“Do Your Words Build Others Up?”
Version)
As I look at this scripture I not only think about how valuable it is to careful to listen to a person’s words but we need to listen to their heart. Many times we are way too eager to speak words in response to someone making them feel that you did not even listen to them.
Did you ever have times that you have walked away from a conversation and your mind kind of goes on rewind and you think about how you could of said something better. Maybe you could have been a better listener. Maybe you have pondered what you spoke and you realize that you did not speak with wisdom. It is so important that we realize how important and powerful our words are.
When we speak into an individual’s life with encouraging words we may never know how God is using us and causing a break through for them.
” Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as
it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to
answer anyone [who puts a question to you.”
come out of our mouths in casual conversation. Do your words encourage people’s hearts and lift them up? Sometimes a kind word and smile to a stranger may be the only one they have received in a long time. I think about the importance of seasoning our speech as it were with salt. Salt is an enhancer, but it is also a preservative…something to ponder isn’t it?
your ear to the heart of the person speaking. May we make a conscious effort to be building one another up with our words, our actions and our prayers.
“What Is God’s Wisdom?”
God’s wisdom is free of anything that could contaminate us. His wisdom is untainted by human thinking, and the philosophies of this world. God’s wisdom is not laced with our opinions or our past experience. It is straight from the heart of God. It is peace loving and gentle. Worldly wisdom will say that you have to continually speak your mind, be pushy and insist that you are right. When conflicts arise it should be in our heart to try to discuss the matter peaceably without arguing. In Proverbs 15:1 it says… “A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
” And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and
deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make
peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord,
agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a
peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts.”
“Where To Turn? What to Do?
“If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do
is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and
never scolds you for asking.”
It so important that we run to the Lord and cry out for His wisdom on a daily
basis.
me early shall find me.”
floor when you get out of bed till you lay down at night. I am not talking about being over spiritual either. I really do not think that God cares what I wear or what flavor of coffee I drink but I do know that He cares about a lot about my plans and thoughts for my day. I think He really wants to be in our life more than we realize. Yesterday I knew my day was going to be quite full, and I had much to be accomplished. Every square inch of the minutes in my day were needed to reach a goal. I simply asked God first thing in the morning to order my steps for each thing that needed to be done. I asked Him to help me use every minute wisely, and He was faithful to cause me to reach my goal.
encourage you today that if you do not know what to do, ask Him. Ask Him what He thinks about your problem or whatever it is that you are dealing with. I warn you also to be patient and keep all questions in your heart before Him. He is faithful and He will answer. He knows exactly what the right thing is for us to do in our situation and we must simply trust Him.
“But Pray and Ask God…”
or think, above our highest hopes, prayers and dreams.”
for God to work on our behalf like we never dreamed. I like to look at it this way, think about a situation and what you could perceive as a good outcome, and then think how God can surpass our expectations. I love when God turns a hopeless situation inside out, and uses it for His glory.
Philippians 4:6 (Easy-to-Read Version)
” Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need,
always giving thanks for what you have.”
Today I would like you to think about the times where the Lord answered a prayer of yours, and it was not the way you expected. Many times I have found that potential problems ended in great opportunities to minister to people, and I was stronger than before. This is part of the work of the Lord in our lives as we stand strong in our faith, and endure no matter what. It is a good thing that we meditate and testify of the goodness of the Lord in our lives!
“That Moment When God…”
“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—”
“Your Faith Will Blossom”
James 1:2-4 (The Voice) “Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and
sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you
embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true
patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip
you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete,
and wanting nothing.”
The first thing I want to say that really stands out to me is that we need to come to a place where we embrace hardships and tests with a right attitude. I think the hardest thing for us to do is embrace a difficulty. It seems like human nature just wants to live in a place where there is no conflict but we well know that on this earth that is not going to happen. I find it troubling when Christians want to
get angry with God and turn their eyes away from Him when things are not going their way. The truth is, we live in a fallen world but we serve a risen Savior that is well able to bring victory in every thing we face!
“Singing In the Storm”
to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and
the mountains fall into the sea. We are not afraid when the seas become rough
and dark and the mountains tremble.”
After the tornado killed 26 and injured hundreds, the town of Moore gathered to remember those
that lost their lives and look to God and each other for strength to go on.During the service an elementary school teacher shared about how she handled her classroom of small children as the deadly tornado approached. She exclaimed how she did not want her children to be frightened
so she asked them if they wanted to play a game with her. She told them to move their desks against the wall and get under them. As they huddled they began to sing songs and after a few songs one little one asked to sing “Jesus Loves Me.”
tornado got the louder they sang.
During the service the Rabbi Veder Harris read from the book of Kings, noting that God was not in the storm but is in the “still, clear voice within us.” I believe that even in the “storms” of this life if we stay still in our spirits and our faith strong in Him we can still hear His voice and proclaim His love for us. When we know we are hearing His voice we can always be assured that He is with us and He will bring us through.
“Refresh My Soul”
This Psalm is probably one of the most favorite and most memorized over the years. The other day I was reading it, and my heart has returned to share with you what the Lord has impressed upon my heart. I would dare to say that anyone would love to say that their heart and mind is surrounded and totally permeated with God’s peace and rest. Along with a heart and mind at rest, I believe He desires that we be good stewards of our bodies in the area of rest that we experience good health.
I love when people share what they have learned from the Lord through their experiences. It is so valuable when we can share the wisdom we attain with one another. Today I will share with you what the Lord recently spoke to my heart relative to leading me through a sickness I am recovering from. It has been a few weeks where I knew my body was dealing with something. Last Monday while I was quietly walking about my backyard with Aasha, He gently impressed upon my heart that I needed to commit my body to rest. May I emphasize ~He gently impressed upon my heart~. He did not command me…it was a gentle leading. The Lord never forces us to do a thing….”period…end of paragraph!!!”
I have to say that resting and doing nothing for me is a struggle. I am an achiever, and I do not stop until I am exhausted. I continue to learn that just going about doing things my own way can get me in trouble. You see, we can confess that He leads us to quiet places, green pastures, and still waters, but that does not always mean we obediently follow. My friend, I must tell you, this can get us in trouble!
After being diagnosed with pneumonia a few days ago, I can say that I am glad that I was obedient to do all that I knew to do. My body is healing up and strength is welling up from within, and I praise Him for it! Over the past few days I have experienced rest like never before, and it has been so amazing. I want to add to this that we need to be so thankful for our bodies, and God desires that we take care of them. Sometimes we can be overdoing it, and not respecting the fact that God has indeed created us to work and produce but he also desires we receive proper rest, We must obey that fact or we can end up paying for it. Our shepherd knows the “green pastures” and “quiet waters” that will restore us. We reach those places only by obediently following Him.
I hope this has blessed you today. As the old saying goes, “We live and we learn, and we learn and we live.” I praise Him for this experience and wisdom of a greater understanding of proper body rest.
“It’s A New Day!”
“…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
ourselves in danger. May we be continually looking forward as the Lord walks beside us, and leads us and guides us in His paths that echo His Name.
the days to come knowing that He is ready to use us as He wills as we give Him
our all! I leave you with this powerful quote…
” A Love That Never Fails “
As we rejoice in knowing that love never fails, we can rejoice greatly in the fact that we will never be separated from it. Romans 8:39 it says, “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” As we stay in fellowship with the God of love, light and life we will continue to go forward. Know that there will be times in this life that we may fail, but God and His love NEVER fail. He is always there for us and He promises to continue to be there for us.
Every day there will be new challenges that can bring potential frustrations that can tempt us to be weary and cause our heart to fear failing. Be encouraged, we serve a God of love that never fails. Our loving Heavenly Father is there to deliver us and bring us out of circumstances and we will be stronger than before!
This is a good way of teaching the kids to forgive each other(Matt. 5:7). I like the power of this gentle scripture and lesson… Thanks!!
thank you Lisa for sharing. I am blessed that this was a blessing to you!
Ralph &I are really enjoying your devotional together.
So glad this is blessing you both!
Oh, what a wonderful reminder! I want to break the magnifing glass of worry and trust God for each step I take.
It is interesting Selena how the more we worry the bigger and more magnified things get in our minds. Oh how important it is to trust our God for the smallest of things! Thank you for sharing!