Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our Reading titled Refreshing Words was written by Lisa M. Samra.

Standing in the kitchen, my daughter exclaimed, Mom, there's a fly in the honey. I quipped back with a familiar

adage. You will always catch more flies with honey than vinegar. While this was the first time I'd

accidentally caught a fly with honey, I found myself quoting this modern proverb because of its

wisdom. Kind requests are more likely to persuade others than a

bitter attitude. The book of Proverbs gives us a collection of wise proverbs and sayings inspired by

God's spirit. These inspired sayings help to guide us and teach us important truths about how to live

in ways that honor God.

Many of the Proverbs focus on interpersonal relationships, including the profound effect

our words can have on others. In a section of the Proverbs attributed to King Solomon, he warned

against the harm caused by speaking falsely against a neighbor.

He counseled that a sly tongue results in dreary relationships.

Solomon warned against the chilling effect of constantly using complaining words,

and the king encouraged readers that blessing comes when our words bring

good news. As we seek to apply these truths, we have God's spirit who helps us give a proper answer.

Empowered by Him, our words can be sweet and refreshing.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Proverbs 25, verses 23 through 27.

Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue, which provokes a horrified look.

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with the quarrelsome wife.

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

...