A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump out of the pit with all of their might. The group of frogs kept telling them to stop because they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The second frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.

You see this frog was deaf, unable to hear what the others were saying. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches a lesson...."You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words" (Proverbs 18: 20-21).

There is the power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift him up and help him make it through the day. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill his joy. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

This week's issue of firstIMPRESSIONS is all about that very tiny – but, oh so powerful part of our body – the tongue.

The power of words... an encouraging word can go such a long way. May your words be a blessing to someone today.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 10.33. Live for God, on purpose, guarding your lips, and speaking words of love and encouragement to those around you.

Power of the Tongue

by Os Hillman

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." – Proverbs 18:21

Words have the power to motivate or destroy, energize or deflate, inspire or create despair. Many successful executives can remember the time their father failed to give affirmation to them as a child. The result was either overachievement to prove their worth, or underachievement to prove he was right.

Many a wife has lost her ability to love because of a critical husband. Many a husband has left a marriage because of words of disrespect and ungratefulness. Stories abound regarding the power of words. There are just as many stories of those who have been encouraged, challenged, and comforted with words that made a difference in their lives.

Jesus knew the power of words. He used parables to convey His principles of the Kingdom of God. He used words of forgiveness and mercy. He used words to challenge. He used words to inspire His disciples to miraculous faith.

Do your words give life? Do they inspire and challenge others to greatness? Who does God want you to encourage through your words today? Affirm someone close to you today.

as seen in Os Hillman's email devotional, "TGIF – Today God Is First" www.TodayGodIsFirst.com

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Gossip Through the Pews

First pew: "My ear kind of hurts."

Second pew: "The pastor has an earache."

Third pew: "The pastor got a hearing aid."

Fourth pew: "The pastor is having trouble hearing."

Fifth pew: "The pastor got a double earring."

Last pew: An older lady with a cane is seen walking out, saying, "That does it – I'm outta here! The pastor got a double earring!"

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More on the Tongue...

I am more deadly than the screaming shell from the howitzer. I win without killing. I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives. I travel on the wings of the wind. No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless. My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea, and often as innocent. I never forget and seldom forgive. My name is Gossip. – Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal

The tongue can be a beautiful angel or a hideous demon. The tongue can be as honey or vinegar. The tongue can be pure or vile. The tongue can caress or cut. The tongue can rouse men to act as well as it can subdue their emotions. A false whisper can infuriate a nation, but the power of eloquence can quell the fury of a multitude. A word of anger can wound while a word of kindness can win. Words of hate can kill and words of love can kiss. God says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). – George Sweeting

as seen in Rocky Henriques‘ weekly email devotional, "The Timothy Report." www.timothyreport.com

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Bull in a China Shop

by David Jeremiah

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver... the lips of the righteous feed many. – Proverbs 10:19-21

The phrase "bull in a china shop" comes from an old anonymous poem dating back two hundred years. It tells of a bull that darted through the door of a china shop before anyone could stop him, and every flick of his tail and thrust of his horns spelled disaster for the glassware. "The china shop master, a little fat man, popped in, and the bull at him furiously ran, caught him by the waistband without more ado, and tossed him completely the shop window through."

Sometimes we're like a bull in a china shop regarding the way we speak to others. We forget that people have fragile egos and situations are often delicate. Saying whatever we think is a sure way to break something precious. It's all right to be bold when the occasion demands it, but we should always be respectful of others and conscious of the benefit our words may do – or the damage they might inflict.

Be sure your brain is engaged before putting your mouth in gear. Happiness is often punctured by a sharp tongue.

as seen in David Jeremiah's devotional, "Today's Turning Point" www.DavidJeremiah.org

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Holding Your Tongue

by Marji Kruger

How do your words get you into trouble? Listen to just a few proverbs that deal with holding your tongue:

• Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. (Proverbs 17:14)

• He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. (Proverbs 17:19)

• A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. (Proverbs 17:27)

• Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (Proverbs 17:28)

• He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. (Proverbs 21:23)

• Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. (Proverbs 26:20)

• A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; (Proverbs 27:15)

• Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Proverbs 29:20)

Is your foot getting into your mouth a few too many times? Is it time to start holding your tongue? Why not begin today?

as seen in Marji "Mike" Kruger's "Anchor Your Life" email devotional. www.anchoryourlife.com

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Stop Complaining and
Start Gaining

"'Do everything without complaining...'" – Philippians 2:14

Isn't complaining really just about words? No, it's much more than that!

First, complaining hands your power over to the people and circumstances you complain about, making you feel like their victim. It diminishes your ability to think of solutions, conditions your mind negatively and blunts your ability to receive creative ideas from God.

Positive outcomes don't grow in negative soil! You can't complain and create simultaneously. "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring...can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?..." (James 3:11-12)

Complaints are verbal expressions of negative beliefs. They cancel positive intentions and confessions, rendering you powerless to reap the gains God offers. Complaining focuses on a past you can't change. It keeps you scavenging in yesterday's debris, searching for evidence about "who did what" and "when" and "why," while your present slips fruitlessly away.

Second, complaining is toxic to your relationships. "...Do you not know...a little leaven leavens the whole lump?‘ (1 Corinthians 5:6) Complaining invites others to complain. Injected poison toxifies every part of the body.

Subtly, your relationship, your family, your workplace, your church and your environment become polluted. Complaining polarizes relationships. People who don't like stress, anxiety and negativity begin to distance themselves from you.

"The tongue has the power of life and death..." (Proverbs 18:21) – your life and death, and the life and death of others. So pray, "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord...‘ (Psalm 141:3); help me to avoid complaining.

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The Last Impression

A middle-aged man was waiting for the bus. While he waited, he watched a young boy eat five candy bars, one right after the other. He said to the boy, "Eating all that candy is bad for your health and can rot your teeth."

The boy replied, "Mister, my grandfather lived to be 97 years old!"

The man said, "I'll bet he didn't eat five candy bars in a row."

The boy answered, "No, but he sure knew how to mind his own business!"

Our tongues surely are powerful things! In James 3:10, we read "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." You have a choice as to what you will allow to come out of your mouth. This Sunday, you have that choice. Make the choice to "praise your Lord and Father!" (James 3:9)

Looking forward to praising God and worshiping together with you here at WFA this Sunday!