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HELP OTHERS GET AHEAD

“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.” ~ Philippians 2:3 (MSG)   REFERENCE: Philippians 2:1-4 (MSG)   In this world of competition and intense rivalry between people, businesses, and companies, there is a rising tendency for selfishness and lack of empathy. It is a dog-eat-dog world, and people don’t care how or who they hurt to get to the top. That is contrary to the spirit of Christianity. As Christians, we are lifted when we lift others and help others get ahead.   Paul, in this...
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LEMONADE FROM LEMONS

“Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished.” ~ Jeremiah 29:6   REFERENCE: Jeremiah 29:1-7   Life doesn’t always mimic storybooks; life can be tough. If we had our way, we would rather things were easier, better, and more meaningful. However, plans don’t always go as planned, purposes are disappointed, and life often surprises us. The enemy’s cruelty comes at us as bitter as lemons, but we must learn to turn lemons into lemonades....
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NO MORE

"In those days they shall say no more: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge.'" ~ Jeremiah 31:29 REFERENCE: Jeremiah 31:23-30 Our reference scripture gives a note of hope to a people who have suffered for the sins of many generations and have been sent into exile and captivity. God promised restoration, prosperity, agricultural excellence, and all-round comfort. This promise was a pivot upon which their story changed – from captivity, bondage, slavery, etc., to freedom and welfare. God told them that their painful experience resulted from their fathers' sins, but no more.  ...
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YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES: CULTIVATE IT

“And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” ~ Matthew 25:15   REFERENCE: Matthew 25:14-30   Each man has received something from God; He cheats no one and sends no one empty. As in the parable, it may seem unfair that one has five, another two, and another one, but God gives each according to His ability. The good thing is that He will not also judge or require from each one more than He gave them. The difference is what...
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YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~Philippians 4:12-13   REFERENCE: Philippians 4:12-19   God did not make you from leftover material. He made you in His image and of the finest stock. You are fearfully and perfectly made – a unique work of God’s genius, created specially by God for a special purpose. You are a partaker of God’s nature, full of...
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DON’T GIVE UP

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."   Scripture Reference: Psalm 27:14 (NIV) -   Life's road often seems long and winding, and the challenges appear insurmountable. At such times, there is an increased temptation to throw in the towel and to give up on our dreams and God's promises. However, our anchor of hope lies in the assurance that God is faithful and His promises are unshakable. When you encounter trials, don't give up; remember that God is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating the fulfillment of His plans for you.   Trials...
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BELIEVE BEFORE YOU SEE

"Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." ~ John 20:29   REFERENCE: John 20:24-29   In His omniscience, Jesus used the exact words Thomas used in His absence – "Unless I see…put my finger and hand…" Although physically absent, Jesus' spirit was there when Thomas spoke. He used Thomas' exact words to convict him of his unbelief and hardness of heart; by this, Thomas would know that He was the Lord, having accurately discerned his inner thoughts.   The displeasure of Jesus with Thomas was his...
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GOD CARES FOR THE WEAK

“God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity…” ~ Psalm 68:6   REFERENCE: Psalm 68:3-6   There is a myth about a particular warrior Grecian tribe who killed children born with deformity or inability because they could not stand having a weakling among their tribe. The law of natural selection also shows that weaker species of animals will die because they cannot adapt to their environment, while the stronger ones will reproduce. However, God cares for the weak.   The Psalmist in our text exhorts the saints to be glad and to rejoice exceedingly....
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A PROPHET’S VALUE

“When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord.” II Kings 4:32&33   REFERENCE: II Kings 4:32-43   “Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants, the prophets .”  (Amos 3:7). God places great value on His prophets (ministers) and often uses them as vessels through which He communicates His mind, teaches His word, and manifests His works amongst men. All through scripture, God speaks glowingly about them, save in cases where they...
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A PROPHET’S REWARD

“So, he said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. Then he said, “About this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” ~ II Kings 4:15-16   REFERENCE: II Kings 4:8-17   The woman at Shunem dared to identify with Elisha in his needs and supplied his needs the best way she could. While she did this, she had her personal needs – she had been married for many years without a child. Her culture and times considered this a curse or displeasure of God. She pled with her husband that they should be a...
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