The Matthew 5:16 Project – Using Our Words For Good

Welcome to April!

Amanda has prepared a great Matthew 5:16 Project for us this month.  The idea behind this year-long project is to challenge us to live intentionally and in such a way that our actions point others to God… resulting in His PRAISE. 

January’s project

Called us to replace those old lies with the TRUTH of who God says we are.

February’s project

Taught us what God says about love, and to show it as a noun and a verb.

March’s project

Encouraged us to own our sin and receive the forgiveness we are freely given.

Let’s see what April’s challenge is…

♦♦♦

By my good friend, Amanda Barnes…

Competition.

At my house, it seems never-ending.

Is it the same at yours?

On the ball field, it’s a great thing… especially when using it to motivate yourself against your best score or effort.

But when it gets my kids going against one another – it makes this momma want to pull her hair out.  It is one of the things that truly does make this girl crazy.

My dream… is a house full of children playing, laughing, getting along and encouraging one another.

My reality… however… is quite different.

Often times, my kids try to ‘one-up’ each other or prove how they might be better somehow, someway.  And when that happens, egos inflate.  The volume in our home grows and eventually feelings are hurt… or shattered!

The truth is that I want my kids to celebrate each another and acknowledge the other’s strengths and victories.  I want…

Son #1 to not be threatened by Son #2’s First Place in the weekend tournament.

Son #2 to cheer on Girl #1 even if her activities aren’t his favorite past-time.

My kids to see past their own skin to celebrate the goodness in one another.

My kids to honor one another’s tastes, ideas, creativeness, and winnings.

This past month I have seen this nasty monster of COMPETITION rear its’ ugly head at my house. So I decided to try something new.

I involved my kiddos in developing a plan to help get this under control once and for all.

• I asked them for ideas on how to stop trying to be top dog and instead rest in a position of honor and preference for one another.

• I asked what it would take to encourage them to sacrifice first – best – biggest – fastest.

And they came up with a brilliant idea!

What was it?

If pride should rear its head in our day, we are going to write out…

Truths,

Compliments,

 Words of encouragement,

Gratitude,

or blessings for one another… 

The goal is to speak life to each other.

So before those destructive feelings of competition, worthlessness or unforgiveness begin to rise up… and before they are acted on… we are going to write out words (very specific words) that counter that emotion.

Here’s how that looks: 

• Each person will have a jar that is specific to them.
• Next to each jar will be strips of paper and a pen.
• Every time we mess up, we’re going to go through the act of apology and forgiveness.
• We will then write words of encouragement to deposit in the appropriate person’s jar.

(An alternate plan would be to have a clipboard or notepad for each person with specific columns to capture ongoing truths and words.)

Either way – it must be written so you can reread over and over the truth about yourself.

And who doesn’t need that?

Add scripture:

Find Bible verses and post them throughout your home – on mirrors and chalkboards, in lunch boxes and pockets.

A few to consider are:

• 2 Peter 3:18
• 1 Corinthians 3:21
• Philippians 2:3
• Romans 12:9-11

For the next month, encourage each other to read the scriptures aloud and pray for one another.

The idea is to absorb these truths into our hearts… our heads… our habits… and our lives.

God has much to say about pride and humility.  The commandment Jesus left us with was to love God and love people (not ourselves above all else).

Why not take this month to create a new habit in your family?

I am excited to have my kids in on the planning stages of this month’s activity.

I’m expectant to see hearts grow in JOY as we pursue God’s heart for one another.

I want my kids to live in a place of gratitude.

I hope you’ll join us as we learn to be more intentional is using our words for good.. and in loving others better!

Let’s first begin our mornings by praising the One who made us, and then allow that attitude to extend to one another.

Let’s discipline our thoughts and our heart so each word we speak tastes sweet on our tongue.

Let’s train our kids to be proud of the words they speak and hear.

Let’s be intentional in using our words to edify the body of Christ.

Let’s start at home.

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©2012 careyscotttalks.com, Amanda Barnes

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