We may not always be able to come to a resolution in conflict, but we do need to come to a point of reconciliation. (Mike Lee, American pastor)
Reconciliation, as a theological term, refers to making things right with God, and that is a job entrusted to Christians. It is the privilege of godly people, also, to try to bring an end to conflict between people and restore a meaningful relationship between them.
He [God] has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)
You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate. (Rick Warren)
To bend down to help someone up does not mean we have to give up our standards and values. It’s those values that motivate us to reach out to those in need, demonstrating the compassion that God has given us.
Be kind and compassionate to one another . . . just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. (Author unknown)
The future may be bit scary for us. After all, we don’t know what lies ahead and we’d desperately like to know, so we can plan effectively. The Bible tells us, however, that there is one who knows the future and who is always there for us.
Jesus: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Often, the happiest people in the world don’t have the best of everything…they just make the best of everything! (Author unknown)
What will make you happy? A little more money, time, opportunity? More is never enough, of course. And more doesn’t bring happiness, as you can see in the lives of many who have “more.” Better to find happiness in using what your have for good purposes
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. (Ecclesiastes 3:12)
Where the ego promotes control by fear, the soul promotes freedom in love. (Inspiration Line)
Too many of us are driven by our egos; our pride motivates us to be sure that number one is always prominent. That way we think we have the freedom we all want to have. Unfortunately, to gain that position, we often resort to fear tactics to protect our position. It would be better to let love be the motivator.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13)
A good leader inspires people to have confidence in him; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves. (Author unknown)
We are always looking for good leaders, men and women in whom we can place our trust. The problem is that everyone fails at times. Ultimately, our confidence must be placed in someone more trustworthy than mere humans.
For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. (Proverbs 3:26)
Where fear is, happiness is not. (Seneca, 1st century Roman philosopher)
Some people seem to live in constant fear of one thing or another. They’re afraid about their financial prospects, their security, their families’ health, and on and on. Life is hard enough without constant fear. The strongest antidote for fear is the love that only God can give.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18)
You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.
(Albert Camus, 20th century author, journalist, and philosopher)
It seems that some people are always looking for life’s meaning. Meanwhile, they’re missing out on life itself, and someone might well say, “Get a life!” But life does have meaning, and we’d do well to discover its purpose. The Bible has something to say about it.
Jesus: “I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.
(Author unknown)
That’s good advice. First, we can’t know what the harvest will be. Second, it may be others who do the harvesting. Third, we are responsible only for what we are given to do. Planting good seed in the lives of others is our task and will be rewarded.
He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. (Proverbs 11:18)
When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.
(Inspiration Line)
Most people are inclined to make judgments about others. When we do so before knowing the facts, it’s called prejudice. We’d do well to live so we are not thought of as judgmental. It’s a bad reflection on our character.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3)
We get the leaders in the future that we make now.
(Dr. Randy Smith, American pastor and Bible teacher)
Virtually every organization and business in the world is looking for qualified leaders. Smith is making the point that rather than looking for them, we should be making them now. When we “grow” our future leaders, we’ll know what to expect from their leadership.
The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. (Luke 6:40)
No law can give me the right to do what is wrong. (Abraham Lincoln)
Laws and rules are set in place not only to keep us from doing wrong, but to help us do what is right. If a person of high moral and ethical standards is faced with a law that would cause him to do wrong, he must follow a higher law.
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! (Acts 5:29)