260 JOURNEY MATTHEW 12 – JANUARY 16 TAKING MY 18,000 REAL SERIOUSLY

What was trending on Amazon right now is the resurgence of - the CIA analyst. Some knew him as , others and us old guys knew him as . Jack Ryan is ’s creation. How many of you heard of Tom Clancy and his thriller books? “Hunt for Red October,” “,” “,” “,” “.” His works are always very thick, about 500-700 pages. There are 1/2 million to 3/4 million words in an average Tom Clancy novel. How long would it take you to say as many words as he writes in one of his books? According to researchers, each person here will open his mouth an average of 700 times in a day. In those 700 times, you will use an average of 18,000 words a day. Those 18,000 words would translate to about 54 printed pages. That means that in one year, an average person would fill... 66 books of 800 pages each. Every year you write with your words 66 volumes that are larger than those Tom Clancy novels.

THAT’S A LOT OF WORDS! WHY DO THOSE 18,000 WORDS each day MATTER?

PROVERBS 18:21 tells us vividly WHY WORDS MATTER. PROVERBS 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Another version says it like this… Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) 21 Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose.

That’s why WE TAKE OUR 18,000 REAL SERIOUSLY. SO HERE’S THE QUESTION: What is my LIFE & DEATH ratio on my 18,000?

IS IT THAT BIG OF A DEAL? LET’S ASK JESUS

Our 260 Journey takes us to Matthew 12 today. We are reading through the NT in 2019 one chapter a day on the weekdays.

Here is what Jesus said: Matthew 12:34-37 (NASB Strong's) For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the Day of Judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

If EVERY CARELESS WORD that I speak I am accountable for I need to take my 18,000 seriously. That is Scary - because I am accountable and that is important because my words can make a difference in someone’s life. I want to be motivated by making a difference and the scary part takes care of itself.

FOR EXAMPLE - Solomon says: Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. Here’s a challenge today - Give someone a GOOD WORD today. • TEXT IT • SAY IT • WRITE IT

Recently my family and I were traveling and I watched my youngest daughter write a 5-sentence note to the stewardess. 5 sentences and it makes their day. ONE GOOD WORD SOLOMON SAYS - CHANGES ANXIETY INTO GLADNESS. Your words have that capability. DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH YOUR 18,000 TODAY. “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” - Pascal

Count me in for A GOOD WORD today. That’s using my 18,000 effectively. TAKE YOUR 18,000 SERIOUSLY!