We are all probably familiar with Christ’s commission to us to go and preach the Gospel to all creatures (Mark 16:15). As I was reading this passage just recently I took note of the things believers will do (Mark 16:16-18).

They will be saved. What a wonderful word; it encompasses healing, forgiveness and new life in Christ Jesus. That life is an abundant life, in all the ways you can imagine it (John 10:10). Believers will also cast out demons in Jesus name and speak in new tongues. Snakes and poisons will not affect us and we will lay hands on the sick and see them healed.

This is all because Jesus lives in us in the form of the Holy Spirit (John 14:17) and we can walk in Christ’s power, authority and victory over satan and all the works of darkness (Col 2:15).

Nothing in this world is greater than the one who dwells in us (1 John 4:4). The power on the inside of us is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Rom 8:11). Just think of that. Jesus said we would do the works He did and even greater works than these (John 14:12).

This gets me excited just thinking about it; how about you? 

One of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives is gentleness (Gal 5:23) which can also be translated as meekness. When we think of meekness we often think of weakness or someone who is a mouse. But this could not be further from the truth. The words for meekness in the Greek show us an individual who knows who he is in Christ and has his emotions, confidence, energy and strength under perfect control. Meekness and gentleness are moderate, humble, kind, affable, fair, patient, reasonable and considerate.

We are told to pursue meekness (1Tim 6:11), to walk in gentleness and meekness (Eph 4:2), so that people see it in us (Phil 4:5). We should be gentle in our dealings with others, especially as we talk to them of the things of God and bring correction (Gal 6:1). Jesus told us that He is gentle (Matt 11:29), but He was still able to be to the point, confront and be firm when He needed to be (John 8:1-11; 8:37-47). He did all things in love and for the best of people (John 13:34).

Let us take stock of our lives today, are we known for our gentleness and meekness?

Our bible is God’s word to us as Christians; it was written down under God’s inspiration: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim 3:16-17; KJV). The bible is the Christians manual or handbook, just like a new car comes with an operator’s manual.

The bible tells us how to live to please God, what He has for us and how He wants to use us. God’s word is truth (John 17:17). In John’s Gospel, we are told that the truth will set us free (John 8:32); free to live an abundant life as God lives it (John 10:10). In Proverbs, we are told that Gods word brings life and health (Prov 4:22). God’s word is powerful (Heb 4:12); God spoke the word over creation and there was light (Gen 1:3).

The Bible is not a book to be read as literature but prayerfully, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit will reveal God’s truths to our spirits; we call this revelation and not just head knowledge. The word will guide us through all the challenges of life (Ps 119:105). As we meditate the scriptures (Ps 119:15) our faith grows; faith to receive from all God’s promises found in His word (Rom 10:17). To meditate is simply to dwell on parts of the bible and roll then around in our minds.

We can rely on God’s word; it is settled in heaven (Ps 119:89) and it will never return to us void (Is 55:11). It will never let us down.

Spend time in the Bible and God’s presence today: “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" (Prov 4:20-22; KJV).

I was watching my wife play “bubbles” with our 2-year-old grandson. The bubbles from the soap solution would drift through the air and he could not catch them. They would burst when they touched him. This reminded me of our words, they drift from our mouths like bubbles; sometimes flying like spears. We can never catch them or take them back and when the bubbles of our words burst on someone they have an effect, good or evil.

How often we catch ourselves saying, “O I never meant that” and desperately try to undo the harm our words have caused. But a word (bubble) released can never be taken back. In the Bible, it says that the words of our mouths show the condition of our hearts (Luke 6:45); they show what’s on the inside of us.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue”, the word says (Prov 18:21; KJV). Our words can bring life, love and encouragement or discouragement and death. God calls us to love and encourage one another (Prov 16:24; 1Tim 3:2). Let’s commit to ask God to put a guard over our mouths (Ps 141:3) and only speak as Proverbs 25:11 and 15:1 instruct us, “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver”; “a soft answer turneth away wrath” Of course words come from our minds, our thoughts, but that’s a thought for another day.

Speak gently today.

“But [as for] you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine (THE CHARACTER AND RIGHT LIVING THAT IDENTIFY TRUE CHRISTIANS) (AMP) (Titus 2:1).

We are supposed to be easily identified as Christians by how we live. In verse 10 of that same chapter we are exhorted to be loyal, faithful and reliable; Paul tells Titus our lives should adorn or be ornaments to the things of God. In verse 12 Paul teaches us that God’s grace has trained us to have nothing to do with ungodliness and worldly desires and to be self-controlled and upright. This does not allow us to cheat, be dishonest, tell white lies, gossip etc.

In 2 Timothy 2:22 Paul further preaches that we should grow up as far as sin is concerned and aim at being like God in our thoughts and actions. We should aggressively seek to walk in faith, love and peace with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is kingdom living, this is aiming for perfection (Matt 5:48). I know it seems almost unattainable, but notice it says “aim at and pursue” It’s good to have something to aim at; we’ll miss the mark from time to time but that’s better than aiming at nothing.

Remember that God is always with you and that His word and power will always enable you to do what he expects of you (Phil 1:6).