The Joy of Speaking Affirmation

February 2023

SCRIPTURE FOCUS: 2 Peter 1:2-4 TPT

May grace and perfect peace cascade over you as you live in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

 

Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by His divine power.

 

For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing Him who has called us by name and invited us to come to Him through a glorious manifestation of His goodness. As a result of this, He has given you magnificent promises that are beyond all price, so that through the power of these tremendous promises we can experience partnership with the divine nature by which you have escaped the corrupt desires that are of the world.

Speaking Life to the Hearts of Those You Love

 and Whoever the Lord Brings Your Way

It’s February. The love month. Every month, for us as believers, gets to be the love month. This morning I woke up and began pondering on the best gift we can give during this season to the ones we love, and the people we cross paths with. Husbands, children, parents. Friends, co-workers–––even strangers we come face to face with throughout each day. How can we make an impact in their hearts and lives––bringing fresh hope?

 

So much is said today about the importance of affirmation. Affirmation spoken to others and spoken out loud to ourselves. I was blessed with a mother who affirmed me continually, and I’m so grateful. Her living example spoke volumes while I was growing up. Sincere affirmation, filled with love and care for so many people is the way she lived her life. I’m encouraging us to live that same lifestyle.

According to the verses above, (especially verse 1), Jesus has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness it. We can do this! We can live out our days this side of Heaven making a difference, speaking sincere life and hope to whoever the Lord brings our way.

 

We already have everything we need but only if we have an intimate relationship with Jesus. The word knowledge in the Greek meaning is having a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus, rather than just having knowledge about God. Big difference. Our ability to sincerely affirm the hearts of others (and ourselves for that matter) is found in loving Jesus first and living in the abilities He’s given us as His own. This is the definition of grace I live in and love so much spoken by Dallas Willard:

Grace is God giving us the ability to do what we could never do on our own.

Sincere Affirmation Versus Flattery

My father in the faith, Pastor Al Isaksen, pointed something out to me decades ago. He saw a flaw in my character I had no idea was a problem. I was a flatterer. He taught me there’s a significant difference between flattery (excessive compliments that aren’t totally sincere) and praise. Flattery is given to win approval, which is what I was doing. I wanted this woman, who lived with us at Shiloh for a season, to like me. I could tell she didn’t. So, I started giving compliments on occasion that weren’t sincere. Pastor Al, recognizing this took me aside and pointed it out to me––I listened to his counsel. Faithful are the wounds of a friend.

I remain grateful to this day because it brought attention to how important my words are and how they can be life-changing for others. My heart is to bless and make a difference for His kingdom, speaking life and love with a heart of sincerity.

Praise given should be about someone’s character and what we see the Lord has placed in their hearts––how He can use them to reach the hearts of others. When we speak words of affirmation, they should ring true. Praise turns our eyes to God’s work in others and comes from a heart of sincerity.

Using Affirmation to Speak to My Own Heart

I wrote out some affirmations for myself for the first time this year. And I found myself taking them out of the Word of God, rather than just telling myself things about me that aren’t true yet. But God’s Word is forever true. We can always speak it about ourselves because it’s Jesus who works His character into our lives.

 

 

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Philippians 1:6 The Message).

When we speak God’s Word out loud to ourselves and to others, we’re always speaking truth and we’re also speaking life. It’s imperative we speak positive, true, uplifting words to ourselves rather than negative self-talk which is a temptation for me. It’s especially difficult for me to avoid negative thoughts and words when I’m struggling to understand something new or when I look at my inabilities to tackle something out of my comfort zone. But I’ve been working on this, and I’m encouraged because I’m seeing a difference in the way I view myself.

When we’re speaking about who God says we are, before we know it, we will begin to live in those truths spoken and we’ll see them affect, not only our own hearts, but spill over to those we love and the ones we interact with daily.

So, take heart, dear ones. I encourage you to think about how you can sincerely affirm yourself and others this season. By doing so, you’ll bring fresh hope, lots of encouragement, and a love only Jesus can impart that will take root, becoming a well of joy springing up in the hearts of the receivers!

 

The best valentine’s gift anyone can ever receive is to hear (and read in a card or a note) truth about how the Lord loves them and what you see Him doing in their hearts. This gift is eternal, bearing fruit in the heart of the hearer. Hope birthed brings encouragement and assurance that God, indeed, is continuing the work He has begun in their hearts, which we all need navigating through our days this side of Heaven.

Bless you all! Spring is almost here, and the robins will be back to the northeast any day now. I watch and wait for them! I pray this note finds you all well and anticipating all the Lord has in store for you! Happy “Spring Around the Corner” Season! Please email me and let me know how you’re doing. I love to hear from my readers.

 

On this journey together,

Deb

P.S. I’m presently in Texas, caring for my granddaughters while my daughter is out of state helping a friend. I just arrived home from some errands and while I was out, I had an unfamiliar Christian radio station playing in the car. What they shared, not only confirmed the importance of this message I’m sending to you but added a delightful idea that will further bless our family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers.

 

Purchase a pack of sticky notes (I’m buying hot pink ones) and leave encouraging, affirming notes in various places where others will see them. I think they called it God’s Love Sticks on the radio. So go for it! Enjoy the blessing of leaving handfuls (of encouragement) on purpose to bless those you love, and those you don’t even know by leaving words of encouragement at home, in your office, and wherever you have a notion to stick one.

Your last line can say God’s Love Sticks. Have fun! I’d love to hear testimonies of how this wonderful idea affects your readers. Happy Sticky Note Adventure!

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