Encouragement for Today - July 22, 2005

July 22

Encouragement for Today

“The Power of the Word”

Marybeth Whalen, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

Key Verse:

Isaiah 55:11, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Devotion:

At a craft show recently, I struck up a conversation with an artist I particularly admire. Our conversation led to a discussion on marriage and learning how to “fight fair” with our husbands. Knowing nothing about her background or beliefs, I quoted the verse, “Love does not keep a record of wrongs” (I Corinthians 13:5) to her, but did not identify it as a verse from the Bible when I did so. To tell you the truth, I just assumed that she would know that it was from that famous passage in 1 Corinthians. From my perspective, anyone who has been to a wedding would recognize that verse.

I soon discovered how wrong I was to just assume that she would know I was quoting Scripture! Her eyes widened and a surprised look crossed her face. “That’s beautiful!” she exclaimed. “Where in the world did you hear that?”

“Well,” I stammered out, “It’s from the Bible. I Corinthians 13 is a beautiful passage on love, the way God designed it to work. You should read it sometime.”

As I walked away, I thought of how, in our whole conversation, it was the Word of God that cut through to her heart, spoke to her soul, and opened her eyes. It was not my words that brought about change, but His. How blessed I was to have been able to share just that small bit of God’s truth with her.

I wondered how many times I have missed opportunities to weave Scripture into an ordinary conversation. I didn’t have to philosophize or pontificate or preach to my new friend. How simple it really was to speak God’s Truth to her in a natural, unrehearsed way. And how hungry she was to hear that Truth! I asked God to make me aware of other opportunities to share His Word and to not make it harder than it has to be. I pray that God will allow that small seed to sprout up in this woman’s life and that this will be the beginning of many other encounters she has with God’s powerful, beautiful Word.

My Prayer for Today:

Lord, please help me to remember that your Word is powerful. Help me to speak it to others in my everyday life. Thank You Lord for placing people in my life that need to hear your Word, and help me to be more aware of opportunities to do so. Please use your Word in the lives of those I come in contact with to bring about change and renewal, and help me not to take your Word for granted.

Application Steps:

Make an effort to commit more verses to memory, which will enable you to speak the Word in your daily conversations. Don’t forget to spend time in the Word daily yourself. Find a Bible study if that will help guide you and hold you “accountable” to doing the reading.

Reflection Points:

Am I aware of God’s divine appointments for me in my daily conversations with others?

How can I prepare myself to speak God’s Word to others?

Do I appreciate the power of God’s Word and treat the Bible with the respect it deserves?

Power Verses:

Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (NIV)

Proverbs 25:11, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (NIV)

Psalm 119:130, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (NIV)

II Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (NIV)

Additional Resources:

Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God, by Sharon Jaynes

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_becomingAWoman.htm

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, by Lysa TerKeurst

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_whatHappens.htm

Secrets of the Vine, by Bruce Wilkinson

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_secretsVine.htm