1 Timothy 5:24The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.

Sin will eventually be exposed and judged. May I keep my way pure!

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

We find these verses amidst verses about service. Perhaps it is nestled here because God knew it was going to be harder for people to give their time than money. May I be willing to be generous with my time, not just my finances.

1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

The preaching of the Word is paramount!

2 Corinthians 8:15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

If I gather much, may I give generously and cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

One of the ways God comforts us is by sending us close friends when we are in times of great distress.

1 Timothy 4:10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God. 

Hope provides tremendous motivation for perseverance. Help me to appreciate the “hope” that I have in Christ, O Father. 

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

No matter the issue, good or bad, we trust ourselves to God, who grants us mercy, showers us with grace, and provides for our every need as we wait for eternal life with our Father.

1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great. 

True godliness does not come from trying harder or human effort; it is the work of grace by the Holy Spirit at work in us. In short, it is a mystery. 

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

There were times that even Paul wanted to give up his life. But later, in time, he recognized that this had happened “that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God.” When I go through nearly impossible times, ii should be aware that God is drawing me close; not pushing me away.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves.

“If I am delayed” … Paul lived with a measure of uncertainty, fully trusting God to direct his steps and timing.