| Today's Bible Verse |
| "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
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Ephesians 4:29 King James Version (KJV)
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| Today's Bible Study |
In my high school Sunday school class decades ago, we traced the history of God’s people from Egypt to Canaan. Throughout that period of history, the Israelites were a grumbling and complaining
group.
One Sunday our teacher challenged her students to watch our speech carefully during the following week. We were to try not to grumble or complain and not to say any irreverent
or ugly word or phrase.
The next Sunday we reported on our progress. Our teacher confessed that she had controlled her tongue well until that very morning. When preparing breakfast,
she burned a pan of blueberry muffins and said, “Oh, fiddlesticks!”
The guidelines for controlling our tongues have become lax. Imagine a time when my teacher’s mild expression
of frustration was considered inappropriate.
I instruct my grandchildren about the importance of avoiding all bad language, and I emphasize the importance of using God’s Name
respectfully.
I asked my granddaughter if students in her school use God’s Name disrespectfully.
“Oh, yes, Grandma,” she said, “all the time, and the teachers don’t care.”
That conversation reminded me of a bumper sticker I saw. It read: I asked God why He didn’t stop the school shooter in Parkland. God answered, “I’m not allowed in schools.”
Teachers may no longer require children to use only wholesome speech, but parents and grandparents must. Lead them both by example and by discussion of God’s Word.
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| Today's Prayer |
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| Lord, remind me of the importance of using only wholesome speech. Let all my words and actions reflect a deep respect for You. Through Jesus, Amen.
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| Yesterday's Bible
Verse |
| "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
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2 Timothy 3:16 King James Version (KJV)
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| Yesterday's Bible
Study |
People talk about walls of their houses being papered, paneled or painted. Many of the walls in our house are “booked.” We have bookshelves in almost every room.
In addition
to taking up space and collecting dust, these books do something else. They remind me of past days when each book was especially relevant.
During the early years of
our marriage, we had just about enough money to pay the bills. But one Christmas I saved up and bought my husband a set of commentaries on the New Testament. The entire set
cost $75, which was a lot of money to us then. I see those books and recall when Dan and I were poor but happy newlyweds.
On another shelf are books about parenting.
I remember poring over Dr. Dobson’s The Strong-Willed Child and wondering if children come in any other form.
We have shelves of men’s and women’s Bible study
books, marriage enrichment books, and books by prolific writers of the past like C. S. Lewis and Oswald Chambers. We also have books by today’s authors like Max Lucado, Beth
Moore and Joyce Meyer.
Half of one shelf is occupied by the Mitford Series books by Jan Karon. So entertaining!
Then there are the Bibles. Some are missing
a front or back cover. Many of them are worn and heavily marked. I use my mother’s Bible as I write these devotionals.
So many books. So little time. I encourage you
to turn off your screens part of every day and pick up a good book, especially THE Good Book, relevant in every stage of life.
Good books are like treasured friends.
You never get tired of being in their company.
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| Yesterday's Prayer |
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| Lord, thank you for Your Word and for good Christian writers. Guide us to helpful books written by men and women of faith. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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