Opening Word

Beloved,
What is trendy may not be healthy. What is popular may not be godly passion. Let your godliness come to light, and the darkness will shift from you. Be encouraged, beloved, for “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

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Discouraging Falsehood

The world says: “Be selfish, take care of yourself. You matter only because you are living. When you die, your own is finished.”
But Scripture warns: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

Selfishness is not the way of Christ. Instead, we are called to:

• “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
• “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
• “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord” (Romans 14:7–8).

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The Right Attitude Toward Life

Life is not about pleasure rides while others suffer. Jesus taught: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).

When we ignore the suffering of others, we deny the very heart of God, who is compassionate and merciful (James 5:11).

• Care: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act” (Proverbs 3:27).
• Service: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
• Generosity: “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:18).

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Godliness vs. Popularity

What is popular may not be godly passion. The crowd may cheer for selfish ambition, but Scripture says: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Instead, Jesus calls us to: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Let your godliness shine: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).
When light shines, darkness shifts: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

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The Posture of Prayer

Prayer is the posture that keeps us aligned with God’s truth.

• “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• “Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41).
• “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Prayer strengthens us to resist falsehood, walk in godliness, and care for others as Christ cares for us.

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Closing Encouragement

Beloved, do not be swayed by trends or popular sayings that glorify selfishness. Instead, let your life reflect Christ’s love. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Be encouraged: “Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

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Reflection Question:
Are you living for yourself, or are you living for the Lord and for the blessing of others?

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