Edifying Speech

By Ana Renee

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

(Ephesians 4:29)

How quickly do we “let things slip” out of our mouth without a thought? In Ephesians 4:29, we are challenged to use only words that edify (or “build up”), words that are gracious to the hearers.

Let us pretend that we have a pile blocks in front of us. Each time we spoke of others (especially those closest to us, like parents, siblings, spouses, and cousins) in a positive way, we would add blocks. But each time we spoke in a way that would tear them down, we would take away a block. What would our block pile look like after a day? 

Would it have a miserable few blocks left or none at all? May we all be challenged to use our words in a way that will build up those around us.

~~~
This was originally shared with our 52-verse challenge.

It's Just a Blog!

By Amanda T.

In the past year, I have browsed through dozens of blogs; some of you more avid blog-hoppers might have hit hundreds or even thousands of blogs. But let us narrow it down to that one blog – your blog. Out of the millions of pages on the world-wide-web, it is just one. One little place to pour out your thoughts, hopes, dreams, convictions, fears, laughter, and life. Your blog reflects either who you are or who you want to be.

So . . . what if I obtained your blog URL and hopped on over? What would I see? What should I see?

Let us jump to the last question. What should be on our blog? I mean, it’s just a blog. Matthew 5:26 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  I believe that a blog is an excellent place to shine! Not just shining, though – for we can shine in “look at how amusing, funny, and entertaining I am” – but shining for GOD! When others look at our blogs, what do they see? Are they simply entertained, or are they encouraged in their walk with Christ?

What is our blog content? Can we pray Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer?”  Or are we too busy making our words acceptable in a friend’s sight? God is a follower on our blogs. He sees every little sentence, every JPEG image, and even the motive behind each post. Is He seeing something that pleases Him and brings glory to His Name, or is He seeing posts that daily have lost opportunities to share Him with others?

Maybe in considering these verses, we need to also consider a revamp. As Christians, our blogs need to reflect Christ! As sisters in Christ, our blogs need to encourage one another in the Lord! Are we faithfully serving God with our blogs, or are we satisfying our selfish desires? Yes, our blog is “just another blog,” but we can use it as an avenue to spread God’s love! 

~~~

Amanda is a homeschool graduate living with her parents and eleven siblings in Louisiana. Their family sings together, sharing God’s love through music in churches and nursing homes. 

Until God shows her a different path, she enjoys teaching piano and music theory, hymn-arranging, photography, writing, spending time with her siblings, and home economics. In the past few years, Proverbs 3:5-7 has been a passage that God has used in her life, showing her how vital it is to trust Him in any issue. You may visit her blog: www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com

A Fountain of Words

By Ana Renee

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:

but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 15:28

Which character do we most often represent? Do we think and "study" before we answer, as the righteous? Or do we take on the character of the wicked and "pour out" whatever we want to - good or bad?

As I pondered this verse, the image of a watering hose came to mind. If we simply turn on the water and allow the hose to do whatever it wishes, water will gush out and rapidly flood the surrounding land. If, however, we direct the hose, using our finger to intensify the stream of water, we can manage the water pattern more easily and get much more accomplished. Less water is used, but more profit is done.

Photography by Amanda T. used by permission

Perhaps that is the case with our words. We can resemble the wicked and let our words flow without guidance or restrictions and cause great damage to those around us, or we can be like the righteous and use our words carefully, directing them with prayer to be most effective.

Which way are we choosing to use our words today?

~~~

This was originally posted on our 52-verse challenge blog ( http://52weeks52verses.blogspot.com/ ). A handful of girls/women are working to memorize 52 verses in 2012. If you would like to join, it is not too late!

In our Mouth or our Heart?

By Ana Renee

“. . . Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.” Jeremiah 12:2b

In modern Christianity, there is a “Christian lingo.” We work hard to talk and act like we think Christians should.

One must go further than a simple lingo, though, and ponder the heart. We might easily deceive others into thinking that our life is alright and with a little practice, become fluent in the Christian lingo. But we cannot deceive God. He does not simply look for us to sound good. He wants us to give Him the reins of their life, and have Him close in our hearts.

Is your Christianity just a lingo, or is it an issue of the heart?

Additional Verses:

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isaiah 29:13

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. Ezekiel 33:31

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Matthew 15:8

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16

The Ministry of Letter-Writing

By Guest Writer, Amanda T.

Letter writing is an old art that is still continued by a select few young ladies. Girls write (or email) for amusement, to keep up friendships, for communication, and to get a reply. All of these are fun reasons to write, but I like to think of writing as a ministry as well. We see a vivid example of ministering by letters in the New Testament. Paul wrote many letters to different churches and men, challenging them in their walk with God and sharing truth.

Our notes can bring a smile to one’s face and brighten their day. A word of encouragement can help a sister in her walk with God. A question can challenge one to stay faithful. Most importantly, a letter can simply show the love of Christ.

In my love for letter-writing, God has shown me a few ways that I can minister with letters:

     1. Pray that God will give me some way to encourage my pen-pal

     2. Write not just to those who are “fun” to write to, but those who will need the encouragement

     3. Pray for the person to whom I am writing

     4. Include a verse with which God has been challenging me

     5. Humbly share an area in which God has been growing me

     6. Ask them about a specific area of their walk with God (prayer, Bible reading, memorizing)

     7. Ask if there is a specific area that I can pray for them

There are many ways we can minister to a friend in letters – sometimes we simply need to ask God to show us what He would have us to do and be tender towards His leading.

The next time you go to write a letter or type an email, let me challenge you to make it worthwhile. Do not just “chat,” but leave your friend with something that ministers to her heart.

A Little "Thank-You" - Part Two

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:1-3)

Many times, prayer is mistaken to be “Lord, I want this,” or “I need this,” instead of simple thanksgiving. How long has it been since you have bowed your head just to thank God? You do not have to think very hard for a long list of things to be thankful for.

Walk outside and look up at the beautiful sky. Look at your home, your friends, your family, and everything you own. These are all blessings that God has bestowed on you!  

Added to these reasons, Psalm 92:1 says, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High.” So, before you do anything else, why don’t you bow your head and give God thanks?

A Little "Thank-You" - Part One

 

One of the easiest ways to show appreciation is by a simple “Thank You!” It is easy to say “Thank you” when we receive a gift, but what about on an every-day basis: for Mom making our dinner, for little sister bringing us our books, or for Dad treating us to a special dessert? “Thank you’s” do not have to be limited at all! If you ask a sibling to do something for you, it should be followed by a “thank you” – even if it is something they should do anyway (like brother taking out the trash). A “thank you” should especially come if your sibling does something for you that you didn’t ask them to do!

You do not have to limit your appreciation to “thank you.” Be creative! My cousin delights her younger brothers by playfully adding, “You’re such the gentleman!” or “I’ll love you forever!” or saying, “Thanks a million!”

“Thank you.” It is something so easy to say, yet so many people forget to acknowledge the other person’s kind deed. Have you told someone “thank you” today?