Some thoughts from my daily reading today. Very good thoughts to really make the mind work, as well as encourage us to take a step back and look at our lives.
-Ecclesiastes 8:14-15
Sometimes something useless happens on earth. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people. I say that this is also useless. So I decided it was more important to enjoy life. The best that people can do here on earth is to eat, drink, and enjoy life, because these joys will help them do the hard work God gives them here on earth.
-Ecclesiastes 8:16
Nobody can understand what God does here on earth. No matter how hard people try to understand it, they cannot. Even if wise people say they understand, they cannot; no one can really understand it.
-Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever work you do, do your best...
-Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
The fastest runner does not always win the race,
The strongest soldier does not always win the battle,
The wisest does not always have food,
The smartest does not always become wealthy,
And the talented does not always receive praise.
Time and chance happen to everyone,
No one knows what will happen next.
Like a fish caught in a net, or a bird caught in a trap,
People are trapped by evil when it suddenly falls on them.
-Ecclesiastes 10:4
Don't leave your job just because your boss is angry with you. Remaining calm solves great problems.
(relationship ... mate)
(friendship ... friend)
(marriage ... spouse)
-Psalm 103:8-10
The Lord shows mercy and is kind.
He does not become angry quickly, and he has great love.
He will not always accuse us, and he will not be angry forever.
He has not punished us as our sins should be punished;
He has not repaid us for the evil we have done.
-Proverbs 24:10
If you give up when trouble comes, it shows that you are weak.
(Goes hand in hand with Ecclesiastes 10:4 - Our society has become so weak and has no structure of mentoring that tells us and encourages us to stay in there while things are hard and battle through it. We live in a time of such immediate gratification that as soon as we are not happy we look for the next gratifying place or action, no matter the cost to ourselves, others, or relationships. It is o.k. to be unhappy and hurt and to not always get your way; and that means it is o.k. to stay where your feet are and to work things out and become a stronger and better person.)
-I Corinthians 10:23-24
"We are allowed to do all things," but not all things are good for us to do. "We are allowed to do all things," but not all things help others grow stronger. Do no look out for only yourselves. Look out for the good of others also.
-I Corinthians 10:29-31
Should my freedom be judged by someone else's conscience? If I eat the meal with thankfulness, why am I criticized because of something for which I thank God? The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God.
-I Corinthians 10:32-11:1
Never do anything that might hurt others - Jews, Greeks, or God's church - just as I, also, try to please everyone in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so that they can be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
("...so that they can be saved." is the main focus here. Do not be lead into sin to make someone happy, but everything that you do should be in a blessed manner towards salvation.)
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