blessing and building up

Labor Day Monday, September 3, 2018 (7:07 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Help us please. We are in desperate need of Your healthy communication skills. Oh yes. Help us please.

Thank You Father that we get to turn to You. And Your Word. Yes! You have provided us Your Truth and guidance in all instances. Thank You. Praise You!

Reading “GOD’S Rx FOR HEALTHY COMMUNICATION”, a sermon from 1995 by Pastor Steven J. Cole, I find myself hopeful once again. He references 1 Peter 3:8-12. And calls us to bless each other and build one another up.

Thank You God for Your Truth. Your will. Your way. I long to live as You would have us live: ‘sharing hurts and finding sympathy, expressing needs and receiving loving care, forgiving one another rather than plotting revenge, praying for each other, being careful not to say things that will unnecessarily hurt others, being honest about who we are, seeking to do good for one another, trying to live in peace by resolving conflicts with each other’ (The Life Recovery Bible 3:8-11).

Yes Lord! This same sermon cites so many other important verses. The Truth of Ephesians 4:31-32 stands out, followed paragraphs later by verse 29.

“If we would apply this (Ephesians 4:29’s exhortation) in our homes - not trading insults, not deceiving, not clamming up, but speaking words that build up the other person - we would put family counselors out of business. Think about your speech in your family this past week. How much of it was sarcastic, critical, angry, accusatory? And how much was aimed at blessing and building up your family members?”

Please Lord. We are in desperate need of Your healthy communication skills. Empower us in our ability of blessing and building up. We love You. We need You. We thank You. Help us please I pray. Amen.

(317 words ~ 8:25 a.m.)