SPEECH. O LORD, speak to us…

Speech = The expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds; a person’s style of speaking

Genesis 11:1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.

Exodus 4:10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

Job 15:3 Would they argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value?

Job 18:2 “When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk.

Psalm 19:1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

Proverbs 12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.

Mark 9:17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.

John 10:6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

John 16:29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.

Acts 5:40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Acts 9:7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.

1 Corinthians 1:5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

2 Corinthians 8:7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Titus 2:8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

 1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

O Lord, may we hear You speak to us from Your Holy Book, the Bible–and act like we heard You, in love and in truth.

In Jesus name.  Amen