Minister Grace

 
I must talk a lot, or rather type a lot. I recently checked my sent file on my computer in my email program. I found that combining both my laptop and desktop, in the last 3 months I have sent out over 3,000 emails. For crying out loud!  No wonder I am exhausted, (just kidding).

I began to think about all those words flying around cyberspace, praying that they landed where they should have, with purpose and meaning. I thought of the content, did what I say have some merit somewhere to someone? Was it honorable? Peppered with love and integrity?  Sigh.

The Bible speaks plenty about our speech and the affect it will have on others. David says in Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” THAT is the starting point, that what we think, what we say be pleasing to God. James chapter 3 pin points the power of the tongue as well.

The author of Proverbs paints a healthy picture of the NEED to choose our words carefully. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Our words can kill or bring life to others, that thought alone can and should impact us. These words to or about others affect us as well. This verse literally means that we WILL ‘eat our words’. I don’t know about you, but I have had a few phrases return to my plate to feast on, and by golly it was distasteful!

Paul penned these words in Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupt communication (unwholesome talk) proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” I want to minister grace !

May we begin with honoring thoughts, “… taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5b) From there ~ launch into life giving mode, that our words to others produce an atmosphere where they feel good and THRIVE about their God, themselves and their future.  Ministering grace.

“Father, enable us, empower us with enthusiasm to enrich Your kingdom with our gift of speech. May You be honored and glorified. Using us to minister grace to those around us. In Jesus name. Amen.”

In Him, DeDe (Psalm 92:4, “You thrill me, LORD …”)