Keep That Voice

Proverbs 27:9:

"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense."

Today's Episode: Keep That Voice

You ever play an old voice message just to hear somebody say your name?

Or find a picture and suddenly you’re back down memory lane? Somebody laughing. Somebody dancing. Somebody telling you to get out of the kitchen and you sneaking back in to see what the grown folks were talkin’ about.

A little piece of yesterday can walk right into your today.

Now imagine opening a bottle of perfume. That fragrance doesn’t stay in the bottle. And some words people have spoken into our lives are like that. Years later, we remember them, and something in us reminisces. We breathe in the memory.

Proverbs 27:9 in the New Living Translation calls a friend’s heartfelt counsel “as sweet as perfume and incense.”

That’s more than somebody telling us what we want to hear. A good friend can tell you the truth and leave you grateful they cared enough to say it.

“You need to rest.”

“You can apologize. It won’t kill you.”

“Look how far you’ve already come.”

Keep that voice.

We can replay an insult from twenty years ago with surround sound. Every syllable. But somebody’s encouragement? Somehow we misplaced that recording.

What if we put that good counsel—and God’s word—on heavy rotation in our hearts today?

Here’s the point: remembering a wise word can change what we carry into the next room. Recall somebody’s patience with you, and maybe you have a little more patience for the person struggling in front of you.

That’s how a memory becomes more than a visit to yesterday. You put it to work.

In Second Corinthians 2:14, Paul describes God spreading the knowledge of Christ through us like an aroma. Paul’s talking about making Christ known through us. So what’s that spiritual cologne you got on? Is it crucifixion or resurrection?

Can somebody catch a little kindness from me because I remembered the kindness given to me?

The painful memories are still there. But that voice that helped you through? Give it another listen. And when you lock it in: keep that voice.

🔥 REMEMBER

The encouragement you received years ago can still bless somebody through you today.

🙏🏽 PRAYER

God, let remembered kindness become fresh kindness through me today.

🎯 TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Find one encouraging message, photo, or remembered piece of advice. Write down the words you want to carry today. Then act on them once: offer encouragement, give patient help, or make that overdue apology.

About the Author

Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch

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