file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941211.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                   Sunday, December 11, 1994
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READ:  Colossians 4:2-6

            LIFE WORDS

    "Death and life are in the
       power of the tongue."

        -- Proverbs 18:21

Words of encouragement can be "life words," bringing
new motivation to our lives.  Mark Twain said that he
could live for a whole month on one good compliment!

Christian encouragement, however, is more than a
compliment or a pat on the back, valuable as these
can be.  One writer described it as "the kind of
expression that helps someone want to be a better
Christian, even when life is rough."

As a youth, Larry Crabb had developed a stutter
that humiliated him in a school assembly.  A short
time later when praying aloud in a church service,
his stutter caused him to get both his words and
theology mixed up in his prayer.  Expecting stern
correction, Larry slipped out of the service,
resolving never to speak in public again.  On his
way out he was stopped by an older man who said,
"Larry, there's one thing I want you to know.
Whatever you do for the Lord, I'm behind you one
thousand percent."  Larry's resolve never again to
speak publicly weakened instantly.  Now, many years
later, he addresses large crowds without stuttering.

Paul told us to season our speech "with grace" so
that we may know how to answer others (Col. 4:6).
Then we will speak "life words" that bring encourage-
ment.

    -- Joanie E. Yoder

 It may seem insignificant
    To say a word or two,
       But when it is encouragement,
           What wonders it can do!

               -- K. DeHaan

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     THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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      Correction may mold us,
but encouragement will motivate us.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Hebrews 1-4

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of
Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA.
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