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At SHRM 2026, the panel “HR Executive Insights: Architecting the Future of the Global Frontline Workforce” brought together some of the most influential HR leaders in the world for a conversation that was equal parts strategic, vulnerable, and deeply human.

I approached Njsane Courtney, Vice President of Human Resources at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), one of the world’s leading maritime classification and risk management organizations, immediately after the panel. I asked him one question: What is happiness in leadership?

His answer was honest, pragmatic, and refreshingly direct.

“Happiness and leadership; I mean, they go hand in hand. I think as leaders, part of our job is to provide career happiness. Maybe not always emotional happiness, because we’re not necessarily social workers all the time. But as leaders, we need to make sure that our employees enjoy their careers. Because I believe that when we give them great careers, they are better employees, they’re better engaged, you get better business results; and they don’t have to be mutually exclusive. So therefore, happy employees, happy results, in my viewpoint.”

Read that carefully. In a world where “happiness at work” can feel vague and aspirational, Njsane cuts through the noise with a distinction that most leaders never make, and it changes everything.

Who Is Njsane Courtney?

Njsane Courtney serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), one of the world’s foremost maritime classification societies and risk management organizations. Founded in 1862, ABS sets safety standards for the design, construction, and operation of marine and offshore assets across the globe; from commercial shipping vessels to offshore energy platforms. The organization operates in over 70 countries, providing critical safety and compliance services to industries where lives literally depend on getting things right.

In this role, Njsane oversees people strategy for a global, highly technical workforce operating in one of the most safety-critical and regulated industries on the planet. When your employees are engineers, surveyors, and technical experts working on vessels and platforms around the world, “happiness” can’t be abstract. It has to be operational. It has to connect directly to career growth, professional excellence, and business outcomes.

Njsane’s perspective is forged in the reality of leading people in high-stakes environments, where engagement isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a safety imperative. When he talks about career happiness driving better employees and better business results, he’s speaking from a context where the connection between people strategy and organizational performance isn’t theoretical. It’s measurable, visible, and mission-critical.

The Career Happiness Principle: Breaking Down the Insight

Njsane’s response contains three critical leadership distinctions that elevate the entire conversation about workplace happiness:

1. Career Happiness vs. Emotional Happiness: The Honest Distinction

“Part of our job is to provide career happiness, maybe not always emotional happiness, because we’re not necessarily social workers all the time.” This is one of the most honest things an HR leader has said in this entire series. Njsane draws a clear boundary: leaders are responsible for creating conditions where employees can build meaningful, fulfilling careers. They are not responsible for managing every emotional state. This distinction is not cold it’s clarifying. It tells leaders exactly where to focus their energy: on career development, growth opportunities, meaningful work, and professional support.

1. The Causal Chain: Happy Careers → Happy Results

“When we give them great careers, they are better employees, they’re better engaged, you get better business results.” Njsane doesn’t just claim that happiness matters — he maps the sequence. It’s not random. It’s a chain: Invest in careers → Produce better employees → Drive deeper engagement → Generate superior business results. Most leaders start at the end (wanting better results) without investing at the beginning (building great careers). Njsane starts at the beginning.

1. Not Mutually Exclusive: The “And” Philosophy

“They don’t have to be mutually exclusive.” This single sentence dismantles one of the most persistent myths in business; the idea that you must choose between happy employees or strong results. Njsane rejects the trade-off entirely. In his framework, happiness and performance are not competing priorities. They are the same strategy.

The Science: Does Happiness Actually Cause Success?

Njsane’s philosophy — “happy employees, happy results” — raises a question that scientists have debated for decades: Does happiness actually lead to better performance? Or do successful people just happen to be happier?

The answer came in one of the most important meta-analyses in the history of psychology.

The Study: “The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?”

Researchers: Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky (University of California, Riverside), Dr. Laura King (University of Missouri), and Dr. Ed Diener (University of Illinois) Published: 2005, Psychological Bulletin (American Psychological Association)

This was not a single study. It was a meta-analysis of 225 academic papers encompassing over 275,000 participants; one of the largest investigations into the relationship between happiness and success ever conducted.

The Core Question: Does happiness simply follow success (people are happy because things go well)? Or does happiness actually precede and cause success?

The Findings Were Unequivocal:

• Happiness causes success — not just the other way around. Across domains of work performance, income, health, relationships, creativity — people who experienced frequent positive affect (happiness) subsequently achieved better outcomes. The causal arrow runs from happiness → success.

• Happy workers received higher performance evaluations from supervisors and demonstrated superior productivity, independent of their baseline abilities.

• Happy employees earned higher incomes over time. Longitudinal studies showed that people who were happier at Time 1 earned significantly more at Time 2, even when controlling for initial income levels.

• Happy individuals showed greater creativity and problem-solving ability. Positive affect broadened cognitive flexibility, enabling people to generate more original solutions.

• Happy workers received more social support from colleagues and supervisors creating a virtuous cycle where happiness led to better relationships, which led to more resources, which led to greater success.

• The effect was cross-cultural and cross-industry. The findings held across nationalities, job types, seniority levels, and organizational contexts.

The Most Important Conclusion:

“Positive affect, the hallmark of well-being, may be the cause of many of the desirable characteristics, resources, and successes correlated with happiness.”

In plain language: happiness is not the reward for success. Happiness is the fuel.

Njsane's executive instinct and Lyubomirsky's science are telling the same story from two different vantage points. Where Njsane asserts that happy employees produce happy results, the meta-analysis confirms it empirically: happiness causes success, not the other way around.

His mechanism, give people great careers and they become better employees, mirrors the research's central finding that positive affect leads to higher performance, greater creativity, and increased productivity. Njsane's honest boundary-setting, distinguishing career happiness from emotional hand-holding, aligns precisely with the study's focus on frequent positive affect; sustained wellbeing, not momentary pleasure.

His business case; that better engagement drives better business results, is validated by data showing that happy workers earn more, receive higher performance evaluations, and demonstrate more creative problem-solving. And perhaps most powerfully, his core philosophy, that happiness and results are "not mutually exclusive,” is exactly what a quarter-million data points prove: they are not trade-offs competing for leadership attention, but causally linked forces that amplify each other.

This is the power of Njsane’s pragmatism. When he says, “We’re not social workers,” he’s not dismissing emotions; he’s focusing leaders on the variables they can actually control: career development, growth pathways, meaningful work, and professional enablement. And the science proves that when you get those right, happiness follows and happiness causes the results you’re looking for.

The Virtuous Cycle

What Lyubomirsky’s research reveals — and what Njsane intuitively understands — is that happiness and success create a virtuous cycle, not a one-way street:

Invest in great careers → Employees experience career happiness → Happiness fuels better performance, creativity, and engagement → Better performance produces better business results → Success reinforces happiness → The cycle accelerates.

This is why Njsane says they “don’t have to be mutually exclusive.” They’re not just compatible, they’re self-reinforcing. The leader’s job is to start the cycle by investing at the beginning: in careers.

5 Actionable Takeaways for Leaders

• Draw the Line Honestly: You are responsible for career happiness; growth, development, meaningful work, and professional support. You are not responsible for managing every emotional state. This boundary isn’t cold; it’s clarifying. It tells you exactly where to invest your leadership energy.

• Invest at the Beginning of the Chain: Stop chasing engagement scores and business results as starting points. Start with careers. Ask every direct report: “Where do you want to be in two years, and what do we need to build together to get you there?”Lyubomirsky’s research proves that this investment in happiness will cause the performance outcomes you want.

• Reject the False Trade-Off: If anyone in your organization says, “We can’t focus on happiness right now, we need results,” show them the data. 275,000 participants across 225 studies prove that happiness and results are not competing priorities. They are causally linked. Investing in one produces the other.

• Build Career Infrastructure, Not Just Perks: Free lunches and ping-pong tables target momentary pleasure. Career happiness requires growth pathways, stretch assignments, mentorship, skill development, and transparent promotion criteria. Njsane’s insight and Lyubomirsky’s science both point to the same conclusion: sustained career fulfillment drives sustained performance.

• Measure What Matters: Add career satisfaction questions to your engagement surveys. Track internal mobility rates, promotion velocity, and learning & development participation. If your people aren’t growing, they aren’t happy; and if they aren’t happy, the science says your results will suffer.

For more executive insights from that SHRM 2026 panel, read my full article: Motivating the Global Frontline Workforce — Vulnerability at SHRM 2026

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

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At SHRM 2026, the panel “HR Executive Insights: Architecting the Future of the Global Frontline Workforce” delivered some of the most grounded, strategic conversations of the entire conference. The focus wasn’t on HR theory, it was on business reality.

I approached Jamie Durling, a Global C-Suite Executive, immediately after the panel. I asked him to expand on what he talked about during the session regarding his philosophy on enablement.

His answer shifted the conversation entirely away from emotions and directly into operations, resources, and business acumen.

What Jamie Said About Enablement

“One of the things we were talking about is happiness and wellness... enablement is the means to the end. Rather than focusing on what the outcome is, organizations, HR leaders, and executives need to focus on what they’re doing to get to the outcome. It’s really about the tools and the resources... training, compensation, leadership feedback, physical products. That drives whether or not the employees are actually being supported and whether or not they are going to ultimately be engaged. Enablement really is the key.”

Earlier at the conference, I also attended an exclusive Braindate hosted by Jamie titled, “HR as the Conductor of the Orchestra: How He Drives Top and Bottom Line Growth.” Connecting his thoughts on enablement to this concept, I asked him to explain what it means for an HR leader to act as the conductor. He added:

“As an HR executive, nobody knows the organization better than we do. In order for HR to be impactful, they need to understand the business. My superpower is understanding the business... Understanding how all the functions effectively integrate is just like how a conductor leads his orchestra.”

(Note: Keep an eye out for Jamie’s upcoming book on this exact topic!)

The Enablement Principle: Breaking Down the Insight

Jamie’s perspective is a masterclass in operationalizing culture. He provides two critical frameworks for modern leaders:

1. Happiness is an Outcome; Enablement is the Strategy

Many leaders make the mistake of targeting “happiness” or “engagement” directly with superficial perks. Jamie argues that happiness is the end, but enablement is the means. If you want happy, engaged employees, you must provide the tangible resources they need to succeed: proper training, fair compensation, clear feedback, and the right physical tools.

1. The Leader as the Conductor

A conductor doesn’t play every instrument, but they must understand how the strings, brass, and percussion integrate to create a symphony. Similarly, an HR executive doesn’t need to be an expert in every department, but they must possess deep business fluency to orchestrate how these functions work together to drive top and bottom-line growth.

The Science: The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model

Jamie’s assertion that “tools and resources” drive engagement isn’t just a great leadership philosophy; it is the foundation of one of the most heavily validated theories in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

The Study: “The Job Demands-Resources Model: State of the Art”

Researchers: Dr. Arnold B. Bakker and Dr. Evangelia Demerouti Published: 2007, Journal of Managerial Psychology

The JD-R model revolutionized how psychologists understand workplace wellbeing. It proposes that every occupation has two general categories of working conditions:

• Job Demands: The physical, psychological, social, or organizational aspects of the job that require sustained effort (e.g., high workload, emotional labor, poor physical environment). These lead to exhaustion and burnout.

• Job Resources: The physical, psychological, social, or organizational aspects of the job that are functional in achieving work goals, reduce job demands, or stimulate personal growth (e.g., performance feedback, autonomy, physical tools, training).

The Findings:

• The Motivational Process: Job resources are the exclusive predictors of work engagement. When employees have high resources (enablement), they are highly engaged, motivated, and happy.

• The Buffer Effect: High job resources actually buffer the impact of high job demands. Even in high-stress environments, if employees are properly “enabled” with the right tools and support, they do not burn out.

The Conclusion: You cannot mandate engagement. You can only provide the resources that naturally produce it.

Jamie is describing the practical application of the JD-R model. When he says his superpower is “understanding the business” to act as a conductor, he is talking about identifying the Job Demands across different departments and strategically allocating the Job Resources (enablement) required to create harmony and drive growth.

5 Actionable Takeaways for Leaders

• Stop Managing the Outcome: Stop asking, “How do we make our people happier?” Start asking, “What tools, training, or feedback are our people missing to do their jobs effectively?”

• Audit Your Enablement: Conduct a “Resource Audit.” Do your frontline workers have the physical products they need? Do managers have the leadership training they need?

• Develop Business Fluency: If you are in HR or People Ops, you must know how the business makes money, how the supply chain works, and what the sales team’s friction points are. You cannot conduct the orchestra if you don’t know what song is playing.

• Use Resources as a Buffer: If you are in a high-demand season (Q4 push, major launch), you must proportionally increase resources (recognition, support, temporary help) to prevent burnout.

• Embrace the Conductor Mindset: You don’t need to be the expert in every function. Your job is integration. Ensure that the tools provided by IT, the training provided by L&D, and the compensation models provided by Finance are all playing in the same key to drive top and bottom-line growth.

For more executive insights from that SHRM 2026 panel, read my full article: Motivating the Global Frontline Workforce — Vulnerability at SHRM 2026

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

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At SHRM 2026, the panel “HR Executive Insights: Architecting the Future of the Global Frontline Workforce” brought together some of the most influential HR leaders in the world for a conversation that cut straight to the core of modern leadership.

I approached Bettina A. Deynes, Global Chief Human Resources Officer of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, immediately after the panel. Continuing the thread from each executive in this series, I asked her one question: What is happiness at work?

Her answer was immediate, personal, and profound.

“Happiness at work is the ability to be oneself, to know that you’re going to be able to be part of a community where you feel like you belong, where you can do your best work, when you can connect with people that aim to have the same goals and achieve the same success.”

Read that one more time. In a single sentence, Bettina identified the four pillars that decades of research have proven drive human thriving:

• Authenticity — the ability to be oneself

• Belonging — being part of a community

• Peak performance — doing your best work

• Shared purpose — connecting with people who share the same goals

Later she added, “happiness often grows when we take a moment to recognize and appreciate what we already have—gratitude truly has a way of brightening even the simplest moments.”

This isn’t corporate optimism. This is an executive who leads People Strategy for over 200,000 employees across 9 cruise line brands, sailing to over 700 ports around the world; distilling what makes people actually happy at work into its purest form.

Who Is Bettina A. Deynes?

Bettina A. Deynes serves as the Global Chief Human Resources Officer of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest leisure travel company. Carnival’s portfolio includes iconic brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and others, operating over 90 ships across six continents.

In this role, Bettina oversees the global people strategy for a workforce that spans dozens of nationalities, languages, and cultures, all operating in one of the most complex and people-intensive industries on the planet. Managing HR for a global cruise fleet is unlike any other industry: your employees don’t just work for the company; they live inside the company. The ship is their office, their home, and their community — sometimes for months at a time.

Before Carnival, Bettina served as Chief Human Resources Officer of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) itself; the world’s largest HR professional society; giving her an unparalleled vantage point on the trends, research, and challenges shaping the future of work globally. Her career spans senior HR leadership roles across industries, and she is widely recognized as one of the most influential HR executives in the world.

When Bettina speaks about belonging and community, she isn’t speaking in abstraction. She is speaking from the reality of building cultures where people from every corner of the world must come together, find belonging, and deliver extraordinary experiences every single day, at sea.

The Belonging Principle: Breaking Down the Insight

Bettina’s response is deceptively simple. Within it are three interconnected leadership lessons that every executive needs to understand:

1. Authenticity Is the Foundation of Happiness

“The ability to be oneself.” Before belonging, before performance, before connection there must be a workplace where people don’t have to mask who they are. Bettina places authenticity first in her definition, and that’s not accidental. If employees can’t show up as themselves, no engagement initiative, no team-building retreat, and no compensation package will produce genuine happiness.

1. Belonging Is a Community, Not a Policy

Bettina doesn’t say “inclusion” she says “part of a community where you feel like you belong.” There’s a critical difference. Inclusion can be a policy, a checklist, a training module. But belonging is a felt experience. It’s the difference between being invited to the table and actually feeling like you’re supposed to be there. In Carnival’s world, where thousands of employees from different countries live and work together on a ship this isn’t optional. It’s operational survival.

1. Shared Purpose Fuels Connection

“Connect with people that aim to have the same goals and achieve the same success.” Happiness at work isn’t just about individual fulfillment, it’s about collective alignment. When people feel they are working toward something together, connection becomes organic. Bettina is describing the difference between a group of individuals performing tasks and a community pursuing a shared mission.

The Science: Psychological Safety and Google’s Project Aristotle

Bettina’s definition of workplace happiness isn’t just executive wisdom, it maps directly onto one of the most important discoveries in modern organizational science.

The Foundational Research: Dr. Amy Edmondson

Researcher: Dr. Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management, Harvard Business School Published: 1999, Administrative Science Quarterly — “Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams”

In 1999, Edmondson studied hospital nursing teams expecting to find that the best teams made the fewest errors. She found the opposite: the highest-performing teams reported more errors. But they weren’t making more mistakes they felt safe enough to report them. Teams with psychological safety, a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking, caught errors before they became crises. Teams without it suppressed problems out of fear.

Edmondson defined psychological safety as: “A shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking.” In psychologically safe teams, individuals feel they can speak up, admit mistakes, ask questions, and be themselves without fear of embarrassment, rejection, or punishment.

The Validation at Scale: Google’s Project Aristotle

Organization: Google People Operations Scope:180 teams studied over 4 years (2012–2016) Published via: Google re:Work

Google launched Project Aristotle to answer a deceptively simple question: What makes some teams significantly more effective than others?After analyzing 180 teams and over 250 variables, the results were stunning:

Psychological safety was the #1 predictor of team effectiveness — more important than individual talent, seniority, team size, or even the skills of team members.

The five dynamics of effective teams, in order of importance:

• Psychological Safety — Team members feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable

• Dependability — Members reliably complete quality work on time

• Structure & Clarity — Clear goals, roles, and plans

• Meaning — The work is personally important to members

• Impact — The team believes their work matters

The Numbers:

• Teams with high psychological safety exceeded sales targets by 17%

• Teams with low psychological safety fell short by as much as 19%

• High-safety teams showed 31% more innovation and 27% lower turnover

• Members of the best teams spoke in roughly equal proportions and showed high social sensitivity

The Most Counterintuitive Finding: The factors most people assume drive team success; individual star performers, team size, seniority, colocation, and even consensus-driven decision making; showed no significant correlation with team effectiveness. It wasn’t who was on the team. It was how the team treated each other.

The bridge: Bettina is describing, from the vantage point of leading 160,000+ employees across dozens of nationalities, the exact conditions that Edmondson discovered in her lab and Google validated at scale. Authenticity requires safety. Belonging requires inclusion. Peak performance requires both high safety and high standards. And shared purpose requires the structural clarity and dependability that hold it all together.

The Four Zones: Edmondson’s Performance Framework

One of the most powerful tools from Edmondson’s research is her Four Zones model, which explains why psychological safety alone isn’t enough — and why Bettina’s emphasis on “doing your best work” alongside belonging is so precise:

Edmondson's research reveals that psychological safety alone isn't enough — it must be paired with high standards to unlock peak performance. Her framework identifies four distinct zones. When both psychological safety and standards are low, teams fall into the

Apathy Zone — people don't care, turnover is high, and quality suffers. When standards are high but safety is low, teams enter the

Anxiety Zone — people are stressed, burned out, and afraid to admit mistakes, so problems get buried instead of solved. When safety is high but standards are low, teams drift into the

Comfort Zone — people feel good but aren't challenged, and performance stagnates. The magic happens when both psychological safety and standards are high: teams enter the

Learning Zone, where people feel safe enough to be themselves, take risks, speak up, and push each other toward excellence. This is exactly what Bettina is describing — not just belonging for the sake of comfort, but belonging in service of doing your best work and achieving shared success.

Bettina’s definition of happiness lives squarely in the Learning Zone — she doesn’t just want people to feel safe. She wants them to feel safe and do their best work and pursue shared goals. That combination, safety plus standards plus purpose, is the formula for teams that don’t just feel good, but perform at the highest level.

5 Actionable Takeaways for Leaders

• Measure Psychological Safety, Not Just Engagement: Use Edmondson’s 7-item survey to assess whether your teams feel safe to speak up, admit mistakes, and be themselves. Engagement scores can mask fear. Safety scores reveal truth.

• Respond to the First Voice: The single most powerful thing a leader can do is how they respond to the first person who raises a concern, admits a mistake, or challenges an idea. If that person is thanked and heard, everyone learns that speaking up is safe. If they’re dismissed or punished, everyone learns that silence is safer.

• Audit Your Belonging Climate: Ask yourself: Do people feel invited, or do they feel like they belong? Invited means you have a seat at the table. Belonging means you feel like the table was built with you in mind. Conduct “Belonging Interviews,” short, candid conversations where you ask team members, “Do you feel like you can be fully yourself here?”

• Aim for the Learning Zone, Not the Comfort Zone: Safety without standards breeds complacency. Pair psychological safety with clear goals, high expectations, and constructive accountability. Bettina’s teams at Carnival don’t just feel welcome they’re expected to deliver extraordinary guest experiences. That’s the Learning Zone in action.

• Build Shared Purpose Deliberately: Don’t assume alignment. Regularly articulate whythe team exists, what you’re collectively pursuing, and how each person’s contribution connects to the mission. Bettina’s insight, “connect with people that aim to have the same goals,” only works when those goals are visible, shared, and reinforced.

For more executive insights from that SHRM 2026 panel, read my full article: Motivating the Global Frontline Workforce — Vulnerability at SHRM 2026

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

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At SHRM 2026, some of the most powerful HR leaders in the world took the stage for a panel called “HR Executive Insights: Architecting the Future of the Global Frontline Workforce.” The conversation was extraordinary — a masterclass in how the world’s most forward-thinking organizations are rethinking work itself.

But it’s what happened after the panel that became the seed of this series.

I approached Dr. DeRetta Cole Rhodes — Executive Vice President and Chief People & Culture Officer of the Atlanta Braves — and asked her one simple question:

“What is happiness in leadership?”

Her answer wasn’t a corporate platitude. It was a philosophy. And it’s backed by decades of science most leaders have never read.

What DeRetta Said

“It’s all about the fact that we’re trying to ensure people are enjoying what they’re doing. So happiness becomes a cornerstone of everything. How do you deal with fans? How do you deal with the community? But how do you deal with it internally — and how it can come out for you, so people can see it and understand it. We talk about happiness, but we really want to think about how joy and happiness are ensuring that people are enjoying themselves — and it’s a part of wellness and mindfulness.”

Read that again slowly.

She didn’t start with the customer. She didn’t start with the brand. She started inside the building. Internal joy first; then it radiates outward so that fans, community, and the world can see it and feel it.

This is not accidental. This is architectured happiness from one of the most accomplished Chief People Officers in professional sports.

Who Is DeRetta Cole Rhodes?

Before we unpack the science behind her words, you need to understand who’s saying them.

Dr. DeRetta Cole Rhodes holds a Ph.D. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia, an MBA from Clark Atlanta University, and has led people strategy at some of the most recognized organizations in America: Turner Broadcasting, Ernst & Young, First Data, YMCA of Metro Atlanta, and now the Atlanta Braves, where she oversees people capital, communications, and community affairs across Major League operations, The Battery Atlanta, and Spring Training facilities.

She is the author of Courage of Voice: Empowering Women to Open Professional Doors, a TEDx speaker, a Georgia Titan 100 honoree, and serves on the boards of the Woodruff Arts Center, Goodwill of North Georgia, and the International Women’s Forum. Her doctoral dissertation, “Courage Under Fire: How Black Women Have Learned to Survive in Corporate America,” examined how racism and sexism impacted the career progression of executive Black women in Fortune 500 organizations.

In short: DeRetta doesn’t theorize about people and culture. She has built it, rebuilt it, and transformed it, across industries, across decades, and now inside one of the most iconic sports franchises on the planet.

The Inside-Out Principle: Why Her Words Matter

Let’s break down what DeRetta is actually teaching us. Her insight contains three distinct leadership lessons:

1. Happiness Is Infrastructure, Not Decoration

When she says happiness is “a cornerstone of everything,” she’s positioning joy not as a perk, not as a wellness initiative tacked onto Q4 planning; but as foundational architecture. The way a building needs a cornerstone before it can rise, an organization needs internal happiness before it can perform, serve, or grow.

1. Joy Moves Inside-Out

DeRetta draws a clear directional arrow: internal first, external second. “How do you deal with it internally — and how it can come out for you, so people can see it and understand it.” She’s describing emotional contagion as organizational strategy. The internal experience of employees doesn’t stay internal. It transmits to fans in the stands, to community partners, to every touchpoint of the brand.

1. Happiness Is Wellness and Mindfulness

By connecting joy to “wellness and mindfulness,” DeRetta reframes happiness from something you feel to something you practice. This is not passive. This is intentional, cultivated, and sustained. It’s a discipline not a mood.

The Science: Emotional Contagion in the Workplace

Now here’s where it gets powerful. DeRetta’s inside-out philosophy isn’t just executive intuition, it’s been validated by one of the most important studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

The Study: “The Ripple Effect: Emotional Contagion and Its Influence on Group Behavior”

Researcher: Dr. Sigal Barsade, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Published: 2002, Administrative Science Quarterly

Dr. Barsade’s landmark study demonstrated that emotions are literally contagious in group settings, and that this contagion has measurable effects on cooperation, conflict, and performance.

Here’s what she found:

The Setup: Barsade placed a trained actor into small working groups. The actor was instructed to display either positive or negative emotional energy; enthusiasm, warmth, and optimism versus irritability, hostility, or sluggishness. The group members didn’t know the actor was planted.

The Results:

• Positive emotional contagion spread through the group. When the actor displayed positive energy, group members unconsciously “caught” those emotions and began displaying more positive affect themselves.

• Groups with positive emotional contagion showed greater cooperation and less interpersonal conflict.

• Positive contagion improved perceived task performance — the groups believed they performed better, and independent evaluators agreed.

• The effect was unconscious. Participants didn’t realize their emotions had been influenced. The ripple was invisible but measurable.

The Conclusion: Emotions don’t stay with the person who feels them. They ripple outward — shaping the mood, behavior, and performance of everyone in the environment.

The Tutorial: Connecting DeRetta’s Insight to Barsade’s Science

Here’s the teaching moment; the bridge between a world-class executive and a world-class study.

DeRetta says: “How do you deal with it internally and how it can come out for you, so people can see it and understand it.”

Barsade proved: Emotions radiate outward from individuals to groups — unconsciously, inevitably, and with measurable impact on performance.

They’re describing the same phenomenon from two different vantage points. DeRetta sees it from the C-Suite, architecting culture so that internal joy becomes visible externally. Barsade sees it from the lab, measuring exactly how that transmission works.

What Leaders Can Do Monday Morning

This isn’t abstract. Here’s how to apply the DeRetta-Barsade framework in your own organization:

🔹 1. Audit Your Emotional Architecture

Ask: What emotions are people catching inside our building right now? Barsade’s research shows that the dominant emotional tone of a group shapes everyone in it. If your leadership team radiates stress, urgency, and scarcity — that’s what your entire organization will catch. Start measuring emotional climate, not just engagement scores.

🔹 2. Make Joy a Wellness Practice, Not a Mood

DeRetta connects happiness to wellness and mindfulness — meaning it’s something you cultivate, not something you wait to feel. Build mindfulness practices, recovery time, and joy-generating rituals into the workweek. This isn’t soft. This is strategic infrastructure.

🔹 3. Design the Internal Experience First

Before you worry about your customer experience, your fan experience, or your brand experience — design the employee experience. DeRetta’s insight is clear: if people inside aren’t enjoying themselves, nothing authentic can radiate outward. The external brand is a mirror of the internal culture.

🔹 4. Recognize That Leaders Are Emotional Broadcasters

Barsade’s research shows that the most emotionally expressive person in a group disproportionately shapes the group’s emotional climate. That’s usually the leader. Every meeting you walk into, you’re either broadcasting joy or broadcasting something else. Choose intentionally.

🔹 5. Connect Happiness to Enjoyment of the Work Itself

Notice DeRetta’s precision: “We’re trying to ensure people are enjoying what they’re doing.” Not enjoying the perks. Not enjoying the office snacks. Enjoying the work itself. This means leaders must design roles, responsibilities, and team dynamics so that the actual daily work generates meaning, mastery, and satisfaction.

The Bottom Line

Dr. DeRetta Cole Rhodes didn’t give me a soundbite. She gave me a leadership architecture.And Dr. Sigal Barsade’s research proves exactly why that architecture works: because emotions are contagious, happiness is infrastructure, and the internal experience of your people is the single most powerful driver of what the outside world sees.

The Atlanta Braves didn’t just build a World Series team. They built a culture where joy is the cornerstone, and one of the most accomplished Chief People Officers in America is the architect.

The question for every leader reading this: What are your people catching from you?

For more executive insights from that SHRM 2026 panel, read my full article: Motivating the Global Frontline Workforce — Vulnerability at SHRM 2026

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The church must stop hiding sin and start having real conversations — not with cruelty, but with the expectation that kindness is the natural starting point. People can handle the truth. Many already know it. When we try to cover things up, we insult their intelligence and damage trust. The call is to speak honestly and kindly — because science and Scripture both confirm that this is how we were designed to operate.

The Problem: Covering Sin in the Church

• We cover as human beings. It’s instinctive to protect reputation, avoid conflict, and maintain appearances.

• But covering sin doesn’t make it disappear — it festers, spreads, and eventually surfaces in more destructive ways.

• Many people in the congregation already know what leadership tries to hide. The cover-up often causes more damage than the sin itself.

• The church loses credibility not when sin is exposed, but when it’s discovered that sin was concealed.

The question isn’t whether people can handle the truth — it’s whether we trust them enough to share it.

We Need to Have Real Conversations; Jesus did

• Real conversations require:

• Courage — to name what’s happening

• Humility — to acknowledge our own brokenness

• Kindness — as the default posture, not an afterthought

• Trust — in the resilience and maturity of the body of Christ

• These conversations aren’t about gossip or public shaming. They’re about honest accountability within a community that claims to follow the God of truth.

The Science: Kindness Is Instinctive — Not Weakness

The Default Mode: Kindness Is Instinctive

Dr. Jamil Zaki, Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab:

“People tend to act kindly when they’re not thinking about it. If you ask people to make decisions very quickly, they tend to make kinder decisions than if they spend a long time deliberating.”

• Interviews with Carnegie Hero Project honorees — people who risked their lives to save strangers — reveal a consistent pattern:

“I didn’t think about it. I just ran into the burning building.”

• Key insight: Kindness is not a calculated strategy. It is an automatic, instinctive response — our default mode.

• When we overthink, we talk ourselves out of kindness. The church should lean into its instinct, not away from it.

Oxytocin — The “Love Hormone”

• The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus releases oxytocin, a neuropeptide that drives social behavior and produces feelings of connectedness.

• Oxytocin stimulates the limbic system to release dopamine, creating a reinforcing loop of rewarding feelings.

• Beyond mood, oxytocin is:

• Anti-inflammatory

• Pain-reducing

• Wound-healing

• Blood pressure–lowering

• Cardioprotective

• Acts of kindness cause the release of nitric oxide via oxytocin, which dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.

Source: Doty, J.R. — “Why Kindness Heals,”Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (KindnessEvolution.org)

God literally wired our bodies to reward kindness. When we speak truth with kindness, we are operating in alignment with both divine design and biological design.

The Scripture

Hebrews 11 — The Faith Chapter

• The “Hall of Faith” — a catalog of people who acted on truth even when it was costly.

• These heroes didn’t hide. They didn’t cover. They moved forward in faith despite uncertainty, persecution, and death.

• Abel offered a better sacrifice — and was killed for it.

• Noah warned of a flood no one could see — and was mocked for it.

• Abraham left everything familiar — on nothing but a promise.

• Moses chose affliction with God’s people over the comfort of Pharaoh’s house.

• The common thread: They told the truth with their lives. They didn’t manage appearances — they walked in faith.

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.”— Hebrews 11:39

They didn’t need to see the outcome to be faithful. Neither do we.

John 6:50–70 — The Hard Truth and the Choice to Stay

• Jesus teaches hard doctrine — “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (v. 53).

• The response:

“This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” — John 6:60

• The result:

“At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.” — John 6:66

• The pivotal moment:

Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” — John 6:67

• Peter’s response:

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” — John 6:68

What This Teaches Us:

• Jesus told the truth knowing people would leave. He didn’t soften the message to keep the crowd.

• He didn’t chase the ones who left. He turned to the ones who stayed and asked an honest question.

• Truth will thin the room. And that’s okay. The church isn’t called to fill seats — it’s called to be faithful.

• The ones who stay aren’t staying because it’s easy. They stay because they recognize there’s nowhere else to go for what’s real.

The Call

• Stop covering. What you hide doesn’t heal — it hardens. Proverbs 28:13

• Expect kindness — from yourself and others. It’s your biological and spiritual default. Ephesians 4:32

• Have the conversation. The one you’ve been avoiding. The one everyone already knows needs to happen.

• Trust the body of Christ. People are more resilient than we give them credit for.

• Accept that truth thins the room — and that the room that remains is built on something real.

“I didn’t think about it. I just ran into the burning building.”

That’s what kindness looks like. That’s what truth-telling in love looks like. You don’t overthink it. You just do it — because it’s who you were made to be.

FAQS

Q: Why do churches cover up sin? A: Churches often cover sin to protect reputation, avoid conflict, and maintain appearances. But research and Scripture both show that concealment causes more damage than the truth itself. People in the congregation often already know what leadership tries to hide.

Q: What does the Bible say about covering sin?A: Proverbs 28:13 says “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Hebrews 11 celebrates people who told the truth with their lives. In John 6:66-68, Jesus told hard truths knowing people would leave — and He didn’t chase them.

Q: Is kindness instinctive or learned? A: According to Dr. Jamil Zaki of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, kindness is instinctive. People make kinder decisions when they act quickly rather than deliberating. Carnegie Hero Project honorees consistently report: “I didn’t think about it. I just ran into the burning building.”

Q: What is the connection between kindness and physical health? A: Dr. James Doty of Stanford’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research reports that acts of kindness trigger oxytocin release, which is anti-inflammatory, pain-reducing, wound-healing, blood pressure-lowering, and cardioprotective. Kindness literally heals.

Q: How should churches handle sin and accountability? A: Churches should have real conversations rooted in courage, humility, kindness, and trust. This means honest accountability — not gossip or public shaming — within a community that claims to follow the God of truth. Expect kindness as the default, and trust the resilience of the body of Christ.

Q: What happened when Jesus told hard truths in John 6? A: After teaching difficult doctrine, many disciples turned away and deserted Him (John 6:66). Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Truth thins the room — and that’s okay.

Run into the building. Tell the truth. Because without it, the people you’re called to shepherd won’t be saved — not from the scandal, not from the fallout, and not from the distrust that follows when they realize you knew and said nothing.

Church — the building is on fire. People are inside. They already know. Stop standing outside protecting your reputation and RUN IN. Because without the truth, they won't be saved.

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Being a Lifelong Learner is a Happiness Habit!

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For years, executive presence was taught like a performance: dress better, speak tighter, look more confident.

But that’s not the real thing.

Real executive presence happens when who I am on the inside becomes visible on the outside; in my character, my confidence, and the way I communicate. It’s not about becoming more impressive. It’s about becoming more fully expressed.

If this resonates, ask yourself: What do I know, believe, or carry that still isn’t fully visible in the room?

That gap is where the real work begins.

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Jude https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude&version=NLT

20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,[g] 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

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The Harvard Study of Adult Development began on its groundbreaking journey in 1938, featuring a diverse cohort of 724 participants. This initial group comprised 268 Harvard College undergraduate students and 456 14 year old boys from economically challenged neighborhoods in Boston, Massachusetts. The study, initiated by Dr. Arlie Bock, aimed to unravel the mysteries of a fulfilling and content life.

If this spoke to you, I would love to connect.

I work with organizations and leaders who are navigating the intersection of AI, performance, and human wellbeing. I offer interactive keynotes, coaching, and team trainings designed to help you build the happiness habits and human centered leadership practices that sustain people inside acceleration. Every session is grounded in positive psychology research and designed to be experienced, not just heard.

Save the date and join us Saturday March 20, 2027 in Knoxville, Tennessee for our annual International Day of Happiness celebration. This year’s theme is Measuring Happiness, and it begins with a Saturday morning breakfast gathering bringing together leaders, researchers, and practitioners who believe that what we measure shapes what we build.

Come for the breakfast. Stay for a retreat.

Knoxville is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, and we can curate a weekend retreat for your team that combines happiness science, leadership development, and the kind of genuine human connection that no app can replicate. Imagine a cabin in the Smokies with your team, away from the noise, doing the real work of building culture together. Or stay in town and explore one of the most vibrant and underrated cities in the South.

Reach out to learn more at alexia@knoxvillehappinesscoalition.com

Alexia Georghiou is the founder of the Knoxville Happiness Coalition, an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee, and creator of Happiness Habits. She specializes in human centered leadership, positive psychology, and helping organizations design AI enabled cultures that protect cognitive wellbeing, strengthen connection, and sustain long term performance. Alexia works with executives, teams, and institutions through interactive keynotes, coaching, workshops, and retreats. Her work is built on a simple conviction: the future of work will be defined by how human we remain while building it.

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Most people don’t fail because they’re lazy.They fail because their habits are too big.

Start smaller:1 habit you already do

• 1 tiny action

• repeat daily

That’s how consistency is built.

Track daily habits, improve mental health, and build happiness routines with this free habit tracker app. https://happinesshabits.netlify.app/app

If this spoke to you, I would love to connect.

I work with organizations and leaders who are navigating the intersection of AI, performance, and human wellbeing. I offer interactive keynotes, coaching, and team trainings designed to help you build the happiness habits and human centered leadership practices that sustain people inside acceleration. Every session is grounded in positive psychology research and designed to be experienced, not just heard.

Save the date and join us Saturday March 20, 2027 in Knoxville, Tennessee for our annual International Day of Happiness celebration. This year’s theme is Measuring Happiness, and it begins with a Saturday morning breakfast gathering bringing together leaders, researchers, and practitioners who believe that what we measure shapes what we build.

Come for the breakfast. Stay for a retreat.

Knoxville is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, and we can curate a weekend retreat for your team that combines happiness science, leadership development, and the kind of genuine human connection that no app can replicate. Imagine a cabin in the Smokies with your team, away from the noise, doing the real work of building culture together. Or stay in town and explore one of the most vibrant and underrated cities in the South.

Reach out to learn more at alexia@knoxvillehappinesscoalition.com

Alexia Georghiou is the founder of the Knoxville Happiness Coalition, an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee. She specializes in human centered leadership, positive psychology, and helping organizations design AI enabled cultures that protect cognitive wellbeing, strengthen connection, and sustain long term performance. Alexia works with executives, teams, and institutions through interactive keynotes, coaching, workshops, and retreats. Her work is built on a simple conviction: the future of work will be defined by how human we remain while building it.

https://www.knoxvillehappinesscoalition.com

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Esther

4:14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

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Seligman (2011) hypothesized that PERMA (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) are the elements of well-being. We tie in PERMA to Goal Setting and Happiness.

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2 Corinthians 11-13

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2 Corinthians 6-10

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2 Corinthians 1-5

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1 Corinthians 8-16

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https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201-7&version=NLT

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https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013-16&version=NLT

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Romans 12

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Romans 10-11

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Romans 9

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Romans 6:16-8

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Roman’s 1-6:16

6:16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

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We will scroll through the tweets of the Louisville, Kentucky, USA during the most recent ice/snow event that happened over the weekend. https://x.com/LMPD

The social media team was called into HR on Monday morning and continued to tweet and now are beginning to ‘troll’ HR. Language of Gen Z that is used is ‘CHAT.’ Here is the definition before we start.

…

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Acts 21-28

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Acts 15-20

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Acts 9-14

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Acts 1-8

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John 15-21

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John 11-14

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Learn more about Alexia Georghiou https://www.alexiageorghiou.com

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John 1-10

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You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed[k]the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

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Ephesians 1-6

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READ: Menopause Belongs in Workplace Conversations—Comprehensive Call of Action for Systemic Change

#worldmenopauseday #worldmenopauseday2025

Please share with your networks to increase knowledge and to inspire action!

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Titus 1-3

New Living Translation

Greetings from Paul

1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to[a] those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. 3 And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.

4 I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.

Titus’s Work in Crete

5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife,[b] and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 A church leader[c] is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker,[d] violent, or dishonest with money.

8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

10 For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. 12 Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.”[e] 13 This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. 14 They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.

15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

Promote Right Teaching

2 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[f] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[g] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.

Do What Is Good

3 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[h] 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees[i] or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. 10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.

Paul’s Final Remarks and Greetings

12 I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.

15 Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to the believers—all who love us.

May God’s grace be with you all.

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Here are the slides. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/strategic-leadership-what-s-your-leadership-style-and-how-do-you-flex-it-when-the-stakes-are-high/283617799

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2 Corinthians 1-5

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2 Corinthians 6-13

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1CORINTHIANS 9-16

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LUKE 1

John 1

1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He existed in the beginning with God.3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a] and his life brought light to everyone.5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.[b]

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist,[c] 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human[d] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[e] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.[f] 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God,[g] is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants[h]from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”

“No,” he replied.

“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”[i]

“No.”

22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”[j]

24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25 asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”

26 John told them, “I baptize with[k] water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

Jesus, the Lamb of God

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.[l]”

Isaiah 53

Daniel 9

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1CORINTHIANS 1-8

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ROMANS 8-16

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Daniel 10-12

Daniel 10–12 contains some of the most apocalyptic and prophetic material in the Old Testament, and it closely parallels themes found in Revelation and other New Testament apocalyptic passages.

Here is a breakdown of key parallels between Daniel 10–12, the Book of Revelation, and other NT scriptures:

1. Angelic Visitation and Spiritual Warfare

Daniel 10:1–21

• Daniel receives a vision after 21 days of fasting. An angel (possibly Gabriel) explains that he was delayed by the "prince of Persia" and assisted by Michael.

Parallels:

• Revelation 12:7–9: Michael and his angels fight the dragon (Satan) and his angels in heaven.

• Ephesians 6:12: Paul speaks of wrestling not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Key Themes:

• Spiritual warfare behind geopolitical events

• Angels and principalities interacting in unseen realms

2. The Vision of Future Conflicts (Kings of the North and South)

Daniel 11

• A detailed prophecy of wars between northern and southern kingdoms (interpreted historically as Seleucids and Ptolemies, and typologically as ongoing conflicts leading to the Antichrist).

Daniel 11:30 “For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant.”

"Kittim" (Hebrew: כִּתִּים) is an ancient term used to describe western maritime powers.

It originally referred to Cyprus, but later also came to symbolize western regions, especially the Mediterranean seafaring powers—and by the time of Daniel, often Rome.

The king's frustration turns toward the holy covenant — usually interpreted as the Jewish faith and people in Daniel’s time. He lashes out by persecuting the faithful.

Ships of Kittim today—US., EU, NATO, or Western powers

The King/Leader—A rising Middle Eastern, Eurasian, or globalist figure (Antichrist-type)

Holy Covenant—Israel, or the covenant people (Jews/Christians)

Reward those who forsake the covenant

• Co-opting compromised religious leaders, politicians, or even nations who abandon biblical values for gain.

• Forming alliances with apostate or secularized entities who undermine biblical truth, both within Israel and globally.

Parallels:

• Revelation 13: Rise of the beast from the sea (political power) and the beast from the earth (religious power).

• Matthew 24:6–7: Jesus speaks of "wars and rumors of wars," aligning with Daniel's ongoing conflict theme.

• Antichrist — a future world leader who:

• Makes a deceptive peace with Israel (Daniel 9:27),

• Breaks that covenant mid-way,

• Persecutes the faithful.

3. The Abomination of Desolation

Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11

• Reference to the stopping of daily sacrifices and the setting up of the "abomination that causes desolation."

Parallels:

• Matthew 24:15: Jesus references this exact phrase from Daniel, linking it to the end times.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4: Paul describes the "man of lawlessness" who sets himself up in God’s temple.

• Revelation 13:14–15: The beast sets up an image to be worshiped under penalty of death.

4. The Time of Great Tribulation

Daniel 12:1

• "There shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been..."

Parallels:

• Matthew 24:21: Jesus: "Then there will be great tribulation..."

• Revelation 7:14: "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation..."

• Revelation 6–16: Series of judgments during the tribulation period

5. Resurrection and Final Judgment

Daniel 12:2–3

• Multitudes asleep in the dust will awake—some to everlasting life, others to shame.

Parallels:

• John 5:28–29: Jesus: "Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."

• Revelation 20:11–15: Great white throne judgment; resurrection of the dead and final separation

• 1 Corinthians 15:52: The resurrection at the last trumpet

6. Sealed Book and Mystery of the End

Daniel 12:4, 9

• Daniel is told to “seal up the words” until the time of the end.

Parallels:

• Revelation 5:1–5: A sealed scroll is presented; only the Lamb can open it.

• Revelation 10:4: John is told not to write what the seven thunders said.

• Revelation 22:10: Unlike Daniel, John is told not to seal the prophecy—“the time is near.”

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Download the Team Happiness Habits Planner

The lecture is based on Alexia Georghiou’s book, The Future of Work is Human and the Future of Success is Happiness on Amazon Prime. Order your copy HERE.

Schedule a discovery call with Alexia Georghiou for a Happiness Habits Keynote for your event HERE.

Take our Strategic Leadership Course for 2.5 PDC for SHRM CP and SCP Recertification Activities: https://knoxvillehappinesscoalition.systeme.io

https://www.knoxvillehappinesscoalition.com

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Alexia Georghiou is a recognized leadership and organizational development consultant who partners with executives to implement values-driven strategies that strengthen culture, enhance performance, and sustain organizational resilience. She is the founder of the Knoxville Happiness Coalition—SHRM Recertification Provider for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. Her book, The Future of Work is Human and the Future of Success is Happiness has been featured at SHRM25, SHRM Talent, TN HR Conference and Expo. Through her V.A.L.U.E.S. Model—Vision, Action, Leadership, Unity, Engagement, and Synthesis—Alexia helps leaders align performance with purpose. She advises executives and HR leaders, writes, and speaks on human-centered leadership rooted in positive psychology.

https://www.knoxvillehappinesscoalition.com

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Daniel 9

• "He" = Antichrist

• The 70th week is a yet-future 7-year tribulation period.

• Antichrist makes a false covenant with Israel, breaks it halfway through (3.5 years), and causes the "abomination of desolation."

• This view often includes the Rapture, the rebuilding of the Temple, and the rise of a global leader.

Aligns with Revelation (chapters 6–19) and Jesus' words in Matthew 24

Key Themes and Connections:

• Covenant: Daniel 9:27 begins with a deceptive peace treaty made by the Antichrist.

• Abomination of Desolation: Central turning point — aligns with Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:15.

• 3.5 years + 3.5 years: Common division in both Daniel (9:27; 7:25; 12:7) and Revelation (11:2–3; 12:6; 13:5).

• Global Leader: The Antichrist mirrors the Beast in Revelation 13.

• Temple Rebuilt: Implied by need for sacrifices to be stopped (Dan. 9:27).

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Daniel 8

Persecuting Power

“A little horn… grew exceedingly great…”(Dan 8:9–12)

“The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words…” (Rev 13:5–7)

“The man of lawlessness… opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god…” (2 Thess 2:3–4)

Desecration of the Temple/Sanctuary

“…the place of his sanctuary was overthrown…” (Dan 8:11)

“…but do not measure the court outside the temple… it is given over to the nations…” (Rev 11:1–2)

“…standing in the holy place, the abomination of desolation…” (Matt 24:15)

Stopping of Sacrifices / Worship

“…it will take away the regular burnt offering…”(Dan 8:11)

“…it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them…”(Rev 13:7)

“…offering false worship… in the temple of God…” (2 Thess 2:4)

Blasphemy / Exalting Himself

“…he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes…”(Dan 8:25)

“It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God…” (Rev 13:6)

“…exalts himself… proclaiming himself to be God…” (2 Thess 2:4)

Tribulation Time Period

“For 2,300 evenings and mornings…”(Dan 8:14)

“...they will trample the holy city for 42 months…” (Rev 11:2); “…1,260 days…” (Rev 12:6)

“…time, times, and half a time…”(Dan 7:25; Rev 12:14)

Antichrist Figure / Archetype

Little horn as type of Antiochus, foreshadowing Antichrist (Dan 8:23–25)

Beast from the sea as a global ruler empowered by Satan (Rev 13:1–8)

“The antichrist… is coming, and now many antichrists have come.”(1 John 2:18)

Divine Judgment and End

“He shall be broken—but by no human hand.” (Dan 8:25)

“The beast was captured… thrown alive into the lake of fire…” (Rev 19:20)

“Whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth…” (2 Thess 2:8)

Heavenly Interpretation / Angelic Guide

Gabriel explains the vision (Dan 8:15–26)

John is guided by angels throughout(Rev 1:1; 17:1; 21:9)

Jesus foretells events with clarity and authority (Matt 24; Luke 21)

Conflict Between Kingdoms

Ram = Medo-Persia; Goat = Greece (Dan 8:20–21)

Beasts represent kingdoms (Rome, revived empire?)(Rev 13, 17)

“The kings of the earth will make war on the Lamb…”(Rev 17:14; cf. Acts 4:26)

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Daniel 7

Revelation

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Daniel 6

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Daniel 5

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Why Empathy in Layoffs Isn’t Just Kindness — It’s Smart BusinessBy Alexia Georghiou

As artificial intelligence and automation continue to reshape the economy, layoffs have become an unsettling new normal. Across industries, companies face tough decisions to reduce headcount in order to stay competitive, adapt to new technologies, and survive economic disruptions. But how organizations handle these layoffs can be the difference between short-term survival and long-term decline.

When Airbnb’s co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky announced a painful 25% workforce reduction in 2020, he did so with a level of transparency, empathy, and accountability that set a new standard. His letter was not just a message — it was a leadership lesson for every executive navigating this era of rapid change.

Why does this matter?

Layoffs don’t just affect the individuals losing their jobs — they ripple across the entire organization, impacting morale, trust, and productivity. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) underscores that empathetic, transparent communication during layoffs reduces employee turnover by up to 25%, lowers legal risks, and increases overall engagement and profitability.

Brian Chesky’s approach to layoffs exemplifies eight key leadership principles that all leaders should embrace:

• Be Transparent: Chesky openly explained the business realities that forced Airbnb’s layoffs. Employees deserve honesty about the “why” behind layoffs — this reduces fear, speculation, and rumor.

• Acknowledge Emotions: Chesky recognized the emotional toll layoffs take and affirmed that affected employees were not at fault. Honoring the human cost preserves dignity and prevents long-term resentment.

• Communicate Thoughtfully: He delivered the news with care and respect, recognizing that tone, timing, and method matter. Thoughtful communication builds goodwill even in difficult times.

• Provide Real Support: Airbnb offered severance, healthcare benefits, and outplacement resources. Offering tangible support is both compassionate and strategic, easing financial stress and protecting company reputation.

• Reinforce Purpose: Chesky connected the layoffs back to Airbnb’s mission of belonging and connection, helping those remaining find meaning and motivation in the transition.

• Show Gratitude: He thanked both departing and remaining employees sincerely, fostering loyalty and resilience at a vulnerable moment.

• Engage the Remaining Team: Chesky committed to ongoing communication and visibility post-layoffs to rebuild trust and maintain focus. This prevents “survivor syndrome” and disengagement.

• Own the Decision: Chesky took full personal responsibility for the layoffs, demonstrating leadership accountability — essential for restoring credibility.

As automation and AI reshape the workforce, the challenge for leaders is not just whether to downsize, but how to do it responsibly. Companies that invest in empathetic layoffs can expect stronger alumni networks, which often lead to future business partnerships, rehires, and positive word-of-mouth that benefit brand reputation.

Moreover, handling layoffs with humanity supports mental health and reduces burnout among remaining employees, helping organizations maintain productivity during times of upheaval. This approach also signals to customers, investors, and the public that the company values people as much as profits—an increasingly important factor in consumer trust and long-term success.

In the coming years, leaders who prioritize empathy during workforce transitions will set themselves apart as forward-thinking and resilient. The way we treat employees in their most vulnerable moments will become a defining measure of leadership and organizational strength.

The question is no longer just about adapting to change but about leading change with compassion. That mindset will determine which companies thrive in the age of AI—and which become relics of a less human era.

Make Empathy the cool thing by supporting my proposal for SXSW. Just click the ❤️

Exit with Empathy: Rethinking Layoffs

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DANIEL 4

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DANIEL

Revelation 13

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Philippians 3

5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[o] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Read along PHILIPPIANS

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When we feel nervous—before a presentation, during a conflict, or while managing social anxiety—simple physical strategies can have a powerful effect. One scientifically supported method involves applying ice or cold water to specific areas of the body to calm the nervous system. This can enhance emotional regulation and improve conversations.

How Ice Calms the Nervous System

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Cold exposure can stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a major role in calming stress responses. A higher vagal tone is linked with better emotional regulation and resilience. This connection is explored in both psychiatric and inflammatory contexts.

More Practical Applications for Using Ice to Calm the Nervous System

• Facial Dunk Method: Fill a bowl with cold water and ice, then submerge your face for 10–15 seconds. This strongly activates the dive reflex and is especially effective before stressful conversations.

• Ice Cube Holding: Hold an ice cube tightly in your hand for 30–60 seconds. Focus on the sensation to help ground yourself before or during a conversation.

• Cold Pack on Pulse Points: Apply a cold pack or chilled object to areas like the neck, wrists, or inner elbows. These spots allow quicker cooling effects and subtle calming during social interactions.

• Emergency Cool-Down: If overwhelmed mid-conversation, excuse yourself briefly and apply cold to your face or neck in a private space to reset your nervous system.

• Portable Tools: Carry a small ice pack or cold compress in a lunch cooler or bag for planned stressful events like public speaking or important meetings.

Source: Breit, S., Kupferberg, A., Rogler, G., & Hasler, G. (2018). Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 44. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044/full

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ROMANS 1-8

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2JOHN 3JOHN

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1JOHN

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2Peter

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1PETER

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2 Thessalonians

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Thessalonians

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James

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2Timothy

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1Timothy 1-6

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PHILEMON

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TITUS

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Picture the night sky. Stars scattered across the darkness seem random at first glance, but when you pause and trace the patterns, you see constellations—guides that have steered humanity for centuries. These patterns weren’t fixed; they shifted with perspectives and needs, evolving as people looked at them from different angles.

Now, think of your life. Your purpose isn’t a single, unchanging North Star. It’s a constellation—a collection of moments, relationships, and choices. It doesn’t tell you exactly where to go or what to do, but it gives you direction. And at the center of this constellation is your compass: your purpose.

Learn more about my Keynote Hold your Kryptonite: What Paint Taught Me About Purpose

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JOHN 15-21

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Galatians 5:13-26

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[ao] 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Read along ➡️GALATIANS

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COLOSSIANS

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JUDE

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JOHN 13-14

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EPHESIANS NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

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Ruth 1-4

The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah

1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

4 Ram the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

6 and Jesse the father of King David.

The story of Ruth, found in the Book of Ruth in the Bible, is about a Moabite woman who, through her faithfulness and loyalty, is redeemed and honored by God.

Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi, an Israelite woman. After Naomi’s husband and two sons died, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem from Moab, urging her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab. However, Ruth refused to leave Naomi, saying, "Where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). This act of devotion demonstrated Ruth's strong faith in God, even as a foreigner.

Once in Bethlehem, Ruth provided for herself and Naomi by gleaning in the fields. She happened to work in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband. Boaz noticed Ruth’s kindness to Naomi and treated her with favor. Following Naomi’s advice, Ruth approached Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer—an Israelite practice allowing a close relative to marry a widow to protect her family’s lineage. Boaz, moved by Ruth’s loyalty and virtue, agreed to marry her.

God honored Ruth’s faith by allowing her to become the great-grandmother of King David, placing her in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Despite being a Moabite, Ruth’s devotion to God and her love for Naomi led to her redemption, and she was woven into the very lineage of Israel’s greatest king and the Messiah.

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John 10-12

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Judges 1-21

Judges 2:20-23 (NLT):

So the Lord burned with anger against Israel. He said, “Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands, I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the Lord as their ancestors did.” That is why the Lord left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all.

Judges 3:1-4 (NLT):

These are the nations that the Lord left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle. These are the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath. These people were left to test the Israelites—to see whether they would obey the commands the Lord had given to their ancestors through Moses.

The consequences for Israel not driving out the people of Canaan as God commanded are detailed in several parts of the Book of Judges. The Israelites' failure to fully obey God's command resulted in severe spiritual and social consequences. These include their entanglement with the pagan nations and their practices, which led to idolatry and divine punishment. Here are key passages that describe these consequences:

Judges 2:1-3 (NLT):

The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said to the Israelites, "I brought you out of Egypt into this land that I swore to give your ancestors, and I said I would never break my covenant with you. For your part, you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this? So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you."

Consequence: The Canaanite nations became a source of constant trouble for Israel, and the foreign gods would continually lead them into temptation and idolatry.

Judges 2:11-15 (NLT):

The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal. They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. They abandoned the Lord to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. This made the Lord burn with anger against Israel, so he handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. Every time Israel went out to battle, the Lord fought against them, causing them to be defeated, just as he had warned. And the people were in great distress.

Consequence: Because of their idolatry and disobedience, the Israelites suffered defeat at the hands of their enemies and were oppressed. The Lord withdrew His protection and allowed their enemies to overpower them.

Judges 3:5-8 (NLT):

So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and they intermarried with them. Israelite sons married their daughters, and Israelite daughters were given in marriage to their sons. And the Israelites served their gods. The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. They forgot about the Lord their God, and they served the images of Baal and the Asherah poles. Then the Lord burned with anger against Israel, and he turned them over to King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim. And the Israelites were subject to Cushan-rishathaim for eight years.

Consequence: By living among and intermarrying with the Canaanites, the Israelites were led into idolatry. As a result, God allowed them to be conquered and oppressed by foreign rulers.

Judges 10:13-14 (NLT):

Yet you have abandoned me and served other gods. So I will not rescue you anymore. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!"

Consequence: As a result of Israel's persistent idolatry, God temporarily refused to deliver them, telling them to seek help from the false gods they had chosen to serve.

These passages illustrate how Israel’s failure to fully obey God’s command to drive out the inhabitants of the land resulted in idolatry, oppression, and suffering. The foreign nations became "thorns in their sides" (Judges 2:3), leading them away from the covenant with God and into cycles of judgment and distress.

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Joshua 1-24

The land promised to the Israelites in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Joshua, roughly corresponds to a region that spans several modern-day countries in the Middle East. In the Book of Joshua, this "Promised Land" includes the area from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea and extends from Lebanon in the north to the Sinai Peninsula in the south.

Here’s how this biblical region maps onto current-day countries:

1. Israel:

• Much of modern-day Israel is part of the land described in the Book of Joshua. The central and southern parts of Israel, including cities like Jerusalem, Hebron, and Jericho, were key territories.

• The coastal plains along the Mediterranean, including areas like Jaffa (modern-day Tel Aviv), are part of this land.

2. Palestine (West Bank and Gaza Strip):

• Parts of the West Bank, including cities such as Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jericho, are also part of the land described.

• Gaza, where the Philistines lived, was part of the Promised Land’s coastal region.

3. Jordan:

• Eastern Jordan, particularly areas to the east of the Jordan River, such as the region of Gilead, Ammon, and Moab, are part of the biblical descriptions. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settled in this area.

4. Lebanon:

• The northern boundary of the Promised Land extended into parts of Lebanon, particularly the areas south of the Litani River and the region around Mount Hermon.

5. Syria:

• Parts of southern Syria, particularly near the Golan Heights and the Bashan region, are included in the northern boundary of the land described in Joshua.

6. Egypt (Sinai Peninsula):

• The southernmost extent of the Promised Land, according to some biblical descriptions, includes parts of the Sinai Peninsula, which is today part of Egypt.

Key Areas in Modern Countries:

• Israel and Palestine: Most of the land described as the Promised Land, including Jerusalem, Jericho, Hebron, and the coastal cities, are within modern Israel and the Palestinian territories.

• Jordan: Eastern areas, like Ammon and Moab, where the tribes of Israel settled east of the Jordan River.

• Lebanon: The far northern boundary touches southern Lebanon, especially near Mount Hermon.

• Syria: Southern Syria, around the Golan Heights and Bashan.

• Egypt: The southernmost border may have included parts of the Sinai Peninsula.

The Promised Land described in the Book of Joshua spans territories that are today part of Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt. The specific boundaries are subject to interpretation, but these countries broadly correspond to the areas outlined in the biblical text.

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Revelation 1-22

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JOHN 1-9

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Happiness Through Obedience to the Beatitudes

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) describe the attitudes and actions that bring true happiness or "blessedness" in God's kingdom. This happiness is not based on external circumstances but on a heart transformed by God—humble, merciful, pure, and seeking righteousness.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Nearness to Jesus Produces the Fruit of Joy

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), meaning it naturally grows when we walk with God. As we live in obedience and abide in Christ, His Spirit fills us with joy.

Meaning of Makarios (μακάριος):

• It means "blessed, happy, fortunate"

In classical Greek, it was sometimes used to describe the gods (who were thought to be free from earthly troubles), but in the Bible, it speaks of divine joy and fulfillment.

Makarios" in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11)

Jesus uses makarios nine times in the Beatitudes to describe those who are blessed in God's kingdom:

• "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι) – Matthew 5:3

• "Blessed are those who mourn" (μακάριοι οἱ πενθοῦντες) – Matthew 5:4

• "Blessed are the meek" (μακάριοι οἱ πραεῖς) – Matthew 5:5

Abiding in Jesus Leads to True Joy

Obedience to Jesus’ teachings, including the Beatitudes, is how we abide (remain) in Him. In John 15, Jesus compares Himself to the vine and believers to branches—only by staying connected to Him can we bear fruit.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:10-11)

When we obey Jesus and live out the Beatitudes, we stay close to Him and experience His joy, which is greater than worldly happiness.

John 15:4-11

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Galatians 5:22-23- Fruit of the Spirit produced by abiding

Nearness to Jesus Produces the Fruit of Joy

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), meaning it naturally grows when we walk with God. As we live in obedience and abide in Christ, His Spirit fills us with joy—not just temporary happiness, but a deep, lasting joy that sustains us even in trials.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

The Greek word for "joy" in Galatians 5:22 (which lists the fruit of the Spirit) is "χαρά" (chara).

Meaning of Chara (χαρά):

• It refers to gladness, joy, delight, or rejoicing.

• It is often associated with spiritual joy—a deep, abiding sense of well-being that comes from God, rather than from external circumstances.

• The root word is "χάρις" (charis), meaning "grace," showing that joy is closely connected to God's grace.

Abiding is obedience to the beatitudes, which literally means happiness in Latin.

The Beatitudes are a series of blessings spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12) and the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-23). The word "Beatitude" comes from the Latin beatus, meaning "blessed" or "happy." They describe the attitudes and characteristics of those who are blessed by God and provide a vision of the values of God's kingdom.

Matthew 5:3-12

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

• Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

• Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

• Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

The Beatitudes emphasize humility, mercy, righteousness, and peace, reflecting the heart of Jesus' teachings. They contrast worldly values with the values of God's kingdom, showing that true happiness and blessing come not from power or wealth, but from faithfulness, compassion, and dependence on God.

Summary: The Path to True Joy

• Follow the Beatitudes → Cultivate a heart that aligns with God’s kingdom.

• Abide in Jesus → Stay connected to Him through obedience and love.

• Bear the Fruit of Joy → The Holy Spirit produces lasting joy as we walk in faith.

If true joy comes from abiding in Jesus and living in alignment with God’s kingdom, then what happens when we try to find fulfillment in isolation or the wrong sources? The Rat Park experiment provides a powerful parallel.

In early addiction studies, rats placed in solitary cages were given a choice between regular water and drug-laced water. Deprived of social connection and stimulation, many chose the drug, often to the point of self-destruction. But when placed in Rat Park—a rich, communal environment where they could interact and thrive—the same rats largely ignored the drug. Their surroundings shaped their desires.

Likewise, when we disconnect from God and community, we may seek fulfillment in fleeting pleasures that can never satisfy. But Jesus calls us to abide in Him, where true and lasting joy is found. Just as the rats in Rat Park thrived in a nourishing environment, we flourish when we stay rooted in Christ, walking in faith and bearing the fruit of joy through the Holy Spirit.

MORE NOTES FROM THE EPISODE

Deuteronomy is considered the last message of Moses. It consists of a series of speeches he delivered to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. In these speeches, Moses restates the law, reminds the people of their covenant with God, and warns them to remain faithful. The book ends with Moses blessing the tribes of Israel and his death on Mount Nebo.

Since Moses dies at the end of Deuteronomy, this marks his final words and farewell to the people of Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20, God commands that when Israel appoints a king, he must write a copy of the law (Deuteronomy) and read it daily to ensure he rules justly and follows God's commands. Here’s what the passage says:

"When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel." (Deuteronomy 17:18-20, NIV)

This command was meant to ensure that the king remained humble, obedient to God, and governed wisely according to divine law.

Joshua 1:8 (NIV):

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

This verse is God's command to Joshua after Moses' death, instructing him to meditate on and obey the Book of the Law(which includes Deuteronomy and the other books of Moses). It emphasizes the importance of continually studying and applying God's word to experience success and blessings.

Romans 12:2:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2, NIV)

This verse encourages believers to reject worldly influences and instead allow their minds to be renewed through God's truth. Transformation comes through aligning one's thoughts with God's will, leading to a changed life that reflects His purposes.

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Psalms 37-76

Psalms 1-36 Reading

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Deuteronomy 13-34

The Death of Moses

34 Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; 2 all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea; 3 the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho—the city of palms—as far as Zoar. 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.”

5 So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. 6 The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. 7 Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. 8 The people of Israel mourned for Moses on the plains of Moab for thirty days, until the customary period of mourning was over.

9 Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

10 There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. 11 The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. 12 With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel.

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Deuteronomy 1-12

Deuteronomy 3:23-26

23 "At that time I pleaded with the LORD and said, 24 ‘O Sovereign LORD, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great deeds and mighty acts as you do? 25 Please let me cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon mountains.’ 26 But the LORD was angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me. ‘That’s enough!’ he declared. ‘Speak of it no more.’"

When I read this, I felt Moses’ grief.

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AI Transcript from the Webinar

Quick recap-The meeting focused on the importance of self-awareness, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence in managing stress and promoting resilience. The discussion also covered the impact of stress on mental and physical health, the role of self-accountability and self-discipline in achieving personal goals, and the concept of the "Jacuzzi effect" in enhancing self-care activities. The conversation ended with a discussion on the difference between stress and trauma, and the importance of time management as energy management for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Next steps• Implement micro-positive actions to counteract micro-stressors in daily life.• Focus on developing emotional intelligence and authentic communication in the workplace.• Apply the concept of energy management instead of traditional time management.• Practice self-reflection to identify personal stressors and strengths.• Review and apply the concepts discussed in Dr. Ash's book on stress management and the "Jacuzzi effect".

Summary

Chronic Stress and Brain Function-In the meeting, Dr. Ash discussed the concept of chronic stress and its effects on individuals, likening it to the boiling frog analogy. He emphasized the importance of self-awareness and boundaries in recognizing stressors in the environment. Dr. Ash also explained the roles of the right and left hemispheres of the brain in managing stress, with the right hemisphere involved in creativity, emotions, and self-awareness, and the left hemisphere in planning, logic, and execution. He highlighted the significance of the prefrontal cortex, which can be negatively affected by prolonged stress, leading to dysregulation of the limbic system and potential chaos. The conversation ended with a discussion on the impact of stress on memory, specifically mentioning the hippocampus.

Mindfulness and Emotional Awareness in Stress-Alexia and Dr discussed the importance of mindfulness and emotional awareness in managing stress and promoting resilience. Alexia emphasized the need to be present in the moment, aware of one's thoughts and emotions, and to take breaks to prevent burnout. Dr explained that mindfulness helps to stay in the present moment, away from past regrets or future anxieties, and that it can be practiced through deep breathing and naming one's emotions. They also touched on the importance of emotional intelligence, which involves being comfortable with one's emotions and being able to recognize and regulate them.

Managing Stress for Well-Being-Dr. discussed the importance of managing stress, highlighting that high levels of stress can negatively affect the prefrontal cortex and lead to emotional dysregulation, mental health issues, and physical diseases. He emphasized that stress management is crucial for overall well-being and can even help reverse conditions like diabetes. Alexia then shifted the discussion to understanding individual stress tolerance and optimal performance levels, using the boiling frog framework as a guide. The team agreed on the need for self-reflection and awareness to determine the right amount of stress for each individual.

Mindfulness and Self-Reflection in Coaching-Alexia discussed her recent experience with a heart scan and how it made her realize the importance of self-reflection and mindfulness. She shared how she had been struggling with stress and heart rate issues, but had made an adjustment to practice more mindfulness and coping strategies. Dr emphasized the role of a trusted coach or friend in helping others see their blind spots and grow. He also highlighted the importance of starting with one's strengths, as per Gallup's 34 skills, and how a coach can guide in identifying these strengths and blind spots.

Self-Accountability and Stress Management-Dr. discussed the importance of self-accountability and self-discipline in managing stress and achieving personal goals. He emphasized the need to avoid blame and excuses, and to take full responsibility for one's actions. He also highlighted the challenges of living in a world with an abundance of information and the need for focus and attention to make meaningful changes in life. Alexia agreed with Dr.'s advice to be mindful while engaging in activities, especially driving, and to limit distractions to avoid negative consequences.

Emotional Intelligence and Mental Well-Being-In the meeting, Dr. discussed the importance of emotional intelligence and its impact on our well-being. He explained that emotions have frequencies and that a balance of positive and negative emotions is crucial for mental health. He cited the work of Barbara Fredrickson, who suggests that a 1:1 ratio of positive to negative emotions is necessary for survival, while a 3:1 ratio leads to thriving. Dr. also shared his personal experience of dealing with high levels of stress and how he adapted to the situation by focusing on hope and purpose. He emphasized the importance of making choices in response to challenging situations and shared examples from the books "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl and "The Choice" by Edith Eger.

Managing Stress and Energy for Productivity-Alexia and Dr discussed the importance of managing stress and energy to prevent burnout. They emphasized the need to align with one's core values, strengths, and energy levels to achieve productivity and happiness. Alexia suggested reflecting on what fuels and drains her energy, while Dr recommended using tools like the Clifton Strengths Finder, VIA character strengths, and the MBTI personality inventory to better understand oneself. They also highlighted the importance of delegating tasks to those with complementary strengths. The conversation concluded with the importance of investing time in understanding one's strengths and how to work together as a team to enhance productivity and creativity.

Managing Micro-Stressors and Psychological Safety-Dr. discussed the concept of "boiling frogs" to illustrate the impact of stress on individuals. He explained that stressors, like a frog in boiling water, can gradually wear down a person's mental and emotional well-being. Dr. emphasized the importance of recognizing and managing micro-stressors, which can accumulate and have a significant impact on one's life. He suggested leveraging strengths, values, and connections to counteract these stressors. Alexia agreed, noting the need for intentional focus on strengths and values to maintain psychological safety and purpose. Dr. concluded by acknowledging the time constraint and promising to answer Alexia's question about his background.

Exploring Self-Care and Work-Life Balance-Inthe meeting, Dr. Ash discussed the concept of the "Jacuzzi effect," which refers to the synergy and connection that can be experienced when engaging in self-care activities, such as taking a relaxing bath. He emphasized the importance of self-care and reflection in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Dr. Ash also shared his personal journey of choosing not to pursue a career in medicine due to the high burnout rate among doctors. He encouraged the participants to consider time management as energy management and to prioritize their own well-being. The conversation ended with a discussion on the difference between stress and trauma, with Dr. Ash explaining that trauma is an event that can cause stress and related illnesses, but can also lead to post-traumatic growth.

Dr. Ash Kumar, MD, MBA, is a renowned physician, author, and stress management expert. With a unique approach that bridges Western medicine and Eastern spirituality, Dr. Kumar has helped individuals and organizations achieve resilience and well-being. He is the author of The Boiling Frog, a transformative guide to managing chronic stress and thriving in a high-pressure world. Through his books, video courses, and coaching programs, Dr. Kumar empowers people to lead healthier and more intentional lives.

Order Dr. Ash's book and workbook today:

THE BOILING FROG: 21 STRATEGIES TO TRANSFORM STRESS INTO STRENGTH & COMFORT

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Numbers 19-36

Red HeiferNumbers 19

The story of Moses striking the rock is found in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 20:7-11. In this passage, Moses, following God's command, is supposed to speak to the rock to bring forth water for the Israelites. However, in frustration with the people's complaints, Moses strikes the rock twice with his staff instead. Water does flow from the rock, but God expresses displeasure with Moses for not following His instructions precisely and for not demonstrating His holiness to the Israelites. This incident has significant consequences for Moses and his leadership.

Numbers 35:34 “You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.”

Numbers 33:55-56 provides a clear warning from God about the consequences of not driving out the inhabitants of the Promised Land. Here’s the passage:

55 But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live. 56 And I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.

In this passage, God warns the Israelites that if they fail to remove the inhabitants of Canaan, those people will become a source of ongoing trouble, leading the Israelites away from God's commands. As a result, God would bring upon the Israelites the same judgment that was intended for the Canaanites.

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Numbers 1-18

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Leviticus 1-27

"With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever."— Hebrews 9:12

"Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf." — Hebrews 7:25

Matthew 26:28: "for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many."

Romans 3:25: "For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,"

Ephesians 1:7: "He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins."

Ephesians 2:13: "But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ."

Colossians 1:20: "and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross."

Hebrews 9:14: "Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins."

Hebrews 10:19: "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus."

1 Peter 1:18-19: "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."

1 John 1:7: "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."

These verses highlight the significance of the blood of Jesus in the context of atonement, redemption, and reconciliation with God.

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MARK 1-16

The Gospel of Mark is traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of the Apostle Peter. Early Christian writers, such as Papias of Hierapolis (around 120-130 AD), state that Mark acted as Peter's interpreter and recorded his accounts of Jesus' life and teachings.

John Mark appears several times in the New Testament:

• Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:37-39:

• John Mark is first mentioned as the son of Mary, whose house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for early Christians (Acts 12:12).

• He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys but left them early on, which caused a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:13; 15:37-39). This disagreement led to Paul and Barnabas parting ways, with Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus.

• Colossians 4:10:

• Paul refers to Mark as the cousin of Barnabas and indicates that he is with him, giving instructions to welcome Mark if he comes to them.

• Philemon 1:24:

• Mark is listed among Paul's fellow workers, showing that their relationship had been restored.

• 2 Timothy 4:11:

• Paul asks Timothy to bring Mark with him because he is helpful in his ministry, indicating Mark's continued significance in the early Christian community.

These references collectively portray John Mark as a significant figure in the early Christian movement, despite his initial departure from Paul's mission. His eventual reconciliation with Paul and continued missionary work highlight his dedication and contribution to the spread of Christianity.

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Joel 1-3

Amos 1-9

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Exodus 21-40

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Seligman (2011) hypothesized that PERMA (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) are the elements of well-being. We tie in PERMA to Goal Setting and Happiness.

Subscribe to my newsletter for content to be sent direct to your mailbox. Check out the archive section to review the library of podcasts, articles and videos of professional development content.

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Exodus 1-20

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Genesis 31-50

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Read along in Bible Gateway

Revelation 1:3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

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Everyone has a happiness story. I share mine and how happiness habits helped me overcome obstacles in my life.

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Genesis 1-30

Sodom and Gomorrah

The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.”

“No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”

But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”

“Get out of our way,” they replied. “This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.

But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.

The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”

So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.

With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”

When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please! Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.”

He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar.)

By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land.

But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.

So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

Genesis 19

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Jonah 1-4

Jesus refers to Jonah being the only sign in Matthew 12:39-41:

"But Jesus replied, 'Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.'"

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Matthew 1-28

I wept when I got to the part when the woman prepares Jesus for burial with the alabaster box of perfume; and continued to read. May you experience the reality of the crucifixion and His sacrifice for us with me as I read to the end tearfully and choked up. My glasses were fogging up!

These readings are all unedited and each in one sitting. I post one a week; however I have been reading one a day, making for intense revelation as I immerse myself in the Word of God.

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Matthew 26:6-13

The alabaster box of perfume poured on Jesus, often identified as containing spikenard (John 12:3), is described in the Bible as very costly. The value of the perfume is estimated at 300 denarii, which was roughly equivalent to a year's wages for a laborer at that time. Due to its rarity and the labor-intensive process required to extract the oil, spikenard was very expensive. It was often kept in alabaster jars, which helped preserve its fragrance and quality. The price of spikenard was so high that it was typically reserved for royalty or religious purposes, indicating its significant worth and luxury status. It was known for its therapeutic properties and was used in traditional medicine for various ailments.

To estimate its value in today's dollars, we can use a rough equivalent of a year's wages for a laborer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a laborer in 2023 was approximately $40,000.

Therefore, the value of the alabaster box of perfume in today's dollars would be roughly equivalent to $40,000.

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Isaiah 34-66

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Isaiah 1-33

Look! The Lord is about to destroy the earth and make it a vast wasteland. He devastates the surface of the earth and scatters the people. Priests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared. The earth will be completely emptied and looted. The Lord has spoken!

The earth mourns and dries up, and the land wastes away and withers. Even the greatest people on earth waste away. The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin. They are destroyed by fire, and only a few are left alive.

The grapevines waste away, and there is no new wine. All the merrymakers sigh and mourn. The cheerful sound of tambourines is stilled; the happy cries of celebration are heard no more. The melodious chords of the harp are silent. Gone are the joys of wine and song; alcoholic drink turns bitter in the mouth. The city writhes in chaos; every home is locked to keep out intruders. Mobs gather in the streets, crying out for wine. Joy has turned to gloom. Gladness has been banished from the land. The city is left in ruins, its gates battered down. Throughout the earth the story is the same—only a remnant is left, like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest.

But all who are left shout and sing for joy. Those in the west praise the Lord’s majesty. In eastern lands, give glory to the Lord. In the lands beyond the sea, praise the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth, songs that give glory to the Righteous One! But my heart is heavy with grief. Weep for me, for I wither away. Deceit still prevails, and treachery is everywhere.

Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, you people of the earth. Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap, and those who escape the trap will be caught in a snare. Destruction falls like rain from the heavens; the foundations of the earth shake. The earth has broken up. It has utterly collapsed; it is violently shaken. The earth staggers like a drunk. It trembles like a tent in a storm. It falls and will not rise again, for the guilt of its rebellion is very heavy.

In that day the Lord will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. They will be rounded up and put in prison. They will be shut up in prison and will finally be punished. Then the glory of the moon will wane, and the brightness of the sun will fade, for the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will rule on Mount Zion. He will rule in great glory in Jerusalem, in the sight of all the leaders of his people.

Isaiah 24

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1st JOHN

Warning about Antichrists

18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit,[h] and all of you know the truth. 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.[i] Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.[j] 23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24 So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. 25 And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

26 I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit,[k] and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit[l] teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

Discerning False Prophets

4 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 2 This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet[s] acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. 3 But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.

4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 5 Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 6 But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.

2nd JOHN

3rd JOHN

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1 Thessalonians

The Hope of the Resurrection

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[n] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[o] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died[p] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

5 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,[q] we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.[r] 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

2 Thessalonians

Events prior to the Lord’s Second Coming

2 Now, dear brothers and sisters,[e] let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness[f] is revealed—the one who brings destruction.[g]4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

5 Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.

9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

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Summary of Key Points:

Understanding ADHD and Burnout: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms like inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that appear in multiple life settings and begin before age 12. Burnout, by contrast, results from workplace stress, causing exhaustion, reduced efficacy, and detachment, and can improve with rest.

Approaching Mental Health Conversations: Leaders can encourage openness around mental health by starting confidential, non-judgmental discussions with employees. Offering support and normalizing mental health topics reduces stigma and fosters a safe environment.

Actionable Step for Leaders: Regular mental health check-ins are one effective action, providing employees with the chance to discuss workload, challenges, and well-being. Avoid discussing only performance to keep the focus on support.

Building a Supportive Culture: Leaders should encourage work-life balance, model openness about mental health, and provide resources like workshops or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Regular feedback, clear expectations, and reduced overload help employees feel engaged and focused.

Benefits of a Mental Health-Focused Workplace: Supporting mental health enhances engagement, reduces distractions, lowers burnout, and boosts productivity.

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Optimism, often defined as the tendency to expect favorable outcomes, is not merely a disposition but a powerful tool that can significantly enhance one's overall sense of well-being. The relationship between optimism and happiness is profound, with numerous studies highlighting the positive impact of cultivating a positive outlook on life. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of optimism, how it can be nurtured, and the transformative effect it can have on our happiness.

Subscribe to my newsletter for content to be sent direct to your mailbox. Check out the archive section to review the library of podcasts, articles and videos of professional development content.

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This one chapter book of the Bible speaks clearly to our current spiritual state in modern Christianity. JUDE must be read aloud in every church service by pastors and priests in every Christian denomination. Then, Bible study must follow with conversations, and correction in love. Read it as your next sermon!

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The following could be signs you are experiencing burnout:

7 Signs of Burnout:

• Chronic fatigue or lack of energy, even after rest.

• Increased irritability or frustration over minor issues.

• Decreased productivity or difficulty concentrating.

• Withdrawal from social interactions or workplace activities.

• Frequent physical symptoms like headaches, stomach issues, or muscle tension.

• Loss of motivation or feeling disengaged from work or personal life.

• Cynicism or a negative attitude toward tasks or responsibilities.

Burnout is a medical condition and an occupational phenomenon. As an employee, learn what you can do to recover.

✅ BURNOUT TIPS TO SHARE #burnoutbeegone🐝

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PROVERBS gives us wisdom and understanding, helping us with our decision making skills.

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Mental Health Hygiene Practices:

• Emotional Awareness: Acknowledge when feelings of insecurity arise and observe how they affect your mental state.

• Stress Reduction Through Empathy: Shift focus from competition to empathy to reduce stress and build emotional resilience.

• Mental Safe Spaces: Create environments—at work or in your community—where people feel safe to share openly, free from judgment.

• Supportive Communication: Practice mindful communication that reduces emotional strain, encourages growth, and enhances mutual trust.

Actionable Commitments for Mental Hygiene:

• Recognize moments when insecurity impacts your mental state and shift to a supportive mindset.

• Practice empathy and active listening to reduce mental strain in conversations and relationships.

• Foster a mentally healthy culture where people feel comfortable being vulnerable and supportive.

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Philemon

Leadership Hack: How to ask when we need something done without coercion.

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HALT Acronym for Self-Care

A quick check-in tool to assess emotional and physical needs:

• Hungry: Reflect on whether you’re properly nourishing your body.Tip: Regular meals with balanced nutrition help maintain energy levels.

• Angry: Be aware of stress or frustration affecting your mood.Tip: Use techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, or exercise to manage anger.

• Lonely: Recognize feelings of isolation or disconnection.Tip: Strengthen relationships and seek social support when feeling isolated.

• Tired: Monitor your sleep patterns and energy levels.Tip: Prioritize adequate sleep and regular breaks for rest.

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Follow along with me HERE.

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1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A framework for understanding human motivation and mental health. The hierarchy consists of five levels:

• Physiological Needs: Basic necessities like food, water, sleep, and shelter.Tip: Ensure proper rest and nutrition for physical well-being.

• Safety Needs: Security in health, finances, job, and personal safety.Tip: Focus on job stability, financial security, and a safe environment.

• Love/Belonging Needs: Social connections, relationships, and community.Tip: Maintain supportive relationships and seek a sense of belonging.

• Esteem Needs: Self-respect, recognition, and achievements.Tip: Build confidence and recognize your professional and personal accomplishments.

• Self-Actualization: Personal growth, creativity, and fulfillment.Tip: Strive for continuous learning and reaching your potential.

This cheat sheet can help you stay aware of both your mental health needs and self-care practices!

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1 Timothy

2 Timothy

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• Morning: Start with Positivity

• Minimize News and Social Media:

• Begin your day by avoiding negative influences from news or social media. This helps create a positive mindset and reduces stress or anxiety.

• Instead, engage in something uplifting like a few moments of gratitude, meditation, or listening to an inspiring podcast or music.

• Inspiration from: Shawn Achor (Author of The Happiness Advantage), who emphasizes the power of starting your day on a positive note to cultivate happiness and success.

• Midday: Gratitude Journaling

• Journal Three Things You Are Grateful For:

• Take a short break in your day to write down three things you are grateful for. Reflect on these positive aspects of your life.

• Spend 10 uninterrupted minutes focusing on these thoughts to reinforce positivity and reduce stress.

• Credit to: Shawn Achor, for emphasizing the importance of gratitude in promoting happiness and well-being.

• Evening: Unplug and Reflect

• Put Away All Electronic Devices:

• Before going to sleep, turn off and put away all electronic devices to reduce distractions and promote better sleep.

• Journal Three Things That Went Well:

• Reflect on your day by writing down three things that went well, no matter how big or small.

• Inspiration from: Martin Seligman (Founder of Positive Psychology), who developed the “Three Good Things” exercise to increase positive emotions and well-being.

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Jesus was moved by compassion to feed people, heal people, raise people from the dead, shepherd them and teach. Are we moved by deadlines, ego, money, church growth, people pleasing? Be filled with the Holy Spirit to BE moved with compassion and do the works Jesus did.

KJV

Matthew 14:14: "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick."

Matthew 15:32: "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."

Matthew 9:36: “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

Mark 1:41: “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean."

Luke 7:13: "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not."

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Who was Luke?

Luke is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Key points about Luke include:

• Physician:

• Luke is described as a physician, as noted in Colossians 4:14: "Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you."

• Companion of Paul:

• Luke was a companion of the Apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys. This is evident from the "we" passages in Acts, which suggest that the author was a participant in the events.

• Gentile:

• Luke is often thought to be a Gentile (non-Jew), making him unique among the New Testament writers. This perspective might have influenced the universal themes in his writings.

Luke, traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, was not a direct eyewitness of Jesus during his earthly ministry. Instead, Luke compiled his Gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles based on meticulous research and interviews with those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection.

Here’s how Luke's approach to witnessing Jesus can be understood:

• Historical Investigation: Luke explicitly states his methodology at the beginning of his Gospel. He writes to Theophilus, stating that he has "carefully investigated everything from the beginning" and has "decided to write an orderly account" (Luke 1:1-4). This indicates that Luke gathered information from various sources, including eyewitness testimonies.

• Eyewitness Testimonies: While Luke himself was not a direct eyewitness, he had access to those who were. He likely interviewed and consulted with apostles, disciples, and others who had personal encounters with Jesus. This allowed him to compile a thorough and accurate narrative of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection.

• Companionship with Paul: Luke traveled extensively with the apostle Paul during his missionary journeys (as indicated by the "we" passages in Acts, where the narrative shifts to the first person plural). While this does not provide firsthand knowledge of Jesus' ministry, it gave Luke a deep understanding of early Christian teachings and the spread of the gospel.

• Divine Inspiration: Like all Scripture, Luke's writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While Luke’s Gospel and Acts are grounded in historical research, they are also guided by divine inspiration to ensure accuracy and theological significance.

The Gospel of Luke emphasizes several main themes, reflecting its unique perspective and theological concerns. Here are some of the key themes:

• Jesus as the Savior for All People:

• Luke portrays Jesus as the universal Savior, emphasizing that his message and salvation are available to all, including Gentiles, Samaritans, women, the poor, and sinners.

• The Role of the Holy Spirit:

• The Holy Spirit is prominently featured throughout Luke, from the announcement of Jesus' birth to his ministry and beyond. The Spirit's guidance and empowerment are central themes.

• Compassion for the Marginalized:

• Luke highlights Jesus' compassion and outreach to the poor, the oppressed, women, children, and social outcasts. Parables like the Good Samaritan and stories such as Zacchaeus underscore this theme.

• Prayer and Devotion:

• Jesus' example of prayer and teaching on the importance of prayer are significant in Luke. The gospel includes several unique prayers and parables about persistence in prayer.

• Joy and Praise:

• The theme of joy is prevalent, especially in the early chapters, with songs like Mary’s Magnificat and the angels' announcement to the shepherds. Praise and rejoicing in God's actions are frequent.

• Salvation History and Fulfillment of Scripture:

• Luke often connects Jesus' life and ministry to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and God's overarching plan for salvation history, emphasizing continuity with Israel's story.

• Discipleship and Following Jesus:

• The gospel calls for a radical commitment to discipleship, highlighting the cost of following Jesus and the call to take up one's cross.

• The Reversal of Fortunes:

• Luke frequently portrays a reversal of social and spiritual fortunes, where the humble are exalted, and the proud are brought low, aligning with Jesus' message about the Kingdom of God.

These themes collectively underscore Luke's theological message about who Jesus is, the nature of his mission, and the inclusive scope of God's salvation. In the Gospel of Luke, the events before Jesus' journey to Jerusalem encompass a significant portion of the text. Luke can be roughly divided into sections based on Jesus' geographic and thematic movements. The division relating to Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is particularly clear in Luke's narrative structure.

• Introduction and Infancy Narratives (Chapters 1-2):

• These chapters cover the announcements and births of John the Baptist and Jesus, as well as Jesus' early childhood.

• Preparation for Ministry (Chapters 3-4):

• John the Baptist's ministry, Jesus' baptism, genealogy, and temptation in the wilderness are described here.

• Galilean Ministry (Chapters 4-9):

• This section details Jesus' teachings, miracles, and interactions while ministering in Galilee.

• Journey to Jerusalem (Chapters 9-19):

• Starting in Luke 9:51, when Jesus resolutely sets out for Jerusalem, this section follows his travels and teachings on the way to the city.

The time frame from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he rides a donkey, to his crucifixion is generally understood to be about one week. This period is known as Holy Week or Passion Week in Christian tradition.

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is described in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 19. Specifically, the narrative can be found in Luke 19:28-44. This passage includes Jesus instructing his disciples to find a colt, his entry into Jerusalem riding the colt, and the crowd's reaction, which includes spreading cloaks on the road and shouting praises.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the key events and their traditional timeline Luke 19-24:

• Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday):

• Day: Sunday

• Event: Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Crowds welcome him with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna!"

• Events in Jerusalem:

• Days: Monday to Wednesday

• Events: Jesus cleanses the Temple, teaches in the Temple courts, and engages in various discussions and confrontations with religious leaders. He also predicts the destruction of the Temple and discusses end-times prophecies.

• The Last Supper (Maundy Thursday):

• Day: Thursday evening

• Event: Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper (Eucharist). He also washes the disciples' feet, gives the new commandment to love one another, and foretells Peter's denial.

• Gethsemane and Arrest:

• Night: Thursday night into early Friday morning

• Event: Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is arrested by the temple guards following Judas' betrayal.

• Trials and Crucifixion (Good Friday):

• Day: Friday

• Events: Jesus undergoes a series of trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod Antipas. He is sentenced to death and crucified at Golgotha. He dies in the afternoon and is buried before sundown.

• Burial and Sabbath:

• Days: Friday evening to Saturday evening

• Event: Jesus' body rests in the tomb during the Sabbath.

• Resurrection (Easter Sunday):

• Day: Sunday

• Event: Jesus rises from the dead. The empty tomb is discovered by women followers, and Jesus appears to his disciples and others.

Thus, the time frame from the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to the crucifixion on Good Friday spans approximately five days, and from the triumphal entry to the resurrection on Easter Sunday is a week. This is captured in Luke 19-24.

Read along with me HERE for the final chapters of Luke 23-24.

Reference and Further Reading: The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings by Bart D. Ehrman

Paul’s Great Offering

In the early days of the Christian church, the Apostle Paul undertook a mission to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, and Romans during his third missionary journey, which is generally dated to 53–57 AD, which took place between Acts 18:23 and 21:14 in the Bible.

The story of Paul and the early churches, particularly the Corinthians and Macedonians, revolves around a commitment to generosity and unity in spreading the Gospel and supporting fellow believers. Paul, urging the Corinthians to fulfill their promise of contribution, highlights the importance of cheerful giving, contrasting it with the sacrificial generosity of the Macedonian churches despite their own hardships. His plans extended beyond mere fundraising, encompassing journeys to Rome and eventually Spain, aiming to unify believers and share the Gospel widely. However, his arrival in Jerusalem led to his arrest amidst turmoil, underscoring the challenges faced in his mission. Despite these trials, Paul's teachings emphasize the spiritual bounty of generous giving and the promise of blessings that transcend material wealth, reinforcing the unity and equality among early Christian communities.

“I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey. But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.”

Romans 15:24-26

When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he was arrested. Despite his arrest, Paul’s mission highlighted the importance of unity and generosity delivering the offerings from the Macedonians and Corinthians.

“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.” Acts 24:17

The Chinese Communist Party is rewriting the Bible

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Follow along as I read the Gospel of Luke https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1-24&version=NLT

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In the beginning of Acts, the writer (traditionally believed to be Luke) refers to a previous "account" or "treatise" that he had written. This likely refers to the Gospel of Luke, which was also written by Luke and serves as a companion volume to the Book of Acts. The Gospel of Luke ends with Jesus' ascension, and Acts begins with Jesus' ascension and the events that follow, making it a seamless continuation. Therefore, the "letter" or "account" mentioned at the beginning of Acts is commonly understood to be the Gospel of Luke.

Theophilus is mentioned at the beginning of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. The name "Theophilus" means "friend of God" or "loved by God" in Greek, suggesting that it could also be a symbolic name representing any believer who loves God.

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Revelation 1-3

Matthew 7:16 - "You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"

Romans 14:17 - "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

John 15:5 - "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

"Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more, I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened."

Ask…is what they are saying comforting you, bringing you closer to Jesus? Or to get you to cower in fear of the man made dominion to obey or else you will be cursed by God? We don’t have to give money “or else!” Salvation is a free gift and Christianity is a relationship.

The seed is the word of God. 30, 60, 100 fold is the harvest of the Word of God depending on the growing conditions of our heart. “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matthew 13:23

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

“And they said to Him, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your Name”….notice all the ministers sharing their prophecies…and dreams….more than the Scripture. Who teaches the Word as the seed, the Word that is able to save your soul? James 1:21 “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”

Prophecy has its place to edify, exhort, and comfort; not to give guidance and control the pathway of someone’s life, or tell people how much to give. Read the New Testament. This isn’t Biblical, and is another gospel serving a fake Jesus. If someone says, “I had a dream about you…I have a word for you…” RUN! No thank you, the Word of God will suffice. Also, remember as a born again Christian, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26

“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” 1John 2:27

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Schindler's List | "I Didn't Do Enough"

Scripture referenced: 1 John 4:17-18, 2 Peter 3:9, Genesis 11:1-9, Deuteronomy 17:18-19, 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

Many Church of England Clergy Reject Biblical Teaching on Marriage, Sexuality

How far will this go before the bowls of wrath overflow?

• CRISPR-Cas9: This is a powerful tool that allows scientists to precisely edit DNA by cutting out or modifying specific sequences. It's being used in research, agriculture, and potentially for treating genetic disorders.

• Gene Therapy: In this approach, genetic material is introduced into a patient's cells to treat or prevent disease. This can involve replacing faulty genes with healthy ones, inactivating harmful genes, or introducing entirely new genes.

• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): In agriculture, scientists are modifying the DNA of plants and animals to enhance traits such as resistance to pests or diseases, tolerance to environmental stresses, or improved nutritional content.

• Synthetic Biology: This field involves designing and constructing new biological parts, devices, and systems, or redesigning existing ones for useful purposes. It often involves modifying DNA sequences to create novel biological functions.

• Organoids are grown from stem cells of embryos and live 100 days as fuel for AI. The organoids use much less energy than traditional sources, and save the environment. Final Spark has a Neuroplatform, with brain organoids comprising about 10,000 living neurons are grown from stem cells. These little balls, about 0.5 mm (0.02 in) in diameter, are kept in incubators at around body temperature, supplied with water and nutrients and protected from bacterial or viral contamination, and they're wired into an electrical circuit with a series of tiny electrodes. 16 lab-grown brains run world’s first ‘living computer’ in SwitzerlandSwiss technology firm Final Spark has successfully launched Neuroplatform, the world’s first bioprocessing platform where human brain organoids (lab-grown miniaturized versions of organs) perform computational tasks instead of silicon chips.The Matrix movie was a documentary. We are the battery for the AI.

• Artificial Intelligence and Technological Singularity: The current scientific-technological AI/robotics paradigm is best described as a “Star Wars” spaceship that is speeding toward Technological Singularity: “The technological singularity (also, simply, the singularity) is the hypothesis that the invention of artificial superintelligence will abruptly trigger runaway technological growth, resulting in unfathomable changes to human civilization. According to this hypothesis, an upgradable intelligent agent (such as a computer running software-based artificial general intelligence) would enter a “runaway reaction” of self-improvement cycles, with each new and more intelligent generation appearing more and more rapidly, causing an intelligence explosion and resulting in a powerful superintelligence that would, qualitatively, far surpass all human intelligence.”

• The Internet of Bodies (IoB) refers to a network of devices that are connected to the human body through implants, ingestion, or wearables, allowing for the collection, transmission, and analysis of biometric and health-related data. This technology is a subset of the broader Internet of Things (IoT), which connects everyday objects to the internet.

Revelation 16:1-21

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go your ways and pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God’s wrath.”

So the first angel left the temple and poured out his bowl on the earth, and horrible, festering sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue.

The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and everything in the sea died.

Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs, and they became blood.

And I heard the angel who had authority over the waters say, “You are just, O Holy One, who is and who always was, because you have sent these judgments.

Since they shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, you have given them blood to drink. It is their just reward.”

And I heard a voice from the altar, saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, your judgments are true and just.”

Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, causing it to scorch everyone with its fire.

Everyone was burned by this blast of heat, and they cursed the name of God who had control over all these plagues. They did not repent of their sins and turn to God and give him glory.

Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. The people gnawed their tongues in anguish,

and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their deeds.

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance.

And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.

They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for the battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and be ashamed.”

And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.

Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a mighty shout came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is finished!”

Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And there was a great earthquake—the worst since people were placed on the earth.

The great city of Babylon split into three sections, and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble. So God remembered all of Babylon’s sins, and he made her drink the cup that was filled with the wine of his fierce wrath.

And every island disappeared, and all the mountains were leveled.

There was a terrible hailstorm, and hailstones weighing as much as a hundred pounds fell from the sky onto the people below. They cursed God because of the terrible plague of the hailstorm.

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Referenced: Matthew 11:20-24, PSALM 53, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Hebrews 12:5-11

Delphi.ai’s founder and his clone were interviewed on Fox News 8.9.24. By 2026, 96% of the internet will be artificial intelligence. People will have clones that can assist them with tasks and outlive them. Watch HERE.

Of course I prayed for the man in the story and cursed the cancer at the root:

Matthew 21:18-22:

18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry.

19 And he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.

20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more.

22 You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.

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Paul emphasizes that he doesn't want to be known for his heavenly visitation or revelations but rather for how he lives and what he preaches. He also tells us to follow his example. He speaks of the Lord’s return throughout his letters to the church with emphasis on heavenly bodies in this letter. He also describes that he is not good at speaking, not an orator, and a speech impediment could possibly be the thorn in his side to keep him humble. He also speaks of his qualifications as the apostle to the church, which gives him oversight and the authority to give admonishment and correction when needed.

2 Corinthians 12: This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. You have made me act like a fool—boasting like this. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong! Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.

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Follow along as I read 1 Corinthians!

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Absorbe yourself in the Word to FLOW in the fruit and gifts.

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In the quaint village of Virtuopolis, nestled between rolling hills and gentle streams, a unique culture flourished, distinct from the bustling cities governed by materialism. In Virtuopolis, status was not measured by grand estates, opulent possessions, or influential titles, but rather by adherence to the principles of Jesus' beautified blessings.

Matthew 5:1-12

New Living Translation

The Sermon on the Mount

5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a] for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b] for they will be satisfied.7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

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In the New Testament, the apostle Paul provides valuable insights on the principles of handling money within the context of the church. Pastors can draw upon these teachings to guide their congregations in responsible stewardship. We explore Paul's perspectives on money and offers pastoral guidance on teaching stewardship within the church.

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PSALMS 1-36

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I am asking you share this episode with your networks. It is relevant to what is happening in people’s lives. ~Alexia

As shepherds of the flock, pastors are entrusted with the care and protection of their congregations. Addressing domestic abuse requires a compassionate and strategic response. This tutorial aims to guide pastors in assisting abuse victims to safely escape their abusive situations, rooted in biblical principles.

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In the realm of spiritual leadership and congregational life, the metaphorical concept of "wolves in sheep's clothing" has been a recurring theme. This notion is rooted in biblical teachings that warn believers about deceptive individuals who disguise themselves as genuine members of the flock but harbor ulterior motives. Let's explore how to identify these wolves, understand their tactics, and learn from the wisdom of scripture on this matter.

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Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

Follow along with me as I read these four letters written by Paul to the Gentile Church

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In the complex tapestry of human relationships, the ability to say "no" is a formidable force, serving as both a protective boundary and a revealing litmus test of character. Happy individuals navigate the delicate balance of asserting their limits gracefully, while those struggling with unhappiness often find it challenging to accept and respect these boundaries.

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Source: Bible Gateway

1 Peter 1-5

New Living Translation

Greetings from Peter

1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.[a] 2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

May God give you more and more grace and peace.

The Hope of Eternal Life

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

6 So be truly glad.[b] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

A Call to Holy Living

13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”[c]

17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.[d] Love each other deeply with all your heart.[e]

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,

“People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field.The grass withers and the flower fades.25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”[f]

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

Living Stones for God’s House

4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.[g] Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say,

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,[h] chosen for great honor,and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[i]

7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him.[j] But for those who reject him,

“The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”[k]

8 And,

“He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.”[l]

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[m] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”[n]

11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.[o]

Respecting People in Authority

13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers.[p] Fear God, and respect the king.

Slaves

18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect.[q] Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered[r] for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.[s]23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the crossso that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.By his wounds you are healed.25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away.But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

Wives

3 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.

3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

Husbands

7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

All Christians

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[t] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days,keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”[u]

Suffering for Doing Good

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[v] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

18 Christ suffered[w] for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.[x]

19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.[y] 21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from[z] a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

Living for God

4 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.[aa] 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead[ab]—so although they were destined to die like all people,[ac] they now live forever with God in the Spirit.[ad]

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God[ae] rests upon you.[af] 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also,

“If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”[ag]

19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Advice for Elders and Young Men

5 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”[ah]

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[ai] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.

Peter’s Final Greetings

12 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas,[aj] whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

13 Your sister church here in Babylon[ak] sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.14 Greet each other with a kiss of love.

Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.

2 Peter 1-3

New Life Version

1 This letter is from Simon Peter. I am a missionary of Jesus Christ and a servant owned by Him. I am writing to those who have received the same faith as ours which is of great worth and which no amount of money can buy. This faith comes from our God and Jesus Christ, the One Who saves. 2 May you have more and more of His loving-favor and peace as you come to know God and our Lord Jesus Christ better.

Christians Are to Grow

3 He gives us everything we need for life and for holy living. He gives it through His great power. As we come to know Him better, we learn that He called us to share His own shining-greatness and perfect life. 4 Through His shining-greatness and perfect life, He has given us promises. These promises are of great worth and no amount of money can buy them. Through these promises you can have God’s own life in you now that you have gotten away from the sinful things of the world which came from wrong desires of the flesh.

5 Do your best to add holy living to your faith. Then add to this a better understanding. 6 As you have a better understanding, be able to say no when you need to. Do not give up. And as you wait and do not give up, live God-like. 7 As you live God-like, be kind to Christian brothers and love them. 8 If you have all these things and keep growing in them, they will keep you from being of no use and from having no fruit when it comes to knowing our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if you do not have these things, you are blind and cannot see far. You forget God saved you from your old life of sin. 10 Christian brothers, make sure you are among those He has chosen and called out for His own. As long as you do these things, you will never trip and fall. 11 In this way, the road will be made wide open for you. And you will go into the holy nation that lasts forever of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One Who saves.

12 You already know about these things but I want to keep telling you about them. You are strong in the faith now. 13 I think it is right as long as I am alive to keep you thinking about these things. 14 I know that I will soon be leaving this body. Our Lord Jesus Christ has told me this. 15 I will try to make a way for you to remember these things after I am gone.

16 We had nothing to do with man-made stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His coming again. We have seen His great power with our own eyes. 17 When He received honor and shining-greatness from God the Father, a voice came to Him from the All-powerful God, saying, “This is My much-loved Son. I am very happy with Him.” 18 We heard this voice come from heaven when we were with Christ on the holy mountain.

19 All this helps us know that what the early preachers said was true. You will do well to listen to what they have said. Their words are as lights that shine in a dark place. Listen until you understand what they have said. Then it will be like the morning light which takes away the darkness. And the Morning Star (Christ) will rise to shine in your hearts.

20 Understand this first: No part of the Holy Writings was ever made up by any man. 21 No part of the Holy Writings came long ago because of what man wanted to write. But holy men who belonged to God spoke what the Holy Spirit told them.

Watch for False Teachers

2 But there were false teachers among the people. And there will be false teachers among you also. These people will work in secret ways to bring false teaching to you. They will turn against Christ Who bought them with His blood. They bring fast death on themselves. 2 Many people will follow their wrong ways. Because of what they do, people will speak bad things against the way of truth. 3 They will tell lies and false stories so they can use you to get things for themselves. But God judged them long ago and their death is on the way.

4 God did not hold back from punishing the angels who sinned, but sent them down to hell. They are to be kept there in the deep hole of darkness until they stand before Him Who judges them. 5 God did not hold back from punishing the people of the world who sinned long ago. He brought the flood on the world of sinners. But Noah was a preacher of right living. He and his family of seven were the only ones God saved. 6 God said that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were guilty, and He destroyed them with fire. This was to show people who did not worship God what would happen to them. 7 Lot was taken away from Sodom because he was right with God. He had been troubled by the sins that bad men did in wild living. 8 He saw and heard how the people around him broke the Law. Everyday his own soul which was right with God was troubled because of their sinful ways. 9 But the Lord knows how to help men who are right with God when they are tempted. He also knows how to keep the sinners suffering for their wrong-doing until the day they stand before God Who will judge them. 10 This is true about those who keep on wanting to please their own bodies in sinful desires and those who will not obey laws. They want to please themselves and are not afraid when they laugh and say bad things about the powers in heaven. 11 Angels are greater in strength and power than they. But angels do not speak against these powers before the Lord.

12 Men like this are like animals who are not able to think but are born to be caught and killed. They speak bad words against that which they do not understand. They will die in their own sinful ways. 13 This is the pay they will suffer for their sinful lives. They are not ashamed when they sin in the daylight. They are sores and dirty spots among you while they eat and drink big meals with you. 14 Their eyes are full of sex sins. They never have enough sin. They get weak people to go along with them. Their hearts are always wanting something. They are people who will end up in hell because 15 they have left the right way and have gone the wrong way. They have followed the way of Balaam, who was the son of Beor. He loved the money he got for his sin. 16 But he was stopped in his sin. A donkey spoke to him with a man’s voice. It stopped this early preacher from going on in his crazy way.

17 Such people are like wells without water. They are like clouds before a storm. The darkest place below has been kept for them. 18 They speak big-sounding words which show they are proud. They get men who are trying to keep away from sinful men to give in to the sinful desires of the flesh. 19 They promise that these men will be free. But they themselves are chained to sin. For a man is chained to anything that has power over him.

20 There are men who have been made free from the sins of the world by learning to know the Lord Jesus Christ, the One Who saves. But if they do these sins again, and are not able to keep from doing them, they are worse than they were before. 21 After knowing the holy Law that was given to them, they turned from it. It would have been better for them if they had not known how to be right with God. 22 They are like the wise saying, “A dog turns back to what he has thrown up.” And, “A pig that has been washed goes back to roll in the mud.”

The World Will Be Destroyed

3 Dear friends, this is the second letter I have written to you. In both of them I have tried to get you to remember some things. 2 You should remember the words that were spoken before by the holy early preachers. Do not forget the teaching of the Lord, the One Who saves. This was given to you by your missionaries.

3 First of all, I want you to know that in the last days men will laugh at the truth. They will follow their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “He promised to come again. Where is He? Since our early fathers died, everything is the same from the beginning of the world.” 5 But they want to forget that God spoke and the heavens were made long ago. The earth was made out of water and water was all around it. 6 Long ago the earth was covered with water and it was destroyed. 7 But the heaven we see now and the earth we live on now have been kept by His word. They will be kept until they are to be destroyed by fire. They will be kept until the day men stand before God and sinners will be destroyed.

8 Dear friends, remember this one thing, with the Lord one day is as 1,000 years, and 1,000 years are as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about keeping His promise as some people think. He is waiting for you. The Lord does not want any person to be punished forever. He wants all people to be sorry for their sins and turn from them. 10 The day of the Lord will come as a robber comes. The heavens will pass away with a loud noise. The sun and moon and stars will burn up. The earth and all that is in it will be burned up.

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, you should think about the kind of life you are living. It should be holy and God-like. 12 You should look for the day of God to come. You should do what you can to make it come soon. At that time the heavens will be destroyed by fire. And the sun and moon and stars will melt away with much heat. 13 We are looking for what God has promised, which are new heavens and a new earth. Only what is right and good will be there.

14 Dear friends, since you are waiting for these things to happen, do all you can to be found by Him in peace. Be clean and free from sin. 15 You can be sure the long waiting of our Lord is part of His plan to save men from the punishment of sin. God gave our dear brother Paul the wisdom to write about this also. 16 He wrote about these things in all of his writings. Some of these things are hard to understand. People who do not have much understanding and some who are not strong in the faith change the meaning of his letters. They do this to the other parts of the Holy Writings also. They are destroying themselves as they do this.

17 And so, dear friends, now that you know this, watch so you will not be led away by the mistakes of these sinful people. Do not be moved by them. 18 Grow in the loving-favor that Christ gives you. Learn to know our Lord Jesus Christ better. He is the One Who saves. May He have all the shining-greatness now and forever. Let it be so.

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Pastors play a pivotal role in fostering the spiritual well-being of their congregations. However, the alarming issue of burnout among pastors has raised concerns about its potential threat to local church health and ministry vitality. We delve into a comprehensive study that explores the intricate relationships between pastor job burnout and crucial measures of church organizational health.

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1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.

Greetings!

Faith and Endurance

2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

9 Believers who are[b] poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,[c] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.[d] He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.[e] 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.[f]

Listening and Doing

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger[g] does not produce the righteousness[h] God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

2 My dear brothers and sisters,[a] how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting[b] dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name[c] you bear?

8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[d] 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.”[e] So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.[f] Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[g] He was even called the friend of God.[h] 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath,[i] so also faith is dead without good works.

3 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.[b]

7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.[c]

True Wisdom Comes from God

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.[d]

Drawing Close to God

4 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

4 You adulterers![a] Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.[b] 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”[c]

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Warning against Judging Others

11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.[d] If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

Warning about Self-Confidence

13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.

17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Warning to the Rich

5 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and killed innocent people,[a] who do not resist you.[b]

Patience and Endurance

7 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

The Power of Prayer

13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

Restore Wandering Believers

19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

Source: Bible Gateway

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In a world that often challenges our faith, Christians are called to be both the salt and light. Embracing the light means shining brightly even in the face of persecution, for it is through our steadfastness that others may come to know the love and truth found in Christ.

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In the realm of ministry, where faith and service intersect, the challenges faced by pastors often go unspoken. The study, "Despite Stresses, Few Pastors Give Up on Ministry," conducted by Lifeway Research, provides a revealing glimpse into the pressures pastors confront. We summarize key findings from the study, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and support within the pastoral community.

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In a world where the digital spotlight illuminates every aspect of our lives, pastoral leadership faces new challenges and opportunities. This article explores the intersection of ministry and social media, guiding pastors through the complexities of comparison culture, authenticity, and the quest for reverence in the digital realm. Drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of Jesus, we delve into practical steps for navigating today's social landscape while staying true to the essence of genuine, transformative leadership. Join us on a journey to redefine success, foster meaningful connections, and lead with authenticity in the age of constant comparison.

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In the ever-evolving landscape of generational dynamics, connecting with Generation Z, born 1996-2010, requires a nuanced understanding of their values, concerns, and aspirations. As pastors and spiritual leaders, fostering meaningful connections with this generation involves embracing authenticity, inclusivity, and a keen awareness of their unique characteristics.

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In real-life events, coping with challenges often requires a strong support system. This system consists of people who genuinely listen and stand by you during difficult times. Family, friends, and colleagues can be crucial components, offering both emotional and practical support.

To build a culture of love, pastors can draw inspiration from studies like the "Love at Work" research by Sigal Barsade. Implementing this in a church involves fostering an environment where members genuinely care for one another, creating a sense of belonging and support.

To build a culture of love in the church inspired by Sigal Barsade's "Love at Work" research, pastors can focus on fostering an environment where members genuinely care for one another, creating a sense of belonging and support.

Life Skills for Leadership is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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In the pursuit of happiness, the power of kindness should never be underestimated. Random Acts of Kindness have the incredible ability to uplift not only the recipient but also the giver. Making kindness a habit can significantly contribute to a more joyful and fulfilling life. Here's a guide to implementing Random Acts of Kindness throughout the year, spreading positivity one gesture at a time.

Subscribe to my newsletter for content to be sent direct to your mailbox. Check out the archive section to review the library of podcasts, articles and videos of professional development content.

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Living a holy life, as advocated by Paul in his teachings throughout the scriptures, is a profound and transformative journey for believers. The apostle Paul, in various letters to early Christian communities, emphasizes the significance of holy living as an integral aspect of the Christian faith. This essay explores Paul's teachings on holy living and delves into the pastoral call for goal setting to promote a holy life within the congregation.

Ephesians 4:22-24 from the New Living Translation (NLT):

"throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."

Paul's letters, such as those to the Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians, provide valuable insights into the principles of holy living. He often underscores the importance of personal righteousness, ethical conduct, and spiritual discipline. For instance, in Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul urges believers to "put off the old self" and to be renewed in the spirit of their minds, putting on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

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The act of challenging fears creates lasting memories that are often associated with personal growth and triumph. Reflecting on these experiences can evoke a sense of pride and happiness, serving as a reminder of one's strength and resilience during times of adversity.

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In a society dominated by digital connectivity, the prevalence and impact of pornography have become pervasive, making it a critical topic for open and honest discussion. We aim to shed light on key findings surrounding pornography within our community and proposes a thoughtful plan for moving forward. By addressing this sensitive subject, we hope to foster understanding, provide support, and initiate meaningful change.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (New Living Translation)

"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."

This scripture from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the importance of living a pure and honorable life, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. It encourages believers to flee from sexual immorality, understanding the sacredness of the body as a dwelling place for God's Spirit.

The Porn Phenomenon: The Impact of Pornography in the Digital Age, is a study conducted by Barna. The study sheds light on the intricate dynamics of pornography in the digital age, urging a thoughtful and proactive response within the Christian community.

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Pastors play a crucial role in guiding and supporting their communities, often putting the needs of others before their own. However, it's essential for pastors to prioritize self-care to maintain their well-being and continue their vital work.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"

This passage encourages individuals to seek rest in Christ, emphasizing the idea of finding solace and relief from life's burdens. It serves as a reminder that self-care, including seeking spiritual renewal and rest, is aligned with the teachings of Jesus.

We explore the significance of positive relationships and support in self-care, offering a step-by-step guide to achieving a healthy work-life balance.

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DARVO stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender. It's a defense mechanism used by individuals, often in response to being confronted with their wrongdoing. This strategy involves denying the accusations, attacking the accuser, and reversing the roles, portraying the offender as the victim.

A 2017 study that when victims are DARVOed, it is more likely they’ll blame themselves, which in turn, “leads to self-silencing.”

Here are examples of each stage:

Deny:

Example: A congregant is accused of spreading false rumors about another member. Instead of acknowledging the behavior, they adamantly deny any involvement, insisting they would never engage in such actions.

Attack:

Example: When confronted about financial mismanagement, a person responds by attacking the accuser's credibility or character. They might say, "You're always looking for faults in others, and you have no idea how hard it is to manage finances!"

Reverse Victim and Offender:

Example: A congregant is confronted about consistently being late for volunteer commitments. Instead of taking responsibility, they reverse the roles, stating, "I'm always there for everyone, and now you're making me the bad guy for being a few minutes late? I'm the victim here."

Recognizing these patterns can help navigate conversations with empathy and understanding, fostering a more constructive dialogue for resolution and personal growth.

Proverbs 15:1 (NLT): "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."

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Self-awareness includes identifying our personality, those aspects that may not be the norm, and working on them. What is important is to learn, grow and develop areas. The way we are perceived is a great place to begin. It is difficult to hear a consistent perception of ourselves, when we cannot see our blind spots. This leads us to recognize how our behaviors affect others, giving us motivation for change. Understanding other’s emotions and how our words impact them, is a part of emotional intelligence. Self-awareness helps us manage our behaviors with others. The way leaders manage and recognize their quirks, & weaknesses contributes to their overall effectiveness

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This is a skills building curriculum that will improve connection with ourselves & others to help manage conflict. We are emotional, intuitive beings when we tune in. Let's not fear the intensity of emotions, learning to regulate them. In this course you will learn to navigate challenging situations, successfully solving problems, and resolving conflict with others. Specifically we will focus on the following techniques:

• Keep focus on what is being said verbally & non-verbally. When there is incongruence in the two, look to the non-verbal communication for keys to what the person is really saying.

• Let it go if you cannot control it, doing what you can with what is within your control.

• Listen for the other person's perspective & feelings, validating them even if you do not understand what they are experiencing.

• Avoid giving advice, instead asking open ended questions.

• Ask for clarification when something offends you, listening for insight.

• Enhancing Active Listening Skills with Artificial Intelligence

We introduce a proactive training tool as a resource to begin utilizing with your teams, The Appreciative Inquiry. This will build skills and train your people to utilize healthy communication strategies in crisis, to solve problems and move through conflict successfully.

Rise to become an expert communicator that people naturally want to follow and learn from. This is your blueprint for success with communication.

Lectures are Slide Deck presentations with voiceover lecture

PURCHASE THE COURSEWORK AND WORKBOOK IN PAPERBACK. LISTENING TO HEAR MAKES A GREAT GIFT FOR GRADUATING SENIORS, AND IS USEFUL FOR GROUP SKILLS BUILDING SESSIONS FOR THERAPISTS AND COACHES.

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Start by grounding your guidance in the unchanging truths of Scripture. Emphasize passages like 1 Peter 1:15-16, where believers are called to be holy as God is holy. Provide a biblical basis for the significance of holy living and debunk the notion that one can live without regard to God's standards.

1 Peter 1:15-16 in the New Living Translation (NLT) reads:

"But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'"

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Galatians 5:19-21 from the New Living Translation highlights the consequences of following one's sinful nature. It points out various behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to living a life reflective of the Kingdom of God. This passage emphasizes the need for a shift in culture, advocating for a life guided by virtues and alignment with the values of the Kingdom of God.

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

In the heart of every thriving congregation lies a culture of love, understanding, and harmony. Drawing inspiration from Biblical teachings on love, we embark on a journey to explore practical steps that can shift the dynamics within a congregation, fostering an atmosphere of unity and compassion.

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While the term "narcissist" may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, certain verses in the New Living Translation address behaviors associated with narcissism. Proverbs 27:2 encourages humility, stating, "Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—a stranger, not your own lips." Philippians 2:3 advises, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Additionally, Proverbs 16:18 warns against pride, saying, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

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In the realm of psychology, the study of narcissism has long intrigued researchers seeking to unravel the intricacies of this complex personality trait. Stathis Grapsas, Eddie Brummelman, Mitja D. Back, and Jaap J. A. Denissen delve into the depths of narcissism, proposing a self-regulation model that sheds light on the underlying processes driving individuals with high levels of grandiose narcissism to pursue social status.

The Self-Regulation Model:

The proposed model paints a comprehensive picture of how narcissists navigate their interactions with the world, focusing on the pursuit of social status in a dynamic, moment-to-moment manner. At its core, the model suggests that narcissists actively choose situations that offer opportunities for status elevation.

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In a world where words carry immense power, the ancient wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs serves as a timeless guide for navigating the intricacies of communication and community. As leaders, pastors have a unique responsibility to cultivate a healthy and supportive environment, steering clear of the pitfalls of gossip.

Here's a practical guide to incorporating Proverbs into daily leadership to foster a gossip-free community.

Proactive leadership within pastoral roles involves a deliberate effort to address gossip by integrating a daily Proverb into their routine. By doing so, pastors can set the tone for the congregation, emphasizing the transformative power of ancient wisdom in shaping conversations and decisions. Leading by example becomes paramount, illustrating to the community how the insights gleaned from Proverbs can be practically applied to foster positive communication. Proactively engaging with these timeless principles enables pastors to not only preach about the avoidance of gossip but also to embody the teachings, creating a foundation for a community guided by the principles of respect, integrity, and thoughtful dialogue.

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The essence of Nehemiah 8:10, declaring, "Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength," underscores the foundational truth that divine joy is a source of unwavering strength. It emphasizes a joy rooted in the unchanging nature of God, transcending the ebb and flow of life's circumstances. This joy depends solely on Jesus and serves as an anchor for pastors navigating the challenges of their calling.

In the realm of faith and service, it becomes evident that mental health is integral to overall well-being. Just as pastors are diligent in caring for the physical bodies entrusted to them, there lies a parallel responsibility in nurturing their minds. Happiness, viewed through the prism of science and personal journey, emerges as a key element in this mental health equation.

Learn more about Proactive Mental Health Today!

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Bringing Light to a World in Need of Jesus

In a world hungering for hope and purpose, we turn to the timeless words of Scripture:

"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6, NLT).

In this era of uncertainty and searching, the message remains clear – Jesus is the beacon of light and the path to eternal life.

Purpose of This Guided Approach

As believers, we understand the profound impact of sharing the Gospel, yet the manner in which we convey this message holds great significance. This guide is not just a tutorial; it's a blueprint for Christians to engage in Bible studies and discussions, allowing them to be trained and fortified. The aim is to equip believers with the tools to share the gospel without combativeness but through genuine connection and understanding, building bridges that resonate with the essence of Jesus' teachings.

“Loneliness does not come from having no people around, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.” Carl Jung

In a world often marked by loneliness and a yearning for connection, the ability to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a powerful tool for fostering understanding and bridging diverse perspectives. This tutorial explores the art of sharing the Gospel through authentic listening, emphasizing the importance of making others feel heard, understood, and respected.

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Gratitude is a timeless virtue that holds a significant place in the Christian faith, aligning both with scientific findings and biblical teachings. According to research.com's exploration of the scientific benefits of gratitude, expressing thanks has been linked to improved mental well-being, enhanced relationships, and overall life satisfaction.

There are many benefits when we practice gratitude, as noted in Research.com article, 35 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude: Mental Health Research Findings, by Imed Bouchrika Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist.

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Engaging in nature therapy promotes happiness by providing a respite from the demands of modern life. Connecting with the outdoors has been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, and enhance overall mental well-being. The calming influence of nature fosters a sense of tranquility, contributing to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Experiencing awe in nature has a powerful effect on emotional well-being

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Unlocking Happiness Steps to a Fulfilled Life

Travel Solo

Embarking on a solo journey can be a powerful catalyst for increasing happiness and fostering personal growth. Solo travel is more than just exploring new destinations; it's a transformative experience that allows you to discover not only new places but also aspects of yourself that may have been dormant.

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In the fast-paced whirlwind of life, taking a moment to pause, reflect, and envision our future can be a powerful tool for cultivating happiness. One such method that encapsulates this sentiment is writing a heartfelt letter to your future self. This practice not only serves as a time capsule of aspirations but also unfolds as a source of joy and fulfillment when revisited years later.

For help with loss of hope: https://988lifeline.org/

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Optimism can be learned. Utilizing the Ellis ABC Model, we can learn how to respond differently to adversity by talking ourselves through defeat.

Adversity

o The event that happens

o Example: “I have a flat tire.”

Belief

o How the adversity is interpreted

o Example: My response is, “I always have bad luck, why does this happen to me?”

Consequences

o Feelings

o Actions

o Example: “You feel hopeless, angry, grouchy, yelling at your spouse in the car.”

The ABC method is how we redirect the pessimistic attitudes we all have. How can we be proactive daily to build muscles of optimism, so it is more natural for us to respond positively in thought & action to diverse events?

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Writing a letter to your future self is not just a sentimental exercise; it's a pathway to happiness. It combines the joy of manifesting dreams, the fulfillment of reflecting on personal growth, the connection with your evolving self, and the cultivation of gratitude. Embrace this simple yet profound practice as a gift to your present and future well-being.

For help with hopelessness: https://988lifeline.org/

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The act of challenging fears creates lasting memories that are often associated with personal growth and triumph. Reflecting on these experiences can evoke a sense of pride and happiness, serving as a reminder of one's strength and resilience during times of adversity.

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Unhappiness is an inevitable facet of life, but it doesn't have to diminish your faith in God's goodness. By understanding the nature of unhappiness, recognizing the role of faith in difficult times, and implementing practical tips, you can keep your faith strong even when life's challenges seem insurmountable. In the grand tapestry of life, unhappiness may be a thread, but faith in God's goodness is the sturdy fabric that holds it all together. Embrace your faith, and let it guide you through the storms, knowing that God's plan is ultimately one of love and purpose.

The study conducted by Sheena Sethi and Martin E.P. Seligman, Optimism and Fundamentalism, sheds light on the fascinating relationship between optimism and fundamentalism among various religious groups. The findings reveal a compelling connection, with fundamentalist individuals displaying significantly higher levels of optimism compared to their moderate and liberal counterparts.

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Discovering happiness is an achievable feat, and one effective way to elevate your joy is through creative expression. Engaging in activities like painting, playing a musical instrument, or experimenting with poetry can be a practical path to happiness. The process of creating something new taps into the power of creativity, offering a therapeutic and uplifting experience.

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Unhappiness is a universal human experience, and it can manifest in various forms – from mild discontent to profound sorrow. It often arises due to unmet expectations, personal struggles, losses, or simply the inherent complexities of life. To keep your faith strong in times of unhappiness, it's crucial to understand this emotion and how it impacts your spiritual journey. The nature of unhappiness is a natural part of life and the potential for growth.

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In the pursuit of happiness, one often discovers that the path to personal fulfillment is intricately connected to serving others. Volunteerism provides a unique avenue for individuals to channel their skills and passions towards meaningful contributions to society. This article explores the profound impact of volunteerism on happiness and encourages finding opportunities that align with personal interests, such as volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary or animal rescue organization.

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Staying true to the pure word of God is a timeless challenge faced by believers. The Bible offers guidance on avoiding compromise and remaining steadfast in faith. We explore key biblical principles, citing examples such as refraining from walking through the fire and avoiding the worship of false gods like Baal. Additionally, it provides insights on how pastors can help their congregations discern and resist compromise.

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In the intricate tapestry of our lives, social connections weave a vital thread, creating a fabric of support, love, and a profound sense of belonging. Today we explore the importance of maintaining and nurturing relationships with friends and family, delving into the myriad ways strong social connections contribute to our well-being.

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Utilizing Happiness as a Witnessing Tool

Happiness and laughter are universal, and they can serve as a bridge of common ground between people of different faiths or beliefs. As Christians, we can use our happiness as a witnessing tool to share the love and joy of God with others. Here are a few ways to do so:

• Share your story: Share how your relationship with God has brought you happiness and joy in your life. Your personal story can be a powerful witness to others.

• Live a joyful life: Let your happiness and joy shine through in your daily life. People are often drawn to those who radiate positivity and joy.

• Serve others: One of the best ways to share God's love is by serving others. Find ways to volunteer in your community, help those in need, and show compassion to those around you.

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Happiness is often elusive in our fast-paced lives, but a simple yet profound way to enhance your well-being is by engaging in the Time Capsule Project. Creating a time capsule allows you to encapsulate the essence of your current life, dreams, and aspirations, providing a unique opportunity to reflect on your journey when you open it in the future.

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In our fast-paced, digitally driven world, finding true happiness can often feel like a distant goal. The constant barrage of notifications, the pressure to stay connected, and the never-ending stream of information can leave us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from our inner selves. However, there is a transformative solution that promises to elevate your happiness levels – the Digital Detox Retreat.

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In the journey of life, the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth is a beacon that illuminates the path to self-discovery and fulfillment. Continuous learning, coupled with personal development, not only expands your horizons but also contributes significantly to enhancing self-esteem and fostering a profound sense of accomplishment. This article delves into the transformative power of embracing continuous learning, exploring new interests, acquiring new skills, and how this journey amplifies happiness.

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As a Christian, you may have heard the phrase "happiness is fleeting" or "joy is not the same as happiness." While these statements may hold some truth, they fail to recognize the importance of happiness in our lives. In fact, as Christians, we have a unique perspective on happiness that is often overlooked. Happiness is not just a temporary feeling of pleasure or contentment. It is a state of being that is rooted in our relationship with God. As the psalmist says, "In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).

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In the pursuit of happiness, one often discovers that the most fulfilling moments arise from stepping outside of one's comfort zone. Adventure challenges, encompassing activities like rock climbing, skydiving, or conquering a demanding hiking trail, provide a unique avenue for self-discovery, personal growth, and an exhilarating sense of accomplishment. This article explores the transformative power of adventure challenges in enhancing happiness and well-being.

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Laughter is often considered the best medicine, and for good reason. Beyond its ability to simply express joy, laughter has a profound impact on our well-being, playing a crucial role in increasing happiness and promoting overall health. In this article, we'll explore the science behind laughter and provide step-by-step guidance on practicing intentional laughter responsibly.

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METAMORPHOSIS is the key word for 2024

The transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly involves the caterpillar digesting itself within a cocoon or chrysalis. Enzymes dissolve its tissues, leaving a protein-rich soup. Imaginal discs, organized groups of cells formed during the caterpillar's early development, survive this process. These discs fuel rapid cell division to shape adult features such as wings, antennae, and eyes. Despite the seemingly chaotic process, certain caterpillar muscles and parts of the nervous system are preserved in the adult butterfly. Observing this metamorphosis is challenging, but images of a Tussah silkmoth reveal the delicate, translucent pupal stage that typically remains hidden.

The struggle of a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis is essential for strengthening its wings. The chemical released during this process and the fluid pumped into the wings contribute to their development. Interfering with this natural struggle can result in weak wings and hinder overall butterfly development due to the crucial timing of the emergence.

Their slow release helps them build the necessary muscles to do all things butterfly related. Plus the timing of their emergence from the chrysalis is key; too early and they’re doomed because they won’t have developed enough. So if a well-meaning human interferes and tries to ‘help’ the butterfly with its struggle, it likely will doom the butterfly to weak wings and lack of development.

ROMANS 8

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Thank you so much for being part of my newsletter, Life Skills for Leadership. I am starting off the year with my latest video course, Strategic Leadership for paid members of my newsletter. I am also including the audio version on the Agilempath Podcast.

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We are in a time where change is not only constant, it is happening quickly, mostly due to technology. Much of the change we are experiencing is out of our control. We can take the reigns with this process by digging deep, establishing roots of healthy values, and accomplishing tasks by applying virtues. We explain the concepts in this introductory lecture.

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for being part of my newsletter, Life Skills for Leadership. I am starting off the year with my latest video course, Strategic Leadership for paid members of my newsletter. I am also including the audio version on the Agilempath Podcast.

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Positive relationships serve as the cornerstone of personal happiness and are integral to self-care. Numerous studies highlight the profound impact of meaningful connections on one's overall well-being. Engaging in positive relationships has been linked to reduced stress, increased resilience, and enhanced emotional health. When we surround ourselves with individuals who uplift, support, and genuinely connect with us, it creates a nurturing environment that fosters happiness. These relationships become a vital component of our self-care toolkit, providing a source of joy, companionship, and understanding. Prioritizing positive connections is a proactive approach to self-care, as it not only contributes to our immediate happiness but also lays the foundation for long-term emotional resilience and fulfillment. Taking the time to cultivate and maintain these relationships is an investment in our mental and emotional health, ultimately contributing to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

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Cultivating Happiness: The Time Capsule Project

Happiness is often elusive in our fast-paced lives, but a simple yet profound way to enhance your well-being is by engaging in the Time Capsule Project. Creating a time capsule allows you to encapsulate the essence of your current life, dreams, and aspirations, providing a unique opportunity to reflect on your journey when you open it in the future.

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Laughter is often considered the best medicine, and for good reason. Beyond its ability to simply express joy, laughter has a profound impact on our well-being, playing a crucial role in increasing happiness and promoting overall health. In this podcast, we'll explore the science behind laughter and provide step-by-step guidance on practicing intentional laughter responsibly.

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We share practical aspects of digital detox. Some of the ideas include, muting notifications on your phone, setting structured times to checking and responding to emails and texts, designating do not disturb hours. How will you create digital detox habits to increase your sense of peace and happiness?

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Hello! I wanted to introduce you to the Knoxville Happiness Coalition tab on my newsletter. This is a local movement to bring Strategic Leadership concepts for Change Management to be fostered with Emotional Intelligence and Happiness Habits in local organizations.

I add content daily without sending it through the email system.

The latest series is on Happiness Habits where I have a podcast series, articles, and videos. Access the Knoxville Happiness Coalition material HERE.

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There is a key to God’s outpouring of His Love. This is the contextual meaning of Luke 6:38. Revival depends on repentance!

Luke 6New Living Translation

6 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. 2 But some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

3 Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 5 And Jesus added, “The Son of Man[a] is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”

6 On another Sabbath day, a man with a deformed right hand was in the synagogue while Jesus was teaching. 7 The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

8 But Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward. 9 Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”

10 He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 11 At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.

12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 13 At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:

14 Simon (whom he named Peter),Andrew (Peter’s brother),James,John,Philip,Bartholomew,15 Matthew,Thomas,James (son of Alphaeus),Simon (who was called the zealot),16 Judas (son of James),Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Crowds Follow Jesus17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil[b] spirits were healed. 19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.

20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,

“God blesses you who are poor,for the Kingdom of God is yours.21 God blesses you who are hungry now,for you will be satisfied.God blesses you who weep now,for in due time you will laugh.

22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

Sorrows Foretold24 “What sorrow awaits you who are rich,for you have your only happiness now.25 What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now,for a time of awful hunger awaits you.What sorrow awaits you who laugh now,for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.26 What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds,for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

Love for Enemies27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Do Not Judge Others37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.[c]”

39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? 40 Students[d] are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

41 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[e] when you have a log in your own? 42 How can you think of saying, ‘Friend,[f] let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

The Tree and Its Fruit43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Building on a Solid Foundation46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

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Boost Your Happiness Unleashing the Power of Creative Expression

Discovering happiness is an achievable feat, and one effective way to elevate your joy is through creative expression. Engaging in activities like painting, playing a musical instrument, or experimenting with poetry can be a practical path to happiness. The process of creating something new taps into the power of creativity, offering a therapeutic and uplifting experience.

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In our fast-paced world, where the pursuit of more often overshadows appreciation for what we have, cultivating gratitude can be a transformative force. Implementing gratitude into your daily routine involves three essential steps that can have a profound impact on your well-being and overall happiness.

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Random Acts of Kindness are a powerful tool for increasing happiness and creating a positive atmosphere year-round. By incorporating simple, thoughtful gestures into your daily life, you not only bring joy to others but also cultivate a sense of fulfillment within yourself. In a world where kindness can sometimes be in short supply, be the beacon that lights up someone else's day.

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The historical context of 1 Corinthians gives chapter 13 deep meaning. We chat about this and read chapter 13.

Faith works by love!

1 Corinthians 13

King James Version

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

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Adventure challenges offer a unique and transformative pathway to increased happiness. By setting goals, overcoming fears, pushing boundaries, enjoying the journey, and building connections, individuals can embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. So, dare to take that leap, climb that peak, or trek that challenging trail – the rewards extend far beyond the adventure itself, shaping a happier and more fulfilling life.

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Enhancing Happiness through Volunteerism: Aligning Passion with Purpose

In the pursuit of happiness, one often discovers that the path to personal fulfillment is intricately connected to serving others. Volunteerism provides a unique avenue for individuals to channel their skills and passions towards meaningful contributions to society. This article explores the profound impact of volunteerism on happiness and encourages finding opportunities that align with personal interests, such as volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary or animal rescue organization.

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A few years ago (mid 1980’s), Met Life hired Dr. Martin Seligman to help them improve their hiring processes. They were spending a lot of money on training agents that weren’t sticking around. At the time, over half of their agents quit within the first year!

Dr. Seligman was a psychologist who studied optimism and positive psychology. He created an optimism screening test and followed a group of Met Life new hires (appx 15,000 agents) over one year. The result? The agents with an optimistic outlook drastically outsold the pessimists by as much as 21% in the first year and 57% in the second year!

And to make these results even more drastic, here’s this. The top 10% of the optimists (with the highest optimism scores) sold 88% more insurance than those ranked in the most pessimistic 10%.

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Embrace Growth: The Transformative Power of Continuous Learning and Personal Development

In the journey of life, the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth is a beacon that illuminates the path to self-discovery and fulfillment. Continuous learning, coupled with personal development, not only expands your horizons but also contributes significantly to enhancing self-esteem and fostering a profound sense of accomplishment. This article delves into the transformative power of embracing continuous learning, exploring new interests, acquiring new skills, and how this journey amplifies happiness.

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Seligman (2011) hypothesized that PERMA (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) are the elements of well-being. We tie in PERMA to Goal Setting and Happiness.

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Nurturing Social Connections: Cultivating Support, Love, and Belonging

In the intricate tapestry of our lives, social connections weave a vital thread, creating a fabric of support, love, and a profound sense of belonging. Today we explore the importance of maintaining and nurturing relationships with friends and family, delving into the myriad ways strong social connections contribute to our well-being.

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Today we're going to talk about a really powerful stress management tool that releases neurochemicals in our brain.

And you probably haven't thought of this, but there has been research on gratitude.

When we feel stressed and we stop, then we practice gratitude

our brain lights up.

There's the technology of an fMRI that can actually scan the brain and look at our emotions and our emotional states and the reactions that we have.

And so studies have shown

that just taking a few moments to step away from that stressor and to say, okay, I'm going to think on I'm going to speak.

I'm going to write what I'm grateful for and then you go back to that task that the performance

is just better and that people self-report that they're able to get through the stressful task better once they practice gratitude.

Also, researchers look at the brain and they say, oh, okay, so neurons that fire together wire together.

What that means is the next time you're in a stressful circumstance,

and you practice gratitude your brain goes, 'oh I remember this it feels good,' and there you get those chemicals and then you're feeling good and the brain is like; ' oh this is a habit forming,' and that's when the neurons that are firing begin to wire because you're practicing it over and over and over again and it gets to the point there's a stressor,

you've trained yourself just like going to the gym when we train and we do reps.

You've trained yourself and so naturally you step away.

You think, what am I grateful for?

Just one minute.

You write it down.

You say it.

And then you go back to the task and it's easier.

Then you eventually will find your flow.

This is a process.

It can take up to 60 days according to cognitive neuroscientists for this to really become a habit that is well-formed in the brain.

So 60 days in a row of practicing gratitude.

So what are you grateful for today?

And just think about three things every day that you didn't think of the previous day.

Write them down.

Repeat them.

Talk about them.

Get people around you also thinking, oh what is there to be grateful for?

What's something positive that's happening?

And then you'll realize it's not in the big things and you'll start to break things down, because the rule is you cannot use

the things that you listed yesterday or even a week ago.

So you really have to break it down and then the small things you just find just appreciation and noticing the small things and taking life one step at a time will really help with our stress reduction and increase our happiness.

So gratitude is a gateway to happiness.

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Understanding the brain chemistry behind happiness underscores its significance for our overall health. Elevated levels of these neurochemicals not only boost our emotional resilience but also contribute to a robust immune system and reduced stress levels. As we unravel the intricate interplay between happiness and brain chemistry, the imperative to prioritize joy becomes clear – it's not merely a luxury but a fundamental component of a healthy and fulfilling life. Join us on this journey of exploration, where the alchemy of neurochemicals converges with the pursuit of happiness, offering profound insights into the intricacies of our well-being.

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Improving employee morale through rewards is an effective way to boost productivity, engagement, and retention rates in the workplace. By offering a mix of financial and non-financial rewards and creating an effective reward program, you can create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. Remember to regularly evaluate the program and make adjustments as needed to ensure that it is achieving the desired results.

From my book, REWARDS & RECOGNITION BOOSTING EMPLOYEE MORALE IN THE WORKPLACE

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humanresources #incentives #productivity #engagement #employeeretention

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Measuring the Impact of the Employee Reward ProgramMeasuring the impact of the employee reward program is important to determine its effectiveness. This can be done through employee surveys, performance evaluations, and tracking productivity and absenteeism rates. It is important to regularly evaluate the program and make adjustments as needed to ensure that it is achieving the desired results.

From my book, REWARDS & RECOGNITION BOOSTING EMPLOYEE MORALE IN THE WORKPLACE

Group Subscription Offer for teams of 2+ to benefit from comprehensive, consistent, and cohesive guidance with best practices for Human Resources Professionals

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humanresources #incentives #productivity #engagement #employeeretention

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Implementing the Employee Reward Program

Implementing the employee reward program involves communicating the program to all employees and training managers on how to distribute rewards. You should also establish a system for tracking and monitoring the program to ensure that it is working effectively. It is important to make sure that rewards are distributed fairly and that all employees have an equal chance to earn rewards.

From my book, REWARDS & RECOGNITION BOOSTING EMPLOYEE MORALE IN THE WORKPLACE

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humanresources #incentives #productivity #engagement #employeeretention

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Creating an Effective Employee Reward ProgramTo create an effective employee reward program, you need to establish clear goals and guidelines. These guidelines should be communicated to all employees so that they understand what they need to do to be eligible for rewards. You should also establish a budget for rewards and decide how often rewards will be given out. It is important to make sure that the rewards are meaningful and that they are tied to specific achievements or goals.

From my book, REWARDS & RECOGNITION BOOSTING EMPLOYEE MORALE IN THE WORKPLACE

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humanresources #incentives #productivity #engagement #employeeretention

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Different Types of Rewards

There are different types of rewards that you can offer employees to improve their morale. These rewards can be financial or non-financial. Some of the financial rewards include bonuses, commissions, and pay raises. Non-financial rewards can include extra time off, flexible work arrangements, and recognition for a job well done. It is important to offer a mix of both financial and non-financial rewards to ensure that employees feel valued and appreciated.

From my book, REWARDS & RECOGNITION BOOSTING EMPLOYEE MORALE IN THE WORKPLACE

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humanresources #incentives #productivity #engagement #employeeretention

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Understanding Employee Morale

The first step in improving employee morale through rewards is understanding what employee morale is and how it affects the workplace. Employee morale refers to the overall outlook, attitude, satisfaction, and confidence of employees in their job and work environment. Low morale can lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and high turnover rates. On the other hand, high morale leads to increased job satisfaction, better employee engagement, and improved retention rates.

From my book, REWARDS & RECOGNITION BOOSTING EMPLOYEE MORALE IN THE WORKPLACE

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humanresources #incentives #productivity #engagement #employeeretention

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Boosting employee morale through effective reward programs not only benefits the organization but also has a significant positive impact on the well-being of employees. Studies have shown that happier employees are more productive, have better work relationships, and experience less stress and burnout. By investing in employee morale, organizations can create a culture of happiness and positivity, which can ultimately lead to improved performance and increased profitability.Furthermore, happy employees are more likely to stay with their organization, reducing turnover rates and the costs associated with hiring and training new employees. They are also more likely to become brand ambassadors for the organization, promoting it positively to their friends, family, and social networks.Boosting employee morale through effective reward programs is not only good for the bottom line, but it is also a socially responsible approach that promotes employee well- being and happiness. By investing in our employees, we are investing in the future of our organization and our society as a whole.

From my book, REWARDS & RECOGNITION BOOSTING EMPLOYEE MORALE IN THE WORKPLACE

Group Subscription Offer for teams of 2+ to benefit from comprehensive, consistent, and cohesive guidance with best practices for Human Resources Professionals

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humanresources #incentives #productivity #engagement #employeeretention

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• Identify your values and purpose: To lead with impact, it's important to have a clear understanding of your values and purpose. Ask yourself: What motivates and inspires me? What are my core values? What kind of impact do I want to have on the world? Once you have a clear sense of your values and purpose, you can start aligning your actions and decisions with these guiding principles.

• Identify areas for impact: Next, identify areas where you can make a positive impact. This could be in your personal life, your community, your workplace, or on a larger scale. Consider the skills, resources, and networks you have at your disposal and think about how you can use them to create change. Look for opportunities to collaborate with others who share your vision and can help amplify your impact.

• Take action: Finally, take action to create the change you want to see. This could involve volunteering, starting a project or initiative, advocating for a cause, or taking on a leadership role in your community or workplace. Be persistent and resilient in your efforts, and be open to learning and adapting as you go. Remember, leading with impact is a journey, and the most important thing is to keep taking steps forward towards your goals.

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A. Importance of Sustaining Impactful Leadership: Sustaining impactful leadership is critical to ensuring long-term success for organizations. Leaders who can sustain impact over time can build a culture of continuous improvement, adapt to changing circumstances, and create a lasting legacy of positive change within their organizations. It is important for leaders to understand the strategies and practices that can help them sustain impactful leadership over the long term.

B. Strategies for Sustaining Impact: There are several strategies that leaders can use to sustain impact over time. These include developing a growth mindset, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, engaging in ongoing learning and development, and building strong relationships with stakeholders. Leaders should also focus on building their resilience and emotional intelligence, and prioritize self-care to maintain their energy and motivation.

C. Self-Reflection and Continuous Improvement: Self-reflection is a critical component of sustaining impactful leadership. Leaders should regularly reflect on their actions, decisions, and impact, and seek feedback from others to identify areas for improvement. Leaders should also engage in ongoing learning and development to stay current with industry trends and best practices. By prioritizing self-reflection and continuous improvement, leaders can sustain their impact over the long term and create lasting positive change within their organizations.

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A. Defining High-Performance Teams and their Importance in Creating Impact: High-performance teams are groups of individuals who work together towards a common goal, leveraging their collective skills, knowledge, and expertise to achieve outstanding results. They are essential in creating impact because they can deliver exceptional outcomes and drive innovation. Leaders who foster high-performance teams can create a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence, leading to increased organizational success.

B. Building and Leading High-Performance Teams: Building and leading high-performance teams requires a clear vision, effective communication, and strong leadership skills. Leaders must ensure that team members have the right skills, knowledge, and resources to achieve their goals. They should also encourage diversity of thought, foster a culture of trust and respect, and provide opportunities for professional development. By providing a supportive environment and clear direction, leaders can help their teams achieve outstanding results.

C. Creating a Culture of Accountability: Creating a culture of accountability is critical in building and leading high-performance teams. Leaders should set clear expectations, establish goals and objectives, and provide regular feedback to their team members. They should also hold team members accountable for their performance, providing support and resources to help them achieve their goals. By fostering a culture of accountability, leaders can help their teams take ownership of their work and achieve outstanding results.

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A. Defining Emotional Intelligence and its Importance in Leadership: Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It is essential in leadership because it can impact how leaders relate to others and create change. Leaders with high EI are better able to build relationships, communicate effectively, and inspire others. They are also better equipped to manage conflict, navigate change, and make decisions that consider the needs and emotions of stakeholders.

B. Developing Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Developing emotional intelligence requires self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation. Leaders can develop EI by engaging in activities that promote self-reflection, such as journaling and mindfulness practices. They can also seek feedback from others and engage in coaching and training programs. By developing EI, leaders can improve their ability to manage their own emotions and respond appropriately to the emotions of others.

C. Applying Emotional Intelligence to Create Impact: Leaders who apply emotional intelligence can create a positive impact by building relationships, communicating effectively, and inspiring others. They can also manage conflict, navigate change, and make decisions that consider the needs and emotions of stakeholders. By leveraging emotional intelligence, leaders can create a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation, leading to increased organizational success and positive impact.

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A. Understanding the Need for Change and its Impact on Leadership: Change is a constant in today's fast-paced business environment, and leaders must be able to adapt to change and create a culture of change readiness within their organizations. Leaders who can effectively manage change can create impact by driving innovation and improving organizational performance. Understanding the need for change and its impact on leadership is crucial for leaders to successfully navigate the changing landscape of their industries.

B. Leading Change through Effective Communication and Engagement: Leading change requires effective communication and engagement with stakeholders. Leaders should communicate the reasons for change and its expected outcomes, and engage stakeholders in the change process to ensure their buy-in and commitment. Leaders should also provide resources and support to help employees adapt to the change, and celebrate successes along the way. By leading change through effective communication and engagement, leaders can create impact by successfully implementing changes that drive innovation and improve organizational performance.

C. Overcoming Resistance to Change: Resistance to change is a common challenge that leaders must overcome to successfully implement change. Leaders can overcome resistance to change by involving stakeholders in the change process, communicating the benefits of change, and addressing any concerns or objections that arise. Leaders should also provide training and support to help employees adapt to the change, and celebrate successes along the way. By overcoming resistance to change, leaders can create impact by successfully implementing changes that drive innovation and improve organizational performance.

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A. Defining Vision and its Importance in Leadership: Vision is a clear and compelling picture of the future that inspires and guides action. It provides a sense of direction, purpose, and meaning, and is essential for effective leadership. Leaders who create and communicate a clear and compelling vision can inspire others and create a shared sense of purpose, leading to increased motivation, engagement, and organizational success.

B. Developing a Vision for the Organization: Developing a vision for the organization requires a deep understanding of the organization's values, mission, and strategic objectives. Leaders need to engage with stakeholders, including employees, customers, and partners, to understand their needs and aspirations. A clear and compelling vision should be ambitious, inspiring, and achievable. It should be aligned with the organization's purpose and values, and should guide decision-making and action.

C. Communicating the Vision to Stakeholders: Communicating the vision to stakeholders is essential for creating a positive impact. Leaders need to communicate the vision clearly, consistently, and convincingly to inspire others and create a shared sense of purpose. Communication should be tailored to different stakeholders and should address their concerns and aspirations. Leaders should use various channels, including meetings, presentations, and social media, to communicate the vision and engage stakeholders in the visioning process.

Effective visioning and communication require leadership skills such as empathy, listening, and storytelling. By developing these skills, leaders can create and communicate a clear and compelling vision that inspires and guides action, leading to increased organizational success and positive impact.

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A. Importance of Leading with Purpose: Leading with purpose is essential for creating a positive impact because it enables leaders to align their actions with a higher vision or mission. Purpose-driven leaders inspire others and create a sense of direction and meaning. Leaders who lead with purpose can create a positive impact by aligning their actions with the values and mission of their organization.

B. Understanding Organizational Purpose and its Impact on Leadership: Organizational purpose is the reason for an organization's existence, beyond making a profit. It defines the organization's values, vision, and mission, and guides its decision-making. Understanding organizational purpose is essential for effective leadership because it enables leaders to align their actions with the values and mission of the organization. Purpose-driven leaders can inspire others and create a shared sense of purpose, leading to increased motivation, engagement, and organizational success.

C. Aligning Personal Purpose with Organizational Purpose: Aligning personal purpose with organizational purpose is crucial for creating a positive impact. Leaders who understand their personal values, vision, and mission can align their actions with the purpose of their organization, leading to greater effectiveness and impact. When leaders are aligned with the purpose of their organization, they can create a sense of direction, meaning, and shared purpose among their team members. Personal purpose and organizational purpose are interrelated, and aligning them is essential for creating a positive impact.

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Follow along as I read Genesis 1-10 in the King James Version.

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Personal Leadership and Impact

A. Defining Personal Leadership: Personal leadership refers to the ability of an individual to lead oneself effectively. It involves developing self-awareness, identifying one's strengths and weaknesses, and setting goals to achieve personal and professional growth. Personal leadership is a fundamental aspect of effective leadership because leaders who can lead themselves effectively can inspire and lead others to achieve shared goals.

B. Importance of Personal Leadership in Creating Impact: Personal leadership is essential for creating a positive impact because it enables leaders to align their values and behaviors. When leaders are clear about their personal values and vision, they can lead with authenticity and inspire others to do the same. Personal leadership is essential for creating a positive impact because it allows leaders to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and focus on areas where they can make the most significant contribution.

C. Characteristics of Effective Personal Leadership: Effective personal leadership is characterized by self-awareness, emotional intelligence, resilience, and a growth mindset. Self-awareness is the ability to understand one's strengths and weaknesses, values, and personal vision. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage one's own emotions and the emotions of others effectively. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges and maintain a positive outlook. A growth mindset is the belief that personal growth is possible, and mistakes are opportunities for learning and development. Leaders who possess these characteristics can lead themselves effectively, inspire others, and create a positive impact in their organizations and communities.

By understanding the importance of personal leadership and the characteristics of effective personal leadership, leaders can cultivate the skills and mindset necessary to create a positive impact. Personal leadership is the foundation of effective leadership, and by developing this aspect of leadership, leaders can create a lasting impact on their organizations and society.

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Understanding Impact

A. Defining Impact: Impact refers to the effect or influence of something or someone. In the context of leadership, impact refers to the lasting effect created by a leader's actions, decisions, and behavior. Leaders who create a positive impact can inspire others and achieve organizational goals. Understanding the concept of impact is crucial for effective leadership because it enables leaders to make informed decisions and take actions that create a positive and lasting effect.

B. Importance of Understanding Impact in Leadership: Understanding the impact of leadership is crucial because it enables leaders to make informed decisions and take actions that create a positive and lasting effect. Leaders who understand the impact of their actions can create change that aligns with their values and organizational purpose. Effective leadership requires a deep understanding of the impact that leaders have on their followers, their organization, and society as a whole.

C. Types of Impact and Their Effects on Leadership: There are different types of impact that leaders can create, such as social, environmental, and economic impact. Social impact refers to the positive changes in people's lives resulting from a leader's actions or decisions. Environmental impact refers to the effects of a leader's actions on the natural environment. Economic impact refers to the financial effects of a leader's decisions on the organization and the economy. Understanding the different types of impact can help leaders make decisions that align with their values and create a positive impact on society. Leaders who create a positive impact can inspire others and create a sense of purpose and direction. By understanding the different types of impact, leaders can create change that aligns with their values and organizational purpose.

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Luke 6

New Living Translation

A Discussion about the Sabbath

6 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. 2 But some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

3 Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 5 And Jesus added, “The Son of Man[a] is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

6 On another Sabbath day, a man with a deformed right hand was in the synagogue while Jesus was teaching. 7 The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

8 But Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward. 9 Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”

10 He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 11 At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.

Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 13 At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:

14 Simon (whom he named Peter),Andrew (Peter’s brother),James,John,Philip,Bartholomew,15 Matthew,Thomas,James (son of Alphaeus),Simon (who was called the zealot),16 Judas (son of James),Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Crowds Follow Jesus

17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil[b] spirits were healed. 19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.

The Beatitudes

20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,

“God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.21 God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.

22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

Sorrows Foretold

24 “What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now.25 What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you.What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.26 What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

Love for Enemies

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Do Not Judge Others

37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.[c]”

39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? 40 Students[d] are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

41 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[e] when you have a log in your own? 42 How can you think of saying, ‘Friend,[f] let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

The Tree and Its Fruit

43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Building on a Solid Foundation

46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

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I realize it’s difficult for many to use this word. They key is to never ever say to someone, ‘stop being so anxious.’ This happened to me quite publically in from of leaders. It’s normal to feel anxious, fearful, and even bewildered at times. If we did not experience these emotions, we would not be human.

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1John 1

Introduction

1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning,[a] whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. 2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.[b]

Living in the Light

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus[c] and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

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2023 The Year to Hear

Photo taken by Alexia at the Denver, CO Botanical Gardens September 2022

God is talking.

Has anyone heard?

God is talking.

Amongst the whirlwind of a world.

Sparrows abound,

Doves surround,

In the midst of this storm.

Beckon His Call.

2023

The best is yet to come.

BE in ME,

I will help you overcome.

As you turn here and there,

Look up, I AM.

Here, there, everywhere;

By My Spirit says the Lord.

BE in ME.

Hear what I speak.

Listen, obey & turn.

My return is nigh.

Read my Word.

Speak

Listen

Have you heard?

Stop

Listen

BE in ME.

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Life Betterment Through God

a Podcast by Alexia

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Life just gets better and better with God. Get to know Jesus through prayer, and contact with fellow believers. We are in the last days. Have you made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Let's begin a journey together. Hi, I am Alexia, a Life Coach. I have a Master's degree in Christian Counseling and am certified in Teaching Ministry from Rhema Bible College. I have 30+ years experience as a mental health and substance abuse therapist.

Join us in our SIGNAL group to chat about getting closer to God during these end time events. We are a group Christians from all around the world and different denominations and perspectives. Join our SIGNAL group!

Learn more about me on my Linked In

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prayer #podcast #Christian #devotional #Jesus #Bible #inspirational #faith #merrychristmas #happynewyear #peace #hope #joy

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Revelation 1New Living Translation

Prologue

1 This is a revelation from[a] Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon[b] take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

Revelation 22New Living Translation

22 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit,[a]with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets,[b] has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.[c]”

Jesus Is Coming

7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.[d]”

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. 9 But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!”

10 Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near.11 Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”

12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne.[e] I am the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. 18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.

20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.[f]

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Luke 6

6 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. 2 But some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

3 Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 5 And Jesus added, “The Son of Man[a] is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

6 On another Sabbath day, a man with a deformed right hand was in the synagogue while Jesus was teaching. 7 The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

8 But Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward. 9 Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”

10 He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 11 At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.

Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.13 At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:

14 Simon (whom he named Peter),Andrew (Peter’s brother),James,John,Philip,Bartholomew,15 Matthew,Thomas,James (son of Alphaeus),Simon (who was called the zealot),16 Judas (son of James),Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Crowds Follow Jesus

17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil[b] spirits were healed.19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.

The Beatitudes

20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,

“God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.21 God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.

22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

Sorrows Foretold

24 “What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now.25 What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you.What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.26 What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

Love for Enemies

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Do Not Judge Others

37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.[c]”

39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? 40 Students[d] are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

41 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[e] when you have a log in your own? 42 How can you think of saying, ‘Friend,[f] let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

The Tree and Its Fruit

43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Building on a Solid Foundation

46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

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John 15New Living Translation

Jesus, the True Vine

15 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.17 This is my command: Love each other.

The World’s Hatred

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures[a]: ‘They hated me without cause.’

26 “But I will send you the Advocate[b]—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

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1 Thessalonians 5New Living Translation

5 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.[b] 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Paul’s Final Advice

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

Paul’s Final Greetings

23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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John 16

16 “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate[a] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy

16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”

17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”

19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.[b] 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”

29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

prayer #faith

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1 Thessalonians 2

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

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Mark 11

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

11 As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into that village over there,”he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God![a] Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!10 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!”[b]

11 So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Jesus Clears the Temple

15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[c] 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[d]

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left[e] the city.

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.[f]”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

27 Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 28 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

29 “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 30 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

31 They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. 32 But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. 33 So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

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Faith Brings Joy

Romans 5

5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Adam and Christ Contrasted

12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Hebrews 3

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.[f] Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 15 Remember what it says:

“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”[g]

16 And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness? 18 And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? 19 So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

Hebrews 4

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. 2 For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.[a] 3 For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said,

“In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’”[b]

even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. 4 We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”[c] 5 But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”[d]

6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. 7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted:

“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”[e]

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According to CERN the universe should not exist. It doesn’t make sense to them.

👇🏼💭

"All of our observations find a complete symmetry between matter and antimatter, which is why the universe should not actually exist," first author Christian Smorra, from Japan's RIKEN institute, said in a statement.

Psalm 104 tells us He upholds all things by His Word & power🔥

Psalm 104

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord.

O Lord my God, how great you are!

You are robed with honor and majesty.

2 You are dressed in a robe of light.

You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;

3 you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.

You make the clouds your chariot;

you ride upon the wings of the wind.

4 The winds are your messengers;

flames of fire are your servants.[a]

5 You placed the world on its foundation

so it would never be moved.

6 You clothed the earth with floods of water,

water that covered even the mountains.

7 At your command, the water fled;

at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.

8 Mountains rose and valleys sank

to the levels you decreed.

9 Then you set a firm boundary for the seas,

so they would never again cover the earth.

10 You make springs pour water into the ravines,

so streams gush down from the mountains.

11 They provide water for all the animals,

and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12 The birds nest beside the streams

and sing among the branches of the trees.

13 You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,

and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.

14 You cause grass to grow for the livestock

and plants for people to use.

You allow them to produce food from the earth—

15 wine to make them glad,

olive oil to soothe their skin,

and bread to give them strength.

16 The trees of the Lord are well cared for—

the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

17 There the birds make their nests,

and the storks make their homes in the cypresses.

18 High in the mountains live the wild goats,

and the rocks form a refuge for the hyraxes.[b]

19 You made the moon to mark the seasons,

and the sun knows when to set.

20 You send the darkness, and it becomes night,

when all the forest animals prowl about.

21 Then the young lions roar for their prey,

stalking the food provided by God.

22 At dawn they slink back

into their dens to rest.

23 Then people go off to their work,

where they labor until evening.

24 O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!

In wisdom you have made them all.

The earth is full of your creatures.

25 Here is the ocean, vast and wide,

teeming with life of every kind,

both large and small.

26 See the ships sailing along,

and Leviathan,[c] which you made to play in the sea.

27 They all depend on you

to give them food as they need it.

28 When you supply it, they gather it.

You open your hand to feed them,

and they are richly satisfied.

29 But if you turn away from them, they panic.

When you take away their breath,

they die and turn again to dust.

30 When you give them your breath,[d] life is created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

31 May the glory of the Lord continue forever!

The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made!

32 The earth trembles at his glance;

the mountains smoke at his touch.

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A relationship with the Holy Spirit comes through salvation; intimacy with the Holy Spirit comes through surrender. Let’s seek intimacy with God. He has arms open wide.

Revelation 3:20

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Chat with Him like sharing a meal with a friend.

Revelation 3

The Message to the Church in Sardis

3 “Write this letter to the angel[a] of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit[b] of God and the seven stars:

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

The Message to the Church in Philadelphia

7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.

This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David.What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open:[c]

8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon.[d] Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

The Message to the Church in Laodicea

14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning[e] of God’s new creation:

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

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Hebrews 11:6King James Version

6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

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Psalm 43New Living Translation

Psalm 43

1Declare me innocent, O God!
    Defend me against these ungodly people.
    Rescue me from these unjust liars.
2For you are God, my only safe haven.
    Why have you tossed me aside?
Why must I wander around in grief,
    oppressed by my enemies?
3Send out your light and your truth;
    let them guide me.
Let them lead me to your holy mountain,
    to the place where you live.
4There I will go to the altar of God,
    to God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with my harp,
    O God, my God!

5Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

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The Holy Spirit Comes

2 On the day of Pentecost[a] all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,[b] as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Peter Preaches to the Crowd

14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:

17 ‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’[c]

22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene[d] by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about him:

‘I see that the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
26 No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts his praises!
My body rests in hope.
27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead[e]
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
28 You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’[f]

29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. 31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.

32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
35 until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”’[g]

36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away[h]—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

The Believers Form a Community

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[i]), and to prayer.

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

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Psalm 69

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Lilies.”

1 Save me, O God,
for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
2 Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire;
I can’t find a foothold.
I am in deep water,
and the floods overwhelm me.
3 I am exhausted from crying for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes are swollen with weeping,
waiting for my God to help me.
4 Those who hate me without cause
outnumber the hairs on my head.
Many enemies try to destroy me with lies,
demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.

5 O God, you know how foolish I am;
my sins cannot be hidden from you.
6 Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me,
O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated,
O God of Israel.
7 For I endure insults for your sake;
humiliation is written all over my face.
8 Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me;
they treat me like a stranger.

9 Passion for your house has consumed me,
and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
10 When I weep and fast,
they scoff at me.
11 When I dress in burlap to show sorrow,
they make fun of me.
12 I am the favorite topic of town gossip,
and all the drunks sing about me.

13 But I keep praying to you, Lord,
hoping this time you will show me favor.
In your unfailing love, O God,
answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mud;
don’t let me sink any deeper!
Save me from those who hate me,
and pull me from these deep waters.
15 Don’t let the floods overwhelm me,
or the deep waters swallow me,
or the pit of death devour me.

16 Answer my prayers, O Lord,
for your unfailing love is wonderful.
Take care of me,
for your mercy is so plentiful.
17 Don’t hide from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!
18 Come and redeem me;
free me from my enemies.

19 You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace.
You see all that my enemies are doing.
20 Their insults have broken my heart,
and I am in despair.
If only one person would show some pity;
if only one would turn and comfort me.
21 But instead, they give me poison[a] for food;
they offer me sour wine for my thirst.

22 Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare
and their prosperity become a trap.[b]
23 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
and make their bodies shake continually.[c]
24 Pour out your fury on them;
consume them with your burning anger.
25 Let their homes become desolate
and their tents be deserted.
26 To the one you have punished, they add insult to injury;
they add to the pain of those you have hurt.
27 Pile their sins up high,
and don’t let them go free.
28 Erase their names from the Book of Life;
don’t let them be counted among the righteous.

29 I am suffering and in pain.
Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.

30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing,
and I will honor him with thanksgiving.
31 For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle,
more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.
33 For the Lord hears the cries of the needy;
he does not despise his imprisoned people.

34 Praise him, O heaven and earth,
the seas and all that move in them.
35 For God will save Jerusalem[d]
and rebuild the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
and settle in their own land.
36 The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land,
and those who love him will live there in safety.

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The Lord’s Future Reign Isaiah 2

2 This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
3 People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
4 The Lord will mediate between nations
and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore.

A Warning of Judgment

5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
6 For the Lord has rejected his people,
the descendants of Jacob,
because they have filled their land with practices from the East
and with sorcerers, as the Philistines do.
They have made alliances with pagans.
7 Israel is full of silver and gold;
there is no end to its treasures.
Their land is full of warhorses;
there is no end to its chariots.
8 Their land is full of idols;
the people worship things they have made
with their own hands.
9 So now they will be humbled,
and all will be brought low—
do not forgive them.
10 Crawl into caves in the rocks.
Hide in the dust
from the terror of the Lord
and the glory of his majesty.
11 Human pride will be brought down,
and human arrogance will be humbled.
Only the Lord will be exalted
on that day of judgment.

12 For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
has a day of reckoning.
He will punish the proud and mighty
and bring down everything that is exalted.
13 He will cut down the tall cedars of Lebanon
and all the mighty oaks of Bashan.
14 He will level all the high mountains
and all the lofty hills.
15 He will break down every high tower
and every fortified wall.
16 He will destroy all the great trading ships[a]
and every magnificent vessel.
17 Human pride will be humbled,
and human arrogance will be brought down.
Only the Lord will be exalted
on that day of judgment.

18 Idols will completely disappear.
19 When the Lord rises to shake the earth,
his enemies will crawl into holes in the ground.
They will hide in caves in the rocks
from the terror of the Lord
and the glory of his majesty.
20 On that day of judgment they will abandon the gold and silver idols
they made for themselves to worship.
They will leave their gods to the rodents and bats,
21 while they crawl away into caverns
and hide among the jagged rocks in the cliffs.
They will try to escape the terror of the Lord
and the glory of his majesty
as he rises to shake the earth.
22 Don’t put your trust in mere humans.
They are as frail as breath.
What good are they?

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Proverbs 29 New Living Translation

29 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism
will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.

2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.
But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

4 A just king gives stability to his nation,
but one who demands bribes destroys it.

5 To flatter friends
is to lay a trap for their feet.

6 Evil people are trapped by sin,
but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.

7 The godly care about the rights of the poor;
the wicked don’t care at all.

8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated,
but the wise will calm anger.

9 If a wise person takes a fool to court,
there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.

10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,
but the upright seek to help them.[a]

11 Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.

12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,
all his advisers will be wicked.

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common—
the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

14 If a king judges the poor fairly,
his throne will last forever.

15 To discipline a child produces wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

16 When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,
but the godly will live to see their downfall.

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind
and will make your heart glad.

18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.
But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

19 Words alone will not discipline a servant;
the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.

20 There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks without thinking.

21 A servant pampered from childhood
will become a rebel.

22 An angry person starts fights;
a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

23 Pride ends in humiliation,
while humility brings honor.

24 If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.
You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.

25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the Lord means safety.

26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
but justice comes from the Lord.

27 The righteous despise the unjust;
the wicked despise the godly.

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Psalm 61New Living Translation

Psalm 61

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1 O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
2 From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
3 for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude

5 For you have heard my vows, O God.
You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.
6 Add many years to the life of the king!
May his years span the generations!
7 May he reign under God’s protection forever.
May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.
8 Then I will sing praises to your name forever
as I fulfill my vows each day.

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Ephesians 3 Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[e] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[f] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 2 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 6 The Whole Armor of God 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[d] 19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.[e] 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

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Psalm 61

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1O God, listen to my cry!
    Hear my prayer!
2From the ends of the earth,
    I cry to you for help
    when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
3    for you are my safe refuge,
    a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
4Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
    safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude

5For you have heard my vows, O God.
    You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.
6Add many years to the life of the king!
    May his years span the generations!
7May he reign under God’s protection forever.
    May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.
8Then I will sing praises to your name forever
    as I fulfill my vows each day.

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This 30 minute prayer flowed beautifully to help us understand who we are in Christ, what we have, and what our life is really about.

Ephesians 3

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[e] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[f] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 2

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 6

The Whole Armor of God

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[d]

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.[e] 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

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John 17 New Living Translation

The Prayer of Jesus

17 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

6 “I have revealed you[a] to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name;[b] now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me.[c] I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

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Hebrews 11 New Living Translation

Great Examples of Faith

11 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.”[a] For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed[b] that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”[c] 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.

21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.

23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. 28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.

30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half,[d] and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

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The Message to the Church in Sardis

3 “Write this letter to the angel[a] of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit[b] of God and the seven stars:

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

The Message to the Church in Philadelphia

7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.

This is the message from the one who is holy and true,
the one who has the key of David.
What he opens, no one can close;
and what he closes, no one can open:[c]

8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon.[d] Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

The Message to the Church in Laodicea

14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning[e] of God’s new creation:

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

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Revelations 3:8 Perseverance comes with a promise!

8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon.[d] Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

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Work Less Accomplish More Nano Tool

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Ephesians 6 New Living Translation

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”[b]

4 Fathers,[c] do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

The Whole Armor of God

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[d] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[e] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[f] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[g]

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.[h] 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.

23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters,[i] and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 24 May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Galatians 3 New Living Translation

The Law and Faith in Christ

3 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced[a] so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[b] 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.”[c] 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”[d] 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”[e] 12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”[f]

13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”[g] 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised[h] Holy Spirit through faith.

The Law and God’s Promise

15 Dear brothers and sisters,[i] here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. 16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child.[j] And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,[k]” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. 18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.

19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. 20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.

21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?[l] Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

God’s Children through Faith

23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

26 For you are all children[m] of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.[n] 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[o] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children[p] of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

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Romans 10 New Living Translation

10 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.[b] As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

Salvation Is for Everyone

5 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.[c] 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says,

“The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.”[d]

And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[e] 12 Jew and Gentile[f] are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[g]

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”[h]

16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[i] 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:

“The message has gone throughout the earth,
and the words to all the world.”[j]

19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,

“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.
I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”[k]

20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,

“I was found by people who were not looking for me.
I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”[l]

21 But regarding Israel, God said,

“All day long I opened my arms to them,
but they were disobedient and rebellious.”[m]

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Romans 8 New Living Translation

Life in the Spirit

8 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b] from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.[c] So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life[d] because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,[e] you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature,[f] you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[g] of God.

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[h] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”[i] 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

The Future Glory

18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,[j] including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope[k] for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[l] in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn[n] among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[o]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[p] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Ephesians 3 New Living Translation

3 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles[a] . . . 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.[b] 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone[c] this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,[d] we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[e] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[f] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

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Ephesians 5 New Living Translation

Living in the Light

5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”

Living by the Spirit’s Power

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.[b] 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”[c] 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

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Psalm 101 A psalm of David. 1 I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. 2 I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. 3 I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. 4 I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. 5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. 6 I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. 7 I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. 8 My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip.

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Psalm 21 For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! He shouts with joy because you give him victory. 2 For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested. Interlude 3 You welcomed him back with success and prosperity. You placed a crown of finest gold on his head. 4 He asked you to preserve his life, and you granted his request. The days of his life stretch on forever. 5 Your victory brings him great honor, and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty. 6 You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. 8 You will capture all your enemies. Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you. 9 You will throw them in a flaming furnace when you appear. The Lord will consume them in his anger; fire will devour them. 10 You will wipe their children from the face of the earth; they will never have descendants. 11 Although they plot against you, their evil schemes will never succeed. 12 For they will turn and run when they see your arrows aimed at them. 13 Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.

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Psalm 9 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Death of the Son.” 1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. 2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. 3 My enemies retreated; they staggered and died when you appeared. 4 For you have judged in my favor; from your throne you have judged with fairness. 5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have erased their names forever. 6 The enemy is finished, in endless ruins; the cities you uprooted are now forgotten. 7 But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. 8 He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. 9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. 11 Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem.[a] Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. 12 For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer. 13 Lord, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death. 14 Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that you have rescued me. 15 The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set. 16 The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds. Quiet Interlude[b] 17 The wicked will go down to the grave.[c] This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God. 18 But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed. 19 Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Judge the nations! 20 Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let the nations know they are merely human. Interlude

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Psalm 95 1 Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. 3 For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. 4 He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. 5 The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. 6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, 7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! 8 The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. 9 For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did. 10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ 11 So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”

Life Skills for Leadership is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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Psalm 91 1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. 9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

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Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.

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Psalm 11 For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! 2 The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. 3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” 4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. 5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. 6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. 7 For the righteous Lord loves justice.

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10 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives. 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

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Pray this prayer with us that Jesus prayed. 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

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Salt and Light
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.…

Berean Study Bible

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Psalm 61

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1 O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
2 From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
3 for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude

5 For you have heard my vows, O God.
You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.
6 Add many years to the life of the king!
May his years span the generations!
7 May he reign under God’s protection forever.
May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.
8 Then I will sing praises to your name forever
as I fulfill my vows each day.

Philippians 4:19 New Living Translation

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

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Join me in learning about problem solving!

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“spirituality is one of the key components associated with health and longevity. It can foster a strong sense of community, helping people feel that they live for something greater than themselves and thus greater than their problems. Where there is purpose, there is hope.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

Positive Psychology studies people of faith along with Neurotheology. Andrew Newberg is a neuroscientist who studies the brain responding to people who have and do not have spiritual beliefs. This is fascinating to study.

How do we increase spirituality?

Choose to live in love.

Read about neurotheology to see what scientific research shows.

Study different religions and spiritualities.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“Willpower is the mindset that allows us to persevere even if we do not feel like persevering.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

Our routines have been interrupted in 2020 with the COVID19 pandemic. Many have lost work, changed work, or have had to adjust to virtual work. Essential workers have risked their lives to provide us with our basic needs. We have to fight to live!

How do we build mental muscle to have willpower?

This is a daily choice.

Plug into the outlet where there is power to catapult you forward. What is the energy source for you, ie. what motivates?

Recall past times when you pushed through with willpower writing down as many details as you can remember.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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Artist quotes found on: INSTAGRAM

MY ART JOURNAL

Learn more about MY ART

Watch Full Video on YouTube HERE

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“Due to the mind-body connection, expectancy produces real, neurophysiological outcomes in your body. Research indicates that expecting your physical work. to bring about health benefits such as weight loss, for instance, brings about health benefits such as weight loss!” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

To better understand how expecting positive outcomes is effective, think about the placebo effect and how real that is. This can work in the opposite direction if we are expecting the worst outcome being overcome with fear. Today we need to choose to follow love or fear. This is not easy, as fear may paralyzes us.

How do we foster an expectancy mindset?

Ask yourself “Do I expect myself to do well today?”

Analyze your thoughts to determine what you are expecting throughout the day.

Retrain your brain to expect the positive.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“High levels of social support predict longevity at least as reliably as healthy eating and regular exercise do, while low levels of social support are as damaging as high blood pressure.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

We need to feel and perceive there are those in our lives who support us. In his Ted Talk, Adam Grant share insights into benefits of being a giver and that givers do not always come out ahead. He also shares that we have the trait to be a taker. There is a free quiz you can take on his website to see what percentage of each is natural to you!

How do we build skills to support others and be a receiver of support?

Awaken daily thinking who you can help today.

Smile at people wherever you are.

When you are having a rough day, stop and do something to help someone.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“Worrying about your stress will actually put your body into toxic stress, which will impact your mental and physical health.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

We are stressed. This is a fact. The question to ask ourselves is do we see the glass half full or half empty? Optimism is key to having a healthy stress mindset. It is our decision to make daily how we perceive the situations that occur.

How do we foster a healthy stress mindset?

See stress as something that enhances our performance.

Reframe the situation as something you can handle.

Reach out to a family member or friend to talk it out and gain their perspective.

BE Mindful of how we perceive stress & make the change that is necessary!

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“ When we choose to be grateful, we tap into our natural design. Research on the effects gratitude has on our biology shows how being thankful increases our longevity, our ability to use our imagination, and our ability to problem-solve, it also improves our overall health.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

There are multiple studies on the benefits of gratitude and it is now being called a science. As a Christian I have often referred to the Scripture, “in everything give thanks.” 1 Thess 5:18. Now science has proven the Bible!

How have you been taught about gratitude in your religion, belief system, values & culture?

To practice gratitude remember the following:

Create an attitude of gratitude to carry daily.

Think about what you say before you say it.

Journal 3 things daily you are thankful for.

Email/text/message someone telling them how grateful you are they are in your life!

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“ When you choose to develop a mindset that allows you to perceive possibilities, the wired for love design of the brain is activated to respond, and attempts become possibilities rather than failures.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

We chose the photo to help us contemplate on how much is actually possible. What determines our success in a difficult situation, is whether we will truly believe there are multiple possibilities. Often due to stress, we can only have tunnel vision seeing one light at the end. In life just as there are many options to daily decisions that we make, there is also possibility on a level we may not be able to comprehend.

How to enable this practice in thought:

Deliberately see possibilities in every situation writing it down.

Attempts are possibilities, not failures.

We have creative power in our mind to design blueprints of these possibilities.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“Our goal for positive change and success should last a lifetime.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

Neuroplasticity is the reorganization of the brain in response to various sensory experiences. Research shows developing new habits takes cycles of 63 days minimum. We are in a fast food world where we expect automatic results. Mindset work is just that, work. This is like a physical exercise routine. We cannot walk into the gym today for the first time and lift 500 pounds without becoming seriously injured.

What about time?

Find your flow, paying attention to one task with full focus, making good use of time.

Self care is a productive use of time as you are important!

Remember habits take 63 days to build with consistent application.

Be patient with yourself with self-compassion.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“Forgiveness does not deny pain or wrongdoing; it is a choice to let go of the person who hurt you.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

A Mayo Clinic study found people who held grudges had increased muscle tension, feelings of being less in control, with elevated blood pressure and heart rates. The researchers asked the participants to imagine forgiving the person who harmed them. They reported feeling more positive and relaxed with a greater sense of well-being.

What are the steps to forgive?

Acknowledge the pain you are feeling.

Look at the other person’s life and context considering what they have and are experiencing.

This is a decision to make and it takes time to heal.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“The first step in controlling emotions is to recognize that you have control over your emotions. The second step is to realize that you are not responsible for the cause of the emotion but rather for the management of the emotion.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

There is a natural flow in our human system when we express our emotions in a healthy way instead of repressing them thus stopping this flow. We learn to hide emotions due to social norms in various settings throughout our lives. Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience teaches us there is an effect on our body and mind due to repression and expression of emotions. The key is to regulate the emotions that occur. What does this process look like?

Recognize you have control over your emotions.

We are responsible for the management of the emotion, not the cause.

Feel your emotions, talk about them or journal, making a decision to balance out the negative with what is going well and the feelings that arise.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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“These words contain power and reflect your thought life, influencing the world around you and the circumstances of your life. Your words are therefore very useful, since they provide insight into what is holding you back or propelling you forward.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

Quantum Physics tells us we release energy with words. With negative words. we release negative quantum energy bringing upset to our mental & physical system. This creates a stressful state. Just think how we feel after a heated argument physically and emotionally: worn out! What we say is a reflection of what we are thinking and how we feel, and words have power. I grew up with the phrase, ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.’ Not true according to Quantum Physics.

Let’s work on our words!

Increase awareness of what you say.

Compare your words to your thoughts.

Replace negative statements with positive words.

fridaymindsetchallenge

Available on multiple platforms!

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Happiness Studies have shown us the key to being internally happy is connection. This is a meaningful life with inner life satisfaction. Have you ever gotten that one thing you dreamed of having, and later felt empty realizing it did not bring you true satisfaction? Positive Psychology has redefined success as preceding happiness, not the vice versa that we thought: success brings happiness. To find true happiness is to find success.

How do we find happiness?

Connect socially.

Watch funny videos.

Believe happiness is for you.

Choose to be happy now not, ‘I’ll be happy when ___________ happens.”

fridaymindsetchallenge

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AGIORGIS church (View from Christiana’s Balcony)

Christiana was raised in the Paralio Astros Arcadia region of Greece where her father brought the textile industry employing one thousand local residents. The factory closed after 20 years and he grieved over this. Christiana promised to continue his legacy by making the region productive. Christiana’s education includes a Fine Arts degree, Bachelor’s degree in Education, and MBA. She has lived abroad in Canada for 22 years, where she taught kindergarten to University level courses. She proceeded to move to Athens where she worked as an investment counselor for Meryl Lynch. 10 years ago, she moved home to Paralio Astros Arcadia,

Greece to care for her aging parents. She now lives near the Mediterranean in the shadow of the mountain Parnonas.

Christiana is building a pilot program to regenerate empty villages by revitalizing a school in the village where she is from in Paralio Astros Arcadia, Greece. This is the cross section of science, business, technology for the good of nature and the good of the people. Her vision is to build The Meraki people, which is defined by 4 words: passion, dexterity, focus, & commitment.

In honor of her late father, Christiana is committed to create community utilizing the mountains as the factory utilizing the existing resources by empowering the indigenous people of the area to use their innate talents. There is bio diversity in the Mediterranean eco system as the source to make a living. Youth have left the local villages in search of successful careers, with many leaving Greece altogether. Redefining success is also an initiative within the region.

She aspires to bring a group of 50 people sitting in 7 tables to work collectively. All can contribute virtually as well with their gifts.

While the locals have initially stated, ‘this cannot be,’ Christiana 5 years later passed an initiative with the local council. She is a fellow of MIT Bio Labs and has applied to be part of Greece 2021. She is also part of the NOWWHAT!? Collective where there is support for her project. Contact her here today: EMAIL

crisgar@otenet.gr

facebook.com/christiana.gardikioti

The AgilEmpath Podcast is on multiple listening platforms:

https://pod.link/1521109986

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In Dr. Leaf’s book: “Think, Learn, Succeed,” 15 mindsets are explained that have been observed in participants to positively change brain chemistry.

“You cannot control the events and circumstances of life. You can, however, control your reactions to the events and circumstances of life through the choices you make and the thoughts you think.” ~Dr. Caroline Leaf

As human beings we are made of a spirit, soul, & body. Thoughts create our mood which influences how we feel physically. There is no separating feeling sad with having an upset stomach. If we are unclear where somatic problems are originating from, consider our psychology & spiritual state.

Superposition is the ability to focus on incoming information, think about the thoughts, analyze them choosing what stays and what goes. We do not have to accept thoughts and make them part of our thinking. Sometimes we have memories pop up due to a smell, or something someone said. We have the ability at that moment to recreate the memory balancing it with a positive that also occurred during the past. Truth of the matter, we have the ability to control our mind and this rewires the brain.

Begin controlling those thoughts, sorting them, and choosing what stays and what goes:

Do not allow thoughts to wander, instead capture them.

Analyze the thought.

Re-conceptualize thoughts & memories, by deciding what thought you would rather have. Add that thought to the mind’s vocabulary.

fridaymindsetchallenge

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Karl Shallowhorn is the President of Shallowhorn Consulting, LLC. He has a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Administration from SUNY Buffalo State and is a New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Karl has worked in the field of addiction and mental health for over 19 years and has delivered well over 200 trainings, workshops and keynote addresses to diverse audiences across the U.S. He is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and is the author of Working on Wellness: A Practical Guide to Mental Health. Karl is the Chairperson of the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition, as well as serving on several other local and statewide Boards. He has received numerous awards for his advocacy efforts, including from the National Federation for Just Communities and the Buffalo Association of Black Social Workers.

https://shallowhornconsulting.com/

"Leadership Through the Lens of the 12 Steps" is his newest book. Learn more here: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Through-Lens-12-Steps/dp/B08HGZK4GW

The AgilEmpath Podcast is on multiple listening platforms:

https://pod.link/1521109986

Harvard Business Review Article Systemic Racism: https://hbr.org/2020/06/do-your-employees-know-why-you-believe-in-racial-equity

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Join us for Season 2: Diversity & Inclusion; Episode 1 Ben Roberts & the NowWhat!?Collective

Ben Roberts has been convening and hosting both in-person and virtual conversations on a regular basis since March 2009, when he began leading a local weekly “Discussion Salon.” He specializes in making virtual events come alive, either as stand-alone events or in conjunction with in-person gatherings.

Ben has extensive experience adapting large group conversational processes such as World Cafe, Open Space Technology and Appreciative Inquiry to the virtual realm, as well as integrating in-person and virtual formats within a single conversation, gathering or engagement. He uses these processes to support collaboration, build communities of practice and purpose, and to host large scale conversations in service to the work being done across multiple dimensions of global systemic transformation.

The NowWhat!? Collective convenes twice yearly with the next session beginning October. 12, 2020 through November 20, 2020. Learn more at https://www.nowwhat2020.com/

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Teamwork virtually is key to morale, productivity, engagement and bottom line earnings for your organization. Learn tips to build a successful virtual team! This is a great episode to share with your colleagues. We are all adjusting to this new normal.

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The crisis is not over and we are uncertain about the future. How do we communicate effectively with our teams and organizations, as well as take care of ourselves? Tune in!

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When we are moved to action in the face of fear and change, we gain respect from those around us, as they are inspired to do the same. We talk about how to be effective in change management. How about being the creator of change? Shifts in society can occur with our courage.

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Leadership is becoming more about collaborative agile efforts where executives, managers & staff share information with equal responsibility for the whole. The traditional top-down models where a small group of executives control the flow of information is seen as a dinosaur by millennials. What is emerging is a team that seeks diversity of opinions to build strategies and solve problems. This empowers employees fostering increased engagement with ownership of their work. Employee happiness can only increase with collaborative leadership, where inclusion & belonging are values being lived out from the top down, thus eliminating the culture of top down management. Innovation & creativity flourishes in human beings with positive interactions. To flourish means to live within an optimal range of human functioning, one that connotes goodness, generativity, growth, and resilience. The organic way to foster human functioning in this optimal range is collaborative leadership!

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Mirror Neurons
Scientists have identified a group of cells in the brain that could explain how we share another’s pleasure or pain in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex. This area of the brain is active when we experience pain and when we observe when others experience pain. With higher empathy, the ACC region is more active!

With any situation, it’s effective to have a step by step guide to follow. The process of negotiation includes the following stages:

• Preparation
•When, Where, & with Whom to meet
•Limit the time of the meeting
•Gather the facts
•Know the rules of your organization
• Discussion-Each party presents their case
•Question
•Listen
•Clarify
• Clarification of goals-without clarification, barriers will occur
•Goals
•Interests
•Viewpoints
• Negotiate towards a Win-Win outcome as the ultimate goal
•Alternative Strategies
•Compromises
• Agreement
•Open Mind
•Acceptable Solution
• Implementation of a course of action
•Course of action

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Our world is in unrest with conflict. On a smaller scale, there is conflict in families, between authority and subordinate, among peers and co-workers and during daily communication in the community ie. bank, grocery store, while driving. We wanted to help out with tools to use daily!

Micro-aggression is a term used for brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative prejudicial slights and insults toward any group, particularly culturally marginalized groups.

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The Diversity & Inclusion training includes values, virtues, mindset, & emotions; how this develops culture, with tips to navigate change, while valuing diversity of thought.

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The Diversity & Inclusion training includes values, virtues, mindset, & emotions; how this develops culture, with tips to navigate change, while valuing diversity of thought.

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Humanity is socially distanced due to the COVID19 crisis, and suffering with a pre-existing pandemic of loneliness in our society. Prior to the shut-down of our nations, we were told by experts, ‘loneliness kills.’ We all need support, and this first needs to begin with ourselves. Why is jealousy a concern? When we are jealous of another person, we tell ourselves a story and that can lead us to act in irrational ways.

How do these principles apply to teams? It is the leadership’s responsibility to provide a safe work environment. This is fostered when the team observes a calm, confident leader who is not afraid to show vulnerability, and can make timely decisions when necessary. The team will follow the example of the leader, more than we realize. This emphasizes the importance of developing soft skills within our team, as this adds to our emotional intelligence as a whole. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consult. We have creative team building ZOOM trainings! alexia@theresilientpathway.com

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With our current pandemic, organizations across industries have shown resilience to adapt work environments to mostly virtual. We have lost the physical presence with one another, and the ability to show caring to one another through touch, & eye contact, including pats on the back and hugs. How do we connect with one another now? There is a new normal that will define how we interact as a society in business, academia, within our communities and with family/friends socially. Research in multiple studies on well-being indicate connection with one another is key to life satisfaction. Our teams thrive with relational management, and leaders who are humble, open and committed. Human beings need to be heard, and validated with calm, confident leaders who connect, care and innovate with the change.

In this podcast, we share what empathy is, teach seven empathy healthy habits, and look at the limited research on internet usage and empathy and implications with our current virtual work/academic environment.
Contact me to learn more about our interactive ZOOM class developing virtual empathy skills with your team! https://esdkcojjgbaocodtnx.10to8.com/

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In the second episode, we share from a recent class where we conceptualized and summarized key concepts in The Artist Way. Before you say, "I am not an artist," hold on! This is a proven method to tap into the creativity within each of us to reach our full potential, whatever that may be. We are all different with our gifts. Let's walk this path together.

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Welcome to the AgilEmpath Episode 1. We introduce how empathy & creativity expand our potential in life by sharing a brief story!

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Welcome to the AgilEmpath Podcast. We coach teams on agile methodologies in creative ways. Our background in mental health counseling has provided us with knowledge of human behavior. Have you found yourself coaching a team, needing support to educate your members about soft skills? We offer techniques to manage conflict & stress, increase productivity & engagement, creating an enjoyable work & home environment with emotional intelligence principles.

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