Thoughts on "Words" -- Part Two

“Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten.” Inspirational verse--
Author Unknown

Have you ever thought about the fact that just as God’s WORD has power, being alive and active, so do our words?  We speak, and there is a reaction by the recipient—sometimes immediate or sometimes after reflection—but always, a reaction.  What will that reaction be?  It all depends, doesn’t it?  The power of our words can be a scary thought if they are not used as God would have us use them.

WORDS—do you realize they all begin in our hearts!   “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  What you say flows from what is in your heart.”  Luke 6:45  Although we don’t want to acknowledge this fact, (think of a newborn baby), it is true that all hearts are evil until we receive the Holy Spirit.  “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.  Who really knows how bad it is?”  Jeremiah 17:9  However, with the Holy Spirit living within us, God changes our hearts!  “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13  The Holy Spirit, God Himself, now works through us, and His fruit becomes evident:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Evidence of that fruit is then heard in our words—words that heal, build up, encourage, and demonstrate love for one another. 

As we walk through this coming week, let us remember the impact of our words and use them wisely, bringing life to others; and let every person with whom we speak be encouraged as they learn through our words how valued and treasured  they are, not only in God’s eyes, but in ours. 

VERSES: 

Ephesians 4:29  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Proverbs 15:4  “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

Proverbs 16:24  “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Proverbs: 18:4  “A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”

PRAYER:  As Psalm 19:14 states, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”  Purify my heart, Lord, so that only words of Your wisdom and love come from my mouth.  Help every word I speak benefit others, building them up, not tearing them down.  Refine me, so that others hear You when I speak.  Let each person with whom I visit know they are valued and loved, so much so, that they will recognize that You will pursue them always, guarding over and protecting them if they accept You as Savior, now and forever. Amen.

SONG:  “Refiner’s Fire” written by Brian Robert Doerksen
 
Purify my heart, let me be as gold
And precious silver
Purify my heart, let me be as gold
Pure gold
Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart, cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my Master
Ready to do Your will
Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my Master
Ready to do Your will
Ready to worship
Ready to follow
Ready to do Your will
 
DISCLAIMER:   I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since.  How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?!

These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him.  However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word.  Therein lies the source of all truth!