God Be Gracious to Us

Last Friday, during prayer, one of my friends quoted Proverbs 25:11. “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” Immediately I had to look up the address and write the verse in my prayer journal. When my friend prayed these words, she was speaking them over the Church, so we would be bold in talking about our faith. I can say from experience that some of the most meaningful words have been words that challenged a choice I was making or an action I was implementing. At the time, I did not appreciate the confrontation, but once I was able to push past my wounded feelings, I recognized the benefit of listening. I will give you an example that makes me laugh my face off now. When I first started teaching, after the class, a lady walked up to me and said, “Don’t worry. Beth Moore was bad when she started too.” Although I think the comment was uncalled for, I will admit that was the beginning of the journey for God to teach me how to tell a story. I was a health care worker that charted just the facts. That one moment in time was when I determined I was going to dedicate myself to learn my new calling. So, if someone speaks nasty words into your life, don’t just mentally stomp off and reject them. Ask God if there is any truth located amongst the mean. For me, I do believe it was that Genesis 50:20 moment. What Satan meant to discourage me, so I would quit; God used to develop a new opportunity in my life.

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There is Life and Death in the Tongue

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L. Kathleen Cline

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