Gratitude

Our words have incredible power. They can build up or tear down, encourage or discourage, bring hope or despair. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Speaking life means using our words to reflect God’s love, truth, and grace in every situation. Jesus modeled this beautifully. He spoke life into the hurting, the broken, and the lost. With His words, He healed the sick, comforted the weary, and challenged people to step into their God-given potential. As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same. Speaking life starts with being intentional. It means pausing before we speak, asking God to guide our words, and choosing to uplift instead of criticize. It’s about seeing others through God’s eyes and using our words to bless, encourage, and bring peace. Today, commit to speaking life into the people around you. Use your words to share hope, show kindness, and point others to Christ. Let your conversations be filled with grace, seasoned with love, and guided by the Spirit. Steps to Speak Life: 1. Speak God’s Truth • Encourage others with Scripture and remind them of God’s promises. 2. Speak with Grace and Kindness • Ask yourself: Will this build someone up or tear them down? 3. Pray Before You Speak • Invite God to guide your words, especially in difficult conversations. 4. Encourage Yourself in the Lord • Speak life over yourself, declaring God’s truth about your identity and purpose. 5. Speak Gratitude • Use your words to thank God and express gratitude to others. Question to Ponder: How can you use your words to speak life into someone’s heart today? Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of words and the power they hold. Help me to speak life in every situation. Guide my words to reflect Your truth, grace, and love. Teach me to use my tongue to build others up, to encourage those around me, and to glorify You. Let my speech always be seasoned with kindness and compassion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When God calls us, it’s easy to feel like we don’t have enough to offer. But God often works through the smallest acts of obedience to accomplish His greatest purposes. Take the story of the boy with five loaves and two fish in John 6:1-14. With a crowd of over five thousand people, the disciples saw an impossible situation. Yet the boy offered what little he had, and Jesus used it to perform a miracle, feeding everyone with abundance to spare. This story reminds us that God isn’t looking for perfection or vast resources—He’s looking for a willing heart. Our small “yes” becomes powerful in His hands. Whether it’s an act of kindness, a prayer, or a step of faith, God can use it to bless others and glorify His name. Don’t underestimate what God can do through your obedience. Trust Him with what you have, and watch Him multiply it beyond your imagination. Question to Ponder: What small act of obedience can you offer to God today, trusting Him to use it for His glory? Prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding me that You can do great things with small offerings. Help me to trust You with what I have and to say “yes” to Your call, no matter how small it seems. Use my life as a vessel for Your purposes, and let Your glory shine through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.