Speak Life

 

Proverbs 16:24

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 12:18

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Psalm 19:14

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

      Our words matter, more than we realize.  What we say to others and to ourselves can make a difference.  Words can uplift or tear down, so we must use them wisely.  Words can entangle our thoughts, where we replay them over and over.  It is better to turn to God's word and defeat Satan's ploy to try to beat us down and destroy us.  May we always be mindful of the words being circulated throughout our own worlds, by our mouths or our minds.  Seek to inspire!!

      "Many things are pleasant that are not profitable, but these pleasant words are health to the bones, to the inward man, as well as sweet to the soul. They make the bones, which sin has broken and put out of joint, to rejoice. The bones are the strength of the body; and the good word of God is a means of spiritual strength, curing the diseases that weaken us."  [M.Henry]

       As for myself, I've recently been dealing with uncertainty about my health.  The lack of encouraging words from others made my own thoughts even darker.  The words I told myself went in a downward spiral.  What I did cling to were God's promises..He will never forsake me and that He is working out all things for my good because I believe in Him.  My words to myself were based on fear and impatience, not truth.  Finally, this week I got the good news of my test results.  I was reminded again of Matthew 6:27  "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  The unknown is a pit that we fall in that really tests our trust in the Lord.  God's word is what speaks life into my soul to uplift it, like no other words can. So, when you're feeling ucertain turn to His word that never fails.

Scales, Money, and Honesty

 Proverbs 11:1

The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.  [NIV}

A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord, But an accurate scale is His delight.  [AMP]

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.  [ESV]

God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.  [MSG}

Proverbs 20:23

The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. [NIV}

        With all the translations above, we can see how God requires us to be honest in our financial dealings with one another.  It is an offense to God's justice to practice wrongdoing.  "However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord." [M. Henry]

       "Nothing is more offensive to God than deceit in commerce.  Nothing is more pleasing to God than fair and honest dealing, nor more necessary to make us and our devotions acceptable to him." [M.Henry]

         "Christians shouldn’t hoard but give as much as God directs. It is God’s money. His rewards outweigh the cost. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”  [gotquestions.org]

          When I was 13-14 years old, I had a vegetable stand by the side of the road in front of our house.  I setup a table with scales, brown paper bags, a calculator, and a sign with prices per pound for each vegetable.  I would call out to my dad, "I need more washed tomatoes" or okra, squash, etc.  I sometimes had a friend join me and help with my little stand.  It was a fun, but honest way to earn some extra cash.  If a customer ever questioned the price, I would always double-check my math.  I wanted my little veggie stand to be God honoring and pleasing in His sight.

         I think most of us have accidentally passed thru security with an item that we meant to pay for.  Did you go back and return it or pay for it?  Or did you think the big store wouldn't care?  God cares!  Recently, I went to Ross and as we were loading the van, I noticed my unpaid for leggings were on my dog, Jack's stroller.  As soon as Jaile got me in the van, she went in to pay for them with my purse.

         "Integrity in money matters is a rare thing. But God wants His people marked by financial integrity. What someone does when no one is looking indicates their true character. Integrity in money matters has to do with being honest and upright when no one is looking. It means acting according to biblical principles, even if you think you’ll never get caught, because you know that God is watching and you want to please Him."  [bible.org]

       "Lose My Soul" by TobyMac