GENTLE WORDS

Proverbs 15:1 NLT A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

We’ve probably all been in a situation where something has been said which has hurt us, or made us cross, and we may have spoken angry words. They’ve bubbled up, and out they came and we probably dug ourselves a hole which was difficult to get out of!

So how do we stop ourselves falling in the hole? God is asking us to tap into the fruit of the Holy Spirit to give us His patience, love and understanding and everything else we might need before we say something we might regret. 

Proverbs 15:4 NKJV A wholesome (gentle) tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Our gentle words can build people up and bring life to a person or situation or a relationship which is what we’re all aiming for.😊 Perverse words are obstinate, unreasonable, stubborn, turned away from what is right and good. Lord help us not to be like that!

We know God’s word teaches us and it’s good to remember what it says or we might carry on in our own, maybe sometimes not so sweet, way! Even if we feel justified in our attitude, it still won’t change what God is asking of us!

Proverbs 15:21 The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

Proverbs 15:24 Kind words are like honey sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (and bones).

Proverbs 10:21 The words of the godly encourage many …

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue can bring death or life, those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

God has such a lot to say about our words and what lovely things they can produce!😊 But just in case any of us has blown it recently, and our words haven’t brought life, please remember we have a forgiving God who we can run to, to ask for forgiveness. His mercy endures forever!

So let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us set a guard over our tongues before there is a next time, so we’re ready and determined to give a gentle answer with His supernatural help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

OUR LOVING ABBA, FATHER

Romans 8:15-16 NLT So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father. For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

What wonderful verses those are! Regardless of what kind of earthly dad we have, or have had, whether they were good, bad or not even present in our lives, God wants us all to know that He is now our Father, and He is the best Father there could ever be. We are not orphans.😊

Paul calls Him Abba, which doesn’t speak of a distant Father but the Holy Spirit wants us to have a picture in our heads of our Heavenly Father who is intimate and close, a Father who cares, loves and protects us. And Jesus Himself said to come to Him as a child. (Matthew 18:3)

He’s our loving Abba Father, who holds our hand when the going gets rough, who holds us steady, and lifts us on His shoulders when we’ve run out of strength. He’s our loving Father who laughs with us when we’re full of joy or having a chuckle.

He’s our loving Abba Father who hears our every groan, our every cry in the middle of a dark night and He draws us into His arms and tells us He loves us, to give Him all that worry and let Him sort it out.

He’s our loving Abba Father who, when we run to Him and say we’re sorry because we’ve done something wrong, He holds us close and tells us He forgives us, that He understands, that He’ll help us get it right next time. He says He’s already forgotten about it and to forgive ourselves and put it behind us.

He’s our Abba Father who has good things planned which will bless us, and we don’t have to do anything to enjoy them, they’re just His gracious, generous heart overflowing towards us.

So remember we have the best Dad in the universe and what a wonderful, kind and loving Everlasting Father He is. Let’s give Him all our thanks and praise, with our hearts overflowing with gratitude that He chose to adopt us into His family and we can say, “I am a child of God” What a privilege that is!😊 Thank You Jesus for making it possible. Amen.

Photo: Liane Metzler on Unsplash