Words That Count

This morning I got up and put out the trash so the North Augusta waste warriors could come pick it up. While at the curb I decided to pick up the free paper tossed weekly in the driveway (can you say “unsolicited litter”?) as well as today’s edition of the newspaper.

I came in, got my coffee, and had a seat in my Quiet Time spot, but first I read the papers. Probably spent thirty minutes or more scanning through them and getting a fix on what was going on around the world and in the community. I read about a number of things and felt like a better-informed citizen. I was also entertained, since I always read the comics, or “funny papers,” as my granddad used to call them.

Then, I picked up my Bible. My reading was Matthew 4:1-4. This is the start of the passage about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The devil’s temptation and Jesus’ response grabbed my attention.
We, in the “information age,” are inundated with words. Many of us could spend all day answering emails, updating Facebook or Twitter, texting and talking on the phone, listening to music, talk radio or TV, and (when we can fit it in) conversing with people—thousands of words every day. Most of these words will make little difference a week from now, much less years from now, but they demand our time, and may keep us from the words that count: God’s words.

Jesus' response to the tempter, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3: saying, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” God’s words are the words that count.

Here are some things I try to practice that help me give God the proper place:

• Bible first. No other media before it. 
• If you use your computer along with your Bible as I do, stay away from your email inbox. Email has a way of getting my workday started, and that gets me distracted from the most important thing.
• Write. You may use a notebook. You may use a computer. Writing helps me process what I am reading, and to dwell on it a little while. Many times as I write, God will open my eyes to a new truth about himself or a truth about me—both of which I need.
• Make the time to let God speak to you. That may mean getting up earlier, which probably means going to bed earlier. Give God you best brain time, when your thoughts are uncluttered and you’re the least sleepy.

May we focus on words that count.

Quick Health Update
I feel great. All the poking and prodding on Tuesday went fine. I do wonder if blood-letting may be a secret part of the treatment. So many vials... We get the report on July 6.

Thanks for your prayers. They are the most important part of the treatment and my healing.