Monday, January 29, 2007

"Careless Words"

RSS feed xml Podcast feed
Daily Encouragement Net Header
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.


Previous Message · ListenListen to these messages · Easy read/print

Monday, January 29, 2007

Click here to listen to this message on your audio player.

"Careless Words"

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken" (Matthew 12:36).

We had a humorous experience many years ago when we pastored in New England. One Sunday morning our choir was rehearsing for a song with one of the members using a cordless microphone. Suddenly we heard a very uplifting voice loudly through the sound system, "Now you have a good day."

In a few minutes Gene Wilmoth, who has since gone on to be with the Lord, arrived. He was one of our older members and a vibrant greeter. Upon inquiry he turned out to be the "culprit". He had been on his CB, which apparently had the same frequency as the cordless microphone. Gene actually used the CB to share his faith and had a circle of like-minded friends who sought to share Christ over the CB. He used the verbal word to uplift and bear testimony for Christ.

Consider our daily verse. Jesus points out that every word we say comes under the scrutiny of divine judgment. We will all give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word we have spoken. Talk about massive data banks! Over 6 billion people live on the planet at the present time, let alone all who have lived throughout history. Now someone has determined that men speak 7,000 words a day and women 20,000, although I have no idea how that come up with figures like this! Assuming it's true across all languages that's some 84 trillion words spoken daily.

Consider just the careless words (the Greek conveys "useless") coming out of a typical individual. What about the words coming out of Washington or Hollywood alone!!!

Today let's determine by God's grace to use our words to glorify God and build others up. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Personal note: Brooksyne is in Oklahoma today to attend the funeral for her older sister who passed away last Thursday evening. She wants to thank all of you who sent notes of condolence.

Some readers may recall a song from many years ago called, "I'm an Okie from Muskogee" and that's just where she is today for the funeral, although she grew up in the Tulsa area. Yesterday she and her younger brother visited relatives in the mountains of northwest Arkansas. She will be returning from Oklahoma early tomorrow morning.



We sang a song in church yesterday that really blessed me. Here's an online version, "We All Bow Down"



* Some readers might not know what a CB is. It's similar to a walkie talkie. My father-in-law, who is now with the Lord, drove an 18-wheeler and with his southern drawl was the quintessential CB'er. This morning I spoke to my chaplain friend at Transport for Christ and he tells me that truckers still use them although most also have cell phones and many have satellite for internet access. Many also have the XM satellite radio.


ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Donate Each weekday Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all around the world. Would you please help us continue this encouragement ministry? As an expression of appreciation for your support we are offering our "Encouragement" screensaver, a selection of photos with accompanying Scriptures, along with our desktop collection with each offering (available either as download or CD.) See here for details.

Brooksyne and I thank God for another year of service for Him through our internet ministry and welcome readers to view our 2006 ministry report.

Join: To receive this free "Daily Encouragement" e-mail devotional use our form. New subscribers receive a link to free computer desktop background photos with Scriptures! Here's the welcome letter that comes with new subscriptions.

Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link at the very bottom. (To change addresses cancel old address and then join again using new address.)

Contact us

Please feel free to pass this message on!


Bookstore
Daily Encouragement Net is
an affiliate of Christianbook.com
Search:
Christianbook.com

Weber family photo 9/30/06
The Weber Family Stephen, Brooksyne & Ester
"Our family wants to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"
(Click on photo to enlarge)

Personal Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

© Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552

Chaplaincy logo

"Living securely today anchored
in God's solid foundation"


Daily Encouragement Net