Quote from New Life newsletter: Small Question, Big Meaning So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers). Galatians 6:10 Here’s a question you can ask yourself that will consistently lead you in the direction of success and achievement. What can I do to help? Successful entrepreneurs begin businesses with this question. People rise to positions of leadership by asking this question. Great ideas, inventions, organizations and works of art spring from this question. Rather than getting frustrated when you encounter obstacles, look for what you can do to help. Rather than feeling dismayed when times are hard, find something you can do to help. What can you do to help? It will make the difference between allowing life to toss you around and taking control of your destiny. It’s a question that can transform problems into opportunities. It’s a powerful response to any situation. Those who enjoy real and lasting success are those who continue to find ways to make a difference. Look for what you can do to help, and what you find will be rich and rewarding opportunities. Father in heaven, open our eyes today to see where and who we can help. The day’s events will no doubt have its ups and downs and its share of frustrations. When life gets hard for us or for others, remind us of this powerful question, what can we do to help? Help us to be like the good Samaritan, ready to inconvenience ourselves to help someone in need, rather than just worry about our own needs and wants. In Jesus name, AMEN! We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
Quote from New Life newsletter: Don’t Be Rude Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful…1 Corinthians 13:4-5 It takes no more effort to be courteous than it does to be rude. And yet courtesy can bring so very much more value into your life, and into the world around you, than rudeness ever will. Every time you interact with another person you have a valuable opportunity. You have the opportunity to treat that person with courtesy and respect. Even when you disagree, you can still be courteous and respectful about it. Does everyone deserve to be treated with courtesy? Probably not. But that doesn’t really matter. Because the courtesy and respect that you exhibit toward others says more about you than it does about them. Be genuinely respectful and you’ll be respected. Be truly courteous and you’ll win the admiration of others. Every interaction is your opportunity to earn the respect of others. Think of all the people with whom you come in contact on a daily basis, and just imagine what an impact your commitment to courtesy and respect could have. Courtesy and respect toward others will cost you nothing and yet they can powerfully improve every relationship. Use them liberally. With them you’ll uncover some of life’s greatest treasures. Father in heaven, forgive us for the times we have chosen to be rude, rather than kind. Help us not to be irritable or resentful, no matter the situation, but full of love and grace for others as you have shown and given us. Thank YOU for Your grace and peace available in any moment, to respond well. In Jesus name, AMEN! Rudeness is the weak person’s imitation of strength.
Quote from New Life newsletter: Brand New Day The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 What has happened has happened. If you’ve had a difficult day, or month, or year, it does no good to dwell on your unfortunate experiences. Move on past them. Avoid the temptation to feel sorry for yourself or to enlist the pity of others. Your troubles are in the past so there is no reason whatsoever for dismay. Get up and get going. The future is completely open and filled with an unlimited supply of positive possibilities. Today is a new day and you are fortunate enough to be living it. Furthermore, you can decide precisely how to live this day. You can determine what will become of it. Don’t look backward with regret or contempt. Look forward with gratitude and excitement. Your attitude right now matters more than anything that could have ever happened in the past. Forget about making excuses. Focus on making a difference. Every bit of negativity you’ve ever experienced is now in the past. Do yourself a big favor and leave it there. Father in heaven, we are so grateful for this brand-new day before us! A new sunrise, new grace, new mercies, and new opportunities to grow beyond what has been. Help us to see this day as the gift it is, to leave the past behind and walk forward with Your help. In Jesus name, AMEN! Yesterday ended last night, today is a brand-new day!
Quote from New Life newsletter: Be a Light Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Your misery serves no one. Your despair accomplishes nothing. Your cynicism creates no value, for you or for anyone else. So why in the world would you ever even consider engaging in these things? On the other hand, your true and genuine joy infects others. Negativity is a deep, dark hole full of nothing. Who needs it? You don’t need it. No one does. You do not benefit from your negativity, and neither does anyone else. Not only is it painful, but it is also useless. Whenever you sense it coming on, let it go. Let it dissolve away into oblivion. Don’t bother fighting it. Just simply forget it. You have better things to do with your time and energy, things that will benefit you and the world in which you live. Decide to be joyful and positive no matter what. Is that naive? Is that unrealistic? Is that insensitive? Absolutely not. In fact, it is empowering. It is helpful. It is compassionate, creative and positively generous. It’s always a great time to be the best you can be, no matter what. Don’t wallow in the darkness. Add to the light. Be positive. Be happy. Be genuinely joyful. You can do it whenever you choose and when you do you’ll truly make the world a better place. Father in heaven, we ask for Your help to be beacons of light in this dark world. With so much wrong it’s hard to keep from becoming negative. Help us to live full of Your joy! Remind us that the world can’t “taste and see,” if we aren’t salt and light. We want to shine bright for You. In Jesus name, AMEN! In a world full of darkness, be a light.
