Message summary: Thank God for the blessing of gracious words!

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"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" (Proverbs 12:25). "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body" (Proverbs 16:24).

Our church will soon complete a fall sermon series from the book of Proverbs. One aspect of aging is observing how much things change during one's lifetime, including the typical worship service in many churches. I pastored churches from 1976 through 2001. Since that time our main ministry focus has been chaplaincy and this online writing ministry.

When I was a young pastor high tech was the overhead projector! Of course most churches now use PowerPoint and other audio/video resources. I'm not sure when it started but many churches, including our own, now use a "bumper video" just before the sermon, a colorful inspirational transition that is intended to get your attention for the message.

Our church's bumper video currently features various proverbs with a stunning video background including one with today's second text we use as our lead photo. Click the link below to see the entire video bumper if you care to. The photo of the honey can sure create an appealing desire for that wonderful taste!

"An anxious heart weighs a man down". Many (likely all at one time or another) have experienced an anxious heart.  What a powerful word picture of the burden of anxiety. Someone once defined anxiety as "a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind, cutting a channel into which all other thoughts flow".

An inner battle rages between trust and worry. Trust dispels worry. But much like the popup figures in an arcade shooting gallery, worry just keeps popping back up!

The anxieties of this life really can weigh one down. Sometimes it seems they really pressure the heart and you can actually feel it. The KJV says it "maketh it stoop". We are sure most of you know what we mean. And we wouldn't be surprised if some of you reading this are experiencing an anxious heart as you read this.

"But a kind word cheers him up". The word for "cheer" is literally derived from a Hebrew word meaning to "brighten up."

Thank God for the blessing of gracious words! They really are, as our second verse states, "like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body".

We have so often been the recipient of such kind and gracious words. An earnest "I'm praying for you", a caring "How's your health?", or a sincere "I really appreciate you." Gracious words like these really cheer the heart and, in each of the above examples, we can recall a specific instance from which we continue to draw energy.

Brooksyne and I have prayed that you will receive some gracious words today. If you're like us you desire to surround yourself with people who are gracious and kind; that's understandable and normal.

But we also challenge you to be a dispensary of kind words and deeds. Don't base it on whether the recipient deserves it; do it as an exercise of obedience to God. Is there one of us who deserves God's kindness?

As you fulfill the Biblical principle of sowing what you desire to reap, you may be surprised at the result. Or maybe you won't, but you will be obedient as you exercise kindness, the fifth fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22,23. After all, it's easy to show kindness in response to kindness, but the real fruit of people's character is seen when they respond in kindness to an unkind word or act.

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber