Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
It is evident that our friendships can significantly impact us, for better or worse. It is crucial to exercise discernment in selecting those who are close to us. Choose friends who embody godly values and can serve as a positive influence in your life, rather than individuals who struggle to manage their anger and are bad influences, as associating with them may lead you to finding yourself in a bad situation. Remember, a volatile temper can easily spread its negativity and is often contagious.
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Selecting the right kind of friends is important, since the company you keep can influence your character. Without even realizing it, you tend to adopt the traits and habits of those you spend the most time with. It’s essential to surround yourself with individuals who not only support you but also have a positive impact on your life. Your friends should serve as a source of inspiration and motivation, pushing you towards goodness and personal growth. Take a moment to assess your closest companions and contemplate whether they align with the values and principles you hold dear, as well as whether they contribute to strengthening your relationship with your faith. Are they equally committed? Do they share your values? Do they help nurture your connection with God? Make your friend choices carefully, and remember to strive to be a good friend yourself.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Trials and tough times are inevitable, but remember that God is by your side, and if you persevere, you will be blessed. In moments of affliction, practice patience, maintain your unwavering belief, and persist in prayer. It’s no surprise that we encounter adversity; Jesus himself foretold that we would face troubles, but He also encouraged us to take heart, as He has already conquered the world. When these challenges arise, stand firm in your faith and place your trust in the Lord. Stay resilient, knowing that you are never alone, and all your efforts will be worth it in the end. On that day, you will receive the precious gift of the crown of life from God, making every trial and tribulation you’ve gone through worth it.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Wait for the Lord; wait for His presence and His deliverance. Approach this wait with your entire being—mind, body, and soul. Exercise patience as you await His answers to your prayers, His divine guidance, and the fulfillment of His promises, all in His perfect timing. Wait, knowing that His love for you is unwavering, and He has a purpose for your life. Trust in His promises with confident patience. However, waiting for the Lord doesn’t mean doing nothing while He works for your good. While you wait, continue to praise and worship Him with a hopeful and expectant heart.
From the end of the earth will I cry to thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
There are moments in life when we may sense a disconnect from God, experiencing feelings of isolation, sadness, trouble, or overwhelming emotions. It’s important to remember that, regardless of how distant we may feel, God is always present and available to us. He remains in control, and we can consistently turn to Him for help. No matter how far we feel from God, our prayers always find their way to Him. His love, grace, and mercy extend to the farthest reaches of the earth. In times of need, reach out to the Lord for His help, and ask Him to strengthen your faith, for He alone is your rock and salvation.
After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.”
When Abraham wanted to find a wife for his son, he didn’t want Isaac to marry someone from the Canaanite people. Instead, he wanted Isaac to marry a good woman from their own family back in their homeland. To make this happen, Abraham sent his trusted servant on a journey to find the right woman.
The servant traveled to a distant place and reached a well. At the well, he prayed to God for help and asked for a sign to identify the perfect woman. He decided that if a young woman came to the well and not only gave him water to drink but also watered his camels, she would be the one chosen by God.
A young woman named Rebekah came to the well and did exactly what the servant had asked for. This confirmed to the servant that she was the one meant to be Isaac’s wife. So, the servant brought Rebekah back to Abraham, and she became Isaac’s wife. This fulfilled Abraham’s wish to find a suitable wife for his son.
Rebekah’s act of kindness at the well, where she offered to water Abraham’s servant’s camels, showed her generosity and hospitality. It revealed her good character and played an important role in God’s plan. Because of this, she was chosen as Isaac’s wife, which made her an important part of the family tree leading to Jesus Christ. Rebekah’s willingness to serve not only gave her a significant role in the Bible’s history but also taught us the importance of being humble and serving others in our own lives.
The Lesson: We can learn the importance of kindness, hospitality, and selflessness from Rebekah’s example. We can put these same values in our daily interactions by helping others, treating people with respect, and volunteering for charitable causes. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference in our communities, fostering connections and creating a more supportive society. By embracing these values and striving for compassion, we can contribute to a better world.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We know that God can enrich our faith and communicate with us through His Word when we read the Bible, attend a sermon, or prayer. Yet, it’s essential to understand that His divine messages are not confined to only these traditional avenues. God’s voice can resonate through fellow believers, the beauty of nature, music, and even social media. There’s no limitation to how God chooses to speak to you. Have you ever experienced a difficult moment and a song on the radio plays with just the right message to uplift your spirits? That’s God at work. Perhaps a friend has sent you an encouraging text or shared a Bible verse precisely when you needed it – that’s also God’s way of reaching out to you. God has the capacity to communicate with you in many ways, provided you surround yourself in things that reflect His presence and remain open to hearing His voice in even the smallest of ways.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Approach your prayers with unwavering confidence, because God not only listens but He is faithful and loving. Every heartfelt prayer reaches His ears, and each one receives an answer, although the response may take different forms: sometimes it’s a resounding “yes,” at times a gentle “no,” and occasionally a patient “not now,” all in alignment with His divine will and timing. The pivotal phrase here is “according to His will.” Therefore, always pray with the utmost desire for God’s will to prevail, prioritizing His promises over your own desires, as He alone knows His plans for your life. Approach your prayers with faith in the name of Jesus, coupled with humility and reverence, recognizing that regardless of the outcome, your petitions have indeed been heard.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death
Recognizing the difference between an acquaintance and a genuine connection is important. Having knowledge about someone should not be mistaken for truly knowing them, just as observing their actions does not necessarily reveal their authentic self. It is the same with Jesus, one may have been aware of Him throughout their life, yet it is only through wholehearted seeking Him that they can develop a profound, personal relationship with Him as their Savior. This meaningful bond flourishes through dedicated time spent with Him. The more one invests in this relationship, the more they reflect His character. While knowledge of the Bible is valuable, delving deeper into a relationship with its author is equally important.
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
God is not distant; He is ever-present, always by your side. All it takes is a wholehearted desire to seek Him with all of your heart and soul. God desires a genuine relationship with you, but He respects your free will and won’t force you into it. He longs for you to choose to love Him willingly. Deep fulfillment lies not in the busyness of life but in the quiet moments spent with God. Seek Him wholeheartedly, engage in prayer, immerse yourself in the wisdom of the Bible, and strive to turn away from sin. God’s love and boundless mercy are extended to you. If you open your heart to Him and prioritize His presence in your life, you will personally experience the immense goodness of your heavenly Father.
The Consecrated Woman 