Putting Words in my Mouth ….

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me,

“now I have put words in your mouth.” Jeremiah 1:9

Dear Friends,

I needed some “words” to say for today’s “Mikes Monday Message” and my devotional reading this morning talked about God putting words in our mouths. On Sunday before the scripture reading, we offer a prayer for illumination asking God to speak through the words of the preacher. I guess I should offer a prayer for illumination every morning when I get up. You see, too often what comes out of my mouth is NOT God’s word but my own as a result of my impatience, or bad mood or lack of knowledge or my prejudices. But every once in a while, the RIGHT words come out and they have the desired effect on the listener. As a pastor I have learned that what I say and what my listeners hear are two different things. And sometimes it’s not WHAT we say but HOW we say it. Every Monday morning, I write to the visitors who were in church the day before. This morning after sending e-mails and writing notes I received a return e-mail from someone who said coming to our worship service on Sundays was the “highlight” of their week. Wow… just a few words but they were positive, and they made my day.

So, ask the Lord to put positive words in your mouths this week and listen carefully to what others are saying…because words matter.

Have a great week.

Blessings,

Mike

• STEPS gathering at Mt Pleasant Presbyterian this Saturday
• Sign up to be a liturgist or nursery care giver … lists are on the table the back of the church
• Contact Scott Youngblood about being a tutor at St James/Santee school
• Our Mom program begins after Labor Day