Every day you and I give people an impression of who Jesus is by the words we use.  Are they hearing, or reading, words from you which would draw them to Christ or push them away?  Are you using words which draw you into greater relationship with God or words which create distance?  Over the next 30 days I will be sharing from the devotional journal, “Watch Your Mouth”, with the prayer that it helps you discover some of what God has to say about choosing words which honor Him.

Here is day two with an important reminder that watching your mouth should lead you to use encouraging words.

Choose Encouraging Words

“When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia.  He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece.”
Acts 20:1-2 (NIV)

Who is your greatest encourager?  What things do they do and say that you find encouraging?  What part does tone and attitude have in the words you hear being encouraging?  What words are most effective in helping you to overcome discouragement?  How often do you find yourself speaking those words to others?  Do you make it a practice to spread encouragement to others wherever you go?

Often times it is in the midst of great confusion and turmoil that a voice of encouragement is most needed.  Following a riot in Ephesus, Paul spent time encouraging the believers in the city before continuing his travels.  Even as he traveled, he stayed focused on speaking words of encouragement to the people he met.  As you pray, ask God to help you gain words of encouragement through your time in His Word.  Pray that the encouragement you receive from Him, and others, would be shared by you to all you meet.  Pray for the wisdom to use encouraging words that fit each situation you face.

In prayer,

Tom