“be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Ephesians 5:18-20 (NKJV)
When my son Gilbert was in first grade, Mrs. Joanna Bloom, his doting teacher, taught him the power of words. She regularly reminded her students to use words to, “build people up, not tear them down.” I have quoted her to my kids more times than I can count and still do today even though they are twenty-three, twenty, and sixteen.
She understood the power words possess. I do as well. And yet, there are many times that my words could not be compared to, nor do they sound like, spiritual melodies of thanksgiving to God.
Forgive me, Lord.
As a writer, I endeavor to place words together in such a way as to inspire, infuse hope, and speak truth. I am grateful to God that He saw fit to give us this means for expression, this connection to the Light.
John 1: 1-4 illuminates this for us. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (NKJV)
Jesus is the embodiment of God’s Word – His life breathed for us, in us, and through us. Let that sink in.
If we are in Christ, we are filled with the Spirit. We have the supernatural ability to speak to others in sacred, uplifting, lyrical ways – spreading a message of hope.
Let’s do more of that.
For a glimpse into my story of hope and perseverance, check out my book,LIVE IT OUT – Hope, A Devotional Journal.
Connect with me at CodieWinslow.com or on social media on Facebook (Codie Winslow) and @codiewinslow on Instagram.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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