– Scripture:

“And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

                                Matthew 5:33–37 MSG

– Reflection:

                 Empty Promises

When speaking in the neighborhood with others and friends, it makes sense to try and embellish a little on what you did on your high school team or even at another level of sport now that you are done. Time seems to have a way of making something we did long ago that was small, making it sound huge. In our walk with Christ, though, when we tell someone that we will pray for them, take the time right at that moment to do just that. When I first started my walk, we had Life Groups at our Church that happened through our weeks throughout the year. Each Life Group leader I have had in my Men’s group has stated that if you don’t have the time, don’t say anything; that is better than giving out an Empty Promise. People who truly believe will be hoping for what you stated and will get nothing because you were only trying to be nice. The Kingdom is nothing to play loosely with. 

Where do we go from here?

Honor your word; make happen what you speak. If I tell someone I am praying for them, I will, at that moment, type up something in a note or a text and send it to them. I am working on the piece where I just ask them over while out and pray with them in the parking lot. My spirit isn’t there yet. Remember, small steps will eventually turn into big steps. I hope this helps each one of you who read this small reflection of the words I read in the Bible and how I commit them to use in my day. It is a blessing to give out a piece of what GOD has placed in my heart to share with everyone.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for the many blessings you have given us and the acceptance of the many that are to come. Help us to wish all the moms that this makes it to a Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for honoring us with your presence in our lives, and allowing us to follow your lead as we lead others. Thank you Jesus. Amen.