In
the midst of a tiring and frustrating week, month, and year, I was reminded of
the power of the Word in our lives. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts
to God… Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 3:16, 4:6 ESV). I started
thinking about what I would like to hear from someone right now, so I reviewed
some of my favorite verses and heard them as an encouraging word from a friend.
I thought perhaps some other folks might be encouraged by these reminders as
well.
“Therefore,
my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians
15:58).
“For
God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown
for His name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Hebrews 6:10).
“We
give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our
prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of
love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).
“Now
may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great
shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything
good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His
sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever” (Hebrews
13:20-21).
“My
flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion
forever” (Psalm 73:26).
“[It]
is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians
2:13).
“[I
pray] that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened
with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16).
“Now
may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The
Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
“Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us
eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish
them in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
We would all do
well to let our words to one another be shaped by the Word of God.
