Encouragement . . . for the Journey

How's your speech? You know those words that quickly flow out of your mouth. As women we normally don't have any trouble voicing our opinions or speaking our mind. But how often do we stop to think how MUCH our words affect others around us? Whether it's our family, friends or the checkout person at the grocery store. A good reminder for all of us is to remember that once a word is out of our mouth, it can NEVER be taken back.


So what are we to do? Where do we go for help? As believers in Christ, we go straight to God's Word. His Words are perfect and ALWAYS give us what we need.

"The unfolding of Your Words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple."

Psalm 119:130

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"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

"In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you my be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:7-8

"One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend." Proverbs 22:11

"The speech of the upright rescues them." Proverbs 12:5

"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools." Ecclesiastes 9:17

"Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity." Proverbs 21:23

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word sirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge. Proverbs 15:1-2

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply -- and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23

"Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3

"He who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver." Proverbs 10:19-20

"Those who guard their lips preserve their lives." Proverbs 13:3

"The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip." Psalm 37:20-31

"The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:23-24

"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." Ephesians 4:29

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"May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in Your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

As Abigail looked up she saw one of the servants in her home coming toward her. For a fleeting moment, anxiety gripped her heart. She had seen that look of panic many times before. What could be the reason this time? Completely poised, she listened intently as the servant began to speak.

“David send messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.”

Losing no time, Abigail set a plan in motion. She chose a path of honor and respect, one in which she would have no regrets, despite her husband’s wicked actions. Incredible blessings were just on the horizon . . .

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In a recent study with a group of women from our church we took a close look at the life of Abigail and those whose lives she touched.

• Her name means Father of joy or cause of joy. She experienced that in God her Father there was a source of joy.

• Was probably trained in a godly home, enabling her to stay focused in her miserable home life.

• Her marriage was probably arranged

• Remained a noble woman despite her horrible situation with an impossible man. Abigail stuck it out

• She didn’t seek divorce

• Remained loyal even to protecting her worthless husband and because of this she had no regrets amid much suffering when her husband died

• Woman of beauty and brains.

(Taken from All the Women of the Bible by Dr. Herbert Lockyer)

1. Read 1 Samuel 25:1-42 for the whole story.
   
   
2. As you read, look for the three main characters. Describe all the qualities and characteristics revealed in these verses.
   
   
3. From what you discovered about each of these individuals, which characteristics best describe you? Be honest.
   
   
4. How would your husband/family members describe your character? Again be honest.
   
   
5. How do you handle unforeseen pressure?
   
   
6. How are you working to make your marriage and the treatment of your husband one of no regrets, like Abigail?
   

Author Eugenia Price calls Abigail, “A Woman with God’s Poise.” She goes on to say, “Only God can give a woman poise like Abigail possessed and God can only do it when a woman is willing to cooperate with Him on every point.”

Abigail did not treat marriage lightly, she was purposeful, persistent and pure. She did not let her circumstances determine who she was. She knew who she was in God her Father and acted accordingly.

Proverbs offers some wonderful insights for us to be better equipped as wives.

Proverbs 11:16, 12:4, 14:1, 15:1, 16:24, 18:10, 21:23, 27:15 and my personal favorite, Proverbs 31:10-31.

Great resource books on Marriage:

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

"Christ be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ deep within me. Christ below me. Christ above me,

Christ at my right hand, Christ at my left hand,

Christ as I lie down, Christ as I arise, Christ as I stand,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me."

The Prayer of Saint Patrick