Words

                        Matthew 12:37
   For by  your words you will be justified,
   and by your words you will be condemned.

 Isn't it amazing how words from another person can affect our entire day!
We  have all had people say hurtful things to us, words that continue to sting
long after they are spoken. We have also had kind words spoken to us, words
that lift our spirit, carrying us through the day with renewed confidence and vigor.
I want to be that second person! I want to speak words of encouragement to others, help them know how much I appreciate them, how much I care about them. I want them to feel the love of Jesus.

As I look at the example set by Jesus, I think of the many times I have read His Word and the very  Scripture I need seems to jump off the page. It is always a word of encouragement, a  Scripture giving me hope in the darkness, direction in a decision, or comfort in the midst of heartache.

The Word of God has much to say about the tongue;
            If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not
            bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's
            religion is useless.                            __James 1:26

            Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
            See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a
            fire, a word of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members
            that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature;
            and it is set on fire by hell.                __James 3:5-6

As Christ taught the multitudes, He said to them;
             Hear and understand:
             Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man;
             but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. 
                                                                      __Matthew 15:11

He went on to say:
              But those things which proceed out of the mouth
              come from the heart, and they defile a man. 
                                                                       __Matthew 15:18

What we say matters to Jesus!