Materialism – 1 John 2:17
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The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
1 John 2:17 (The Message)
The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:17 (New King James Version)
This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1 John 2:17 (New Living Translation)
Wisdom – James 1:5
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If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 1:5 (New Living Translation)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 (New International Version)
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.
James 1:5 (The Message)
What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Seek God’s guidance. If you do so, he promises to grant you wisdom.
Words of Strength
by Max Lucado
“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.”
Ephesians 4:29
Before you speak, ask: Will what I’m about to say help others become stronger?
You have the ability, with your words, to make a person stronger. Your words are to their soul what a vitamin is to their body. If you had food and saw someone starving, would you not share it? If you had water and saw someone dying of thirst, would you not give it? Of course you would. Then won’t you do the same for their hearts? Your words are food and water!
Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged.
Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down!
Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.
Comfort – 2 Corinthians 1:4
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He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (New Living Translation)
Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (New International Version)
He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (The Message)
Relationships are deepened when friends help one another through difficult times. We strengthen our relationships by extending the care and comfort we’ve received from God.
Motives – Proverbs 21:8
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Mixed motives twist life into tangles;
pure motives take you straight down the road.
Proverbs 21:8 (The Message)
The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
Proverbs 21:8 (New King James Version)
The guilty walk a crooked path;
the innocent travel a straight road.
Proverbs 21:8 (New Living Translation)
Healing
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Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.
Deuteronomy 5:33 (New Living Translation)
You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Deuteronomy 5:33 (New King James Version)
Walk straight down the road God commands so that you’ll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you’re about to possess.
Deuteronomy 5:33 (The Message)
Fame
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The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12 (New Living Translation)
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12 (New International Version)
Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Matthew 23:11-12 (The Message)
