Monday - Envy - 1 Corinthians 13: 4
As we heard from the scripture on Sunday, John tells us that it was envy that brought about the downfall of Cain to the point that he hated his brother and murdered him. But why did this happen? Cain could not take second place to anyone and so became envious of Able because God accepted, "looked with favor on," his offering that was given with a right attitude, a clean heart. Cain gave of some (maybe not the best) of the fruit of his labor and this could be why God accepted it but not with as much favor. It was not so much that animals were preferred over fruit and vegetables, because later on that are offerings that were required that included them all.
Tuesday - Evil Works - James 3:16
In this verse we hear the writer, James, almost carry on the thought of what John had written in the fact that envy and selfish ambition lead to disorder in the relationship with God and their fellow brothers and can lead into every kind of evil practice. Envying is to be avoided with all of its closely related evil work. We have been told through scripture that out of the heart comes the truth of what kind of a person an individual truly is. A sinful attitude can only bring about evil works or evil outcomes. Do not allow such an evil power to come over you. Turn your eyes upon Jesus or our Heavenly Father and He will direct your path in the way you ought to go.
Wednesday - Eternal Life - Galatians 6:8
The key in this matter of having eternal life and the assurance of that life, is focused in on the fact that if we work to satisfy our selfishness we do not have eternal life, but if we invest our time and energy in the things that matter and are pleasing to the Lord and His Holy Spirit's leading we have eternal life now and in the world or time to come. Eternal life comes to those who are wanting the best out of life and invest the best of their lives in service to our Master, Jesus Christ.
Thursday - Self-sacrifice - Philippians 2:4
Paul shares with us that if we are truly seeking the way of the Lord and wanting all that He has in store for us, then we must invest ourselves in the things that should also be an investment in the things that involve others and their hopes and eternal destiny. We must have a concern for the well being of those who are a part of the fellowship of the body of Christ and those who could be. We need to reach out to them as Jesus would have reached out. We need to be looking at the potential in others to be a part of the body of Christ, and the working of His kingdom to come. We must be concerned for our own relationship with Christ, but we need to bring others with us as we draw closer to the Savior.
Friday - Sincerity - 1 Corinthians 1:12
Paul shares the testimony of he and his fellow workers, that all that they have done has come from a heart that is focused upon the heart that lives for God in truth and love. That type of heartfelt concern is the sincerity that can not be faked but is a loving concern that flows from the love Jesus Christ has instilled in us by his grace. We love and are sincere with one another because Jesus has demonstrated that type of fellowship to us. Being in Him, brings that characteristic out of us so that others will see Jesus Christ in us, and through us.
Saturday - Good Works - Matthew 5:16
Jesus taught that the main purpose for us, doing the works that are considered good by all, is to direct people's attention and praise towards the One who enables us to do good works, our Father in Heaven. We are to be seen as good children who not only obey the commands of our Father, but love to serve Him and to serve others with that same kind of love that has been extended to us by His grace through Jesus Christ, our Brother. Jesus has set the example for us, in how we are to do good works of compassion for the kingdom's sake.
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