Introduction: SPEAK!!

Parents get super-duper excited when their children speak their first few words. These first few words serve as a sign of development and are often a reflection of the parents; what they say to, around, and about their children. I love seeing the mom and dad’s reaction and excitement when their bundle of joy begins to say “mama” or “dada” around nine months. Research has shown that the more an adult speaks to their baby in the first three years, the more their verbal abilities and IQ in adolescence increases. WOW! Simply speaking to a child can impact their lives several years down the line. This 5-day devotional will highlight the power of speaking and will focus on specific areas to give you the tools you need to SPEAK! 

Genesis 1:3 - And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

I love the quote “the present is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present.” Every time I hear my favorite Christian disc jockey say this as his closing words for his nationally syndicated radio segment, it is a reminder that I need to enjoy my NOW. Enjoy where I am today, enjoy the blessings, enjoy my family and friends, and enjoy my current projects, because with time, the present will change. For me, enjoying my NOW also means SPEAKING to my present. Speaking to the situations not as they are, but as I want them to be. There is so much power in the tongue; more than we realize. 

We are introduced to the power of the tongue/speaking in Genesis 1:3, where we hear the first words spoken by God concerning creation – Let there be light. And immediately after those four words came another four words – And there was light. God spoke a Word (or in this case four words) and those words manifested a product - LIGHT.  This is why it is important to be cognizant of the words we speak. When we speak negatively, we create a negative reality. Likewise, when we speak positively, we create a positive reality. 

When it comes to our present situation, speak words that support the reality that you desire. Get in the habit of thinking before you speak, knowing that every word creates. So, when you are nervous about giving that presentation and you have thoughts of failing or stumbling on your word, speak: “this presentation is going to be great!” When you are feeling under the weather and test results are not in your favor, speak: “by His stripes, I am healed! So my health is perfected.” This exercise can be applied to every aspect of your life. Understanding and utilizing your ability to speak will transform your present and so much more. 

ACTIVITY: Document everything you say today. If you find yourself saying things (or even thinking about things) that do not align with the desire you have for your present, change your speech and speak your desire. Continue this activity throughout the week and watch the transformation. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the ability to speak and most importantly the ability to use my speech to transform my current situation. Lord, train me to speak to my present the desires I have and the promises You have for me, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Isaiah 53:5 - But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

For almost two years, health has been at the forefront of our lives. There was no way to ignore, avoid or deny it. The entire reason we are socially distant, wearing masks and thinking twice about attending functions with more than 10 people is because of our health. The Bible has several stories of healing that have always been fascinating to me. Partially because the act of healing varied throughout the scripture. For example, a woman was healed just by touching the helm of Christ’s garment (Matthew 9:20 – 22). A man was healed by Jesus placing mud on his eyes (John 9:1-7). But my favorite story of healing is the story of a paralyzed man, who was brought to Jesus by his friends (John 2:1 -12). After seeing his faith, and the faith of his friends, Jesus said to him, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Jesus spoke and the paralyzed man was healed. 

We have that same authority to speak healing over our lives. Especially because Isaiah 53:5 tells us that by His wounds we are healed. That statement alone is enough to heal any believer.  Not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Healing can come in so many different forms but the Word of God stands true. Speak to your health and believe that you are healed. 

I have heard too many stories of a cancer diagnosis being reversed or a scheduled procedure being canceled because the final test showed that there was no longer a need for an operation. I too have experienced, what some will call an unexplainable healing, so I know firsthand what God can and will do when we speak to our health. 

So the next time you are not feeling your best, or you have been diagnosed with a condition, DO NOT accept or claim that for your life. Rather SPEAK healing over your life, through the tests, while taking the prescribed medication, leading up to, during, and after a procedure. You can acknowledge and respect the wisdom of medicine while holding on to the Word of God every step of the way.      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, when my health is not at its best, give me the boldness to speak healing over my life. Remind me of the pain You went through so we can be healed. Help me to trust Your Word and believe that whatever I speak concerning my health will come to pass, in Jesus name. Amen. 

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 10:22 - The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

One of the misconceptions of Christianity is that believers should not be concerned with finances. It bothers me when I hear people speaking negatively about financial increase. As believers, we are meant to be a blessing to others and most of the time, not all, but most of the time, blessing others is tied to finances. I strongly believe that we are blessed to be a blessing. So in order for me to be a blessing, I have to be blessed. Proverbs 10:22 has been an anchor scripture for me – The blessings of the Lord makes rich, and adds no sorrow with it. It is a constant reminder that there is no shame in the Lord blessing His church (the people not the building) financially. 

When I understood the concept of God wanting to bless us financially amongst other areas, it gave me the release and boldness to ask for financial blessing. Honestly, since that revelation, not only do I ask, but I plan for the blessing. Since we know that God will supply our every need according to HIS riches in glory in Christ Jesus, I am confident that whatever I ask He will supply. As a planner and someone who has several unique ideas on how to get things done, I developed a routine for accomplishing tasks, goals or projects. It’s actually pretty simple: as an idea comes to mind, I speak it; literally verbalize it out loud. By hearing my voice speaking to my plans including the financial requirements, I am able to discern if these plans are good ideas, something for later or not a good idea at all.  Several years ago, I noticed that speaking to my finances happened so frequently that it had become a routine for me. And it worked. So I continued, even when people would ask me “Are you talking to yourself?” My response was and still is standard: “Yes!” It sounds funny, but it’s true. I am speaking to myself, my finances and God, all at the same time. 

Speaking to finances has become a cultural staple in my life as an individual and for my family. Whatever our goal is for the year, for a project or charity, it starts with speaking. I encourage you to speak increase, abundance, and overflow to your finances.  And as you are blessed, remember the charge: to be a blessing to others.  

ACTIVITY – Spend some time speaking to your finances. Go a step further and write the words you speak in a notebook. Be specific about your financial goals and projects, put in the work and watch your words manifest. (Habakkuk 2:2)

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, thank You for confirming that You will supply ALL my needs according to Your riches. Lord, as I begin or continue to speak to my finances, help me to see the plans You have for me, the people, organizations, business and/or churches You want me to bless. Reveal to me the direction You want me to take concerning my finances, in Jesus Name, Amen. 

Proverbs 18:21 ESV - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

One thing we cannot ignore while we are on this earth is the importance of relationships. People need people and people need relationships. All types – collegial, family, friendships, mentorship, discipleship, acquaintanceships, and romantic relationships, to list a few. Each serves a different purpose and is significant in a unique way. Relationships require work, regardless of the category they fall into. And since relationships are inevitable, speaking to relationships can be beneficial and/or destructive. How, you ask? In several ways. 

We have all been in a relationship that started with a “Hello.” That was the connector of two people – one word. But minutes, hours, or days later, after exchanging several words, you can determine if there is a future for this relationship or if it stops here. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Having a conversation reveals so much about a person’s past, ideologies, and their future. Which is why the healthiest relationships have a strong foundation built on great communication. Likewise, relationships that struggle or are unhealthy, usually lack healthy communication. It is clear that speaking within a relationship is key to its success, but I also believe that speaking to a relationship will provide clarity. 

Any relationship worth having, is worth praying about. Through prayer, God can reveal to you the purpose and duration of the relationship. And when He provides that revelation, the next step is for you to speak to that relationship. Speak the things that God has revealed to you, knowing that life and death are in the power of your tongue. So that abusive relationship that God has instructed you to leave but you are struggling to take that first step – speak your departure and it will be easier to walk out the door. Or if God reveals to you that He wants you to develop a mentoring relationship with a colleague but you do not have direct access to him or her; speak to that mentoring relationship before you send the meeting invitation. You can speak to any relationship before it is established or even after.     

ACTIVITY – Reflect on the relationships that you need clarity on. Pray about the individual involved in the relationship and ask God to reveal to you what relationship category it falls into. Then speak to that relationship, the category, and the people within the relationship. Warning: some relationships may end after this activity, but that’s okay. Not all relationships are meant to last a lifetime.

PRAYER - Father Lord, I am thankful for the various relationships I have in my life. Lord reveal to me their purpose and timeline. Help me to understand your plan for the relationship and give me the boldness to speak to the relationships according to your plan. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Isaiah 55:11 - It is the same with my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Congratulations!

You made it to Day 5. You have spoken to your present, your health, your finances, and your relationships. Today, you will be speaking to your future. On Day One I mentioned the quote about our present being a gift. Meanwhile, many have said that our future is a mystery. This may be true for some, but Jeremiah 29:11 has informed us that God’s plan for us is to prosper us and not harm us, plans for hope, and a future. 

Agreed, we may not know all the details of what will happen in three years, fifteen years or even thirty years, but what we are sure of is God’s plan for us according to the Scripture. God has a plan for each of us. Some of us are fortunate to know exactly what those plans are, while others are struggling to figure it out. Regardless of the category you fall into, be rest assured that God has worked it out. There are four declarations for our future: prosperity, no harm, hope and a future. 

Each declaration will be specific to your life and when you discover its specificity, you should immediately begin to speak to your future. For example, Isaiah 55:11 gives us the assurance that when you speak, your words always produce fruit. It will accomplish all you want and it will prosper everywhere you send it. This is a green light to speak greatness to your future knowing that your words will produce fruits as an outcome. Be specific about your goals, because they will be accomplished and prosper everywhere. This concept is grand and can be overwhelming, but do not be discouraged by the magnitude. Let’s take baby steps. If you don’t know where to start, ask yourself these three questions: 

1. What has God told me about my future? 

2. What was the prophetic word I received about your future? 

3. What do I desire for my future? 

There you go! Answer each question and write down your response. Now the last question may seem a bit selfish at first glance but the God who created us knows what we need vs what we desire and He wants to give us both. The need is easier to digest for most people, but those who truly understand God, understand that He wants to give us our desires too. In fact, Psalm 37:4 states that when you delight yourself in the LORD, He will give you the desires of your heart. My question to you is - have you delighted yourself in the Lord? Be honest. If your answer is no, don’t beat yourself up, it is okay. You can start now, it’s not too late. We know the outcome of delighting ourselves in the Lord, so what are you waiting for? As much as God has a plan for your future, you cannot sit back and wait for it to manifest. You have a role to play: delight yourself in the Lord, hold on to His Word, and speak to your future. 

ACTIVITY – Answers questions 1- 3. 

PRAYER – Dear Lord, thank You for having a plan for my future.  Teach me to speak to my future, how to delight myself in You and how to hold on to Your Word. I am excited about what my future entails and I want to produce fruit and prosper as the scripture says. Equip me with what I need to have for  the future I desire that aligns with Your plans. With Your help, I am ready and willing to speak to my future starting today, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Your words have weight and there is power in your tongue. SPEAK!