Newsletter

1 John 3:11 ESV

“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

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Has anyone ever said a lie about you?  Has it hurt more than a physical pain? Words carry power, and I can relate to the sting of malicious lips. 

 

A recent onslaught of lies had bewildered me, wondering why this betrayal was happening. It felt like a dagger in my heart.

 

I have spent a lot of time in prayer, talking with God, and asking some trusted friends for advice, with the question, “How do I respond?”

 

Many people have given me their advice, each one with a different approach. These different scenarios go through my head as I think out about the results of each potential  action. I think about the outcome, as well as how I would feel, and how the other side would feel. In my lifetime of dealing with trials and tribulations, I have realized that a justified response doesn’t mean you necessarily win.

 

For instance, have you ever lashed back at someone at the same intensity that they give you? Do you remember how it felt? For me, it’s never felt good. I have felt physically and mentally drained. Spiritually I feel like I can go down a notch.

 

I know logically, staying silent doesn’t seem like a good way to respond. This world teaches us to fight back in the same manner someone attacks.  Simply looking at the popular reality tv shows and the sensational news media one can see what sells. It conditions people into thinking an eye for an eye is the way to go. Do the masses really want the truth or do they want entertainment in the gladiator ring?

 

After praying to Abba, our Father in Heaven, Exodus 14:14 came to me repeatedly.

 

Exodus 14:14 ESV

14 “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

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I realized, and still do, that I needed to completely surrender to Him with full unwavering faith and trust. It is clear what the Bible says about the power of our words and how we should be slow to speak, knowing our words have the power to bless or to curse, to heal or to harm.

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Proverbs 12:18 ESV

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
   but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

 

Colossians 4:6 ESV

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

 

Proverbs 16:24 ESV

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
   sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

 

James 3:10 ESV

“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[a] these things ought not to be so.”

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I realized this lesson is for me. I needed to gain wisdom in how I respond and speak in every interaction. Am I truly being an imitator of my Savior? Am I showing the fruits of the spirit? Are my actions and words uplifting, healing and inspirational? Am I being a role model that portrays grace  and truth?

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There is a lesson in every trial of our life. I prayed about this one fervently, and the old phrase “ bad publicity is good publicity” came to mind.  I cannot control what anyone does or says to me, but I can control my response. I can respond from my human mind or I can be a vessel for the Holy Spirit. The choice is mine.

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I choose to walk with His Spirit and not in the flesh. I am grateful that I have these trials and tribulations to continue to refine me like artwork in my Father’s hands. A gold or silversmith continues to put fire to the metal to wipe out impurities and does not stop until he sees his reflection in the metal.

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I do not want Adonai, my Lord and Savior,  to stop my trials until he sees himself in me. I pray that I am worthy of that blessing one day.  I hope that my lessons and  journeys can speak to others that are struggling with similar issues. The body of Christ is supposed to edify one another, lifting one another up and caring one another’s burdens.

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We are to be imitators of Yeshua/Christ our savior, the one who is the way, the truth and the light.  We can lift up or bring down others through our words and actions.

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Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.“

 

May we be reminded daily of what we truly battle with- powers and principalities, and not flesh.

 

Ephesians 6:12-20 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

With Great Love and Many Blessings,

 

Carrie Madej

 

*Organically written by human hands with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   No AI  assistance or chat GPT used.