March 16, 2015

Words

This post has been in the works for quite some time....Once I started the blog hop, I put this post on hold once again just waiting for this week to roll around!
It is a compilation of many posts that came up on my FB newsfeed; my daily e-mail devotions on February 11, 2013. I share some of my ponderings as well (in blue).


"...only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs..."
That is really hard, but why is learning to filter our words is so important. That lil diddy we learned as kids "sticks & stones..." FALSE...FALSE...FALSE....our words can & do hurt-typically unintentionally too. Their hurts do hidden damage....if someone's words have hurt you, talk to them! They could be completely unaware that something came out unfiltered...or may have been misinterpreted through your filter. Open the door for apology & forgiveness today...

"Careless words can be costly. “A landmark study suggests friendships between women are special. They shape who we are and who we are yet to be. They soothe our troubles, fill the emotional gaps in our marriage, and help us remember who we really are.” So, why would we ever want to trade the beauty of all that friendship offers for just a few careless words? 

The Bible says, “Don’t 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.” Oh how this challenges me to really think about the words I speak. My words should be helpful, considerate, and encouraging. My friendships are special and worthy of my very best words." ~ Lysa TerKeurst

From today's P31 radio show, "Everyday Life with Lysa & Renee"
~ a production of Proverbs 31 Ministries

Hmmmmm....same verse, similar message. I'd say God is speaking! Am I (Are we) listening?
My Princess,


Remember, My love, your tongue has the power of life and death. Every day you will be faced with the opportunity to talk about others. I'm asking you to let Me take control of your conversations. When you are tempted to give in to gossip, pray. I'm the only One who can tame your tongue. I know how hard it is to think before you speak, but I will help you.

I want you to be careful who you listen to and what conversations you engage in. Socializing with the wrong people and getting involved with useless conversation or harmful hearsay can cost you friendships and your reputation. I am willing to listen to all that concerns you about others. So talk to Me first, and I will give you words of wisdom in how to build up others and glorify Me.

Love,

Your King who purifies your tongue

"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."
~Ephesians 4:29, NIV~



From His Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd

I think all this may just find its way into a blog post soon....going to ponder it all today as I head to work! (and ponder it I did...and I have!)

Watch this video as you too ponder your words...it's heart wrenching when I think of the power MY TONGUE holds to either build people up or tear them down. I personally want to be in the business of  building, a responder to those around me...not in demolition work, a reactor. 


Speaking Blessings 
by Sheri Rose Shepherd

May the Lord bless you and protect you. 
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. 
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. - Numbers 6:24-

There is nothing more beautiful than speaking a blessing over someone's life. We waste too much time looking for what we can get from others instead of what we can give to others. Today, try to speak a blessing over every person God places in your path and see if you yourself are not blessed by the end of this day! His blessings don't always come in the pretty package we think they should...so be aware, eyes open as you choose to speak blessings to others as to how God chooses to show you blessing in return.

God's Letter to You

I believe if The Lord was going to write you a personal letter about battles this life brings it may read like this....

My Beloved Daughter,

I do smile upon you and my graciousness is always with you. I love to give you my favour and bless you with my peace. You are precious in my site and I want the best for my girl.

Don't let anyone cause you to believe that I don't want to be close to you or bless you. I am a good Father and I find great joy when you receive all I want to give to you. I want you to open your heart to me today and I want you to look to receive goodness from me. As you receive, begin to look around you for those who need to know that I am a good God and pass along the blessing that I have given you.

Love,
Your Heavenly Daddy

A Prayer for You

Dear God,

I pray that you would give your daughter the beautiful ability to receive all the good things that you want for her and as she receives I pray that you would give her the words to speak blessings over those she loves.

Treasure of Truth

The way that we speak to others reflects the way we see God.

Check out this video from Sheri Rose Shepherd about Speaking Blessings. Sorry I couldn't insert the video for you. You have to click HERE

It's said that as a woman we speak upwards of 20K words a day & men up to 16K...How am I using my words each day? Am I using them to be a builder, a reponder? OR am I on a personal demolition crew, reacting?
(think nuclear reactor type words vs a first responder to an accident scene type words)

Today...I choose to use my words to bless! I choose to live out James 3:9-12
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
Ouch...I am so glad God is not afraid to send me an "ouch" to remind me how much He wants me to truly live a life that loves Him...it starts with my thoughts, which become my words, because they then become an action, those actions become my destiny...my destiny becomes my legacy. I want a legacy that loves the Lord.

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2 comments:

Kathleen Rouser said...

So true, Shelly! Words can hurt. Also, the words we don't say. I wish I had spent more time affirming and blessing my kids as they were growing up! Trying to find ways to say encouraging things now, but it's harder when they live far away in some ways.

shelly k said...

That is so true! Being an encourager is not always an easy place to live...for at times the encourager needs to be encouraged too! Keep asking God to give you opportunities to encourage your children now...no encouraging word goes unheard! even if the receiver tries to ignore it ;)