"Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). Nothing is as patently false as the well-worn saying, "sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never harm me". Physically wounds eventually heal, but wounds from words often last a lifetime. Conversely, the positive power of words can impact for a lifetime as well.
A child was once told by a teacher in grade school he would never amount to anything. These "death words" factored in to his drive for business success to prove the teacher wrong. These words could have easily created a severe self-limiting prison that hindered initiative and vision.
A legendary technological innovator, who died recently, apparently credited an elementary school teacher with providing crucial encouragement that became a key factor in his success. These words brought life in the critical developmental years of a child.
I'm basking in some rich encouragement today that came in the form of cards and notes from a caring congregation. And the wonderful thing about written encouragement is these can encourage many times over in the future. I have a special file folder entitled, "encouragement", that contains notes and cards I've received over the years (it just got considerably thicker since yesterday!). Many times, during the dark times in my life, I've opened the file and sought out the refreshing encouragement that these timeless notes and cards bring.
Yesterday we considered Hebrews 10:25 - "not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." People who find encouragement in the hope of immortality in the coming age do not withdraw from one another, but rather increase their efforts to encourage others as the fulfillment of hope approaches.
Death and life are the power of the tongue. How desperately we need those life words! And there are no more life-giving words (literally) than the words of the Bible. It has rightly been called God's love letter to us. And in them we ultimately find the life that God offers through His Son, Jesus: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me" (John 5:39).
These daily thoughts come to you with the sincere desire that they might encourage you. You who are of the family of God have an incredible hope to be pursued in faith, and expressed in love for one another. My heart of compassion goes out to you today to encourage you to firmly grasp your hope, pursue it steadfastly in faith, and love one another deeply from your heart as you await its fulfillment.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
A child was once told by a teacher in grade school he would never amount to anything. These "death words" factored in to his drive for business success to prove the teacher wrong. These words could have easily created a severe self-limiting prison that hindered initiative and vision.
A legendary technological innovator, who died recently, apparently credited an elementary school teacher with providing crucial encouragement that became a key factor in his success. These words brought life in the critical developmental years of a child.
I'm basking in some rich encouragement today that came in the form of cards and notes from a caring congregation. And the wonderful thing about written encouragement is these can encourage many times over in the future. I have a special file folder entitled, "encouragement", that contains notes and cards I've received over the years (it just got considerably thicker since yesterday!). Many times, during the dark times in my life, I've opened the file and sought out the refreshing encouragement that these timeless notes and cards bring.
Yesterday we considered Hebrews 10:25 - "not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." People who find encouragement in the hope of immortality in the coming age do not withdraw from one another, but rather increase their efforts to encourage others as the fulfillment of hope approaches.
Death and life are the power of the tongue. How desperately we need those life words! And there are no more life-giving words (literally) than the words of the Bible. It has rightly been called God's love letter to us. And in them we ultimately find the life that God offers through His Son, Jesus: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me" (John 5:39).
These daily thoughts come to you with the sincere desire that they might encourage you. You who are of the family of God have an incredible hope to be pursued in faith, and expressed in love for one another. My heart of compassion goes out to you today to encourage you to firmly grasp your hope, pursue it steadfastly in faith, and love one another deeply from your heart as you await its fulfillment.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:17 AM
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