AI
Friday, April 26, 2002 12:24:00 PM
A Good Word
Read: Proverbs 12:17-28
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. —Proverbs 12:25 Proverbs 12
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.
21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, [1] but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast [2] his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
Show footnotes
Or man is a guide to his neighbor
The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
A man was invited to the home of some friends for dinner. The food was superb—except for the apple pie. Even so, he found something good to say about the pie.
Several weeks later, the man visited the friends again for dinner. This time they had a cherry pie that was absolutely delicious. But the visitor didn't say one word about it. This bothered the hostess, so she finally blurted out, "The last time you were here, I served a pie that I was ashamed of, yet you were complimentary. Tonight I've served what I think is the best pie I've ever made, and you haven't said a word. Why?"
The man smiled and replied, "The cherry pie tonight was fantastic, and the apple pie you served last time was not as good as this one. So you see, the apple pie needed more praise!"
Our relationships with people are like that—some need more encouragement than others. No matter how imperfect a person may seem or how poorly he performs, we should always try to find something to commend. All around us are discouraged people, perhaps even in our homes, who need "a good word" from us to cheer them up (Proverbs 12:25). Let's look for ways to give them that needed encouragement! —RWD
It was only a kindly word,
And a word that was lightly spoken,
Yet not in vain, for it stilled the pain
Of a heart that was nearly broken. —Anon.
If you see people without a smile today, give them one of yours!
Excel
Read: Proverbs 12:17-28
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. —Proverbs 12:25 Proverbs 12
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.
21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, [1] but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast [2] his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
Show footnotes
Or man is a guide to his neighbor
The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
A man was invited to the home of some friends for dinner. The food was superb—except for the apple pie. Even so, he found something good to say about the pie.
Several weeks later, the man visited the friends again for dinner. This time they had a cherry pie that was absolutely delicious. But the visitor didn't say one word about it. This bothered the hostess, so she finally blurted out, "The last time you were here, I served a pie that I was ashamed of, yet you were complimentary. Tonight I've served what I think is the best pie I've ever made, and you haven't said a word. Why?"
The man smiled and replied, "The cherry pie tonight was fantastic, and the apple pie you served last time was not as good as this one. So you see, the apple pie needed more praise!"
Our relationships with people are like that—some need more encouragement than others. No matter how imperfect a person may seem or how poorly he performs, we should always try to find something to commend. All around us are discouraged people, perhaps even in our homes, who need "a good word" from us to cheer them up (Proverbs 12:25). Let's look for ways to give them that needed encouragement! —RWD
It was only a kindly word,
And a word that was lightly spoken,
Yet not in vain, for it stilled the pain
Of a heart that was nearly broken. —Anon.
If you see people without a smile today, give them one of yours!
Excel
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