Verse of Significance: Isaiah 55:7

"Let the wicked change their ways and banish
the very thought of doing wrong.

Let them turn to the LORD that he may have
mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he
will forgive generously."




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Verse of Significance: Luke 23

"...Father, forgive them, for they don't
know what they are doing."




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Verse of Significance: John 3:16-21

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one
and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will
not perish but have eternal life.

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world,
but to save the world through him.

There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him.
But anyone who does not believe in him has already been
judged for not believing in God's one and only Son.

And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came
into the world, but people loved the darkness more than
the light, for their actions were evil.

All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for
fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what
is right come to the light so others can see that they are
doing what God wants."




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Verse of Significance: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"For our present troubles are small and won't last very long.
Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them
and will last forever!

So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather,
we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the
things we see now will soon be gone, but the things
we cannot see will last forever."




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Verse of Significance: Proverbs 15:33

"Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor."




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Remedy For Conflict In Our Lives

There are many kinds of trouble makers in our lives.

People, work relationships, & even circumstances all
can sometimes bring trouble. But, we have a choice.

We can decide when trouble makers are really worth
our time and effort. If you fight a trouble maker in the
work place and win, what have you truly accomplished
in the long term?

However, if you alternatively choose to avoid trouble
makers or even decide to forgive that person, you may
ultimately save yourself from pointless conflict.

Much conflict in this world is little more than a game of
pride. People wanting to win for the sake of winning as
if it is really some sort of game.

But, what if we don't play the game.

We save ourselves stress, anger, frustration, lost time,
hurt feelings, & broken relationships.

Those who are wise avoid conflicts that have no constructive
purpose or opportunity to demonstrate the same kind of
love and forgiveness God showed the world.

"Pride leads to conflict;
those who take advice are wise."


Proverbs 13:10

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Verse of Significance: Daniel 12:3

"Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky,
and those who lead many to righteousness will shine
like the stars forever."




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Verse of Significance: Job 19:25-26

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.

And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God!"




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Verse of Significance: James 1:12

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.
Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised
to those who love him."




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Verse of Significance: Isaiah 51:7

"Listen to me, you who know right from wrong
you who cherish my law in your hearts.

Do not be afraid of people's scorn, nor fear their
insults."




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Verse of Significance: James 4:17

"Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do
and then not do it."





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Seeking Truth Against All Obstacles

What is truth?

"I am the light of the world. If you follow me,
you won't be stumbling through the darkness,
because you will have the light that leads to
life."

John 8:12 (TLB)

In contrast to the Lord's scriptual response above
to the question of "what is truth", a wordly viewpoint
was provided by Pontius Pilate in the book of John.

Pontius Pilate was a career bureaucrat accustomed to
determining truth by the direction of the prevailing
political wind. So, when he put that question of "what
is truth" to Jesus, it was unlikely Pilate expected an
answer.

He didn't want to deal with Jesus at all. He tried to get
Jesus to defend himself or recant. Pilate even tried to
convince the Jewish authorities to let Jesus go, but he
clearly did not want to wrestle with the predicament
presented before him.

Pilate's avoidance became, however, a decision against
eternal truth.

So, consider this thought in prayer requests to common
situations which typically face us in our daily challenges
in living in this world where the masses are without a godly
foundation - full of moral and spiritual quicksand constantly
shifting before us.

Are you willing to ask Jesus the question "What is truth?"
and then obey the answer provided?

To not do so is to not only rebuke God's love, but places one
on the edge of a very slippery slope spiritually.

"Those who stand for truth will be saved by God."

I Timonthy 4:16 (TLB)

So, unlike Pontius Pilate, making a clear choice for truth is also
making a clear choice for seeking God's will in all situations.

"Truth stands the test of time."

Proverbs 12:19 (TLB)

We have a choice. We can choose to define ourselves by the
world's standards, or we can choose life - the life that Jesus
offers.

A closing prayer - Lord, I humbly ask that you guide me in
the direction of always serving your will for my life and to
reveal the truth to me in situations where those who may
oppose that will being done seek to hide behind lies and
indecision.

Grant me, Lord, the ability to multiply the gifts and abilities
you have provided me to be more useful in serving your
glory here on earth until such time you see fit to call me
home to your house in heaven.

Amen.

High Price Of Keeping A Hectic Life Style

There's a reason why if you do not
specifically choose to put God first
in your daily routine, an alternative
plan for your eternal life is already
lying in wait for you to fall into his
trap.

Verse of Significance: Luke 6:35-36

"Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without
expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be
very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most
High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate."





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Verse of Significance: Isaiah 59:8-9

"They don't know where to find peace
or what it means to be just and good.
They have mapped out crooked roads,
and no one who follows them knows a
moment's peace.

So there is no justice among us,
and we know nothing about right living.
We look for light but find only darkness.
We look for bright skies but walk in gloom."





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Verse of Significance: Colossians 3:8

"But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage,
malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language."





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Verse of Significance: Colossians 3:2

"Think about the things of heaven,
not the things of earth."




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Verse of Significance: 1 John 2:15-17

"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.

And this world is fading away, along with everything that
people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will
live forever."





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Verse of Significance: Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD.

"They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you
a future and a hope."





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Verse of Significance: Romans 12:6

"In his grace, God has given us different gifts
for doing certain things well. So if God has given
you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as
much faith as God has given you."





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