Karyn:
•How many of you know someone who speaks, and nobody really listens?
•Do you know somebody who’s words you respect, and want to listen to?
•What is the difference?
•What makes words valuable?
•What devalues one’s words?
•What effect does your reputation have on your words?
[Factors: Authority, Responsibility, Truth, Wisdom, Power, Love, Respect, Integrity, Creativity, Emotion, Volume, ]
Job(29:21) “Men listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.(29:22) After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears.(29:23) They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.
Ezra:•Gods words are in print, though not all of them, enough are there to know what we are expected to do with our words right now.
[Think about these words: ]
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else (Jesus), for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Ezra:•God is all-powerful, reliable,and He also loves us. He says that Jesus is the only one through whom we can be saved.
•Let’s discern whether or not we are saved by asking ourselves, “Am I living in Jesus’ power and direction?” not by comparing ourselves with others using our own authority and limited power, God has the final say.
•If you are not sure that you are saved, you can get right with God right now, by praying for forgiveness, and turning away from the wrong things you are doing or the right things you are not doing.
•Jesus alone is the one who can save you from paying for your sin in the end.
Karyn:•Think about the value of your words. If you find that nobody listens, perhaps you need to consider why.
• If people do listen,you need to think about the influence you have and use it responsibly. Let’s follow the direction God gives us.