The Water Drop Experiment – Jesus Works!
Last weekend I was listening to Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries as she spoke in a class I was attending. She said, “Ten years ago unsaved people wanted to know if Jesus was real. Today, people want to know if Jesus works.”
This simple statement hit me like a ton of bricks. Most of you know that I am married to an unbeliever so when I heard this statement, I thought about my unsaved husband. Is he watching to see if “Jesus works?”
People want to know that Jesus changes lives. Reading this I bet you could say, I know He changes lives because I am a life that is changed. I, too, stand as a testament to my husband that Jesus Works. And I can tell you He worked in my life in a very real way over the past 30 days.
One month ago a group of readers here at Laced With Grace began an experiment. The Water drop Experiment. (Read about it here).
Through earnest prayer – honest surrender and petition for change – I can say my heart, attitude, and words have experienced lasting change.
Thirty days ago I asked my husband to read the experiment. I wanted him to know about it and to help me be accountable to change my words.
Today I asked him, “Can you see (hear) a difference in my words?”
“Yes, I have noticed a big difference in you.”
JESUS WORKS!
I will be up-front and say I was skeptical at the onset of this endeavor. I have 40 plus years of negative and harsh word patterns as well as attitudes deeply imbedded in my brain. But I prayed and prayed and practiced. I read scriptures (see below). Jesus helped me to surrender the need to have the last word and the need to comment on everything. – That was a big one!
If Jesus did this for me, He will do it for you.
As we leave this experiment behind, I want to give you some power-words to keep you on track:
I am sorry
I was wrong
Please forgive me
I made a mistake
I don’t need to win
(silence)
Also:
Second chances
Forgiveness
Kindness
Surrender
Power in the blood of Christ
More of You, less of me
James 1:19 Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.
If you are struggling with harsh words like me, you are not alone. But take heart, Jesus works!
To follow are the scriptures and prayer we used during the month of our Water Drop Experiment:
(New International Version)
Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body!
Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Psalms 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Lord, I approach your throne with Jesus at my side. I have a heart which needs changing. Father, I have spoken with criticism and harshness about ________. I repent and no longer want to speak this way. Work a change in me. Let me see him/her with your eyes and love them wholeheartedly. Help me to practice speaking kind words and keep me from speaking unkind words. It is only by your strength that I can make this change. I ask you to make it a lasting change. I forever give you the honor and glory of a life changed by the love of Christ. I ask this Lord in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Please visit me at…..
I don’t know how I missed this challenge you gave yourself, but I love it. I’m realizing more and more how critical I have been with my kids and I don’t like it at all! I think this is an urging that I’ll be putting to practice starting now. Thanks for sharing not only the challenge, but the way that God changed your actions and your heart.
Lynn – I am so thrilled to read that your hubby said that he sees a change. What a great experiment. Yes, God’s strength and His guidance can help us to keep our tongue in check.
If something really bothers me, I usually leave the room (pray, cry, yell, let steam off) and I am all better. Oh, and you know what else works? Going to the restroom and start singing hymns – I have done it on a couple of occains here at work 😆 …I wonder if someone has heard me in the restroom singing 😉 …
Thank you so much for sharing your honest heart with us…
Lynn—this is awesome that “he” noticed. You are in my thoughts and prayers…This project of life-changing has been on my mind…usually “after” the words pop out. But, the change is taking place…and I AM being quiet…holding my peace…allowing His peace to flood my heart and mind!
Love you MUCH!!!
Lynn, Praise the Lord! I can’t believe the 30 days are over…who’s counting? Praise God that the change was seen by your husband!
JESUS WORKS!!!
Bit bybit…word by word…drop by drop…His blood was shed to cover it all!
Some Water Experiment…ripple effect…huh?
I can’t say that I have enjoyed the same success but my circumstances are a bit different. Long distance phone calls do not alter a marriage. Though my words should have ben tamed by now , I have to admit that I too have more than 40 years of a negative habit hindering that JESUS WORKS, but I know HE does…now pray
like your eloquent prayer that JESUS WORK that change in me so that others might SEE! I believe that has been the cry of my heart
for the same amount of years…and all I needed to do was…
A WATER EXPERIMENT! Praying that your excellent words of wisdom, scripture and prayers will take this heart and my mouth surrendered
and quieted by HIS HOLY and Gentle Spirit, so that I might be pure and holy in His Sight, blessing those around me HOW JESUS WORKS
I’m believing for Psalm 141:3 and James 1:19(guess I need a 90 day experiment…or bit by bit..like a horse…Lord, Here’s the bridle,
I place it in my mouth, take reign…take control. You are My Master for my life. I thank You for blessing Lynn & hubby with YOU!). More of HIM…less of me! Keep flowing in blessings…Peggy
Yes, Jesus WORKS!!! I’m thrilled that your husband noticed, Lynn!! That says it all, doesn’t it! Things are also MUCH better for me than they were 30 days ago! Now, before “those words” pop out of my mouth, I actually HEAR the words, “Don’t say anything” & I stop. It definitely takes prayer & practice, that’s for sure, but sooooo worth it in the end!! Thanks for doing this for us & being our “word coach”! 🙂
Love ya, girl!
Patricia
That is awesome Lynn. What a great thing to do and so great your husband noticed. You keep doing what your doing 🙂
What an awesome post Lynn! I am so glad that not only did you see the change, but your husband did too!
I’m currently praying my way out of selfishness (I hope!) I know God will be faithful to help me. After all, He’s the one who pointed it out to me!!
Love you girl!
Thank you Lynn for this awesome challenge. It really has pushed me over the past 30 days. There has been successes as well as failures but I’ve learnt from them all. It has also inspired me to give myself a series of summer challenges in some other areas.
Awesome my friend.
Lynn this is awesomg girl – and so true! People watch us, they listen to us and they see things in and about us when we don’t realise it.
Oh Lynn Jesus does work! Our family just got back for a road trip. Hubby was responsible for placing music on the I-Pod that we were to listen to in the car. Granted there was music I would not have selected, but there was also…(get this) PRAISE MUSIC. I did not even sing along I was stunned and I sat in my seat in the car and saw my husband sing to some of popular praise songs.
I have been struggling with things lately, but the Lord gave me that in the midst of it all. Oh JESUS DOES WORK!