But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge.” – 2 Corinthians 11:5-6

I would always listen intently and watch in awe each time my favorite speaker, Lou, visits our branch. What’s not to like about her? She’s intelligent, an exceptional lawyer, a gifted evangelist, a prolific writer, a true servant of God. In short, she’s my “idol” (next to Jesus, that is) and I truly admire and respect her.
      In all honesty, I wish it were only all good and positive emotions she evoked in me. There were moments when the Enemy sowed the seeds of envy and insecurity. The devil would craftily whisper how I can never be like her in any way, how I can never even come close to becoming as good a leader, a speaker and a writer as she is.
      Paul’s vote of confidence in being an apostle of Christ reminds me that we all have been blessed by God with knowledge, skills, talents and every good thing we need to fulfill His will for our lives. Just like a sprinter who keeps on looking sideways at his opponents can slow him down and cause him to lose the race, so too can comparing ourselves with others cause us to lose sight of the mission He has set out for us. Dina P.

REFLECTION:

Stop comparing yourself with others. Instead, focus your energies on how you can become more like Jesus.

Lord, give me the grace to appreciate the gifts you have bestowed on me to fulfill Your will in my life. May I forever be thankful for these and use them to bring You glory. Amen.

P S A L M
  
Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 9

R: Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R) 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. 4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. (R) 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

G O S P E L

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

God is not interested in the outward display of piousness that is all too easy to accomplish. He is looking for the internal conversion of our hearts and minds to His love and will. It is not so much the things we do, but how we do them that is important. Only if our motivation is right, that is, we act out of love for God and our neighbor, will our good works have any real value. The devil can imitate all that Christ does except His humility. The one sure way we can identify our good works is if they are done with humility.
  
1 “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 5 When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 16 When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may  not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

my reflections
think: It is not so much the things we do, but how we do them that is important.

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

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 T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ecclesiastes 1-4