It is easier to bear hard times if you say to yourself, "I may not deserve this punishment, but I do deserve others that I have not received."
Realize that our Lord treats us so much better than we deserve. Thank Him for His grace, and then go treat others as you are treated.
You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him;
Hebrews 12:5
When things don't go your way, or when you are challenged by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, remember it's how you react to these challenges that shapes who you are.
When bad things happen, think about how God would want you to deal with it. Improve your attitude and your outcome by seeking His guidance, wisdom, mercy and strength.
You tested us, O God, tried us as silver tried by fire.
Psalm 66:10
If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.
Take a moment and read today's Thought again slowly. Focus in your mind the images that matter the most to you right now. Take a deep breath and thank God for these blessings. Now, start your day in this positive frame of mind knowing that you already have a wealth of riches.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
You get what you look for in life.
Almost every event in our lives can be viewed as negative or positive. Start today on a positive note by recognizing the many blessings God has given you. Pass on your positive spirit to others.
The Levites Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah said, Arise, bless the LORD, your God, from eternity to eternity! And may they bless your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Nehemiah 9:5
The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
Find something meaningful to do each day and someone to share it with. Optimistically seek new and exciting opportunities to enliven your spirit and your spirituality.
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord [Jesus] will kill with the breath of his mouth and render powerless by the manifestation of his coming,
2 Thessalonians 2:8
A man is not old until regrets start taking place of dreams.
Only look back to allow your joyful events of the past fuel your desire to create more great memories. Continue to seek an understanding of God's plan for you through your prayer and actions. He will ultimately make your dreams come true through eternal salvation.
II. The Crisis Between Paul and the Corinthians A. Past Relationships - Paul's Sincerity and Constancy. For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with the simplicity and sincerity of God, [and] not by human wisdom but by the grace of God.
2 Corinthians 1:12
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.
Ask God today for the wisdom to slow down and to simplify your life in order that you can enjoy the happiness in this moment. Try it – it's easier and more rewarding than you can ever imagine.
The path of life leads upward for the prudent, turning them from Sheol below.
Proverbs 15:24
Too old to plant trees for my own gratification, I shall do it for my posterity. – Thomas Jefferson
No matter what your age, plant trees of kindness, understanding and empathy and your goodness will flourish now and forever.
Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days.
Psalm 23:6
In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to be healed. In every heart, there is the power to do it.
You don't have to look hard to find opportunities to serve others. Follow your heart by using the power of your God-given talent to help someone in need.
Hear, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the right way.
Proverbs 23:19
The Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?
Stop and smell the roses today. Treat yourself to some peaceful time alone with God. You will be glad you did, and refreshed to do more tomorrow.
On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing; he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
Genesis 2:2
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but reveal to them their own.
With genuine kindness and sincere concern, find a way today to make everyone you meet feel good about themselves. Bringing out the best of those around you is the greatest donation you can ever make.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God,
2 Corinthians 9:8-11
God is less concerned about what you have done in the past than what He plans to do through you in the future.
Take a moment and thank Christ for the gift of grace which frees you from your past. With the burden of past sins removed, go forth with renewed vigor to serve God.
If these are yours and increase in abundance, they will keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who lacks them is blind and shortsighted, forgetful of the cleansing of his past sins.
2 Peter 1:8-9
A wise person will carefully keep the pathway open to the house of reason and go there regularly to listen.
Fill your "house of reason" with God's word. When you are feeling troubled, enter it, listen and go forward with confidence knowing that your path will be set straight.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
For I remember it is Easter morn, And life and love and peace are all new born.
Seek your own rebirth. As you reflect on this Easter season, pray for a refreshed outlook on life, love and peace. HAPPY EASTER, The TAGteam.
But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior,
Titus 3:4-6
God is not concerned with your lip service, but He is about your life service.
Be honest with yourself today. Ask God to reveal anything you might be saying but not doing. Honor Him as you serve others from the heart.
This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Matthew 15:8
There's always a helping hand at the end of your sleeve.
Remember that God put those hands there, so you can pray, help yourself, and help others. Pick one of those right now and get those hands busy.
May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!
Psalm 90:17
Hold God's hand with child like trust, and the way before you will open up step by step.
Yield to God today. Let Him set the pace of your day, resisting the urge to speed it up or slow it down. Your Father knows best.
Yet I am always with you; you take hold of my right hand. With your counsel you guide me, and at the end receive me with honor.
Psalm 73:23-24
The ultimate freedom we have as human beings is the power to select what we will allow our minds to dwell upon.
It is in our mind where the Word of God first moves us to align our thoughts with God and His way. Take a moment to clear your mind and dwell upon a passage from the Bible. Pull your mind back to God throughout the day when you feel your thoughts drifting away.
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
He that would be a leader must be a bridge.
You may or may not consider yourself a leader, but everyday you will have many opportunities to lead or at least influence others. Through your example and your actions try to be a conduit to help others to do the right thing.
Mutual Love. Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.
Romans 12:9-13
People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering. – St. Augustine
Begin each day by wondering about how you could be a better servant of Christ. Once pondered – act.
Chapter 4 - Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill.
Carry your civilization, the Bible, with you today (or at least carry it off the end table) and read it. Don't let God's word be silent in your life or your faith may encounter a standstill.
And that from infancy you have known [the] sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
Since God knows what's best for you, you should gratefully accept the way he fashioned you.
God loves each of us as we are. He did not make a mistake with you and you have a specific purpose to serve. If you're not sure how God plans to use you, take a quiet moment and think about what you enjoy and what you're good at. Spend more of your time using the skills you enjoy to help others and to serve God.
But who indeed are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Will what is made say to its maker, "Why have you created me so?" Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for a noble purpose and another for an ignoble one?
Romans 9:20-21