FITLY SPOKEN WORDS

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver”…….Proverbs 25:11

 As I go through my travels I run across people who are truly hurting.  Often times you can see the hurt written all over their face. However, many times the hurt is either hidden or covered up by expressions like, “Life is good,” when in effect it is just the opposite.

The phrase above stating that words need to be ‘fitly spoken’ refers to words of encouragement, support and affirmation.  People need to hear these types of words and when I find myself using words these to help other I often times inspire myself to continue the race of life.  It is then that I feel this is exactly what Christ wants me to do. Try these and you will start liking yourself and the world around you a lot better.

Listen Lord, Your Servant is Speaking‏

 I know some people struggle with prayer in general and some don’t even know how to pray.  You need to treat it as a simple conversation between you and the Lord. I am sure many of you have heard the prayer, “Speak Lord, your servant is liestening.  However, most of us think it means, “Listen Lord, your servant is speaking.”   The Lord must sometimes laugh at us but we are lucky as Jesus is merciful and unconditional in his love for us or otherwise we would all be in trouble.

I like to pray using the “PFTS” method:

P: Praise – Lord, I praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for your splendor and greatness and will adore you always.

F: Forgiveness – Lord, forgive me for all my transgressions today and in my lifetime against you and my fellowman.

T: Thanksgiving – Thank you for all the gifts of my life as everything is a gift and I thank you. Please forgive me for my ingratitude as from time to time I get stupid.

S: Supplication – Lord, I know I’m always asking for something but I have no wine, no power, no hope or whatever just like at the wedding feast of Cana.

Please grant this request as this is not my will but your will.  Hope this helps a little as it helps me a lot.

Unconditional Love

The Greeks call it “agape love.”  It refers to the love God has for each and every one of us. We know it as “unconditional love.”  I refer to this term many times during my stewardship talks.

This is a magnificent idea that no matter who we are, or how many sins we have committed, or how we view ourselves, God love us as if there were no one else was in the world.  

Theologians tell us that if we were the only ones in existence, Jesus still would have died so that we might live eternally with Him and the Father.  Have a nice day knowing you are loved unconditionally.

Understand vs. Understood‏

There is a belief that if you are not humble then you are heading for something which will humble you.  One key concept in getting along with the world around you is to let go of being right. This is often difficult in a world that preaches self esteem is critical to ones success but people today need to be understood now more then ever.  A prayer which helps me along the way is, “Lord help me to understand as opposed to being understood.” I believe all of us have a great need to be understood which is why this pray is effective and humbling.

Are Your Nets In Need of Repair

In these tough economic times we all need “life rafts” that we can go to in times of trouble.  If you recall the biblical story where Peter and the guys were out fishing all night and did not catch any fish leaving their nets empty.  Jesus met them near the shore and said, “Cast out your nets” but Peter responded, “We have been fishing all night and have caught nothing.” However, Peter listened and the rest of the story is well documented as they needed another boat to gather in all the fish. So when you feel that your net is empty, you need to meet Jesus half way and ask for his help……Jesus will never fail to fill your net.

Serve, Not To Be Served‏

I have discovered people want to be led, not managed.  I tend to lead by doing, helping others, and by solving problems.  I will always lead by example.

Christ came to serve, not to be served. We can’t do any better than to imitate him, the greatest leader of all. 

“WHOEVER IS THE GREATER AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR SERVANT.  AND HE THAT WILL BE FIRST AMOUNG YOU SHALL BE YOUR SLAVE. EVEN THE SON OF MAN IS NOT TO BE SERVED UNTO, BUT TO GIVE HIS LIFE A REDEMPTION FOR MANY  (Matthew 20: 26-28).

No One Is On A Island Unto Themsleves‏

No one succeeds alone.  Often less visible in that success are family, friends, and coworkers who have been instrumental in each achievement. They all serve as instruments of God.  Don’t take any of them for granted and speak your appreciation and gratitude to them, especially to God.

Be Not Afraid

In these tough economic times, people seem to have a lot of fear. I can relate to that with a simple reflection for all of us to consider. When Jesus appeared to his apostles he said, “BE NOT AFRAID.” Now I know that sounds simple enough but it is a hard thing to practice. Faith is not believing in what Jesus is going to do for us but it’s believing and knowing what he has already done. Hope is not wishing we win the lottery. It’s hoping we attain Eternal life. The truth is not what a bunch of people think is true, it’s knowing Jesus is the Truth, resurrection and the life.

His Will & Grace

Let’s take the word disciple. It means learning. We learn everyday if we are open to it. It is similar with God’s grace and loving care. If we are open to his grace then we will receive it abundantly. The other side is if you pay no attention to it, you are on your own. I try to be as open as I can because I know I can’t make it on my own.

In my book, There Are No Shortcuts, I write “God’s will is made known in many small ways.” This is why we need to keep in touch with the small things on a day to day basis. It will help us understand what God is trying to do and say to us. Take time to pray, it helps you stay in love with Jesus and understand his will.

…but do good anyways

Here is another working definition of Stewardship.  It is a spiritual issue not a financial one. Mother Teresa said it best, “People are unreasonable and self centered, but love them anyway.” 

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives but do good anyways. 

If you are successful, you’ll win false friends and true enemies but succeed anyways.

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow, but do good anyways.

Honesty and frankness makes you vulnerable, be honest and frank anyways.

What you spend years building may be destroyed over night, but build it anyways.

People really need help but may attack if you help, but help them anyways. 

Give the world the best you have and you will get your teeth kicked in, but give the world the best you have anyways