Romans 12:8
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Matthew 5:43 – 45
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:38 – 42 (The Message)
38-42 “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Ephesians 4:31 – 32 (The Message)
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 7:1 – 5 (The Message)
7 1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Recognizing God’s Answers
How often have you prayed to God for help or direction? We do this all the time, and we know that God answers our prayers—not always in the way we would like or at the time we desire. In fact, many times when we think God has not been there for us, it is probably because He has answered our prayers in one of these two ways.
It is easy to become wrapped up in our own worldview and desires. When God’s answer does not meet our personal expectations, we may miss recognizing it as an answer at all. Our understanding of what we need does not always align with what God knows is best for us.
Let us thank God today and every day for answering our prayers, even when God’s answers are not to our liking. We should have absolute faith in our loving God, who will always place our ultimate needs ahead of our immature wants.
For this, we should give thanks to our loving God daily, never losing faith in God’s love, grace, and desire for each of us to know the joy for which we were created.
