Sticks and Stones - Devotional September 19, 2015

2 Timothy 2:14-16Expanded Bible (EXB)

A Worker Pleasing to God

14 ·Continue teaching [L Remind them of] these things, ·warning people [L solemnly testifying/declaring] in God’s presence not to ·argue [quarrel] about words. It ·does not help anyone [is good for nothing], and it ruins those who listen. 15 ·Make every effort [Do your best; Be diligent] to ·give [present] yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who ·is not ashamed [or will not be shamed] and who ·uses the true teaching in the right way [correctly handles the true message/word of truth; or holds carefully to the true message/word of truth]. 16 Stay away from ·foolish, useless talk [godless/irreverent chatter; 1 Tim. 1:3–4; 4:7; 6:20], because that will lead people ·further away from God [into even more ungodliness].

Have you ever done or said something you wish you could take back...but once it's said there is no eraser or delete button to 'undo' what's been said? The childhood saying, "Sticks and stones will brake my bones but words will never hurt me," I've always thought to be untrue.  Unlike a scraped knee that will heal and be forgotten; hurtful, unkind words will stay with us our whole lives. On the other hand words of praise, encouragement and gratitude, will lift our spirits that says, we'd go to the moon and back for this person if they asked us too.

Let me ask you this...would you rather be known as an Oscar the Grouch kind of person, or a person like Elwood P. Dowd, always pleasant and kind, who's best friend was Harvey, a 6'4" tall, white rabbit? God will use anything for His glory even a silly little movie like Harvey, to jog the mind to show us how we should live.

Lord Jesus help us today to present ourselves in a way that is pleasing to you. Let our words and our actions be kind and uplifting so that unbelievers will see you in us and maybe just maybe want to know our secret, and ask,..."How do you do it? Why don't you ever get upset? Why the smile, even when things don't go your way?" Help us to give a good answer by how we live not by just what we say. Amen. 
By: Marla Shaw O'Neill 9/19/2015©