People who want to get rich fall into temptation … and into many foolish and harmful desires. —1 Timothy 6:9 Solomon had a boatload of money. His daddy left him a bundle, and he made a heap on his own. He […]
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If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. —1 Timothy 6:8 A big-city magazine recently had 266 ads in a single issue. Ten of them plugged vehicles. Thirty-one advertised residential property and furnishings. Forty-four promoted a variety of things: vacation packages, entertainment, conventions, hotels, banks. And a whopping
We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. —1 Timothy 6:7 Cagey advertisers have brainwashed us into believing that happiness is regulated by conditions. In other words, our happiness is determined by such things as our health, wealth, or marriage—leaving
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Godliness with contentment is great gain. —1 Timothy 6:6 Reading of Paul’s brushes with death, danger, and deprivation is gut-wrenching. Five times he was stripped and flogged with the savage 39 lashes. Three times he was beaten with rods. Once he was stoned. He
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. —2 Thessalonians 3:16 Here are two short sentences that make it impossible for anyone or anything to hijack your peace without your consent: I have the right to choose. I choose peace.
Give thanks in all circumstances. —1 Thessalonians 5:18 “It would be just my luck …” Have you ever heard anyone start a sentence with those six words, and end it with a positive? Not often, that’s for sure. The phrase generally ends with a negative. Really now, is the deck stacked against you
Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. —1 Thessalonians 5:14 Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts.” Those gifts include serving, teaching, leading, giving, and encouraging. Most of the gifts are limited. One is unlimited. Teaching is a great gift, but the opportunity to teach doesn’t come every day. Generosity is
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Encourage one another and build each other up. —1 Thessalonians 5:11 What’s on your agenda today? Do you have it all laid out, ready to start scratching things off of your To-Do list? Maybe it will work out that way. Maybe not. “You don’t know
We will be with the Lord forever. —1 Thessalonians 4:17 There’s no place like home. The exiled Hebrews were homesick—when they thought about home tears flowed: “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion” (Ps. 137:1). Home has a special meaning for God’s children. When Abraham thought
Make the most of every opportunity. —Colossians 4:5 Today is the day to which all of your yesterdays have pointed since the day of your birth, and the day from which all of your tomorrows will proceed until the day of your death. Today is the only
