Sad to say
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:14-16 NLT)
We only benefit
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29 ESV)
Because we choose
Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people. (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
Asking, seeking, and knocking
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Luke 11:9-10 ESV)
Even if you feel like…
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (Psalm 100:1, 4 ESV)
I never made a sacrifice
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence. (Acts 2:28)
So how much is enough?
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. (Luke 12:31 NLT)
It’s hope
We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3–5 ESV)
We can choose to…
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrew 10:24 NIV)
Somewhere, somehow, sometime
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35 KJV)
Jesus spent time in prayer
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”. (Luke 11:1 ESV)
God’s idea of goodness
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. (Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT)
Pass it on
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV)
Beyond their duty
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. (Romans 5:7 NLT)
When you give of yourself
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18 NIV)
Pleasantly surprised
Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? (2 Corinthians 10:7)
Reserved for Me
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalms 107:9 KJV)