Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, Holy Bible, King James Version).
Thoughts and words need God’s approval. Thoughts rehearsed can be revised for clarity, gentleness, or better choice of words before verbalizing. Once spoken, words are permanent. They will be peaceful or destructive, depending on how successfully the thoughts were edited before they became words.
Prayer: Lord, help me to think positive things that reflect Your blessings and goodness. If my thoughts are like You, then my words will be like You also. When my speech reflects You, so will I. Guide my thoughts to produce words pleasing to You. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
From In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments © 2006, Violet Carr Moore
Payphone or cell phone? MP3 or antique gramophone? Computer screen or chalkboard? No contest. We are a technology generation.High-tech wins. It’s great but has one major flaw. Technology produces impatience. If the internet connection doesn’t open in less than ten seconds, we tap our fingers or click the mouse. Email or text messages beg for immediate reply. Do we treat prayer the same way? Pray. Click. Send message heavenward. Pace the floor waiting for instant message reply. Frustration follows when there’s no immediate response. God anticipated this reaction. He responded long before you asked. His answer? Waiting produces strength.
“Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!” (Psalm 66:5, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
Baby takes its first breath, lungs filling with air and cries at being thrust from the safety of the womb into bright light. That first cry brings life, hope and dreams. When the baby’s mother is wheeled to the curb at the hospital, going home, optimism blossoms. She visualizes her baby in the future. First tooth. First steps. A smiling kindergartner in cap and gown. She sees happy days with a bright future, not thoughts of tragedy awaiting the warm bundle of life cradled in her arms. Although death begins at the moment of birth, the mother acknowledges only life and hope. Jesus, recognizing His destiny to die, said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,” (John 10:10, Holy Bible, King James Version).
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18, Holy Bible, King James).
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7, Holy Bible, New King James).
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:5, Holy Bible, King James).