“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” (Col. 3:12 ESV)

When an opportunity to do good presents itself, just do it

While Susan and I were at a fair, I got in line at a food concession to buy a hamburger. In front of me was a man who had just ordered something. When his food came, he got out a credit card to pay, but the food vendor said, “I’m sorry, we only take cash, not credit cards!” The man said he only had a credit card and was obviously embarrassed. I then reached over and handed the vendor some money and said, “I’d like to pay for this person’s meal along with my own.” The man turned toward me and said, “No, you don’t have to do that.” And I replied, “Oh yes, I really want to. And all I ask in return is that you find a way to return the favor by doing something nice for someone else in the future, when you see a chance to. Just pay it forward.” He smiled and said, “Okay, it is a deal! I will do it! And thank you so very much for your kindness. It has really made my day!”

Watch, they’re everywhere

Opportunities to do acts of kindness usually present themselves at unexpected moments if you keep your eyes open to notice; then you just do the right thing. It could be to pay for someone’s groceries when you are in line at the check-out and see someone counting their change or putting stuff back. Or you mow a neighbor’s yard when they are ill. The possibilities are endless.

It pleases God

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10 ESV)

Therefore

“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thess. 3:13 ESV)

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Prov. 17:22 ESV)

A joyful heart

“A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. (Prov. 15:13 ESV)

The Joy of the Lord is your strength

“Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10 ESV)

God is your glory and joy

“For you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thess. 2:20 ESV)

“For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.” (Psalm 33:21 ESV)

God’s Word becomes your joy

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” (Jer. 15:16 ESV)

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” (Psalm 119:111 ESV)

Therefore

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.” (Psalm 16:8 ESV)

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24 ESV)

Change how you think

If you want to change your life you must begin by changing how you think. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act. The Bible tells you what to do.

• Set your mind on things that are above

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:1-2 ESV)

• Take every thought captive

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5 ESV) 

• Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

• Think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Phil. 4:8 NLT)

Therefore

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isa. 26:3 ESV)

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” (Prov. 27:9 ESV)

A friend is defined as a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. The Bible explains the benefits of friendship, especially with God. 

A friend loves at all times

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Prov. 17:17 ESV)

Strong friends sharpen each other up

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17 ESV)

“That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.” (Rom. 1:12 ESV)

God calls you friend

“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.” (John 15:15 NIV)

A friend who sticks closer than a brother

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24 ESV)

You are God’s friend if you do what He command you

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:12-14 ESV)

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 13:14)

The name of Jesus, God in the flesh (see John 1:1), is very powerful for his children to call upon and use. This wonderful promise becomes true for believers as soon as they call on the name of Jesus and are “born again” into his family. (See John 3:1-8).

“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13 ESV)

There is salvation in no other name under heaven

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)

You are justified in His Name

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11 ESV)

Ask in the Name of Jesus

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13 ESV)

While you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:30 ESV)

Even demons are subject to you in His Name

“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

Therefore

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Phil. 3:9-10 NIV)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

The Mulligan

The “Mulligan,” a golf term originating in the 1920’s, is widely used today to describe any “do-over” or second chance after initial failure. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to use Mulligans, or do-overs, today to correct serious mistakes? But there are no Mulligans or do-overs for most mistakes. The good news of the gospel, however, is a different story. We get a complete do-over regarding sin! Jesus paid for it with His very own blood.

“Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (2 Peter 1:18-19 ESV)

According to the riches of His grace

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph. 1:7 ESV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 ESV)

“Great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.” (Jer. 32:19)

At a local coffee shop

I overheard a person complaining to a friend that everything he does, no matter how hard he works at it, falls apart and fails. He told about one thing after another that began enthusiastically yet had ended badly. He wondered why this was always happening and why God was not blessing him.

As I listened

I did have a few thoughts on the matter. First, problems do come to everyone from time to time. Jesus did say, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33a). Secondly, Jesus did not stop there but continued with the answer. “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b). So even though problems do happen occasionally to everyone, do not quit. Many reliable studies have proven that most will succeed if they do not quit but continue to persevere through challenges with the attitude of an overcomer (1 John 5:5).

Success will come eventually if you do several important things

Live for Christ (Col. 3:23), seek Him first in everything you do (Matt. 6:33), live as His ambassador (2 Cor. 5:20), and most importantly, you align everything you do with God’s purpose (Eph. 2:10; Rom. 8:28).

If what you do fulfills God’s purpose, you cannot fail!

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2).

“Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.” (Prov. 19:21). Therefore, if you want guaranteed success in life, make it your purpose do the following.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23-24)

Therefore

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Col. 1:16)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Prov. 19:21)

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

Quote

“God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” – Hudson Taylor, founder, China Inland Mission.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV)

We can comfort others with God’s comfort

The above passage tells us that “we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”in other words, God not only comforts us when we need comfort, He gives us extra comfort to comfort others with.

Comfort: The easing or alleviation of a person's feelings of grief or distress. Solace, condolence, sympathy, commiseration; support, reassurance, cheer.

God’s rod and staff comforts

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NIV)

Comfort, comfort!

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.” (Isa. 40:1-2 ESV)

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:2 NASB)

Resistance is not futile

In the Star Trek® television series, an adversary calling themselves the Borg attacks the Starship Enterprise while saying to them, “Resistance is futile; you will be assimilated!” The captain of the Enterprise and his crew do not give in but resist the enemy strongly and eventually overcome them and win. In a similar way, the devil and his demons attack us and want us to believe that resistance is futile. But the Bible instructs us to be strong. To submit ourselves to God. To resist the devil and his schemes, and then he will flee. We will persevere!

Submit yourself to God and resist the devil

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

God will help you escape

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 ESV)

Therefore

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Eph. 6:10-18 ESV)