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When Scripture Says, “Love Your Neighbor As Yourself”
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2: 8-9, NIV Favoritism is something we can easily recognize in others yet often fail to notice in ourselves. The uncomfortable truth is that we, too, can fall into the trap of showing favoritism. We may act with diligence and care, but sometimes our motivation is more about pleasing those in authority or impressing the wealthy and influential rather than genuinely helping those in need. People often bend their principles when someone rich or powerful…
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What Happens When We Are Consumed by Selfish Ambition
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3: 16, NIV This passage calls us to regularly examine our hearts. When we become driven by selfish ambition or envy, disorder and confusion follow. Often, this arises when we compare our blessings to those of others. Envy takes root when we desire what others have, leading us to compromise our values in the pursuit of satisfaction. We become fixated on what we lack, mistakenly believing that achieving our selfish desires will bring happiness and fulfillment. Yet, no gain rooted in selfishness can ever fill the emptiness within. Let us be mindful not…
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The Thin Line Between Pity and Empathy
When someone is going through a difficult time, you have two ways to approach their pain: with pity or with empathy. How you perceive their struggle ultimately shapes your actions toward them. At first glance, pity and empathy may seem similar. Both stem from a desire to care, and both feel like natural responses to someone else’s suffering. Both are valid emotions. However, when you examine them closely, a significant difference becomes clear. Pity occurs when you see someone’s pain as if it defines them permanently. You view their situation as hopeless, imagining that they won’t rise above it. In pity, you may feel the urge to shield them from…
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Great Is The Love Of God
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 108: 3-4, NIV Whenever you feel in pain and broken, keep this in mind: Great is the love of God. You may find it hard to describe how heavy your burden is. You may find yourself doubting God’s goodness. But remember His love. It is higher than the heavens. It’s wide and deep. His love is endless. So when you find it hard to keep moving because of the situation that you are in, then remember God’s faithfulness…
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I Pray That Today’s Pain Will Become Tomorrow’s Blessing
I don’t know what will happen next. I don’t know what’s waiting for me ahead. The pain of the present tries to whisper that tomorrow will be the same. The wounds would try to tempt me to think that there’s no hope left. But for sure, this is only temporary. The time will come when things will be better. But until then, my Lord, this is the cry of my heart: Please give me the reason to believe in your promises. Please teach me how to hold on to my faith. There are just times when I feel so tired and exhausted. I want to quit. And I wanted to…
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Welcome the Suffering
As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. Acts 22: 23-24, NIV This part of the scripture marked the start of Paul’s ministry while in chains. After this moment, he will defend himself to different authorities and will spend the rest of his time as a prisoner. This must’ve been the reason why the other disciples tried to stop him from going to Jerusalem. They were weeping for him. But then…
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When Things Are Hard To Grasp And Too Heavy To Bear
Have you ever gone through that season in your life when it seems like everything is falling apart? The situation you are in is so overwhelming, and it seems like there’s no hope left. It felt like the darkness was trying to consume your heart, and you couldn’t find the light. You felt tired and exhausted. You wanted to rest, but you just can’t find peace. If you are in this season right now, then remember this: You are not alone. God is holding you right now. You may not see His hands because the pain appears bigger than the blessings that He gave, but keep in mind that He…
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Do Not Let Your Heart Envy Sinners
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 23: 17, NIV Sometimes, it’s tempting to envy sinners because it seems like they received more blessings than those who were trying to do what’s right. They looked more comfortable and wealthier while the righteous ones tend to suffer and experience so many challenges. The world somehow respects those people who fail to follow God’s ways. It seemed like they were more fascinated and inspired by those who took the shortcut rather than appreciate those who patiently went through God’s process. It’s weird, but sometimes others adore those who selfishly gained ill-gotten…
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God Is Good No Matter How Painful And Difficult Your Situation Is
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Acts 27:13, NIV This verse is difficult to believe in, especially when I am going through a challenging season in life. I somehow find myself doubting the goodness of God whenever I face unexpected situations that break my heart. When life throws so many overwhelming problems, I often think that God no longer cares about me. But this verse reminds me that God is good no matter how painful and difficult my situation is. I find it amazing that David remained confident in the Lord despite all the challenges He was…
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Walk with Wise People
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20, NIV The people around you will eventually influence you to either become better or worse. If you want to obtain wisdom, then be with wise people. Try to assess your environment right now. Are you growing? Are you learning from other people’s experiences? If your answer is “no,” then keep this verse in mind. It would be very hard for you to make wise decisions if you are surround by people who don’t value growth and learning. You will find yourself struggling and alone if you keep on staying in an environment that neglects…
