Sown In Peace

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:13-18

 

Not Who You Would Expect

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

 

Take the Heat

For it is better, if God should will it so,  that you should suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

1 Peter 3:17

It is sad to say, but there are people who will torment us for doing what is right. 

I worked for a business that had no time clock and used the honor system for employee time keeping.  I took heat from other employees because I was at my desk at 8:00 when the business opened.  One employee told me that “on time meant in the parking lot.”  I found that amusing because every day the bosses asked me, the lowly receptionist, where their employees were at 8:00.  I would smile and say, “Umm, in the parking lot?”

Sometimes expectations of honor lead to dishonor and unfortunately for my critics, I was not as confident about my importance to the company as they were, and therefore was on time.

There are many people who have suffered more for doing great things which were right, than I have for doing small things, and I admire them for their courage.

What is important is that no matter what happens to us personally for doing what is right, we should do what is right. 

Do the right thing and take the heat.

Our Fair Share

The Lord is my portion;

I have promised to keep Your words.

I sought Your favor with all my heart;

Be gracious to me according to Your word.

I considered my ways

And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

I hastened and did not delay

To keep Your commandments.

The cords of the wicked have encircled me,

But I have not forgotten Your law.

At midnight I shall rise and give thanks to You

Because of Your righteous ordinances.

I am a companion of all those who fear You,

And of those who keep Your precepts.

The earth is full of Your loving kindness, O Lord;

Teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 119:57-64

 

Not A Soft Sell

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thought and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Have Some Hope

And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him.  Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” 

Mark 11:22-24

Just because things are not looking so good, does not mean that something good is not going to happen.