A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos
Today’s Bible Verse
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:10
The Power of the Tongue
God placed the authority in our mouths to release life or to bring death, to bless or to curse. Therefore, our words either edify or demolish, either motivate or discourage. Our words become a prophecies, they are like a path that a person draws for himself and for his family to walk on. When a negative word is spoken, a route for the family destiny or for future generations is being drawn out. God gave us the privilege to change all of the negative circumstances with our words into a fruitful land of blessing. It is by means of our words that we can dismantle the slide that was sending us to hell and begin to build the staircase that will take us to eternal glory.
Solomon said, “You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth” (Proverbs 6:2). Your life will develop according to your words. There is something that many people do not understand; the importance of blessing. The word “bless” means “to speak good.” “Berachah,” is a Hebrew word that means, “to wish good to another person.” With our words, we can praise, flatter, and motivate. This is more beneficial than to scold, criticize, gossip, or bring shame.
When God created the first couple, He imparted three blessings to them. “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).
The first blessing was directed towards their fruit. God was saying that there would be fruit in everything they did and that their work would never be futile. In the marriage, fruit would be represented by children. In the land, fruit would be seen in the crops or in stockbreeding. The fruit would be shown in the increase of cattle, and so on. In his days, the Apostle Paul motivated Christians in Rome to show the fruit of sanctification, because it would lead them to eternal life (Romans 6:22).
The second blessing was the blessing of multiplication, which to a great extent, depended on the first one. In regards to fruitfulness, God is putting our faithfulness to the test. If we are faithful with a little, God will entrust us with much. Part of that faithfulness depends on how we are daily connected to the Lord. He can bless a life, a family, and a ministry in just an instant, when He finds people who are faithful to Him and to His Word.
The third blessing is authority. It was the first couple that was given dominion over creation, not creation over man. Man was responsible to rule over all of the creation and work on the land to produce all that was needed. When man takes responsibility for what God has given him, he will not need anything.
Something to Think About
The great scientist Thomas Edison was a humble newspaper salesman in his childhood. This is how he struggled through his youth.
One day he went to see the owner of a great company and showed him his inventions, a wireless radio with which he could communicate news to the subsidiary company that was about 20 kilometers away. The owner offered him 15,000 dollars for the right to use the invention. Back then it was a great amount, and he handed him a check. The young inventor took the check to the bank and asked for cash, but the teller told the stranger, “I cannot give you the money this way.” Completely depressed Edison returned home.
A friend went to visit Edison and found him very sad. Edison told him what had happened. “Show me the check,” his friend replied. Edison went to look for it and put it in his hands. “But you are rich, the check is in your name. The 15,000 dollars will be paid out to you, you just forgot to provide identification and sign the back of the check. That is why the teller was not able to give you the money.
Each promise that is in the Word of God is for each one of us, we only have to mark them with our name, with our family’s name, with each one of our petitions. The Word of God is such a great treasure, that when we declare and proclaim it as our own we will become the most enriched people of the earth.
Prayer
“Beloved God, take your tongs and fiery coal and burn every foolish word that comes out of my mouth. Let me speak only that which gives life to those who listen. Make my lips a source of blessing where people can quench their thirst; where the weary can renew their strength; where those who went off course are drawn towards You once again; and where those who are in the profound pit of depression can find hope and salvation. Thank You, Lord Jesus, Amen.”
Declaration
Words of faith, hope and life come out of my lips every day.
Today’s Bible Reading
Our Bible Reading Plan gives 25 daily readings per month. There is no scheduled reading for today. You can use this time to catch up on any readings you may have missed, or read through previous passages again.
