Pleasant Words ARE a Honeycomb!

Pleasant Words ARE a Honeycomb!

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Have you ever noticed that when someone speaks kind and gracious words to you, how they affect your life in a positive and healing way? They can lift you up and inspire you, and they can even heal you when they are words spoken directly from God! That’s God’s intention for the words we speak! That we speak directly from Him, from His mouth just like Jesus Christ did! Jesus only spoke the words the Father gave him to speak and look at the powerful and wondrous works he did by them. Multitudes were healed “at his word”, and brought to salvation!

The word for pleasant in Proverbs 16 is translated elsewhere as “beauty”, and means glory or brightness, as in “The beauty of the LORD”.

Psalm 27:4

One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.

So pleasant words are a reflection and image of the Beauty, the Brightness, the Glory of the Lord! Oh how our words can have great weight to them if we only allow God to direct them!!!

Psalm 90:17

And let the beauty (glory, brightness) of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Every time we speak the glorious words of our Father God over ourselves Or to others, they ARE, not maybe, not might be, but ARE  “Sweet to the soul, our hearts and minds, and Healing to our bones, our blood and bodies!

Harsh words have the opposite affect on our bodies. They cause pain to the heart and mind, and can ultimately lead to sickness in the body.

So speak the Truth of God’s Words to yourselves every day, good things to yourself every moment of the day and those words will become the treasure of your heart. And since out of the heart the mouth speaks, so the words we speak to one another will be Glorious, Bright, Pleasant and Beautiful, because they will be from the mouth of God, and the very Heart of our Father.

Proverbs 3:17

Her (wisdoms) ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace

ALL vs. all

I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

What does ALL mean to you? What does ALL mean to God?

Getting our minds to track more with God’s idea of what all means will help us receive more of His truth and live out more of His promises.

Many times throughout our lives we’ve been told to “give it your all”, by those who, with all good intentions, want to encourage us on to greater heights of success. Most of us know our limitations and will go as far as our all will take us. Some can go beyond their all and surprise themselves, but our abilities will always fall short of the great ability of God in Christ is us. That ability of His grace is limitless and will never run out, for God is the source of ALL strength, and the fountain of ALL life!

In the Gospels, Jesus Christ ministered to many that were sick and demon possessed, and the Bible records some of the tremendous miracles that he performed. John recalls that if they were to write of ALL Jesus’ works ”the world itself could not contain the books that should be written”. John 21:25

Yet when speaking of the many healings that Jesus did, the Bible tells of ALL being delivered! And Jesus Always did the will of his Father, God!

Matthew 4:23

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Matthew 12:15

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

And when commissioning his twelve disciples, he gave them power and authority over all sickness, disease and spirits as well!

Matthew 10:1

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

There is no distinction here. Jesus healed all manner of sickness and disease, and gave his disciples the same authority. The exception only came when people refused to believe, and in their towns and villages Jesus could not do “many mighty works”.

Matthew 13:58

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

God’s original intent for man was for him to be His representative here on earth, so God gave man dominion over all the earth.

Genesis 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

The idea that God would want to heal and provide for all is not new. When Israel left Egypt, the land of bondage, to enter into the promised land, their new home, there was not one feeble knee among them, meaning all were healed during the atonement of the first Passover.

Psalm 105:37

He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

It has always been God’s desire that all be healed, and forgiven of their sins, and to live before Him in righteousness.

David praised God for His many benefits and encouraged the children of Israel to not forget them.

Psalm 103:2,3

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.

God knows the benefit of keeping His word in our hearts, and understanding the blessings that it provides, He encourages us to keep them in the midst of our hearts so that they will bring healing to all our flesh!

Proverbs 4:20-23

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

Can God reach all your flesh? Well if we rely on our own definition of all then the answer might be no, “how could He”? That is when we put God into a box. But if we rely on God’s definition of all, the answer is simply “Yes”.

If simply by breathing in Air into our lungs can bring Oxygen to every cell of our bodies, why cannot the God who created our bodies brings healing and life to every cell simply by keeping His Words as the center of our heart and thoughts!

To encourage one another to believe the integrity of God’s Word starts with taking God at His Word. Why would He use the word ALL if He did not mean ALL.

Jesus Christ took God at His Word and believed in God’s definition of ALL!

Now he lives in us!

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 9:23

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mark 14:36

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Let’s never define all by our own limited ability. Here are some other verses that may need our definitions to be put aside so we can receive God’s provision in every area of life and let God to be our all in all!

         Psalm 34:4         I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.           

3 John 2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

           

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

           

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every (all) good work:

           

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us

           

Ephesians 1:21-23

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

(or, which is his body the fullness of him that is all filling in all believers)

God has a great plan for our lives, and that is to live in all the fullness of Christ, every day, every moment of the day, from now and throughout all time!

Let’s encourage one another daily to live for Him in all we say and do!

Colossians 3:16,17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Is God Really On Our Side? Yes!!!

Is God really on our side?

The simple answer is yes!

Yet most people live their whole lives questioning whether or not God really loves them and would really provide for them.

God really is the loving parent who provides life itself, shelter, food, provision, love, help, teaching and goodness all the days of our lives.

He is strong enough and capable enough to fight ALL of our battles.

"God is on our side" in the scriptures is set inside a rhetorical question.

This is a figure of speech which means; "a question that requires no answer".  

It emphasizes the fact that no one could be like God and no one could be as strong and powerful as he is.

Psalms 118:6 ESV

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Psalms 118:6 NLT

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?

Here is a similar one from the Book of Psalms. A favorite verse of many!

Psalms 27:1 ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

If we would pause and consider Who the Lord IS, we would echo the words of the Psalmist! God is The Creator of all life, The Everlasting God, who inhabits Eternity, and the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him! He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving and ever abiding in us, yes this is the Lord who is our strength, fights our battles and has no competitors!

The whole end section of Romans chapter 8 is also rhetorical! Questions where the answer is understood!

          Romans 8:31, 33-35, 38, 39 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord

When Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel were faced with armies that outnumbered them 3 to 1, they went to God and asked him rhetorical questions that really needed no answer.

2 Chronicles 20:6 ESV

O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

Jehoshaphat just needed to be reassured of this truth, that "in Your Hands are so much power and might that none is able to withstand YOU"!

Once given the answer that God really was on his side, Jehoshaphat sent out the singers with a victory song, their anthem of praise, "in front" of the army proclaiming beyond a shadow of a doubt that God Almighty was going to fight their battle! God Almighty was truly “On THEIR side”.

The prophet Elisha knew that there were more "on his side" then with the army that came to arrest him, for he saw God' powerful army with spiritual eyes!

2 Kings 6:16, 17 ESV

He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Is God really on our side today?

Read the book of Ephesians and come to the conclusion that God has done everything through Jesus Christ not only to bring us to His side, as beloved children of the Most High God, but to reassure us that He has placed IN us the spirit of Christ, THE victory of every battle.

Our song of victory today IS Christ and we are super conquerors in him every day!  As God Almighty and our Father in Christ, there is no question that he has placed us " far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:21 ESV)

No fight no battle could ever be stronger than him, for its Christ that reigns within!

God our Father is not only able, but He is willing to do far greater than we could ask or think!

Ephesians 3:20, 21 KJV

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Yes, God really is on our side! And that’s quite the advantage.

The song “God Is On Our Side” is your song written for you to sing! And for every believer to sing!! Sing it loud and sing it with great joy in your hearts for God truly is on our side and who can be against us!

In His grace,

Sal

http://youtu.be/s24G0jOWwe8

The God Of Peace

         1 Thessalonians 5:2
         And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit
         and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
         Christ

God is the true source of peace, for He is the God Of Peace. Our loving Father desires for His children to live in complete rest, and undisturbed wellness. The relationship He has provided for us in Christ is the Life of peace, a life of health and prosperity, a life that is focused and at one with the Maker of the Universe and of Eternal Life!

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, for he trusteth in thee.

Psalm 119:165

Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.

In line with all of God’s nature, He has provided abundance in this category as well. The words perfect peace, are the same Hebrew word, shalom shalom, which brings the emphasis of peace piled up upon peace, or as it is defined,  perfect soundness, complete wholeness, safety, strength and tranquility to all those that trust in the LORD!

Peace is spoken of throughout the Old Testament as being whole, well and healthy, complete and well taken care of in life. That is why it is so often used in times of peace, for all is safe and sound. Yes there is an absence of war and turmoil, which brings with it healing, health and prosperity. God has always richly provided a life of peace by giving us His Word to rely upon, trust in and adhere to. In it we find many promises to rest in and give us strength.

Notice how the word shalom is translated in Genesis as well and good health.

Gen. 43:27,28
And he asked them of their welfare, and said, is your father well, (shalom) the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?

And they answered, thy servant our father is in good health, (shalom) he is yet alive, and they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

When God gives us strength, it is accompanied with rest and peace.

          Psalm 29:11

          The LORD will give strength to his people; he will bless his people with peace.

When we make God our focus and spend time with Him, especially in the Words He has given to us to read and believe, He impresses upon us the great love He has for us. His Word is a magnificent Love Letter to His children, filled with what He has done, is doing, and will do throughout all time. Jesus Christ being the central theme, purpose and point of the life God has called us to.

It is only through faith in Jesus Christ and his work of redemption that we have relationship with God Almighty. It is not through our own efforts and work, which only brings more anxiety, stress and unrest to our minds and bodies.

All of the qualities of peace spoken of throughout the Old Testament are born out in the life of Jesus Christ, and the spirit God has given us to live by. He is our Righteousness!

          Isaiah 32:17

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.

          Isaiah 53: 4,5
          Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem 
          him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace (shalom) was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Look at verse 5 in a few other versions;

          But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so 

          we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (NLT)

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. (NASB)

Jesus Christ was given to the world to bring peace and God’s good pleasure to the world.

          Luke 1:79
          To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
          to guide our feet into the way of peace.

          Luke 2:14
          Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

When the women received her healing, Jesus told her to live from now on in peace.

          Luke 7:5
          And he said to the women, thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

          Romans 5:1,2
          Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through 
          our Lord Jesus Christ.

We now live our lives in peace, whole and complete because of Jesus Christ!

We too should “go in peace”!

The great work of God in Christ was to make us righteous in His sight, holy and unblemished by sins and sin nature. To make us right with Him through the life and payment of His dear Son! Being made right with God is to be made whole, complete, sound in body and mind, at rest in strength and confidence, quietness and assurance forever, At One with The Creator of All Life! Peace in all of it’s Fullness.

          John 1:16
          And of his fullness (pleroma) have all we received, and grace for grace.

          John 14:26
          Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, 
          give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

We that have received Christ Jesus as Lord, and have tasted of his life in us through the spirit, live lives filled with his fullness, completeness, for we are complete in him!

          Colossians 2:9,10
          For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

The Greek words for fullness and complete are pleroma and pleroo. Pleroma is a noun, while pleroo is a verb. They both mean to be completely fitted, fully filled, made whole, complete!

It literally means to be; completely filled, made to abound, to furnish and supply liberally.

All the health and prosperity God desires for His children, supplied to us in the spirit of Christ in us!

          Ephesians 1:22, 23
          And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things
          to the church Which is his body, the fulness (pleroma) of him that filleth (pleroo)
          all in all.

Is Christ incomplete? Is he not fully filled with the nature and life of God? Is he sick, lacking in anything? We then that are part of his body are fully fulfilled and fitted with the completely, completely absolutely complete Christ!

          2 Peter 1:2
          Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of 
          Jesus our Lord,

Philippians 4:6,7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Look at the Message Bible translation of Philippians 4:6,7

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

It is God’s wholeness that is the source of our wholeness. His Life in us is so rich, it is qualified to satisfy every need, every want and concern. It is more than enough to fully fulfill us. He has made us holy in order to bring us into His Holy presence so that He could bless us, help us and care for our every need.

          1 Peter 5:7
          Casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you.

God has provided us a life of peace in the spirit of Christ in us. To live as if we were in the garden with our access to God restored and our Father’s loving care for us in abundance.

          Ephesians 2:13-15

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood ofChrist.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.

Jesus Christ not only made peace between Jews and Gentiles, and made of two one new man, but he also was our peace with God, reuniting us all together to be a dwelling place for God himself! The fullness of him that filleth all in all!

         Ephesians 2:16-22

          And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain

          the enmity thereby

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit

God has given us more than just a life without strife, He has made us all one in Christ, whole and complete in every way to live life with exuberant joy, full of Life, full of Christ!

In Christ,

Sal Arico