Subscription Lists
God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
When people talk, how do they converse? Do they share needed information with others? Do they tell innocent jokes? Do others look forward to hearing from them? Or do they carry tales (gossip) about people? Do the tell jokes that cross the line into the area of being coarse? Do other people cringe when they open their mouths?
What is the purpose of conversation? Believers use it to proclaim Christ to the world. If we believers become offensive in their speech habits, we dishonor God and ruin our witness. We become just like the world we want to see redeemed. We should use words as if they come from God because they do! He will judge us for every idle word we speak. (Scr.Ref)
One Christian denomination in which I have worshiped has a section in their Book of Discipline on Christian conduct. Gossip is defined as the telling of an event if we are not present. (An Example: Person “A” and person “B” have a talk. Person “B” shares that information with Person “C”. Person “C” tells several other people.)
We, as children of God, should be using our voices in a way that uplifts those around us.
Is there someone we know that could use some encouragement? Have we taken the time to either call them or send them a card? Someone we know might be very discouraged and might appreciate a short note from us.
A close friend called one morning. She wanted me to meet her at this lake behind the hospital down the street from my home. Her sister is a resident of the nursing home on part of the same campus. This meant I had to get started on some laundry and some writing time before I was to meet her.
About an hour before we were to meet, she called and said she wasn't able to walk as we had planned—something had come up that she had to take care of. Her younger daughter would go with her to talk to the people to whom she had to talk.
I briefly remembered that every time I had to deal with business of that nature I had to go by myself. Or my husband went with me but he was just as confused as I was about conditions. I could only comment that we should praise the Lord that her daughter was able to accompany her and try to help her understand.
Sometimes, we encounter people who have allowed impure thinking cloud their judgment and we allow them to invade our houses of worship. The writings of Paul speak of having so called ‘prophets’ snake their way into our world and we view them as ‘all right’ just because they possess something we don’t. How can we stop this infiltrating of impure thoughts and beliefs into Jesus’ homes?
Paul instructed the believers at Ephesus to put on the armor of God.(Ephesians 6:10-17.) All but one of the items of Armor of God are defensive (protective) pieces. The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon. (Actually, it is both defensive and offensive.) We need to learn God’s word so we can ‘stand our ground.’
Dear Father God: Please let Your Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Your children. Let them join together and fill Your houses of worship. Allow them to take Your word to those who haven’t heard of You and to those who have not aligned their hearts with Yours. We will give You the praise. In the name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN.
Rate it:
Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "God's Words For US" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.