Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
- Psalm 141:3
Have you ever said something that hurt someone else…or perhaps caused unfavorable consequences for yourself?
I know I have. For years I just said whatever I felt like saying, but thank God I have learned that words are powerful. What you say has the power to impact your life—and the lives of others—for good or bad. So it is wise to think about what you’re going to say before you say it.
You should speak only words of encouragement that will build people up and make them feel better. You get many opportunities every day to put this into practice, but it requires real discipline and determination.
You may have been hurt by someone’s words…or perhaps you have hurt someone with your words. But you can change that, starting now. It will take prayer and discipline, but God will help you develop and exercise control over the words you speak.
The Command of a King
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.”
Luke 19:29–31
Though British monarchs had been entertained by performers and musicians for centuries, the tradition of a formal performance before the head of state is agreed to have begun in 1848 when Queen Victoria attended “The Merchant of Venice” at Windsor Castle. The Royal Command Performance became a tradition carried on by successive monarchs through the years. The invitation to perform for a king or queen is not really a request—it is a command.
God does not ask us to do things, but rather tells us what He expects. He is the great King, and has every right to command us to do whatever He chooses. We do not have the right to refuse, because we do not belong to ourselves but to Him. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
Everything that God commands is our responsibility to perform. God is high and lifted up, beyond our ability to understand. It is not ours to reason or bargain with Him, but rather to obey completely.
Luke 19:29–31
Though British monarchs had been entertained by performers and musicians for centuries, the tradition of a formal performance before the head of state is agreed to have begun in 1848 when Queen Victoria attended “The Merchant of Venice” at Windsor Castle. The Royal Command Performance became a tradition carried on by successive monarchs through the years. The invitation to perform for a king or queen is not really a request—it is a command.
God does not ask us to do things, but rather tells us what He expects. He is the great King, and has every right to command us to do whatever He chooses. We do not have the right to refuse, because we do not belong to ourselves but to Him. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
Everything that God commands is our responsibility to perform. God is high and lifted up, beyond our ability to understand. It is not ours to reason or bargain with Him, but rather to obey completely.
Today’s Growth Principle:
We cannot say “No” to Jesus and rightly claim that He is Lord of our lives.
Think Before You Speak
by Joyce Meyer - posted September 03, 2016Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
- Psalm 141:3
Have you ever said something that hurt someone else…or perhaps caused unfavorable consequences for yourself?
I know I have. For years I just said whatever I felt like saying, but thank God I have learned that words are powerful. What you say has the power to impact your life—and the lives of others—for good or bad. So it is wise to think about what you’re going to say before you say it.
You should speak only words of encouragement that will build people up and make them feel better. You get many opportunities every day to put this into practice, but it requires real discipline and determination.
You may have been hurt by someone’s words…or perhaps you have hurt someone with your words. But you can change that, starting now. It will take prayer and discipline, but God will help you develop and exercise control over the words you speak.
No comments:
Post a Comment