(CS4U) Careful

RISE AND SHINE CHRISTIAN SERVICES February 8 & 9, 2011 Discover yourself to reclaim your destiny Meditations for your quiet moments Be Careful What You Say Your tongue can be a source of great blessing because it can provide people with two things they need. First, it gives wisdom. 'The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice. The lips of the godly speak helpful words' Proverbs 10:31-32. Paul told Timothy, 'You have heard me teach [many] things, teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others' 2 Timothy 2:2. Pass on what God has taught you to those who need guidance and are hungry for knowledge. Don't be pushy, but don't be timid; share with them what God has shared with you. If you give a hungry man a fish he will live for a day; if you teach him how to fish he will live for a lifetime. Second, your tongue can give correction. Nobody enjoys being corrected. But if you 'listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise, reject discipline, you only harm yourself, listen to correction, grow in understanding, humility precedes honour' Proverbs 15:31-33. Nobody likes to risk rejection by being the truth-teller, but 'You can trust a friend who corrects you' Proverbs 27:6. Three important principles apply here. First, you speak truth on the basis of friendship. If you haven't proven yourself, leave the truth-telling to someone who has. You have to earn that right. Second, truth-telling isn't a licence to go hunting. A true friend cares about others' feelings, and speaks the truth in love Ephesians 4:15. Third, appreciation will come - but be prepared, it may be delayed! 'In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery' Proverbs 28:23. Your words can bring two things. First, encouragement. Ella Wheeler Wilcox said, 'A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the seat of the pants, but is miles ahead in results.' Solomon said, 'Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit' Proverbs 15:4. When life is hard, 'a word spoken at the right moment - how good it is!' Proverbs 15:23. Hope pierces the despair, and people begin to believe that they really have a chance to make it. Many a wounded soul has got through their deepest valley on the strength of a word of encouragement. 'Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones' Proverbs 16:24. People wounded by life are healed by words of encouragement. Just a card, an email, a phone call - the Bible calls them '...apples of gold in settings of silver' Proverbs 25:11. Second, your words can bring salvation. 'The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men - he gathers and receives them for eternity]' Proverbs 11:30. The highest use of your tongue is telling others about Jesus. He doesn't need to be defended, just introduced. 'The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water' Proverbs 10:11. You can speak life-giving words to those who are lost, and help change their past, their present and their future. Your words can also help people to mature and grow in their relationship with God. Yes, 'The lips of the righteous feed many.' Proverbs 10:21. Share this with a friend Send us your Prayer Requests Feel free to unsubscribe risetoshine@hotmail.co.uk