves you more than honor, so much that He left His throne just be with you, and died for you so you can be with Him for ALL eternity! He can't stand separation, because He is totally against it, when He is a reconciling God! smile emoticon *

       

PRAYER

Lord, I pray that you help me become more aware and understanding of the words that I allow out of my mouth. Help me to remember and understand more fully how not only am I shifting atmospheres around me with words I'm choosing to use, but that I am also honoring You by speaking godly speech. Lord, if there is anything in my heart that will hinder me from speaking or conduct myself in the manner that You desire, I pray that You break it in the name of Jesus. Lord, help me to see my heart the way You see my heart. You said in Your Word that every word that comes out of my mouth is from the abundance of my heart. I pray that I will listen and receive Your conviction from Your Spirit when I am out of line with my words, for I know You are shfting something within me that needs to be right in Your eye. Help me to spend more time with You, and desire and honor the time I have with You. Help me to give my all, because I know the closer I am with You, the realer I am with You, I am being real with myself, but also something takes place in my heart, and find my words changing, as my heart changes and grows closer with Yours. So, Lord have Your way. Help me to show Your love to others by speaking as You would, and as You DO over others. Help me not to fall in gossip, slander, or hatred. Help me not to curse another beings life, even if in my eye it seems right. Instead, help me to seek and find You within my heart in those moments. There I see You shine the most. Have Your way Lord! I love You and praise You! Thank You dear Lord! Amen

*feel free to rewrite this prayer in your journal and change any words that will fit the prayers of your heart!

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