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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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Doing The Will Of God
When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21: 12-14, NIV The Holy Spirit already revealed to Paul that he will experience suffering in Jerusalem. This is the reason why the other disciples pleaded him not to go there. But even though it breaks Paul’s heart to see them weep, still…
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You Will Stop Seeking Validation From The Outside If You Know Who You Are On The Inside
Those who don’t know who they truly are will seek validation from the people around them. They will find themselves looking for the approval of others, and they will ultimately feel exhausted simply because they can’t please everyone. This is why it’s very important to work on your core so that you won’t be easily shaken. If you don’t have a strong foundation, other people will easily dictate your identity, or perhaps the situation around you will become your driving force. Instead of standing on solid ground and living in your core values, you will find yourself following the principles of this world. This will then lead you to a…
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How We Respond To Our Struggles Will Become An Important Message To The People Around Us
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16: 29-30, NIV While Paul and Silas were in prison, they didn’t respond violently to the people who persecuted them. Instead, they chose to worship God even while suffering. The prisoners even heard them worshipping in the darkness. Suddenly, there was an earthquake, and the prison doors were opened. Their chains came loose, and it could’ve been the perfect time for them to escape. At that moment, the jailer woke up, and when he saw that the prison doors were…
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He Chose To Pray And Kept His Faith Despite What He Experienced
To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. Psalms 28:1-2, NIV Every time David was in despair, he would call upon the name of the Lord and remind himself that He was his rock. He believed with all his heart that God would be his source of strength, stability, and foundation. Even though he went through difficulties in life, he knew that he could count on God. He chose to pray and kept his faith despite what he experienced. His life may not have been…
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The Gifts of Pain
Nobody wants to experience pain in life. Most of us want to protect our hearts from it. But even though it’s not easy to deal with it, there are beautiful gifts behind every wound. 1. Pain will teach us important lessons in life. Sometimes, we need to experience it so that our eyes will be opened to the things we ignore. Perhaps God had already given us warnings all along the way, but then we chose to follow our own understanding. That’s why, we end up hurting. At some point, we need to humbly receive the consequences of our decisions so that we will learn. 2. Pain will keep us…
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Life As It Is
Life is hard. At first, it feels like an adventure, but when you find yourself at the bottom, you’ll be tempted to think that your situation will last forever. When you are in the middle of an overwhelming season, you will find yourself focusing on the worst things that will happen. What if things will never be the same? What if this is the end? These thoughts in your head appeared to be louder than God’s promises. Life is sometimes harsh. You will go through unexpected moments that will test your identity and faith. In fact, there would be days when you can’t help but pray for the good things…
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Life Is Hard, But Living Life Without God Is Even Harder
Living in this imperfect world will make you realize that life is not easy. There are days when you need to do your best to survive. Trials and storms will be there. There may be joy and excitement, but pain and tears are also present. This is the reality that we are living in. We just can’t get everything we want. Sometimes, we need to work hard for it. This is why we need grace. If we will just rely on what we can do, then the time will come when we will be exhausted. In the end, we need God’s blessings to sustain us throughout the journey. Living without…
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Sometimes, God Will Not Always Finish Your Story The Way You Expect It To Be
You can’t always have what you want, especially when it mainly involves someone’s decision. It’s just out of your control. Things won’t always turn out good. There are days when you’ll experience twists and turns. Your life is not always predictable. This is why a surrendered heart is like a strong weapon that will help you overcome the storms that come your way. This is not just a matter of relying on your own strength, but it’s about trusting God even if your story seems to have a painful ending. Perhaps God has a different plan for your life. And the question is, are you willing to abide in His…
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God Wants To Put You In A Place Where You Will Grow
You may ask questions right now because it seems like God mistakenly put you in the wrong place, but if you focus on the things that will help you grow, you will realize that you are surrounded by many opportunities. You have to change the lens that you are using and try to zoom out. Only then will you appreciate the lessons God prepared behind the situation He allowed you to experience. If you listen to His voice and allow His wisdom to reign, you will take every hardship you face as an opportunity to grow and become a better person. Seek God and connect to Him so that you…
