"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 136 - (Today’s Bible readings: Proverbs 25, Psalm 119:65-72; 1 Peter 3:8-22)
AN ENCOURAGING WORD
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11 ESV)
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” While this idiom is well known, it not always true. Negative and hateful words can hurt their target and do great emotional damage.
However, positive words can do much good. “A word fitly spoken” can greatly encourage their recipient.
There is hope!
You can do it!
I believe in you!
I’ve always liked ________ about you!
The best encouragement is spiritual encouragement. And the best spiritual encourager is Jesus:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:10-11 ESV)
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (John 11:5 ESV)
And He loves YOU, TOO! Now that is a truly encouraging word!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your encouraging Word of forgiveness given to me in Jesus, my Savior. Please use me to share Christ’s encouragement with others so they can know Him, too. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
No comments:
Post a Comment