My Words...

are they a blessing or a curse??

If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you'd have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.

A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything--or destroy it!

It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue--it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women He made in His image.

Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can't go on. James 3:2-10(The Message)

Here is the potential we have right under our noses:

A careless word may kindle strife;

A cruel word may wreck a life.

A bitter word may hate instill;

A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may smooth the way;

A joyous word may light the day.

A timely word may lesson stress;

A loving word may heal and bless.

Author Unknown

We are sojourners (visitors) here on earth--our words are like entries in the Guestbook of Life.

• What entries are you writing with your attitudes, actions, words and the "tone" of those words for the entire world to see?
• Will they think that you were a crabby old person who wanted better service?
• Will they think you savored each day here with your wonderful family?
• Will they think that you would have preferred another life just a few doors down?
• Or will they think that you so enjoyed your time here that you wanted to share it with anyone and everyone who was passing through?

What are you leaving in the guestbook of life for all to read?

Heavenly Father, Your Word tells me that I am a letter being read by everyone. I pray that I won't be junk mail today. I pray that I won't be like a bill making people feel like they owe me. I pray that I will be a love letter, a thank you note, and an invitation to celebrate life. I can only accomplish this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now, live this day as if you were a walking, talking letter from God to everyone you meet!