I Was, Now I Am by Mayada Naami

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

(Psalm 139:14, NIV)

In the above-mentioned verse, the psalmist is speaking words of affirmation. He is declaring to the world that he is a creation of God, therefore fearfully and wonderfully made.

Lately, I have become mindful of the words that come out of my mouth. In Luke 6:45, the Bible says the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Subsequently, I am also paying closer attention to what people are speaking to me or to others to better understand them and what is in their heart. It is important to encourage one another by affirming someone’s strengths instead of pointing out their flaws. Be the one who builds others up, instead of the one who tears them down. It is equally important to speak kindly about yourself when referring to your own weaknesses. You are a new creation in Christ.

“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

(Mathew 9:17, NIV)

This past weekend, when I asked someone to pray for me, she said she is not a “good” prayer person and then proceeded to pray one of the most powerful prayers I’ve heard. It’s true that in our own power we may be weak, however, in Luke 10:19, Jesus said, “Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing by any means shall hurt you.” We are anointed with the Holy Spirit and with His mighty power. The seven spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit first found in the book of Isaiah and are freely given to those who believe. They are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Repeat to yourself daily, “I am who He says I am, not who people say I am.” To encourage is to empower, affirm yourself and others as God grants you the ability. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, please like it and share with others. If you would like to receive blogs from Pearls of Promise Ministries, you can follow us or enter your email on the home page and leave us a comment at the bottom of this page. Blessings from all of us to you.

 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

(Hebrews 3:13, NIV)