I've so enjoyed doing the Memory Verse Challenge from Beth Moore. If you havent heard about it - go HERE now & catch up! We're on verse #8 for the year. The goal is to get a verse on the 1st of the month & the 15th of the month & tuck it in your heart. I just love to go check out everyone's verses... as I put mine on - it was well over 500 verses so far today!!!
I, along with so many others, have found this to be such an amazing blessing!!! To find the verse you want & how amazing it is always the perfect verse at the perfect time! And again, just picking my verse for the day - its already spoken to me! My #8 verse is from Ephesians 4:29
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"
What struck me as I'm reading it over & over again today... This is a two way street verse! HUH? Its about me speaking encouragement or wisdom or guidance... but its also about the person who LISTENS!!!!! It wont benefit anyone who doesnt listen!
Working with the youth - we do see so many kids who do listen & get it... but we also see so many that refuse to listen! Those who have a closed heart & a closed mind & have that attitude of a teen - that they know it all!!!!
There are some kids that I know we tell the same things to every day of every week of every year! We, as their leaders, are speaking the words that God gives us through the Bible... & yet, they dont LISTEN!
How this verse hit me that we have to keep speaking the works that build up & are helpful... praying for that day - that one day - those words will penetrate & they will LISTEN with all that they are!
Do you need to speak more words of building others up? Or do you need to listen more closely to the words yourself?
I think I'm pretty good about speaking encouraging words, but I could probably use a little help with the listening part. Thanks for this gentle reminder!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great verse, and I'm so glad you reminded me about posting it...I have been bad about forgetting the 15th of the month.
ReplyDeleteYou plant the seed, and pray it will take root in these young minds. It may take years, but you just keep doing your part, and have faith.
What a wonderful ministry you have!
You always make me think and I love that about you. What a wonderful verse!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this. I didn't know Beth had a blog, but I love it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this!!! I didn't know Beth Moore was doing this and will go check it out.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie
I've always been that good listener but encouraging words I need to work on! beautiful post as always my dear!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya sista ~~ such a two way street. But I also think those teens hear more than they let on ~~ the little boogers =)
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed day friend,
Dawn
GREAT POST!!
I like this verse alot. It's where Building 429 got it's band name from.
ReplyDeleteI am encouraging most of the time, sometimes with certain people I get frustrated instead of being encouraging. If that makes sense...and I think we ALL could stand to listen a little more right?
Great post :)
This advice is great for marriage too!
ReplyDeleteGreat verse!
ReplyDeleteI think depending on the day, both. Sometimes I need to listen more, sometimes I need to speak more.