Thursday November 11, 2021

Today is Thursday, November 11. On this Veteran’s Day we give thanks for the men and women who have faithfully and courageously served our country. This week in the First 15 we explore what the Bible says about the power of words.

As I observe these first fifteen minutes of my day in prayer with God, I pause and become still. I breathe deeply and slowly. I refocus my busy mind and seek to experience God’s abiding presence.

Pause and Pray

God, I praise you, you are holy, you are righteous, you are Lord of all. Enable me to open my mind and hear the message you have for me today. Speak a word of life into my heart through the power of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I praise God and call out to him with the words of Psalm 141.

I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:1-3

Pause and Pray

One’s speech is evidence of a right relationship with God. When I am in a good spiritual place with God, my words demonstrate that. Good words are evidence of a good heart and right spirit. What issues out of a person’s mouth is a strong indicator of the state of his or her soul. John Wesley, the 18th century founder of Methodism, said Methodists should be “holy in all manner of speech.” Jesus indicated that humans will be judged by their words. In the book of Matthew he says,

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37

As I reflect this week on the power of words, I notice I am more self-conscious about my speech. I have an increased awareness of the words I am saying, the words I am typing, and what I am posting on social media. I examine the fullness of my heart and the goodness of my relationship with God, and I hope my words flow out of a very good place. I examine the deep recesses of my soul to see what is stored up in me. Is good or evil stored up inside of my heart? Do I harbor remnants of anger, hurt, unforgiveness, distrust or disappointment? When I use words that reveal these emotions it is an indicator of what is deep inside of me and I should pay attention.

Ask: When have I spoken empty or careless words that might have caused harm? What was the underlying emotion within me?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, thank you for your attention to the details of the words I speak. Please call to mind the careless, empty words I have shared in haste or emotion. Let me see when I have caused harm by words I posted on social media or shared through technology. Give me a new perspective of the power and lasting impact my words carry and the responsibility over the words I share. I read your words in Matthew again and seek the message you want to reveal to me today.

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Jesus says I will be held accountable for every careless word I utter. My words will either acquit or condemn me. The good words I speak and share on social media come from the goodness that is stored within me. The grace of God recognizes that harmful words come from a place deep inside of me where anger or hurt remains. Perhaps I have buried emotions there from long ago. Those negative feelings can rise up and lash out through damaging words I sling at others. I am reminded I can ask Jesus to cleanse and heal the brokenness inside of me so that good fruit will emerge and grow.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, I invite you into my heart and life. You know the words I have shared and the good or harm my words have caused. Through the power of your grace, I ask for forgiveness for the times my words have done harm. I pray you will work in my relationships to repair any brokenness. Jesus, I invite you into my heart, the deepest recesses of my soul, to heal my wounds and bring wholeness. Amen.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I am renewed by the word of God. Let me speak words of healing and grace into the lives of others. Amen.