29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 ESV) Probably one of the hardest things to get right when we seek to build others up is saying the right thing at the … Read more

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14 ESV) Let’s face it, it can be hard … Read more

4 The Lord God has given me    the tongue of those who are taught,that I may know how to sustain with a word    him who is weary.Morning by morning he awakens;    he awakens my ear    to hear as those who are taught.5 The Lord God has opened my ear,    and I was not rebellious;    I turned not backward. (Isaiah 50:4-5 ESV) Listening, being willing to be taught and … Read more

8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, (Daniel 1:8-9 ESV) When we seek God first and then … Read more

11 You make known to me the path of life;    in your presence there is fullness of joy;    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11 ESV) We, typically, try to eke out what joy and pleasure we can out of this life. We look to experiences or things to bring us happiness and then are confused when what … Read more