Watch what you say and DON'T say!

 

Last Sunday, was not one of my best Sundays. First of all, I did the announcements. That is unusual for me because we have someone who does such a great job opening our service. I always right things down, in my sermons and in my announcements. I have learned if I don't, I can ramble and easily head down rabbit trails and forget some pretty important points. Well, on Sunday, I didn't write down to invite people to stand and greet each other. So, I forgot. AND when I recognized some people for a good job, I left someone out. I should have written that on my paper. URGH! I hate it when I FORGET STUFF. I can't make excuses!

I also messed up in my SERMON. No, I didn't preach any false doctrine. No, I didn't say something that was not true. I left out something. To most you wouldn't even notice. To a few it meant a lot. As I have gone through this week it has bothered me, even though I was told to "LET IT GO!" 

WORDS ARE POWERFUL and this week it is NOT what I said that had a great impact, it is what I didn't say. I have been thinking about that all week. What SHOULD I say, that I am not saying. Am I praising God like I should? Am I praising others like I should? Am I expressing THANKS and JOY in all that I say? Who have I neglected to give a word of encouragement? Who should I say thanks to that I take for granted? Who needs a kind word to lift their spirits? Maybe it is not always that I say something wrong, maybe I fail because I don't say something I should.

WORDS MATTER

"If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:28-30, NLT)

Your words are just as important as your actions. They have the potential to be good and helpful while they also can tear down and discourage people. We have an obligation as followers of Jesus to use our words for GOOD. We have been given the gift of salvation and the joy of that salvation should be on display all the time, especially with our words. 

Watch what you say and what you don't say! Don't be hesitant to praise, to say you're sorry, to demonstrate love through both WORDS and ACTIONS. Christ did that for us, we should do it for others!

Heavenly Father, Help me watch my words carefully. Help me to understand the value of praise as much as the actions I take. Help my words represent you. You have given me such a wonderful gift, how can I NOT praise and share my JOY with others. Thank You Lord, for your patience with me when I fail to say things that point everyone to you! AMEN!