God's Recipe to Live By

Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:12-14 (New King James Version)

I love God’s invitations! He perks up our ears with an offer for not only a long life but a good one at that. But like so many of His principles and promises throughout Scripture, there is a condition that must be met. He is offering one thing while listing the requirements for obtaining it.

So what are the conditions upon which God’s promises hang? Watching our words as well as our actions. God knows that the words we speak over our life, our circumstances, and our relationships will have a big effect on each. Words that are evil and deceitful are not only opposite of His character of truth but they are tools for the enemy to use against us and others. In other words, He wants us to not say something that will give the enemy the means and opportunity with which to attack us. The words we speak will either add quality and length to our life or drain us of it.

He also requires a life of exchanges with our actions. Give up the evil ways for what is good and brings peace. Which of these words will define my actions today? I will have numerous opportunities to display one or the other. I must understand myself well enough to know that my flesh will always go for the evil ways while my spirit (my connection with God) will go after what is good and results in peace. Again, my actions will aid me in having an abundant life or hinder me from it.

In myself and through my own efforts I will fail in both these areas. I will speak the words that God cringes at and Satan delights in. I will also act in ways that work against me and others. That is why each morning I must start with a cry for help! David’s prayer can be my own, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” God will let me know throughout the day what should and shouldn’t be exiting my mouth. He will do the same with my actions. Not only will He instruct me along the way but He will empower me to obey Him, yield to Him, and cooperate with Him. He will give me the desire and ability to do the very thing He requires with all the benefits that come with it.

Father, I will not make it without Your help today. Be the Guard of my mouth as well as my actions. I want to defer to You every time. Amen.

Make Me A Servant - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rznoe3zKxM

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.