Proverbs 90:12 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there.”

Charles F. Kettering (1876-1958)

Founder of Delco

Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

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1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

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Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.”

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

clergyman, author, and anti-slavery activist

Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

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Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

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Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak."

Francois Fenelon (1651-1715)

Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬) The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

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Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

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James 3:2-10 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust.”

Josh Billings/Henry Wheeler Shaw (1818-1885)

American humor writer and lecturer

James‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. 

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

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1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself."

Douglas Horton (1891-1968)

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

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Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourself so. If you find yourself so loaded, at least remember this: it is your own doing, not God’s. He begs you to leave the future to Him, and mind the present.”

George MacDonald (1824-1905)

Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

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Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭34‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

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Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

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Matthew 5:4 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

NOTE: The following quote is from a recent sermon preached on Mother's Day by Chad Schruggs of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tenn. His daughter, 9-year-old Hallie, was one of three children shot and killed in a March 27, 2023 rampage killing spree at The Covenant Christian Elementary School. 

“A strong confidence in the end of the story does not undo or justify the absence of grief in the middle. A mature faith adds its tears to the sadness in our world. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who mourn’ all the while not losing confidence in how that sadness will eventually be overcome in Him.”

Pastor Chad Schruggs

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalms‬ ‭71‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.

Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ (NLT‬‬) Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

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