Quail Lake Community Church

Daily Devotional #1,455

I am in my last phase of losing weight. At our house we have a scale that measures food in grams so that we can accurately figure out how many calories we are eating each day. I had not been doing that for a while but I’m getting serious again and I am once again stunned at…well…how much I eat! When I don’t pay attention to what I’m eating, I can thoughtlessly put down some serious calories without ever realizing it. I had a couple of baked, skinless chicken thighs for dinner last night and just the two regular size pieces were more calories than a McDonald’s chocolate milkshake! I have to stop and consider what I’m putting into my mouth all day long if I’m going to lose weight. So often we do the same thing in our Christian lives. We don’t pay attention to what we are doing or what we are saying. As a matter of fact, the Bible is concerned not with goes in your mouth…but what comes out of it! The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian church and told them to “measure” what is coming out that mouth all the time. We are told to not use foul or abusive language but to let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And when we don’t pay attention the way that we are acting and speaking, we not only hurt folks, but we bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way we are living. So, like I’m measuring all the stuff that goes into me…make sure that your speech is “measured” too. That it brings kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness to the folks you meet each day. Because you know what? That’s what God brings to you each day. Do like he does…and make him look good today!

Here’s our Bible verse for today…

Ephesians 4:29-32 NLT Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (30) And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. (31) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. (32) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Remember I’m praying for you…
With love, PJ