Precious Words

Wherefore comfort (admonish, exhort) yourselves together, and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, even as also ye do. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics. It is the greater person who does the right thing; Christ's righteousness dwells in you to help you do what is right. You are great in God's eyes when you choose to do right and bless others. No matter how rough your day is today, speak words that uplift and encourage those around you. Encourage others if you notice them doing a good job-not just those who work with you, but people wherever you go, such as store clerks, auto mechanics, and waiters. Say something like, "I appreciate the extra effort you are making to do your job well." You can change your life and someone else's by choosing to speak positive words.

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all thy marvelous works. PSALM 9:1 KJV Some Christians feel guilty when they are doing something that isn't "spiritual." Somehow or another, they feel the need to hurry through the grocery store, dash through the house cleaning, and rush through all the daily aspects of life that seem irrelevant to their faith. They want to get back to doing something "spiritual" so God will be pleased with them again. God did not intend for you to hate the secular side of life. You can enjoy holiness and time with God even when you are doing daily chores, running errands, or taking the children somewhere they need to go. Don't begrudge the routine things of life; see every activity as an opportunity to serve God with your whole heart.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. EPHESIANS 4:15 KJV If you want to become fully mature in the Lord, you must learn to love truth. Otherwise, you will always leave open a door of deception for the enemy to take what is meant to be yours. Some people have a difficult time facing truth and reality. They prefer to live in a make-believe world, pretending that certain things aren't happening. But we cannot deny the existence of problems or act as if they are not real. The devil is real, life is real, people are real, pain is real, and poverty is real. The good news is that no matter how real our pain may be, or how big our problems may seem, we can overcome all of them with the Word of God.

God is my help in every need; God does my every hunger feed; God walks beside me, guides my way Through every moment of this day. I now am wise, I now am true, Patient and kind, and loving, too; All things I am, can do, and be, Through Christ the Truth, that is in me. God is my health, I can’t be sick; God is my strength, unfailing, quick; God is my all, I know no fear, Since God and Love and Truth are here.

Gracious God, I feel such joy in my heart this day. Somehow the sun seemsbrighter, the air clearer, the colors more alive. It is as if the shadowsthat have kept me in the forgotten places of life have been swept away. Ipray that your grace will protect my joy so that I taste and smell it withfull attention. When the mighty feelings begin to wane, I pray that joy’sscent will remain, so that no darkness will ever be so black that I ceaseto believe in the light. I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.