Good morning, everyone.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 5:20, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
Last weekend, my wife and I took our oldest daughter to visit a college. The university offered the opportunity for juniors and seniors in high school to experience college life as it would be, including staying in a dorm and attending classes, while providing informational sessions for students and parents regarding application, admissions, financial aid and so on. One of the things that was helpful during the talks was that the speaker generally spelled out at the very beginning exactly what they were going to be covering in the session so you knew right away whether your questions were going to be addressed. With all the information that was being shared and all the unknowns that parents had to consider, you didn’t want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite not having a PowerPoint presentation, the angel who instructed the apostles after he freed them from prison gave them a clear description of what they were to go and speak of. Theirs were to be the words of this life. Such a label, when communicated to the listener, could have a powerful influence on the effects of the message shared, both on the listener and the speaker. Imagine the mental and emotional posture of ones who knew that what they were about to hear could truly change their lives forever. And what of the impact it would have on the speaker to know the weight of the words they were to share?
But what if a description first went forth of the unkindness or resentment you were about to spew out? What might that do to those who would happen to hear? Whom would it attract and whom would it repel? And could knowing that the honest but unflattering assessment of what you were about to say was advertised alter your desire to actually deliver the unpleasant message? If all could get a quick summation and preview of what we were going to say, coupled with the lasting and potentially far-reaching effects of it, would we reconsider what came out of our mouths? Would we look further down into our hearts to address the root of the problem? We have the words of life, and words of kindness and goodness. Set your hearts and speech under that banner that is the love of Christ.
As we seek Him today, look ahead to what is waiting at the end of your words, and make it a lovely representation of your Savior.
Have an excellent Wednesday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
