Use Your Words!

[00:00:00] Remember when you were told to use your words? Today's episode puts a new twist on the phrase. Tune in!

[00:00:08] Hello and welcome to MoMo634, the daily podcast chock full of faithful inspiration and motivation.

[00:00:20] MoMo634 Motivational Moments, just for today.

[00:00:26] Last week in the episode House Party, I talked about Barnabas, the son of encouragement we meet in the book of Acts.

[00:00:50] I know a modern day Barnabas. A little over three years ago when we moved over a thousand miles away from the only state I'd ever lived in,

[00:01:01] we didn't think we'd ever find another congregation like the one we'd left.

[00:01:06] We'd visited a number over the years and none had that special secret sauce that our home congregation had.

[00:01:15] It was during the COVID lockdowns, but individual states were beginning to ease restrictions,

[00:01:21] so we went to a little congregation almost within walking distance of our new home.

[00:01:27] Right as we walked in, two of the friendliest women I have ever met not just greeted us but treated us like long lost family.

[00:01:40] One has gone on to her reward. The other has suffered a number of setbacks and challenges.

[00:01:48] I mean it's like Paul in 2 Corinthians when he writes,

[00:01:52] In harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death,

[00:01:59] five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

[00:02:04] Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked,

[00:02:10] I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

[00:02:13] In my frequent journeys I've been in danger from rivers and bandits,

[00:02:18] in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles,

[00:02:21] in danger in the city and in the country,

[00:02:24] in danger on the sea and amongst false brothers,

[00:02:28] in labor and toil and often without sleep,

[00:02:31] in hunger and thirst and often without food,

[00:02:35] in cold and exposure.

[00:02:39] And yet, she still has a smile for everyone.

[00:02:45] Encouraging words, checks up if she hasn't seen or heard from someone,

[00:02:50] follows up on needs and is probably one of the most humble people I know.

[00:02:56] Her attitude is very much like what we find described in 2 Corinthians 4, 8-9.

[00:03:04] We are hard-pressed on all sides, but not crushed,

[00:03:08] perplexed, but not in despair,

[00:03:11] persecuted, but not forsaken,

[00:03:14] struck down, but not destroyed.

[00:03:18] Paul, who frequently traveled with Barnabas, says in Philippians 4,

[00:03:23] I know how to live humbly and I know how to abound.

[00:03:27] I am accustomed to any and every situation,

[00:03:31] to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.

[00:03:36] And despite the hardships these brothers faced,

[00:03:40] they could say, rejoice in the Lord always!

[00:03:44] I will say it again, rejoice!

[00:03:47] After all the recent trials I've gone through,

[00:03:50] I just had to reach out to this dear sister

[00:03:53] and tell her I want to be like her when I grow up.

[00:03:58] How can you get out of yourself today and encourage someone?

[00:04:02] How can you bake more encouragement into your day?

[00:04:06] It not only makes someone else's day, it makes your day better too.

[00:04:12] Our meme for today says,

[00:04:15] encouraging words are like rain to dry ground

[00:04:19] and water to a parched throat.

[00:04:22] Like the grown-ups always say, use your words.

[00:04:27] Thanks for listening to Momo 634, motivational moments just for today.

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