The Bible says that life is like a vapor, a mist, or a puff of smoke. It is here one moment and then vanishes into thin air. Yet, it is easy for us to begin to live as though we were going to be here forever. We give little thought to where we are going or what direction we are headed. Today we are going to zero in on one thing that would probably change us in many ways. The change is to "speak more sweetly."

Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Words have power. Words have impact. Words can inspire, motivate, challenge, and affirm. Or they can cut, de-motivate, wound, and destroy. James says, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." (James 3:9-10).

One of the defining traits of a Christ follower is the characteristic of GRATITUDE.

In Colossians 2:6-7 Paul challenges us "just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

No matter what you are going through, you can still be filled with gratitude.

Luke 17:12-18 - "As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" "

Say "thanks" to people who serve you.

Say "thanks" to the people who shaped you.

We live in a world where people are beat up and put down.

We should be excessive, obnoxious, and lavish with our encouragement.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 we are given this challenge. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Mother Teresa once said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless."

The very last thing Jesus does on earth before ascending back to the father is speak words of blessing and encouragement.

Luke 24:51: "While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven."

Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) says, "Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

Hebrews 3:13 says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

The Bible says that we can boldly go into God’s presence knowing that He is a good Father who delights to meet the needs of his kids.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16).

"Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breast piece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD. [30] Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breast piece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD." (Exodus 28:29-30)

My hope for you is that prayer would become a lifestyle - an ongoing conversation with God - in our church!

Ephesians 6:18 says, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Matthew 7:7-11

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

When someone shares a need, a crisis, or praise, get in the habit of stopping right then and praying for him or her.

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV). "The tongue has the power of life and death…" May your words be life-giving this week.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; [25] the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you [26] the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26) May God's gracious favor in your life lead you to speak sweeter this coming week.