Saturday, August 17, 2013

August 18, 2013

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21
 
Roanoke, VA, like Fredericksburg, has an interstate highway that runs through the heart of town.
 
Recently I read an account in the Roanoke Times that demonstrated the power of words. A desperate and distraught young man was perched precariously on the edge of a bridge over the highway. He was threatening to jump onto the road below and into the passing traffic.

A man driving on I-581 saw what was happening and pulled his car off onto the shoulder and parked it. Running back to the bridge he shouted up to the man on the bridge and was able to engage him in a conversation. While some passer-bys yelled for the man to jump, this good Samaritan offered he words of hope and encouragement. After 45 minutes of urging he convinced the potential jumper to climb down from the bridge and receive some psychiatric help.

The power of hopeful words! They are life-giving and this story proves it!

As followers of Christ, we have a relationship with the Living Word!

As followers of Christ, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit, the One Who inspired the Word!

As followers of Christ, we are students of the Word of God and have it hidden in our hearts.

So, we can confidently say that His Word gives us life!

Therefore, speaking hopeful life-giving words should be natural for us!

Is that true of you?

Will it be true of you today?

You never know when your words of hope might talk someone off the edge of despair.