4 Phrases That Permanently Change Your Life

In the first chapter of Luke young Mary hears startling, life-changing words from an angel.  All were important but three stand out:  The Lord is with you; His Kingdom will never end; and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  Responding to the angel Mary provides the fourth phrase of importance:  I am the Lord's servant.

Phrases change us permanently for better or worse.

• Will you marry me?
• Just try it this once
• It's stage 4 and inoperable
• Congratulations on your acceptance to ______________
• I want a divorce
• You are pregnant
• He died this morning

Most people can quickly name 3 or 4 phrases that have permanently changed their life because words shape and influence us in tremendous ways.  "The tongue holds the power of life and death," we are told in Proverbs.  "The tongue is like the rudder of a ship," James instructs.  Words matter.

Tonight at 6 o'clock Celebration 4 powerful phrases will be spoken over every life: The Lord is with you; His Kingdom will never end; the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and I am the Lord's servant.  These are phrases that can permanently change your life if you receive them.  Though spoken to Mary in a timely way, they hold timeless application for all.

My heart this week has been particularly drawn to the lonely.  Loneliness can be known in isolation or in the midst of a crowd.  "Even in laughter the heart may ache," Proverbs reminds us.  Perplexity of heart fosters loneliness not proximity of people.

To the lonely I will say tonight:  The Lord is with you.  The Lord is with you in your prayers, in your thoughts, in your fears, in your relationships, in your hopes, in the hidden places of your heart, and in low and high places.  The Lord, Jesus, is the King who left His throne to be with you - Emmanuel.  His presence and His words of life are intended to replace the empty words and experiences of years gone by, to which, you are still clinging.  Let go and let the One who specializes in speaking new words do so into your lost heart.

Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden