Hebrews 11:1 NKJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
It is not always bad to count one’s chickens before they are hatched; sometimes one’s very faith may depend on it. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase” (Martin Luther King, Jr).
Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
“If a thousand people say something foolish, it’s still foolish. Truth is never dependent upon consensus of opinion…One of the greatest compliments that anybody can give you is to say that you are different…If you don’t stand out in a group, if there is not something unique or different in your life, you should re-evaluate yourself” (John Mason).
Proverbs 14:15 NKJV The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.
In a generation where knowledge abounds, not everything we see and hear should be taken at face value. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth” (Marcus Aurelius).
Proverbs 20:24 NKJV A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?
Sometimes we may not understand why some things happen the way they do. Humans are not sovereign, but God is. “There is no greater discovery than seeing God as the author of your destiny” (Ravi Zacharias).
Proverbs 19:11 NKJV The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
In a world full of diverse people from different backgrounds, conflict cannot be avoided. It is how we deal with them that makes the difference. “Pick your battles. You don’t have to show up to every argument you’re invited to”(Mandy Hale). Also, “Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent people ignore”(Calvin Dillard).
Psalms 38:5 NKJV: My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness.
Galatians 6:7 NKJV :Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
The fact that you are a Christian doesn’t exempt you from the fact that actions have consequences. Forgiveness from God is there for the repentant but may not necessarily result in the removal of reaping what one sows. “After all is said and done, you are free to choose but you are not free from the consequence of your choice” (Ziad K. Abdelnour)
Acts 15:38 NKJV But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one(Mark) who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV : Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
Psalms 3:3 NKJV : But You, O Lord…are the One who lifts up my head.
Never outsource your self-esteem to another person, no matter who it is. It is only God who can hold a person up in life. If Mark had given up after the Great Apostle Paul did not endorse him, his ministry and life would have ended badly. “Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth” (Unknown)
Acts 11:26 NKJV And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
“It makes no sense to take the name of Christian and not cling to Christ. Jesus is not some magic charm to wear like a piece of jewelry we think will give us good luck. He is the Lord. His name is to be written on our hearts in such a powerful way that it creates within us a profound experience of His peace and a heart that is filled with His praise”(William Wilberforce).
# Matthew 7:21 NKJV “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
It would be painful that after everything one would not enter heaven. It’s not only about what we profess with our mouths, but how we live our lives that makes us Christians. “Let him then, who would be indeed a Christian, watch over his ways and over his heart with unceasing circumspection” (William Wilberforce).
Psalms 73:2-3. NKJV But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
“Jealousy is when you count someone’s else blessings instead of your own” (Unknown). There is no way you can concentrate on your life and be the best you can be if you keep comparing yourself to others and thus focus on others’ lives instead of improving your own.
The Bible Digest 