29 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)
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17).
(Group going to Peru from Lake Muray Presbyterian 7/8/11- In His Name- to provide a water filtration plant and to establish a partnership with a Peruvian church in Iquitos on the Amazon)Thoughts: Our speech and our actions are to glorify God's name. It is talking about taking extraordinary risks of faith- standing up for what we believe. I think of those in our church (Ray, Phyllis, Greta, Bill, RB) who are now in Peru on a mission trip as ambassadors for the name of Christ. But this is also talking about the everyday honoring Christ: encouraging instead of criticizing; enabling instead of crippling; It means doing our work for Christ- our washing, our cleaning, our gardening, our parenting, our learning, our living.
I read once of an atheist in the 1920s saying that God did not exist, and he would prove it by cursing God right then, and he dared God to zap him with lightning. When he cursed, and God did not, he thought he had thus proved the non-existence of God. But God is more merciful than that man, or us. He gives us more time, yet will hold us to account. The last part of this command is not to be forgotten- "The Lord will not hold him guiltless who misuses His name."
Prayer: Help me, Lord to honor your name; to build others up.
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