Oct 29 Mon- Eph. 4

Oct 30 Tues- James 1

Oct 31 Wed - Mt 12

Nov 1 Thr– James 3

Nov 2 Fri- Rom 7

Nov 3 Sat – Luke 6

PRAYER: A - Adoration(prayer of centering; focus on God's goodness)

C - Confession(prayer of repentance and asking for God's forgiveness)

T - Thanksgiving(prayer of gratefulness, content, joy, avoiding pessimism)

S - Supplication(prayer for others; then pray for yourself)

S - STOPand listen... give God some time to speak to you--- end with the LORD'S PRAYER

Self/spiritual-awareness Questions: What's the state of your soul? Who is going to heaven because of you? When's the last time you led someone to believe in Jesus?

A. Examples of people who culture says are "successful" and "ought to be happy," but they themselves are not happy? (Justin Bieber? Lottery Winners? Etc)

- CULTURE = what people say is normal, right and good; everyone else does it

- TOXINS = things that poison you

- Soul Detox = Too many things in life are normal, but are poisoning-hurting us

B. Mt 7:13-14 "The road is WIDE that leads to destruction"

1. note - tie between culture and the WIDE path; culture = wrong wall

2. Mt 7:24-27, "FOUNDATION ON SAND (culture) vs. ROCK (Jesus)"

- WHY? because CULTURE/WORLD = cursed (Gen 3:13-19 "Cursed...)

C. Solution = Counter-cultural; choose foundation on rock, narrow gath/path

1. How? John 15:5-10 - "Remain in Me... by keeping my commandments"

- Self-Awareness to realize - Remaining in Christ = saying "no" to "normal"

D. The Cultural Norm of Negative Speech (cursing, OMG, hate, pessimism, etc)

Vs. Eph 4:29 "let no unwholesome word leave your mouth"

James 1:26, "if not bridle your tongue... you are worthless"

Mt 12:36-36, "every careless word... you will be judged"

1. Does your choice of words actually matter? (So what?)

- what's the most hateful thing anyone has ever said to you? did it matter?

- what's the nicest/kindest thing anyone said to you? did it matter? why?

E. The Power of Words: James 3:1-12 "Tongue = rudder, bridal, spark"....

1. rudder CAN guide a ship to safety; bridal CAN reign in a horse

2. spark CAN light a fire that warms the household; OR burns it to the GROUND

F. Good Words (like actions) = Speak No Harm + Speak Good (requires effort)

G. How to clean up your language?

1. Romans 7:19, "I try to do what is right, but don't" - on your own, forget it

- We all want to avoid being condemned by God for our words (Mt:12:37)

2. It will Only Happen with Christ's Help and in His Strength

Answer = Clean up your Soul!

- Luke 6:45 "The inner self overflows into WORDS THAT ARE SPOKEN"

Application: We all have been devasted by BAD words people have spoken to us

We also have been warmed, encouraged, etc. What type of person will you be to your family and friends, especially regarding the words you use around them?

- TAKE THE NARROW PATH (Jesus' Way) w/your words - result = a better life