Luke 12:22-32
Many people deal with anxiety. News reports or circumstances at home often cause concern and fear about our future. But as believers, we’re encouraged not to worry (Luke 12:22). Instead, we’re to seek God’s kingdom and rely on Him to provide all our needs (Luke 12:31). This is the opposite of the world’s philosophy, which tells us to rely on ourselves or other people for security.
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV)
Jeremiah 29:4-14
Has your life turned out as you expected? We would probably all have to answer no to that question. Only God knows the future and the plans He has for us. But even though we face unexpected disappointments and hardships, there is one thing we can know for certain—God’s plans for us are always good.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In today’s passage, we are told to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but what does that mean? While God doesn’t expect us to go through life muttering prayers under our breath, we are called to be ever mindful of Him and quick to offer our petitions, praise, and gratitude throughout the day. And this will become a reality only when we make prayer a daily priority by setting aside time to be alone with the Lord, reading His Word and talking to Him.
James 5:13-20
When was the last time you cried out to God about something other than personal issues? Sometimes we’re so engrossed in our own life that we fail to see the crises others face. Whether circumstances involve total strangers or hit close to home, it may feel as if such matters are too big for one person’s prayer to make a difference.
Acts 2:22-39
There’s some confusion in the church today concerning the Holy Spirit. A number of Christians think the indwelling of the Spirit occurs sometime after salvation, but Scripture teaches that He comes to permanently live within a new believer the moment he or she places faith in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
We would all agree life can be difficult. Pressures of daily living can feel overwhelming, relationships can disappoint us, and at times our expectations go unmet. So it’s good to remember an important truth that can sustain us: This life is not all there is; the best is yet to come.
Having the promise of the resurrection gives us the motivation we need to “be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). We know that our efforts are never in vain and our Father has provided everything we need to succeed:
1 Corinthians 4:1 - 5
We’re often drawn to stories about underdogs whose achievements surpass all expectations. Whether it’s athletic contests, intellectual pursuits, or business ventures, we applaud their success. But as impressive as human accomplishments may be, they are not the standard by which God measures success.
The Lord values faithfulness, and the praise for a job well done won’t come until we reach heaven. It doesn’t matter how talented or successful we are by earthly standards, because God’s goal for us is obedience, faithfulness, and Christlike character.
Hebrews 12: 1 - 3
If you’ve ever had to carry luggage while running to catch a flight or the bus, you know how difficult and exhausting it can be. Have you considered that the same could be said about carrying baggage from your past into your Christian life?
Proverbs 27:21
How do you respond when someone compliments you? As Christians, we’re called to be humble, so knowing what to do when others say good things about us can be confusing. Because pride is always waiting to raise its ugly head, we need to be careful not to let praise puff us up. But this doesn’t mean we have to refuse every accolade in order to show our humility.