February 19: Don't Say Anything You Don't Mean

Affirmation: I am blessed, grateful and abundant.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬
There is much to be grateful for each day. Consider cultivating the habit of keeping a gratitude journal. It can be simple. Each day jot down at least 3 things you are grateful for. (•the morning light,•clothes to wear,•the love of God)
~~~~~~~
Ponder: As you focus on gratitude, begin to memorize Deuteronomy 7:9. Ponder each of the 3 phrases in this verse. What emotions or thoughts does this verse bring?
Deuteronomy 7:9

 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. 


~~~~~~~
Praying the Message of Jesus: A Year of Thoughts and Prayers
by Eugene Peterson

                        Feb 19


Don't Say Anything You Don't Mean

"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is

embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse

when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray

for you· and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not

meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing

them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more

religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you

manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong."

 MATTHEW 5:33-37

Elaborate incantations or vehement curses are alike—futile. God cannot be manipulated by our use of language. Prayer, the opposite of swearing, is language put to the service of God. It is the simplest and purest speech there is.

 

What Scriptures does Jesus quote?

 

God, purge all pretense and affectation from my speech. I want all my words to be an offering in love, all my speech a servant of truth, in the ways that Jesus taught. Amen.

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