2 Timothy 2:6-7 (NIV)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/1/2020)...

“What comes easy won’t last, what lasts won’t come easy.”

Ntsiki KaCaleni

2 Timothy‬ ‭2:6-7‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

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2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:11-13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

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Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/30/2020)...

“The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.” 

Attributed to Vince Lombardi

“This is a true metaphor in almost every aspect of our lives. If your mountain is reaching a goal, then you know that you cannot get to the top of the mountain or reach that goal automatically.

It takes hard work to get to the top of the mountain. The path to the top may not be so clear, and you may have some figuring out and planning to do. The path may be very steep and challenging, and you may have to walk slowly or even climb and crawl your way to the top. As you climb your way to the top of your mountain, you may fall, have some setbacks, or even feel like giving up.

No matter how slowly or how challenging that climb to the top was, it is always worth all the efforts when you're at the top. Success is a wonderful feeling when you've worked so hard to get there.”

by Danielle Connolly

Proverbs‬ ‭13:4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

Proverbs‬ ‭14:23‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs‬ ‭16:3‬ (NIV‬‬) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

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Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Proverbs 9:9-10 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/29/2020)...

“Remember that life’s greatest lessons are usually learned from worst times and from the worst mistakes.”

Unknown Author

Proverbs‬ ‭9:9-10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

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James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

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Philippians 4:12-13, 19-20 (NIV)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/28/2020)...

“You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.”

Andrew Murphy

Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬, 19-20 (NIV‬‬) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength...And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Psalm 139:13-18 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/27/2020)...

"Dumb blond jokes don't bother me, I know I'm not dumb and I also know that I'm not blond"

Dolly Parton

Psalms‬ ‭139:13-18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Image: Creative Commons (Unsplash.com)

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Psalm 31:24 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/24/2020)...

“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.” 

Elizabeth Edwards (1949-2010)

Psalms‬ ‭31:24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

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John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Ephesians‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

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Mark 4:35-31 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/23/2020)...

“On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it. Raise your sail and begin.” 

Gregory S. Williams

Mark‬ ‭4:35-41‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

Image: Public Domain (by Rembrandt, “Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee”)

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