Category Archives: Words

Nobody Wants Your Unwrapped Gift!

08 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Gift, Love, Words

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As I sat listening to a young married couple talk about their life, I had all I could do to keep my mouth shut.  I had so many things I wanted to tell them –  things that would make their lives so much better.  I had the gift of knowledge and I wanted to gift it to them.  Fortunately, I kept my mouth shut!

Knowledge is a wonderful thing.  But nobody wants to receive the gift of knowledge if is not beautifully wrapped!

Knowledge has the power to make us puffy.  It can make us feel superior.  1 Corinthians 8 :1 states it this way, “Knowledge makes arrogant”.  It puffs us up.  It makes us feel like a Somebody!

But knowledge without love actually makes us a Nobody!  1 Corinthians 13:2 explains that “if we know all mysteries and all knowledge but do not have love, we are nothing.”

So how do I know when I should share my gift of knowledge?  Here are some questions I ask myself.

  1. Did they ask for my gift of knowledge?
  2. What is my attitude?  Do I feel superior?
  3. What is the purpose of sharing?  Do I want to build up or tear down?

Knowledge wrapped in love is both humble and helpful.  Knowledge wrapped in love entwines grace and truth.

Knowledge wrapped in love is indeed a true gift.  It is sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  It is pleasant as honeycomb.  Proverbs 16:24

And perhaps even more importantly, knowledge wrapped in sweetness is more persuasive.  Proverbs 16:21

So the next time you feel like giving your spouse or child or coworker your gift of knowledge, make sure you first take the time to wrap it!

If you don’t have time to wrap it, keep it for yourself!

 

 

 

 

 

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Good Gracious!

13 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by in God's Word; Bible, Grace, Words

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Let your speech always be with grace,… so you will know how you should respond to each person.  Colossians 4:6

The word grace in this verse is referring primarily to the way we speak. If we want to maximize the opportunities we have to share God with others, our speech must be gracious.

  • Gracious speech lifts up  –Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25
  • Gracious speech is healing –A soothing tongue is a tree of life.  Proverbs 15:4
  • Gracious speech is persuasive- Sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Proverbs 16:21
  • Gracious speech builds up – ... Such a word as is good for building up according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.  Ephesians 4:2

Jesus spoke with grace and people “were wondering at the gracious words that were falling from his lips.” Luke 4:22

Jesus speaks to me with grace every time I read His Word.

  • His words lift me up.
  • His words bring healing.
  • His words persuade me.
  • His words build me up.

His words are wonderful!  So how can I share them with my friends?  How do I start the conversation?

Ask this simple question.

“Do you mind if I share something with you that has really helped me in a similar situation?”

Talking girlsBe genuine.  Be honest.  Share the comfort God has given you with your friend.  Let your heart guide you.

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Proverbs 16:23

Pray for wisdom and trust God to guide you.  But for goodness sake, have courage and speak up!

Negative Nellie! Debbie Downer!

12 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Opportunity, Words

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file000561944270As my friend and I were leaving the restaurant, she smiled and said,”Boy, were we a couple of Negative Nellies tonight”.  And she was right.  We had just spent the last couple of hours talking about the events that had occurred in our lives over the past year. It had been a difficult year for both of us.  Serious health issues, financial issues, work issues, and family issues including the loss of our mothers.

Walking to my car, I felt disappointed in myself.  How had I let the conversation end on a negative note?  Why hadn’t I brought God into the conversation?  Looking back on the evening, I saw so many missed opportunities.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.  Colossians 4:5-6

Why hadn’t I brought God into our conversation?  It was time for an honest evaluation.

  • I didn’t want to be seen as a weird religious nut.
  • I didn’t want to be seen as a know-it-all.
  • I didn’t want to minimize her difficulties with a ‘pat answer’ from the Bible.

So I said nothing.  But this is also unacceptable.

I want to express my love for my friend but even more importantly, I want to share God’s love with her.  I want to support and encourage her, but even more importantly, I want to share God’s love and encouragement with her.

Making the most of an opportunity only happens when we let our speech be seasoned with grace.   So how do we do this?

Let’s talk about this in more depth tomorrow.  God’s Word has the answers.  It always does!

Home Alone? Really?

14 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by in God's Word; Bible, Thoughts, Truth, Words

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Do you ever talk to yourself, silently or out loud?  I know I do.  I tell myself stuff all the time.  Just last night I heard myself say, “I’m home alone”.  And then I heard myself say, “No your’e not!  That’s ridiculous!  God is here with you.  And further more, you’re not even home yet. Heaven is your home.”  I just started laughing. God’s truth is so much better than mine – for so many reasons!

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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

I need time in God’s Word every day.  I need Him to renew my mind so I can align my ideas and self-talk with His truth.  I see my life and my circumstances differently when I see it through His truth.

After my ‘Aha moment’ last night, I no longer felt alone.  Instead, I felt comforted as I rested in the fact that God is always with me.  And when I thought about heaven as my home, my ‘joy radar’ started going crazy!  Won’t it be wonderful when we get to heaven?  No more tears, no more separation from loved ones, no more sin, no more death, eternity with our Savior.

So let’s be careful how we talk to ourselves.  Let’s dwell on things worthy of praise.  Phiippians 4:8