Speaking is more of an expression of our hearts than a function of our abilities.

Speaking is more of an expression of our hearts than a function of our abilities.

Like Clint said, Good stage presence isn't having a big personality but having a right heart. Stage presence comes from the heart.

Jesus says that out of the heart the mouth overflows. (Matt 12:34)

Moses said that he could not lead his people but God said that he is choosing Moses. It was more about Moses' obedience to God than it was about his studdering.

We don't pray with big flowey words and long monologues like the nonchristians do. Why should we speak that way? (Mt 6:7)

We have been given a message. (1Jn 1:5 "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you.") (Romans 10:14,17 how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.)

We have been given a voice. Our words are powerful. God's word is sharper than a double edged sword. (Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.)

I hope that others will be encouraged to use the voice that God has given to share our beautiful message. God will equip us for what He calls us to do.

(New thought)
Somehow we've gotten the idea that our words and our actions are exclusive. We think that because we have swung too far to talk that we need to let our actions do all the talking. We wait for people to ask us the reason for the way we live. But that doens't happen all the time since we are works in progress or because other may be blind to it. I

God reminds us how powerful our words are in passages like James'. If we forget this we will either be careless with our words and hurt people with them or we will lose the opportunities that God has set before us to pass on His message of love, redemption and relationship.

Words and actions were meant to go together. When one is forgoten the other one suffers. Words without action or actions without words are both crippled.

It seems somewhat misleading to do good things in hope that someone will ask you about why you are doing them. Or to talk about good life without living it yourself. It feels proud to expect people to notice how different we are. It is a good challenge but can it be expected? Shouldn't we be showing people that we are works in progress with them and telling them to keep their eyes on Jesus. Afterall Christianity is less about what we do than what has changed on the inside and how can we expect people to know what has changed on the inside without us telling them?

Jesus says, "“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Both deeds and words are mentioned in this passage. We must do good deeds, but how would they know to give praises to their father in heaven if they did not tell them in whose name they come in.

Paul write to the Philippian church,
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold outc the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me." Phil 2:14=18

Paul talks about both our toungues (complaining and arguing) and our actions (sacrifice and service). We will shine as we hold out the word of life.