Love of the Father

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. (NLT) ( 1 John 2:15-16 )

The world can be a very attractive place. As Christians we need to avoid the three things John mentions that are of this world. Why? Because loving the world produces bad fruit: pride, greed, entitlement, discontentment and so forth. What things that exist in your life prevent you from having the love of the Father in you?



Tempted By Insecurity

What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. (NLT) ( Psalm 8:4-5 )

God has crowned you with dignity and honor, and you are made in His image. For this reason, you should not give in to the temptation of insecurity. God does not see insecurity in anyone; only we do. Signs of insecurity include overreaction and anger towards someone or something. The next time you find yourself angry, dig deep and examine the cause behind your anger. It just may be from feelings of insecurity.



Undeserved Grace

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time – to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. (NLT) ( 2 Timothy 1:9 )

You have been part of God’s plan from the very beginning. He’s been waiting for you, watching your every move in anticipation, hoping you would come to love Him. He knows you are human, weak, and prone to do the wrong thing, yet He forgives you and takes you back every time. Because of the grace God extends, we must strive to show His love to others by living a holy life. How can you show others the grace of Jesus Christ?



Yesterday’s Tomorrow

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (NLT) ( James 4:14 )

Tomorrows are easy to take for granted. Just think of all of your yesterdays. But one day your tomorrows will be gone. It’s important to live for Christ today. What is living for Christ? It’s turning to Him for help. It’s showing His love for others. It’s trusting that He will provide just enough for today.



Betray Each Other

 

Are we not all children of the same father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? (NLT) ( Malachi 2:10 )

Just as we were under the guidance of our earthly father as children, we should also be obedient to our Heavenly Father. God wants us to love others, even those who are hard to love; forgive others, even those who are hard to forgive; and serve others, even those who are hard to serve. If we practice and believe in these words, it will become easier to honor and obey God. Do something pleasant for someone today and you’ll notice that you’ll feel closer to your Heavenly Father.



Problems And Trials

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (NLT) ( Romans 5:3 )

We tend to become sad or frustrated when we receive bad news. Always remember that God wants us to appreciate life even when we’re going through tough situations. Next time you’re in one of those situations, whether a family member is sick, you’re out of work, or things just aren’t falling into place, remember that God has a bigger plan for you.



Praising Thoughts

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (NLT) ( Philippians 4:8 )

Ever heard of the saying “You are what you eat?” Well, the same is true with your thoughts; you become what you think. Fixing our thoughts on the positive allows our outlook to be positive, even if we are surrounded by negativity. Paul is trying to show us that we can rise above behaviors we detest. It all starts with thoughts, which lead to actions, and eventually become habits.



Worry

Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! (NLT) ( Luke 12:24 )

Stock markets crash, jobs are lost, and homes are turned over. Each of these events can be devastating and alter the course of our lives. But if our identity is wrapped up in each of them, we can lose our faith in God. Don’t let these earthly events cause you to worry or doubt your Heavenly Father. Your identity rests as a child of God. Remember the raven, who is far less cherished, but to whom God is still faithful.



A Gentle Answer

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. (NLT) ( Proverbs 15:1 )

It’s easy to say harsh words, yet so difficult to hear them. A gentle answer requires forethought and care. It is in these gentle answers where validation, empathy, and love are all conveyed and make a great impact on the receiver of these words. This is a skill that is learned over time and can arguably be an art. A challenge for the evening: take time to practice using gentle words with others.



Are You Salted?

“For everyone will be tested with fire. Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” (Mark 9:49-50)
 
When I was younger my grandfather would hang meat in a room he built. He would cover them in salt to preserve them. Every time we went into this room it was so hot. He would always tell us the heat was to make the meat better. There will times in that it feels like we are in the “heat” of life. We will face hard times when we just want to give up. But God has salted us to preserve us throughout the heat we face.