Today's Passage - Ephesians 4:29-30

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 4:29-30   "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."   Paul reminded the believers to discipline themselves more in talking, avoid filthy language and speak helpful words that build up others.  Not just one or two good words, but in all things.  Words can hurt people and even put people to death, but they can also edify people and resurrect them from death; it's totally up to us how we would use the words.  If parents constantly call their kids low achievers, their kids will most likely grow up to be low achievers; if parents always encourage their kids, the morale of the kids will be continuously lifted.   Reverend Yonggi Cho once testified about this.  His child had really bad greats before, and one time he only scored 35% on a test.  Reverend Cho got real mad and scolded his child.  Later, Spirit of the Lord rebuked him and reminded him that God would never dealt with his mistakes that way.  He then said to his child, "it was good that you got 35%, but I think you have potential to do better, so how about getting 40%, 5% higher, next time?"  On the next test, his child actually got 40%, so he praised him again and told him, "that was great, getting 40% means you really have potential, so how about getting 45% next time?"  Since then, his child's grade kept on rising higher than 80%, praise the Lord!   One word that edifies people can truly bring great impact.  May the Lord help us, don't hold back on speaking word of praise.  Chinese people often hold our feelings inside and don't know how to encourage people around us.  Couples should particularly become cheerleaders for each other; when we do well we applause each other, and when we don't do so well we'll encourage each other.  If we don't speak word that edifies others, but speak words that are filthy, critical and judgmental, they won't help others but can hurt them, and it'll cause Holy Spirit to grieve.  Brothers and sisters, has your words be trained?  May God guard our mind and thoughts, let our tongues be cleaned by the Lord's Spirit, so that people around us will enjoy the fragrant presence of the Lord.                                                                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, please guard our tongues so that we speak every word in your love and Holy Spirit.  Please guide us in our relationships everyday so that we can speak words that edify and benefit those who heard them.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!