1 Thessalonians 5:12

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. (NLT)

Thoughts: We must never forget or take for granted those who lead in ministry. Think beyond the Pastors, Sunday School Teachers, etc. Obviously, they are important. Just as important though, are all the “behind the scenes” leaders who have an impact on our lives.

Proverbs 25:2

It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them. (NLT)

Thoughts: It can be very frustrating when we are searching for an answer and we just can’t seem to find it! It’s exciting for us when we finally discover “the answer,” but consider how excited God must be as well.

James 4:14-15

How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog — it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (NLT)

Thoughts: We must live for the Lord today and not wait until tomorrow. We don’t really know if tomorrow will ever come.

Psalm 63:1-2

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. (NLT)

Thoughts: How earnestly do I search for God? Do I forget that He is always near?

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith. (NIV)

Thoughts: If you’re going to fight, be sure to pick the good fight.

John 20:30

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. (NIV)

Thoughts: Take time to notice the “miracles” around you that you normally take for granted.

Ephesians 4:29

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (NLT)

Thoughts: Are my words more encouraging or discouraging?

John 15:15

[Jesus says,] “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (NIV)

Thoughts: What an amazing thing it is to be a “friend” of God! He puts a lot of trust in us.

Psalm 116:5

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. (NIV)

Thoughts: God not only has compassion, but He is FULL of compassion!

John 1:45-46

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. (NIV)

Consider: When we talk about our relationship with God, we should always invite people to “come and see” for themselves.