Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

For 20 years in France we enjoyed our talkative Gaby. She so easily picked up words and phrases in French and in English. But she did do something very annoying and discouraging. Every time I finished a piece on the piano, she would yell out in a derisive tone, “Whatever!” I would turn around, look at her and fume. Things changed for the better when I taught her to say, “Bravo!” when coming to the end of a song.

Today’s verse tells us that what comes out of our mouths matters. Unwholesome talk is talk that is also rotten and useless. Not only do these words fail to build someone up, but they have no benefit at all. However, our words can have tremendous value in helping another to grow and thrive. Our words have the potential to meet the need we all have for encouragement and affirmation. Even just one word spoken at the time of greatest need can lift someone up and keep them from falling into a pit of depression.

Sometimes, all it takes is one positive word to turn around what is negative. I want my words to be gracious, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Prov. 16:24). I want my words to be like His; kind, compassionate and forgiving (verse 32). But that cannot happen without a heart that is changed by Him. My mouth reveals what is in my heart (Luke 6:45b). If my heart is full of selfishness and pride, I am less likely to even care about encouraging someone else.

Lord, change my heart and so change my words!

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:1b-2 “When I came to you, I did not come with human eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

There are just a few books in this library! Established in 1800, the Library of Congress has grown from just 740 books and 3 maps to more than 167 million total items! It takes three buildings in Washington D.C. to house all its written treasures. It is understandably one of the world’s largest. There are copies housed here of every publication in the English language that is deemed significant.

Today’s verse describes how Paul proclaimed his testimony about God to the Corinthians. He did not rely on his own eloquence or on any treasure of human wisdom. Paul was determined that nothing overshadow the excellence of knowing Jesus Christ. A fancy discourse could have distracted his listeners. Citing philosophers or the newest discovery would only detract from his central message; Jesus Christ crucified for sin. As enriching as learned men may be, there is no loftier subject than Christ, the wisdom of God. (I Cor. 1:30)

There is so much to know and discover in this world. I could spend my entire life learning and never come to the end of what man has discovered. But in the end, it is not What you know but Who you know! I can make it my quest to enlighten my mind but never at the expense of “the eyes of my heart.” (Eph. 1:17) Knowing Him better through His Word is a goal that begins now and continues into eternity. Knowing about Him does not even come close to the richness that knowing Him brings!

Thank you Lord, that You invite me to know You better every day.

Scripture for Today: Psalms 85:8  “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly.”

It is a nice idea to listen to soft relaxing music while drifting off to sleep. But for one man, this peaceful experience sent him to the emergency room the next morning! After trying to drink a glass of water that would not go down, it was suggested that maybe he had swallowed his AirPod. Sure enough, he could only account for one! It took an emergency endoscopy to remove it from his esophagus!

There are many things that can make us feel peaceful. But today’s verse gives the Source of peace. We are encouraged to actively listen to Him. And it begins with a statement of intention, “I will.” Listening to the Lord through His Word takes effort and discipline. How worth it that is when He speaks peace to those that belong to Him! Listening to what God has to say not only gives us peace of heart but keeps us from acting on our own foolish ideas. What a peace we have in His unfailing love and salvation! (verse 7)

So many times I have come to Him in prayer totally agitated and stressed. He speaks peace. Especially in these troubled times, He calms me down. And listening intently, I hear reminders of His love and control in my circumstances. I get in that troubled state usually because I have not been listening to Him in the first place! Not only do I hear Him speak peace, but listening to Him keeps me from doing something foolish. Listening to Him daily through His Word is the best way to avoid my own folly. Oh how I need the peace and calm He offers!

Lord, keep me listening to You today.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:30-31 “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts, their feet do not slip.”

(Photo: © Michael Wood)

If you find yourself slipping as you walk in the forest, it may be because you have stepped on a Slippery Jack Mushroom! You can take your revenge by picking it and cooking it for your dinner as it is edible. Their name comes from their slippery slimy cap. But its name has another source as well. Apparently, there is a Slippery Jill Mushroom too! And of course, those two names recall the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme where both characters fall climbing that hill.

Today’s verses describe the righteous as being wise in what they say. They speak only what is just and true. The law of God is not something they only agree with in principle. It is something they cherish and have in their hearts. God’s law is the source of their wisdom and it is in following God’s law that their feet do not slip. God’s law lives in their hearts instead of just laying on the bookshelf. The righteous allow God’s law to keep them from any slip of the tongue.

God does not want me to slip. But it is exactly what I do when I am wise in my own eyes and when I think I know better! God’s laws are not just good ideas. They are inspired and given with love to spare me unnecessary pain. I do not want to grudgingly obey them. I want to cherish and love them for the wisdom they give. I don’t just want them in my head but in my heart.

Lord, help me to keep Your law in my heart.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 49:13-14a “This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd…”

Quite often we would see flocks of sheep in rural France. This shepherd kindly allowed us to take this photo and from it I made a plaque that hangs on our wall with Scripture. It was not until I enlarged it however, that I noticed something troubling in his right hand. I wanted to believe that this little lamb was fine and that he was in fact helping it. But it may be that its little life was over and he was removing it. From his smile, the shepherd does not look too concerned.

Today’s verse tells us that there is a shepherd we do not want to follow. He is a shepherd who leads his sheep to their death. His followers are those that trust in themselves and who have influence on others who approve of everything they say. What a contrast this is to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus! (Hebrews 13:20) He leads those that trust in Him away from death and towards life! This Good Shepherd lays down his own life for the sheep. (John 10:15) And He came so that His sheep would have abundant life! (John 10:10)

What a huge difference between these two shepherds! The choice is between death or life. And the criteria is a matter of my trust and where I place it. Without even realizing it, when I trust in myself I am following the wrong shepherd and it does not end well! But entrusting my life to the life-giving Shepherd ends with an eternity with Him!

Keep me following You, Lord.