Give thanks in all circumstances. —1 Thessalonians 5:18 “It would be just my luck …” Have you ever heard anyone start a sentence with those six words, and end it with a positive? Not often, that’s for sure. The phrase generally ends with a negative. Really now, is the deck stacked against you […]
Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. —1 Thessalonians 5:14 Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts.” Those gifts include serving, teaching, leading, giving, and encouraging. Most of the gifts are limited. One is unlimited. Teaching is a great gift, but the opportunity to teach doesn’t come every day. Generosity is
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Encourage one another and build each other up. —1 Thessalonians 5:11 What’s on your agenda today? Do you have it all laid out, ready to start scratching things off of your To-Do list? Maybe it will work out that way. Maybe not. “You don’t know
We will be with the Lord forever. —1 Thessalonians 4:17 There’s no place like home. The exiled Hebrews were homesick—when they thought about home tears flowed: “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion” (Ps. 137:1). Home has a special meaning for God’s children. When Abraham thought
Make the most of every opportunity. —Colossians 4:5 Today is the day to which all of your yesterdays have pointed since the day of your birth, and the day from which all of your tomorrows will proceed until the day of your death. Today is the only
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. —Colossians 4:2 You will learn to be content when you learn to be thankful, and not a minute sooner. There is no contentment where gratitude is absent and no absence of contentment where gratitude is present. The process is simple: be “watchful and
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Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … And be thankful. —Colossians 3:15 The author of Hebrews reminds us of some who missed the boat because they heard the message but didn’t believe it (Heb. 4:2). He urges his readers to never let their faith lapse, to hold
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“God always keeps his promises” (Num. 23:19 CEV). “There is no question that he will do what he says” (Heb. 10:23 TLB). He has given us “great and precious promises” (2 Pet. 1:4). Let’s take a peek at a handful of them under five headings. Guidance Seek his will in all you do, and he
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Rid yourselves of … anger, rage, malice, slander. —Colossians 3:8 Hatred reduces us to slavery, for what we hate takes control of our mind. We are a hostage of those we loathe, for they hold our thoughts captive. Antagonism pollutes the mind, filling it with the poison of anger, outrage, bitterness,
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:13 Do you know the secret? Paul said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Can you jot “Me too” next to that sentence? If not, it’s probably because you don’t know the secret—“I have learned the secret of being
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