Scripture for Today: Romans 6:13 “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourself to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.”

Fascination with musical instruments can start awfully young as proven by our grandson.  Even before the age of two, this little guy is drawn to all kinds.  He will spend inordinate amounts of time on the piano.  He strums his Dad’s guitar, his ukulele, or his “air guitar” if nothing else is available!  And being separated from his toy saxophone is a painful experience! When hearing music played by an orchestra he calls out the violin, the flute, the trumpet and the drums!

Today’s verse talks about the different parts of our body as being instruments, either used for righteousness or wickedness.  Being a disciple of Jesus means offering one’s whole body to Him in complete surrender (Romans 12:1-2).  To do this is a reasonable response to the gift of being brought “from death to life.”  Because our bodies are the temple of His indwelling Spirit (I Cor. 6:19) they are meant for the Lord and the Lord for our bodies (verse 13).

I love that my body can be used as an instrument of righteousness.  I can be His hands when I share with others in need.  I can be His feet when I approach those who are hurting and offer His comfort.  I can use my energy to do what will glorify Him.  Sometimes I get discouraged with the unending temptations that seem to come with this body.  But through Him and His strength, this body can be an instrument He can use.

Lord, today make my body an instrument You can use.

Look familiar?  This is a repost due to summer ministry.

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.”

Recently, a popular Swedish furniture chain used a clever marketing ploy to promote an anti-bullying campaign.  They conducted a (non-scientific) experiment of two identical plants given the same care over thirty days.  However, one plant was played a pre-recorded loop of negative, bullying comments while the other was played a loop of positive encouraging words.  These messages were recorded by school children and the results were nothing short of amazing!  One plant wilted and the other thrived!  Although the experiment perhaps lacked scientific controls, I can certainly get behind the message!

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 falling into a pit of depression.

How much does it really cost me to compliment or encourage?  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.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45b).  My words will always reflect what is in my heart!

Lord, change my heart and so change my words!