In March of 2014, we experienced a 5.1 shaker which was located just a short distance from our home. Now, to someone that has never experienced an earthquake; a 5.1 might be really frightening with 20 seconds of shock waves, the earth moving below your feet and things falling off of the shelves.

But, in October of 1995, Marcia and I experienced a 7.9 earthquake in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico which lasted 1 minute and 43 seconds. Now that may not seem very long, until you count out 103 seconds: one - one thousand, two - one thousand .. And every four seconds, a three foot shock wave would pick up one end of the multistory building we were in, roll completely underneath it; causing the entire building to lever-over like a teeter-totter, back and forth - over and over and over until we began to believe that it would never stop.

During that quake we climbed onto the narrow platform under the heavy dining room table and by the end of the quake, we, the table and the rest of the furniture were all jumbled against the opposite wall 25 feet away in the living room.

This quake was so strong that it completely knocked the crown from off the top of the Lady of Guadalupe Church and tossed it into the street, as well as splitting the 15 story hotel, next door to where we were staying, top to bottom completely in half.

In retrospect, everything is relative. After that 7.9, a 5.1 doesn't really seem like such a big deal any more. TGM

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It was only later that the thought dropped into my heart - this is what God wants His children to do. We actually do use our words every day - but do we know how to use them properly? Take a look at the first spoken words "Then God said - Let there be light." The first use of words was to inject power into a situation to bring about change. God didn't just think about light, and it came to be. He spoke the word, and it became reality.

Most of us don't even realize it, but we "speak power" into our lives all the time. With good reason, God instructed us "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Prov. 18:21 KJV). Unfortunately (and largely unknown to us) the power we are calling into our lives is often negative. "That scares me to death" or "my back is killing me," Worse yet - "I just know I'll get the flu" or "that boy's going to kill himself riding that motorcycle."

And what happens - we get the flu, our job is down sized or some other disaster we've spoken about comes to pass. The words that tumble from our lips are the doors to blessings, or a wide open gate for the thief to step into the opening we provided.

God also tells us He has set before us life and death.and to CHOOSE life. (Deut. 30:19) We choose first in our thought lives, and then with our actions and with our words.

And Satan will choose to oppose us in any way he can - picture getting up after not sleeping so well and going to work. Someone greets you with a cheery "Good morning! How are you?" Almost before we know it, Satan's point of view pops out of our mouth - "I'm so tired! I hardly slept last night." It may be a fact that sleep wasn't great, but if we choose life, we remember truth (Psa. 127:2) tells us "God gives his beloved sleep." Use your spoken word to employ God's word, bringing power to that situation. Prov. 3:24 "When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet."

Jesus did not just blurt out random statements or His own opinions when confronted with issues and problems. He had already spent eons at the throne of God before coming to earth as a man. While on earth, He spent much time in meditation and prayer because His intent was to do only what the Father did and say only what the Father said, modelling an example for us as men and women. He knew what to do and say every time because He sought God's input continually. He chose to use words as God did, and does.

Since He is now in heaven at God's right hand again, He has invested us with His power and authority to use words as He did. We must choose to use them wisely, and put a bridle on our speech. He never promised that we would be without trials; in fact, he said there would be trials and tribulations.

But He has not left us without defence or weapons. Deut. 11:18 "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart., and bind them . upon your hand". Keep My words in your soul, life, and in your actions. Note Mark 11:23 " For I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt .. But shall believe those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

We can use our words - to stop talking the problem, and call in the solution, by the authority of the living Jesus. Don't wait another hour to start! "  TGM

• Learn to position yourself to receive God's best for you by speaking His Word.
• Turn situations around in your life.
• Transform your life by speaking positive
• faith-filled words.