Worth Saying

Today's weather is simply gorgeous! And I'm so ready for a word from God. I'm reading Isaiah 59:14-22. Why don't you join me? This is what is grabbing my attention . . .

"My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children . . . from this time on and forever," says the LORD. (v. 21)

This blog is all about listening to God's voice and receiving his thoughts to guide and enrich our lives. But this statement reminds me that listening to his voice, receiving his word into my heart, is only part of the dynamic activity of his word in my life. He wants me to speak it too. He wants me to share what I'm hearing, beginning with my own family. God's Words are for knowing, obeying and then speaking. He wants to hear them on my lips.

There are any number of ways that I might do that. One is discussing the spiritual insights or questions that I have with people in my life. Or simply referring to something from Scripture that I'm reminded of. It can happen through planned times of reading Scripture aloud together. In my prayers I can reflect back to God things that he has said, affirming them or claiming them for my life. When someone is struggling, I can share with them one of God's many promises of comfort, help or guidance. If someone is happy about good things that are happening in their life, I can remind them that God is the giver of all of those good gifts and remark about how much he has blessed them. I can memorize them. I can teach them to my children. I can even preach them . . . well, some of us can anyway.

God, may your words be in my heart and mind but also in my mouth. I know that nothing I can say would ever be more truthful and potentially life-touching than something you have said in your living Word. Use my mouth, Lord, it is yours. I sometimes find it full of anything but your Word. Forgive me! Set a guard around my mouth so that I won't say anything that you wouldn't want me to say. But instead of just focuing on what I shouldn't be saying I know you want me to replace it with what I should be communicating. I want my words to bring life, not pain, to the people around me, starting with those closest to me--my children, my family.

Please share your comments below!