Becoming Holy - Part 3

Focus Scripture

Matthew 5 : 33-37(NRSV)

Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Daily Byte

Words have a frightening power, but it is often not what we say, but what we do that makes the biggest impact. When our words and actions align, when people see us and know us as people of integrity, we find wholeness and bring wholeness to others. But, when our words and actions are out of sync, when what we say cannot be trusted, when what we do contradicts what we stand for, the result is confusion and brokenness for us and for those with whom we rub shoulders every day.

To what extent is your life one of this kind of whole-iness? How do your words and actions align? Do you think people experience you as a person of integrity? Where are the places in your life that you know are not yet wholly like this? Are you willing to offer them to God as you worship this week, and allow God to make you more whole? How can you allow God’s holiness to be your guide as you speak and act today?

Pray As You Go

The simplest word,
easy to say and quickly forgotten,
can leave a legacy of pain,
or a long-lingering joy.
Yet we fill the air with our words,
oblivious, or simply dismissive,
of their impact,
of the lives changed, for better or worse,
by our careless chatter.
Forgive us, gracious and creative Word of God.

Teach us the wisdom of careful speech, and actions to match,
the power of blessing,
the healing of forgiving,
the gift of truth-telling;
And give us the courage to speak out, to act out,
to do or part in filling the world
with life.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com