HOW TO LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS

INTRODUCTION:<br>Today, I want you to see that your words are powerful. What you speak over yourself can change your life. Allow me to draw your attention to a weighty and important Scripture in the New Testament, one in which the apostle Peter quotes from a psalm of David, saying:<br><br>1 Peter 3:10 NKJV<br>[10] For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.<br><br>*The tongue seems minute and insignificant compared to the rest of our body. How can such a little organ, which doesn’t have any skeletal support, have such a direct and pronounced effect on our future? Yet the Bible reminds us not to despise the tongue simply because it is small, and compares it to the rudder on a very large ship to help us appreciate the power of our words.<br><br>James 3:3-5 NKJV<br>[3] Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. [4] Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. [5] Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!<br><br>Proverbs 18:21 NKJV<br>[21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.<br><br>*It's obvious that God wants us to experience many good days, but we must also be aware of the evil day.<br><br>Ephesians 6:13 NKJV<br>[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.<br><br>Notice that the Bible talks about an evil day—singular, but good days—plural. It’s one evil day versus many good days. Let’s believe God together for many good days. The only thing that God wants us to remember in order to see many good days is to refrain our tongues from speaking evil. That’s how powerful our words are.<br><br>HERE ARE 4 KEYS:<br><br>1. HOW WE TREAT PEOPLE MATTERS.<br><br>1 Peter 3:8-10 NKJV<br>[8] Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; [9] not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. [10] For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.<br><br>*Notice that Peter quoted the verse in the context of our relationships with people. As you have been transformed by the gospel of grace, God also wants to transform your relationships with people. These people would be your spouse, kids, parents, relatives, friends, colleagues, employers, business associates, small groups, dream teams, and any other person you come in contact with.<br><br><br>2. SPEAK A BLESSING.<br><br>The original Greek word for “a blessing” in 1 Peter 3:9 is eulogeo, which means “to speak well of,” it's where we get the English word “eulogy.” That is the key to speaking a blessing! Every time you speak well of something, you are blessing that thing and being a blessing!<br><br>*So speak well of your marriage, your children, your family, and your friends. That’s how you bless and become a blessing everywhere you go.<br><br><br>3. BY CHANGING YOUR WORDS, YOU CHANGE YOUR FUTURE.<br><br>Do you know what the opposite of speaking well is? It is to curse. <br><br>Mark 11:12-14 NKJV<br>[12] Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. [13] And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. [14] In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.<br><br>Mark 11:20-21 NKJV<br>[20] Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. [21] And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."<br><br><br><br>4. SPEAK INTO YOUR FUTURE.<br><br>2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV<br>[7] For we walk by faith, not by sight.<br><br>Romans 4:17 NKJV<br>[17] (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed-God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;<br><br>Mark 11:22-23 NKJV<br>[22] So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. [23] For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.<br><br><br>IN CONCLUSION:<br>let’s celebrate the abundant life that our Lord came to bring us. The power of life and death is in the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Love life and see good days. Start by refraining your lips from speaking evil and begin filling your mouth with the good news of all the wonderful things our Lord has done and will continue to do in your life. When you change your words, you will change your life.<br><br>

2017 Youth Conferences

* Youth Camp is quickly approaching! Please save the date! <br><br>* This year middle school will be attending the Forward Conference hosted by Free Chapels Pastor Jentzin Franklin at the Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth, GA June 22nd -24th. Conference Cost is $255. http://linkedupchurch.com/forward2017/ <br><br>* High School on the other hand! will be going on a Road trip to Birmingham, Alabama. They will attend the Motion Conference hosted by Church of the Highlands on July 27th -29th.. Conference Cost is $310. http://linkedupchurch.com/motion2017/<br><br>* Guest Artist include Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Hillsong United, Bethel Music, Steven Furtic and more… Deposit of $75 is due now.<br><br>Contact Nehemiah Ray (nray@linkedupchurch.com) or visit our website for more information.

Weekly Announcements - Next Steps (Step 1 is being offered next Sunday, May 7th)

<b><i>Next Steps</i></b><br><br>Connect4: Next Steps (formerly known as Connect Classes) are now offered every 1st-4th Sundays from 10:30am-11:15am and 11:15am-12:00pm at the Marietta Campus. This session will allow you to discover the essential habits the successful believer.

Children's Ministry Lesson

Hello Parents,<br><br>This Spring Break, Enjoy connecting with your children!<br><br>-Short opening prayer<br><br>-Praise and worship (2 of their favorites)<br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMv3-gEONy0<br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD2zIuiC2g<br><br>-Books of the Bible rap<br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT_yEowtcgY<br><br>-Family Devotional (attached)<br><br>-Closing prayer