The Word for today is found in Matthew 5:33-37:

33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (KJV)

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (NIV)

Jesus is telling us that our word should stand on its own. We need to let others know that when we give our word on something that we will stand by it and they can count on what we say.

There used to be a time when a man’s word was as good as a contract. You did not even have to have the deal in writing, for if one said it, it was good.

Today a contract does not really mean that much anymore. People who do not learn to stand behind what they say will always have a hard time trusting in the written Word of God. If you don’t trust what you say, how will you trust what God said?

It is the same with the love walk. If you do not like yourself, how will you be able to love others?

Christians have set a bad example in the business world–as well as in our personal lives–by not following through on what we said, even if we realized we missed it.
The Bible says to swear by your own heart and change not. That means if you said it and realized you missed it, then you still must follow through with what you said, even if it hurts you.

Our words should mean something to ourselves and others. I have learned the hard way not to say “yes” too quickly, or I may regret it later.

Think on these things and stop and think through what you promise to others; then be ready to follow through. You do the right thing and God will make up the difference.

Be a blessing to someone today for the Lord. Love in Christ, Pastor Louise