I’m not the easiest person to buy a present for, just ask my daughters.
Anything I might want is more than likely out of their budget or they are unsure if I can use something they do think up.
For instance, what would I want for my birthday next month?
I wouldn’t mind a whole house generator, a screened-in front porch, or a vertical pellet smoker.
But those are things I can and will eventually get myself.
My gift cannot compare to what Herodias wanted.
When is the last time you read the account of the death of John the baptist?

Matt 14:6-11
But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”
And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

A human head is not on any gift list I can dream up.
This shows you the depravity of people.
Although, as a moral person, I cannot imagine cutting of the head of an enemy, you and I know there are those in this world that will do it.
And it is not improving.
As it was in the days of Noah, when the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Gen 6:5), the same behavior will happen before the return of Christ.
We are there!

Matt 8:8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”

This soldier, that encountered Jesus, knew the power of words.
As an example, he said he could give an order and it was carried out.
The centurion’s word contained authority.
He knew Jesus’ word contained authority.
The centurion knew it and Jesus knew it but many Christians do not know they, too, have authority in their word.
Titus was told, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” Titus 2:15
Use your words in authority.
As a Christian, you can change lives by speaking the word of God to others.
Don’t be haughty or prideful but let God’s word from your mouth be as the Proverbs say – Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Prov 16:24

Matt 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

The old adage says sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me.
I don’t think that is totally true.
I understand the meaning behind it but words are powerful weapons too.
Solomon, the wisest man ever, said, “You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.” Prov 6:2
James also pointed out the importance of words in saying, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:10
With words, you can build up or tear down someone.
By your words, you encourage or discourage.
Through your words, you bless or curse.
James 3:2 says if anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
The ability to control what you say is a pathway to perfection.
The absolute best words you can speak are God’s words as every word of God is pure; Prov 30:5
So speak blessings today.

Matt 14:26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

Have you had a great day that suddenly turned sour?
The disciples did.
It was a day they saw and participated in one of Jesus’ greatest miracles.
Thousands of people turned out to hear Him speak.
Jesus ended up feeding the crowd with two fish and five loaves of bread.
Not only did they feed a crowd in excess of five thousand but took up twelve baskets of leftovers.
This was unbelievable.
They have witnessed Jesus do many things but nothing like this.
At the end of the day, Jesus had the disciples get into a boat and start sailing to the other side of the lake.
As they journeyed, a storm began to brew.
The waves became higher and the boat pitched back and forth and side to side.
They strained as they tried to unsuccessfully get the boat to safety.
As if things could not get worse, something appeared out of the darkness on the water.
A few of the disciples were fishermen accustomed to being on the water and they had never seen something like this apparition.
They were afraid thinking it was a ghost.
The fear spread from man to man.
Their awesome day of joy and praise had become a night of fear and doubt.
The ghost they presumed was Jesus walking on the water – an even greater miracle than what happened earlier in the day.
You know the rest of the story.
Peter also walked a few steps on the water toward Jesus, another miracle.
In conclusion, God is a God of miracles – in the bright daylight and in the gloom of night.
God wants to calm your fears with a miracle.
He wants you to trust Him in the storms that encircle you and in the ghosts that plague you.
Get ready for another miracle.