Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! (Psalm 118:15 NIV)

How I (Jill here) wish I could say that shouts of joy and victory were all that one would ever hear from my “tent”. Alas, there were many years – before I learned the hard lesson of guarding my tongue – that I said everything I felt like saying and said it exactly how I felt like saying it. If I was stressed out, you’d hear about it. If I was sick, you’d hear about it. If I was angry, boy, you’d hear about it.

I knew all the Scriptures about the tongue and could quote half of them, but I must confess I hadn’t applied them to my life. It hurts to admit that. What was I thinking? I still had so much toxic religion in my soul from which to get free. That’s where trials came in – tough circumstances to make me seek God, to ask hard questions of myself, and to start to apply the Word I professed from my lips but didn’t take to heart in all areas of my life.

Thank God for confession and thank God for repentance and for forgiveness! If you want the blessing to be operating in your life, then take a tip from me: shut up. Stop talking negatively and start saying the things Jesus said. Jesus Himself didn’t say anything the Father didn’t inspire him to say. We are called to do no less.

Father,

I confess that my confession has been at best fruitless and often even damning to myself and others. I receive your salvation from the curse in every area of my life. My eyes are set on you and my ears are tuned now to your voice. I choose words that agree with Your Word. I choose to “call things that are not as thought they are,” words of faith and not fear. Today I will shout joyful things like: “This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice in it!” and, “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” If my neighbors hear any shouting from our home, it won’t be arguing or strife or frustration. It will be joyous sounds of praise to You.

Amen!

-Pastor Mark and Jill