Topic(s): Encouragement, Tongue

Mark Twain once said, “I can live for two months on one good compliment.” We all know what he meant by that. It lifts your spirits to have someone say something genuinely nice to you or about you.

Solomon noted this human truth: “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad” (Prov. 12:25). Haven’t you experienced days when the morning began just right? Someone in your family mentioned something special about you he/she appreciated. Your boss gave you a compliment as you walked through the door. And then, there was a note in the mail or a phone call from someone you love, and words of cheer entered your heart and carried you through the day.

  Since we know how good it feels to receive such expressions from people, shouldn’t we spread the same joy to others? We ought to take advantage of the many opportunities that are available to us (Eph. 5:15; Col. 4:5, 6; Gal. 6:10).

  A good word. You don’t have to be rich to give compliments away. You don’t have to be well known to effect others. Even complete strangers reap the benefit of receiving a good word from you.

  We hear so many bad words in our world.  Let’s start a campaign to balance what people hear. It all begins with a good word!

Words Well Used...

Topic(s): Tongue

• More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent. —Billy Sunday

• Never let the fear of striking out get in your way. —George Herman (Babe) Ruth

• If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.—Thomas A. Edison

• Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.  —Lowell Thomas

God's Plan For Saving Man

• God’s Grace  — Ephesians 2:8
• Christ’s Blood   — Romans 5:9
• The Holy Spirit’s Gospel — Romans 1:16
• Sinner’s Faith  — Acts 16:31
• Sinner’s Repentance   — Luke 13:3
• Sinner’s Confession   — Romans 10:10
• Sinner’s Baptism  — 1 Peter 3:21
• Christian’s Work  — James 2:24
• Christian’s Hope  — Romans 8:24
• Christian’s Endurance  — Revelation 2:10

Some Unusual Things For Which To Be Thankful

Topic --> Blessings

• Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
• Be thankful when you don’t know ... it gives you the opportunity to learn.
• Be thankful for the difficult times … during those times you grow.
• Be thankful for limitations … they give you opportunities for improvement.
• Be thankful for a new challenge ... it will build strength and character.
• Be thankful for your mistakes … they will teach you valuable lessons.
• Be thankful when you’re weary … it means you’ve made a difference.
• Be thankful for the mess after a party … it means you have friends.
• Be thankful for the taxes you pay … it means you are employed.
• Be thankful for clothes that fit a little snug … it means you have plenty to eat.
• Be thankful for a shadow that watches you work ... it means you are out in the sunshine.
• Be thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing ... it means you have a house.
• Be thankful for the spot you find at the far end of the parking lot ... it means you are capable of walking.
• Be thankful for all the complaining you hear about our government …  it means we have freedom of speech.
• Be thankful for a huge heating bill … it means you are warm.
• Be thankful for the lady behind you in church service who sings off key … it means that you can hear.
• Be thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing … it means your loved ones are nearby.
• Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours… it means that you’re alive.
• Be thankful for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day … it means you have been productive.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” —Ephesians 5:20

Pro-Choice?

Topic(s): Moral Issues

After I spoke at a public high school on the pro-life position, the pro-choice instructor took me to the faculty lounge for lunch. He pointed to a table where four teachers were smoking and said, “Fortunately, this is the last week smoking will be allowed in here. We’ve finally gotten the district to make the teachers’ lounge non-smoking.” Good-naturedly I said, “I see you’re not really pro-choice.” With a surprised look, he explained, “But cigarette smoke hurts other people.” Many who are pro-choice on abortion support laws requiring seatbelts. They are “anti-choice” about seatbelts because seatbelts “save lives.” When lives are at stake, “freedom to choose” can and is legitimately restricted by society.  –Barry Sanford

 “...thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works…” —Psa. 139:13, 14