My oldest son had his first baseball game last week Friday. He had a decent game. Although he struck out twice and made a defensive error, he scored a run and made some really good and important defensive plays – plays that prevented the opposing team from scoring runs.  But, what did he remember? You got it – the mistakes and the strike outs.  

He sulked and held his head down after the error and the strikeouts. His memory of the past prevented him from being fully present in the moment of the game. We talked later that night, and I reassured him that he would make more errors in the season, but he would also have plenty more opportunities to make major contributions to his team.  
What past mistake, sin, poor decision, memory are you sulking over today and keeping you from pressing into God and life and being fully present in the grandest moment of your life today? What past sins, errors and mistakes are keeping you from missing opportunities to make major contributions to your family, your ministry, your neighborhood, your company? 

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Every day I have a choice as to how I will use my words – to bless, complete and give life to others, or to curse, discourage, or crush the people in our sphere of influence. You have that same choice. I am certain there are more, but I believe we can fit our words into at least four categories:

Careless words - A person whose tongue/speech is careless has a speech pattern that is filled with lies instead of truth, curses instead of blessings, and quick-tempered retorts rather than controlled and thoughtful responses. I suppose hurtful and senseless sarcasm would fit in this category as well. This person rarely thinks before they speak and often says insensitive things. Man, how I wish I could take back some of my careless words. Or, at least, I wish I would have thought more carefully about what I was going to say before I said it. (Pro. 10:18, 32; 11:9)
 
Manipulating words - A person whose tongue/speech is manipulative has a speech pattern that is filled with wrong motives, gossip, slander, flattery and twisting the truth. (Proverbs 6:12-14, 16-19; 8:13; 16:28) My heart is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), and when I have allowed selfishness to reign in my heart, I have found myself splashing in the mud puddles of flattery, wrong motives and slander.  
Caring words - A person whose tongue/speech is caring and ministry focused has a speech pattern that speaks truthfully, while seeking to encourage and complete others. Words that focus on forgiveness would definitely fit in the category of speech. (Proverbs 10:32; 12:18, 25; 15:23) When I have used caring words to minister to hurting people, there is not a greater feeling in the world. Really can’t fully explain the mystery of caring words, but God uses these kinds of words comfort families during funerals and when family members are suffering in the hospital. They encourage our children after a disappointment and our spouses after a grueling day at work or with the children. These kinds of words give momentum to people who feel unappreciated. Lord, please help us use caring words more often – even today.  
 
Disciplined words - A person whose tongue/speech is disciplined has a speech pattern that thinks before they speak, knows when silence is best and is able to consistently give wise advice. (Proverbs 10:19; 11:12, 13; 12:16; 13:3) I have an abnormally large mouth today because I have put my foot in it too many times. I am learning day by day what it means to listen more and talk less. I need to be infused, day by day, with the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this. 
 
Roughly what percentage of all your conversation falls into each of the four categories of speech? What other categories can you add? How have your words become different over the last few months?

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