He Is Everything: Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Giving Thanks, Always

Praise Before My Breakthrough ~ Bryan and Katie Torwalt

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 NIVUK

These three short verses are commands every Christian is expected to follow. There are some days that verse 18, “give thanks in all circumstances,” might be the hardest to follow. Last weekend, there was a tragedy in a town about two hours from us. Recently, some friends have passed away. Over the past two weeks, I have been struggling with some health issues. But in all these things, we are called to give thanks.

The notes in my Bible for verses 16 and 17 are about choice and focus. We can choose joy and focus on Christ, both of which produce a thankful heart, regardless of circumstances. Or, we can choose to stew in our mess and focus on the problems, both of which will likely lead to a bitter heart and depressed mind.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The phrase, “And we know,” is both something we discern and learn over time as God continues to show His faithfulness in our lives. “God works,” is God infusing His power with ours, to assist us in our circumstances. “For the good” doesn’t mean that things are good, but that God is working in us and using all things for our good. He does this so we’ll see His love and faithfulness, and then share what He’s done, bringing glory to God.

Friends, on this day that we purposefully set aside to give thanks, let us remember three things:

Be joyful - even when things are hard, God’s Spirit produces joy.
Pray continually - keep communication lines open with God. Even prayers that begin in pain and anger can end in beauty and peace.
Give thanks, always - the Lord Almighty, God of Angel Armies, is on our side, working all things for our good.

...If God is for us, who can be against us? ~ Romans 8:31 NIVUK

©Heather Potts 2021

Friday, March 5, 2021

Your Words

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiuvKo-7Me4

Prophesy Your Promise ~ Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. ~ Proverbs 18:21 AMP

Have you ever thought about the words you use?

Yesterday, I told someone, “I did a Mommy fail.” Shortly after I said it, Holy Spirit asked why I used that phrase. The phrase “Mom-Fail” gets tossed around, indicating a mistake, whether large or small. But failure isn’t the same as a mistake. A mistake is an error, while failure carries with it a greater weight. Truly, we will all mess up, but we only fail when we refuse to try again.

We read Proverbs 18:21, that death and life are in the power of the tongue, often forgetting it applies to our own lives. Every day, we can listen to—and speak—the lies Satan has concocted for us, including that we’re failures. Or we can speak God’s promises over ourselves:

I am the daughter of the King and the Bride of Christ, (Psalm 45:9). I will not suffer shame; I will not be humiliated. My victory is in the Lord! My Maker is my Husband—the Lord Almighty is His Name, the Holy One of Israel is my Redeemer, (Isaiah 54:4-5). God did not give me a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given me a spirit] of power and of love and of a sound mind, (2 Timothy 1:7). I am a good mom, raising children who are wise beyond their years, beautiful inside and out, and have a heart that is strong after Father God. I thank you, Lord Jesus, that our children will be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and moral purity, (1 Timothy 4:12). As we teach our children about Father God and His Word, it will stimulate, penetrate, teach and be impressed diligently upon their hearts and minds, (Deuteronomy 6:7). Therefore this is what the Lord says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve Me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be My spokesman,” (Jeremiah 15:19).

God has given us the power to choose life or death for our lives—to speak worthy, not worthless, words. It’s a great responsibility; one which He will help us carry out, for our good and His glory, when we turn to Him and His Word as our guide.