Devotion
What Are You Feeding Yourself?
Chipo Biti
The words that we speak are always a reflection of our hearts - the state of our minds. The things that we choose to dwell on will affect the mindset we choose to base our life decisions and actions on. If your mind is focused on the right things, the right things will flow from your mouth. If your mind dwells on negative things that bring no life, dead things will flow from the words that you speak. By "dead things" I mean that no refreshing words will be able to come out of your mouth. You will not be able to edify the people around you.
This is why we need to be mindful of the things we feed our minds. These things will be the things our minds will dwell on and formulate beliefs and convictions. If you feed your mind things that tear down and hurt others, you will end up hurting others yourself. If you feed yourself with godly material, material that gives life, you will end up giving life-giving words to the people that you encounter. It is profitable to be wise and walk in the counsel of the Lord. The words you speak and the advice you give will give life and restoration to those who are in need of it. When your words are based on the Word of God, you will be able to refresh the souls of many.
But if your mind dwells on foolish, unfruitful things like gossip and foul speech, your words will not be profitable for anyone - they won't even be profitable for yourself. If you let foolishness lead your life, you will find yourself in many terrible situations. Focusing on the wrong things, things that are not godly, will always lead to painful mistakes.
Prayer
Let your words be rooted in the word, so that you can edify yourself and you can edify those around you.
Devotion
A Young Witness
Frances Taylor
Paul is giving Timothy both encouragement and instruction. Timothy is obviously young, but he has been chosen to preach. He is told, however, to be a good example of Christianity. Paul knows that the people will be watching him. He is also told to study as well as to encourage and to teach. We have been called to be disciples because of our Baptism. We too must be good examples of the Christianity we proclaim. It doesn't matter if we are young or old, we are expected to imitate Christ in our way of life, in how we show love to one another and by our moral choices. We are also expected to grow in our knowledge of the faith by reading the Scriptures, and to encourage others to be faithful and to teach others by word and example. We should never stop learning! I'm constantly amazed by how much I have forgotten of what I have read. And I am also surprised that a passage I have read many times before now has a different meaning to me. That's because ...
Morning Prayer
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Inspiration
Pride is one of the so called 'seven deadly sins', and with good reason. Arrogance in ones own importance over others is vain, and angers God. There is nothing that may rival Gods heights and power, and yet, he shows no arrogance. No nation, no group, no person is 'number one'. With true faith and love in ones heart, all are equal in the eyes of our Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love for all of us. I know you have made me in your image, so allow me not to choose falsely and fall into arrogance or vanity, but rather seek humility in all I do and may accomplish with your guidance. For all I have and all I will ever do, I know is so only because it is granted by you. O Heavenly Father, hallowed by your name. Amen.
Night Prayer
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Inspiration
Often, we speak before we have to opportunity to think about our words. In the heat of the moment, we immediately express negative feelings without analyzing the situation first. We jump to conclusions when directing meetings and speak in haste with our children before evaluating all sides. As leaders in any setting, we must be tactful and make decisions by weighing all details. Instead of expressing emotions with our authority, we must seek to mediate justly and reflect the mercy of God with our decision-making.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Please forgive us when we jump to conclusions and fail to lead with mercy and grace. Guide us to reflect Your character when You place us in a position of authority. In Jesus' name, Amen.
