"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone."
John 1:4 NLT
Do y'all have a friend who speaks life into you?
I do. She always amazes me with the positive, godly words she shares. But make no mistake, she does not suffer fools. Her words may be sweet as honey and encouraging as they come, but she also lets me know when I'm being negative.
Unfortunately, that happens more often than I care to admit.
She's one tough cookie and the real deal. I love this about her.
Jesus gave us His perfect example of speaking life.
He healed those that others overlooked.
He listened to those that others mocked.
And He honored those that others scorned.
Remember the demon-possessed man in Matthew 12:22-37.
Remember Zaccheus the tax collector in Luke 19:5-10.
Remember the immoral woman in Luke 7:37-50.
Jesus did not condone sin. When he met an adulterous woman in John 8:4-11, he took mercy on her. Yet he admonished, "Go and sin no more."
With mercy and love, Jesus heals, listens, and honors rejected people.
When others overlook the person, Jesus overlooks the sin.
He offers grace and second chances.
He offers third, fourth, and seventy-times-seven chances.
Jesus SPEAKS LIFE.
May I humbly speak life into others as well.
May I speak healing words to those others have overlooked and ignored.
May I listen attentively to those others have mocked and taunted.
May I honor with respect those others have scorned and rejected.
Lord, grant me words to speak life into everyone around me.
In Jesus' precious, holy, merciful name, Amen.
"The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words."
Proverbs 10:32 NLT