My pastor recently decided to go to a conference in Florida for about a week.
I am really glad that he will be able to rest, relax and be fed spiritually.
I think that we often forget that pastors need to be refreshed just like us. I am looking forward to his return so that our congregation can benefit from what he has received.
I am hoping he gets some quiet time to walk the beach while in Florida. There are few places where God can speak so clearly than a sandy beach on a warm day.
My pastor asked the adult Sunday school teacher if she would give the Sunday sermon. While he was gone, she agreed and then approached me to teach her Sunday school class. She felt like doing both on one Sunday would be a bit much. I was excited by the opportunity, and although she offered me some good material for the lesson, I turned it down. I knew God would show me something.
In recent weeks, our Sunday school teacher has been teaching about the importance of our words. The more I thought and prayed about it the more I realized that God wanted me to teach on that same topic from a slightly different perspective. We all know that our words have the power to build others up and to tear them down. I believe we have a responsibility to keep a careful watch on our words and to consider their impact.
I know as a teacher my words can have a powerful effect on my students. I have to be careful what I say and how I say something to students.
I know as a teacher I can say things that will build my students up and give them confidence or inspire them beyond their imagination.
I also know that a few careless words can hurt and discourage my students and possibly keep them from their destiny.
One of the things we have to be mindful of is how we share words. Sometimes we know that someone needs to hear something, but how and when we tell them can have a huge impact on our words.
We need to wait for the right moment when they are ready to receive what we have to say. That might mean that they will have to make some mistakes that could have been avoided, but until they are ready, our words will not have a life-changing impact.
We also need to weigh carefully what words we use, because our words can affect a destiny.
Conversely, we have to be careful how we receive words from others.
My high school guidance counselor called me in her office one day to ask about my plans after high school. I told her I planned to go to a university. She laughed and told me I better consider a trade school or possibly finding a good job because my grades were not good enough for a university.
I could have allowed her words to shape my destiny, but instead I chose to prove her wrong. From that moment through graduation I was on the honor roll.
When we receive words from others we need to listen carefully, so we can be sure we understand. The next thing we need to do is pray.
God will give us wisdom and understanding concerning the words that were spoken. If the word is about our spiritual life, then we should find confirmation in God’s word. After you spend time with God, it can be good to share the word you were given with a trusted friend in the Lord because God can use them to help you get a better perspective.
Finally, we have to combine faith with the words we receive in order for them to bring about the positive change in our lives.
We need God’s help to walk by faith and to fulfill our destiny.
Another essential ingredient is prayer. When our words are combined with faith and prayer a force for positive change is created that is nearly unstoppable.
I want to encourage you to carefully consider the words that come out of your mouth.
Are they words of hope, grace, and encouragement? God can use each one of us to have a positive impact on the lives of those around us if we will carefully choose our words.
Words will never accomplish anything on their own, but they are powerful and can change the destiny of someone’s life if they are used wisely. Let the words of your mouth bring honor and glory to God.

Doug Creamer teaches Marketing at East Davidson High School. His website is www.dougcreamer.com Contact him at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041 or email doug@dougcreamer.com