You know, there’s something powerful about timing and tone when it comes to the words we speak. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” That’s a poetic way of saying — the right word, spoken at the right time, in the right spirit, is a priceless gift.

Have you ever had somebody say just the right thing when your heart was weary? Maybe it wasn’t a sermon or a speech — maybe it was just a gentle, “I’m praying for you,” or “You’ve got this.” That’s what Solomon’s talking about. Words that don’t just sound good — they do good.

We live in a world full of noise, where people talk at each other more than they talk to each other. But when a believer lets the Spirit guide their speech, our words become like gold — rare, beautiful, and valuable.

So today, before you speak, pause and pray, “Lord, help my words heal, not hurt. Help me to say what needs to be said — not to impress, but to bless.”

Because when grace guides your speech, your conversations become ministry. And somewhere, someone might just hear a word from your lips that God uses to lift their soul.

You know, one of the verses that has helped shape how I approach just about everything I do is Colossians 3:23 — “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

That means whether I’m preaching from the pulpit, mowing the yard, or pouring a cup of coffee on the front porch, I’m reminded that all of it can be an act of worship if my heart is in the right place. God isn’t just watching what we do; He’s looking at how we do it — the attitude behind the action.

When we serve others, work our jobs, or carry out our daily responsibilities “as unto the Lord,” it changes everything. The ordinary becomes sacred. The routine becomes worship. Even the small, unseen things — folding laundry, encouraging a friend, showing up on time — become opportunities to honor God.

So today, whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your heart. Not for applause. Not for approval. But for the One who gave you the strength and breath to do it in the first place.

When you live like that, every moment becomes meaningful, and every task — no matter how small — becomes an offering of love back to the Lord.

Welcome to day two of thirty days on The Gratitude Journey!

Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

That verse right there flips the world’s idea of greatness upside down. In a culture that celebrates being served, Jesus shows us that real greatness is found in serving others. He didn’t come to sit on a throne of comfort; He came to kneel, to wash feet, to love the unlovable, and to give His life so we could live.

When you wake up each morning, you’ve got two choices—you can ask, “Who’s going to help me today?” or “Who can I help today?” One leads to frustration; the other leads to fulfillment. Jesus proved that the path to joy, purpose, and true greatness is paved with humility and service.

So, as you step into your day, look for those little front-porch moments where you can bless someone else—a kind word, a prayer, a helping hand. Because when you serve in His name, you’re walking in the very footsteps of Jesus. And there’s no higher calling than that.