When God created the heavens and the earth, he spoke them into being. Through His intention, He formed all of creation. From the smallest particle to the largest, all substance came from His essence. God breathed in Adam and framed human beings in His image. This sets us apart from the rest of creation.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26, NIV)
One of the most amazing ways that we are able to function in our imago Dei, which is a Latin phrase meaning “image of God”, is the power of our intention and words. Like our Heavenly Father, we carry the ability to create with our words. Whether we do it with intentionality or sub-consciously, we frame things up for our future as we speak. Proverbs 18:21 says it this way, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat of its fruit.” The fruit that we see coming forth in our lives, often is rooted in what we are speaking over our lives and circumstances. When we speak life giving words over health, relationships, finances, and other areas, we see fruit from God’s Spirit flowing. Likewise, if we are allowing our emotions or the emotions of others to dictate what comes out of our mouths, then we can experience a lot of negative and even destructive results. Using our words to frame our future, requires godly wisdom and intention as we partner with God.
I am sure you have experienced being around some folks that are very focused on what is going wrong in their lives. The enemy is quick to point out what we don’t have or all of the possibilities of what could go wrong, just to promote fear. If we allow that influence to flow through our words, we will find ourselves framing our future with the pain and disappointments of our past. God offers us the opportunity to co-create with Him through faith. Hebrews 11 tells us,
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (vs. 1, 3)
So how do we begin to be intentional in co-creating with God by faithfully framing with our words? I encourage you to start by speaking what God has spoken both in the Bible, His written or logos word, and the rhema words over your life. I was looking for a verse, just the other day, about God’s abundance because I was working with someone who wanted to expect and experience more abundance in her life and break out of a lack mentality. I simply googled “verses about God’s abundance” and several verses came up. The one that stood out was 2 Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Now that is a beautiful promise to frame your future upon! I would encourage you to write that verse on a note card, place it where you can see it every day and declare it over your life. Meditate on that verse and picture abundance in the areas of your life that need that blessing. As we walk this out, we honor God for the faithfulness of His lovingkindness in our lives. We also are renewing the way we are thinking and feeling about our circumstances. Then our words begin speaking from what God is saying and that creates from His heart. It is powerful to agree with God and see the life of God’s Kingdom flowing in, through and around us. This is what restores life and testifies to the loving faithfulness of God.
Steps in Pursuit
- Use 2 Corinthians 9:8, or a different verse that resonates with your heart and begin declaring it over your life.
- Begin to filter what is flowing from your mouth. Intentionally speak words that bless and encourage. Avoid speaking fearful or negative things over your situations.
- Bless others around you, by speaking encouraging and life-giving words and watch for the beautiful fruit.
Being intentional with our words will not only be healing in our lives, but also in the world around us.
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
