|| "Gifts of Life" - Victoria Osteen ||

Scripture tells us that our words contain the power of life and death. You have the power to speak life into your home and the people around you, and you were given that power for a reason. The people around you need to hear your words of encouragement. Your encouraging words are more meaningful to them than anyone else's! They are like little gifts of life that the people closest to you need to hear.

Sometimes we compliment total strangers or people we barely know more than we compliment our own family members. Many times, a person will tell a coworker what a great job they did, but when their own spouse excels, they don't say a word. We need to always make it a priority to compliment and encourage our own family members first.

It's easy to take the people closest to us for granted. You might think, "Oh, I don't need to say anything. They know how I feel." Or, "She knows I think she is beautiful...He knows I think he's great." Maybe so, but a blessing is not a blessing until it is spoken. When you release those positive, faith-filled words of affirmation, they have a positive impact on the lives of the people you love.

I am convinced that when we put family first, when we take the time and make the effort to be good to our family members and give them our best, then all the other relationships in our lives will improve as well.

Always remember, the people in your inner circle not only want your approval—they need it. Life and death are in the power of your tongue, and the seeds you sow will produce a harvest for your own future. Speak words of faith and victory and set yourself up for a harvest of victory in your own future. Give gifts of life to others and receive His life in abundance in return.

"The tongue has the power of life and death…" (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)