Daily Devotional: Wednesday, May 5 Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Leaving a Legacy
Weekend Music links on iTunes: All Because of Jesus by Fee; Run by Hillsong United; Glory by Hillsong; Til I See You by Hillsong.
READ: Proverbs 25:11; Proverbs 27:6; Proverbs 4:20-24 THINK: Helen Keller once said, "Once I knew only darkness and stillness... my life was without past or future... but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living."
Though in a different form than Helen Keller, many people would acknowledge that they have felt a kind of darkness and emptiness. Many would say that they have felt cut off from others, isolated and alone. But, with the kindness of another's words, hope begins to take root.
Words are so powerful. In fact, they bounce around in our heads all day long. Some words are echoes from the past. Some words are whispers of the future. But all have meaning. All have impact. All words can influence for the better or for the worse.
What if we were able to harness the power of words for our benefit and the benefit of others? What kind of influence would we have on the world around us if we used our power in godly ways? What keeps us from saying the things that need to be said? Sometimes we are afraid of conflict, confrontation, setting boundaries with others or asking for what we need. The truth is, that as we speak what is true and loving to ourselves and to those around us, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in setting ourselves free, and setting others free too. When I get less than positive feedback from a friend, it stings. But it’s like the sting of a strong medicine that heals an infection. I need to hear those things so I can live, and grow and thrive. I need to say those things to the people around me so they will live too. DO: Name something that the Holy Spirit is asking you to say to yourself or someone else PRAY: God, I want to hear and know the truth. I want to be able to communicate the things that you have put in my heart to say. Help me to overcome my fears, and to say what I need to say. The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. | |