As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature.
So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-8 NLT Ed. 1)
The Fortis Benefits company in Kansas City hired the Gallup organization to find out why some people return to work more quickly than others. They found that the quick returnees almost never think about their physical problems, while those who are slow to come back focus on themselves and their impairment.
His mind was on others!
When Jesus came to earth, his whole mind was on others, not himself. He taught his followers to do the same thing; to think about others, almost to the point that they forgot themselves. He was teaching them not to be absorbed in themselves. His message - and his example - say, "Do something! Serve someone! Minister, feed the poor, teach the lost!"
His whole message is counter to what our basic human nature is, but it works. We live longer, work more productively, and bless others because of it.
© Dr. Paul Faulkner
"Do Something for Someone Else" by
Paul Faulkner is licensed under a
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Originally published June 2nd, 2006.
About the Author
Dr. Faulkner was the very first person of note and influence who shared his content with us at
HEARTLIGHT.org beginning in 1996.
Paul Faulkner taught on the Abilene Christian University campus full-time for 35 years. He was honored in 1982 as the university’s Teacher of the Year. He has written several books and was a much sought-after speaker and seminar leader along with his Marriage Enrichment partner, Dr. Carl Brecheen. Dr. Faulkner mentored many ministers and church leaders, shared his loving homespun humor and wisdom through many channels, and endeared himself to thousands. Our dear friend and mentor went to be with the Lord in 2022, but his legacy lives on in the lives of those he touched and made better.
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