words are powerful | Kristi's Morning Devotional

Each morning is a blank page and our words and actions are the ink.

How will we fill it?

We have become so accustomed to the advancements of the computer than some have forgotten what it was like before we had a delete button. If we made a mistake with our writing our only choices were to cross out the mistake or get a clean sheet and start over.

I remember how long it took me to write my term paper when I was a Senior in High School. Painstakingly working on the final paper, making sure every word was spelled correctly and the punctuation was right. It had to be perfect…

I am so thankful that the Lord makes allowances for our mistakes. In fact, with each sunrise He gives us new mercy for the day.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. ²³The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. ²⁴Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Since the Lord is faithful to us, we should extend the same mercy to those around us. We are not only filling our own page but we will be writing on the page of others.

” Intelligent people choose their words carefully. Those who know what they are doing remain calm. 28 Silent fools seem wise. They say nothing and appear to be smart.” Proverbs 17:27-28 ERV

Today we have the opportunity to add value to our life and those around us.

“Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting. 12 Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.” Proverbs 25:11-12

We have probably all seen images of redacted government reports, the ones where the pages are filled with blacked out information and comments. We don’t want our life’s pages looking like that. Instead we fill our pages with kindness.

“Share with God’s people who need help. Look for people who need help and welcome them into your homes.

¹⁴Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them. ¹⁵When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too. ¹⁶Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

¹⁷If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. ¹⁸Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:13-118 CEV

Let’s choose our words wisely today and if we aren’t sure what to say, say nothing at all.

“Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting. 12 Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.” Proverbs 25:11-12 ERV

Jesus had three years to tell the world of God’s love and His plan for restoration. He had taught on a mountain side, at the seashore, in the center of town, at a wedding, a well where locals gathered and even in the Temple.

People followed him everywhere He went. Sometimes His words were hard to swallow. They made an impact and brought conviction, they also brought comfort and healing. When it came down to the final days of his earthly life he was still reaching out, making a difference and impacting His world.

Let me recall a few of the events that comprised Jesus last week before the crucifixion. He had ridden into Jerusalem on a colt before a worshipping crowd, he chased the dishonest merchants out of the Temple, healed the blind and the lame, and gave a lesson on faith to his disciples.

Now here He is again, back in the Temple. He’s making the most of every minute He has left to minister to the people and share God’s amazing gift of love and restoration. He knows the end is in sight and He wants to make sure he has done all the Father has asked Him to do.

Cue the villain music because here they come.

“Jesus had gone into the temple and was teaching when the chief priests and the leaders of the people came up to him. They asked, “What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus answered, “I have just one question to ask you. If you answer it, I will tell you where I got the right to do these things. 25 Who gave John the right to baptize? Was it God in heaven or merely some human being?”
They thought it over and said to each other, “We can’t say that God gave John this right. Jesus will ask us why we didn’t believe John. 26 On the other hand, these people think that John was a prophet, and we are afraid of what they might do to us. That’s why we can’t say that it was merely some human who gave John the right to baptize.” 27 So they told Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Then I won’t tell you who gave me the right to do what I do.” Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus was ministering to people and changing lives and the leaders were jealous that he didn’t seek their approval or permission. Even though they hated Jesus and were constantly trying to trip Him up, Jesus never said one untrue thing about them or to them. His heart was always loving.

A good example for us, isn’t it? Our Father has a plan designed for us as well. Before we leave the house, at the start of our day, we should ask God to show us how to love those that would like to see us fail.

Our words need to be loving and truthful. Let’s give Him the attitude of our hearts – if repentance is needed, we should do it quickly. We can draw on the loving power that He has placed within us.

The Apostle Paul said that we should be imitators of Christ and he also said that our words and our actions should honor the Lord.

“Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:16-17 ERV

Everything, did you see that? Everything we say or do should be done for the Lord. I’m certainly not there yet but I’m working toward that end.

How about you?

“Show me your faithful love this morning.
    I trust in you.
Show me what I should do.
    I put my life in your hands!
⁹Lord, I come to you for protection.
    Save me from my enemies.
¹⁰Show me what you want me to do.
    You are my God.
Let your good Spirit lead me over level ground.” Psalm 143:8-10 ERV

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