Dear family and friends,
Another day, another step, another move into our future. Welcome to Heartstrings where our journey leads us to the arms of Jesus. The heart of the Father and the comfort of Holy Spirit.
Have you ever picked up a stone to skip on the water? I was thinking about this and remembered it had to be a smooth stone. It took just the right toss to make the thing skip over the surface and make ripples. So fun to watch with the kids!
Well, what about the stones we throw when we speak? I know once I have spoken in haste I cannot get those words back. The ripple has already been in motion.
Our words mean a lot to God. When we direct them to Him in praise and worship, we know the Lord and all the angels in heaven hear. They even bend down to our soft whispers.
Thinking before we speak will make the greatest, longest effect in the lives of others. So, this morning I prayed along with this scripture in Isaiah 57:19..."Peace, peace, to him who is far off [both Jew and Gentile] and to him who is near! says the Lord; I create the fruit of his lips, and I will heal him [make his lips blossom anew with speech in thankful praise]."
What a beautiful picture. I want to have words coming off my lips that are fragrant and lovely Lord Jesus.
Psalm 19:14 says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer." Amen!
Personally, I can't justify the clipped words, the spoken unkindness or the self-righteousness when I speak. It grieves the Lord. Only by coming to Jesus and asking for forgiveness can I ever be made free from the way my mouth used to speak. I got so tired of my Sunday speech compared to my Monday speech.
WE have been given a marvelous gift of God's grace. It is something we could never be able to pay for. Something so valuable as a believer that once experienced, well, you just want more with each new day.
WE have been raised up to worship the Father! It is through the Son of God ...."He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue our being] in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6.
We, together; Jew and Gentile. Who is standing in the way of the stones you are casting? Pause and think about this. Maybe no one but, one. How good is your aim? Best to drop it to the ground then. Jesus doesn't want us to bruise others.
There are unlimited, surpassing riches of HIs free grace; unmerited favor. It is HIs kindness and goodness of heart toward us that we are able to share the gift of Jesus Christ.
WE are saved, delivered from the judgement due us through faith. Salvation which is not of our own selves or our own doing. it came not through our own striving to make it so...but, it is the gift of God!
So, when we speak we ought to think what the effect will be. God sees and hears the tiniest stone hitting the water. Will it bring honor to HIm or drop out of sight with a plunk? Will the ripple bring joy to others or be a heavy weight of regret? Oh, I want to be changed!
Lord, thank you for being with us today. Thank you for shining Your Light on the words we speak. Help us to consider others better than ourselves as we present the fruit of our lips. Keep and guard us Holy Spirit. Teach us Your ways and help us to walk in them.Thank you Lord of peace. We bless Your Holy, matchless name Lord Jesus, amen.
Abundance is...the blossom of new speech