keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.  – Hebrews 12:2 (HCSB)

You might be poor or you could be rich. You might have two parents at your home, you might have one. It’s so easy in whatever circumstances you’re in to become unhappy. You might wish that things were different at home. Often, we can let our circumstances dictate our happiness. When you base your happiness on circumstances you’ll always be disappointed.

Today’s Truth:  When you base your happiness on your circumstances, you’ll always be disappointed.

True happiness comes when you choose to put your attention on eternal things. For example, you choose to focus on giving to others or telling others about Jesus. When you do those things, you’ll experience lasting peace. So today, instead of focusing on what you don’t have, choose to focus on what you do. Remind yourself of how good God has been to you. Jesus went to the cross so you didn’t have to. He took on all the sin of the entire human race. Jesus took our shame, guilt, and punishment for all time.

When we spend our energy focused on who Jesus is and what He has done for us, it’s a lot harder to be disappointed with our lives. Sure, circumstances may come and go. Certain things may not always go the way you want them to. But when our focus is on Jesus, we can rise above our circumstances and find peace in Him.

Many times, we can think that you’re pretty good, and certainly better than a lot of the students that go to your church group. Maybe you avoid the big sins and do a pretty good job of remembering to read our Bible a few times a week and pray. And because of all the good things you do and based on comparison with others, you realize that you’re doing really good sin-wise. And it can cause us to think that we’re better than others.

But here’s the thing. Even if you do the right things, it’s all just external. You, just like the worst sinner need Jesus. There is no amount of good, no amount of praying that will gain heaven.

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)

Jesus is the way to God. There is no other way. And when you are around people in your life that have sin and issues, don’t forget that just like you, they too need Jesus.

So instead of comparing and thinking you’re better than the others, take some time to realize that without Jesus, you’d be just as lost as they are. Then treat those people with the love of Jesus. Ask God how you can help them draw closer to Jesus and come into a closer relationship with Him too.

As believers in Jesus, we should be loving other people. Yes, even those that are unlovely. Why? Because God loves us and forgives us even when we don’t deserve it. And out of that love that we have been given, we should be loving others and leading them closer to Jesus.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. – 1 John 4:8 (NIV)

Part of knowing God, and being His follower is developing love in your life. And it might take a little effort on your part. You might be used to gossiping, maybe even spreading rumors about others. But as a follower of God, you should be loving others.

That means you’re looking for ways to bless the people around you. That might mean stopping to help your neighbor bring a bag of groceries into their house. Or perhaps it’s asking the kid that sits by himself at lunch to sit at your table. Whatever it is, listen to the leading of love on the inside of you. God wants to lead you into situations where you can be showing His love to the world around you.

It’s easy to love the people who are nice to us. I bet you have no problem loving your best friends. They get you, you get them, and even when you don’t see eye to eye on something, deep down its ok, because you are friends and love each other.

But how about those people who aren’t lovely? What about the bully on the bus who makes everyone feel bad? How do you love them?

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. – 1 John 4:7 (NIV)

Today’s Bible verse gives us some help. It tells us that love comes from God. When we look to God as the source of our love, loving other people becomes easier. We begin to realize that we don’t have to love them in our own ability, but we can look to God for His help and His love to love those mean people.

Knowing that God gives us the love to love difficult people is helpful. Then you’re not trying to love them by yourself, but relying on God’s help.

So if there’s a person that is really unloveable in your life, ask God for help. Ask for wisdom in how to deal with that person. Ask Him to help you love them with God’s love.

When it comes to God’s plans for your life, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Where do you start following them? How do you know what they are?

When it comes to following God, it’s good to remind yourself that God is good. His plans for your life are good, and when you work together with Him, good things come to pass.

For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. – 1 Cor 3:9 (NIV)

You’re not working alone to accomplish the things God has for your life. You’re working with him and other Christians to bring them to pass. Most importantly, He’s working in you. The two of you are a team. So don’t feel overwhelmed with the idea of following God’s plan. God is working together with you to bring it to pass. You don’t have to do it all on your own.

If you’ll do your part and obey what God is calling you to do, then step by step His plan will become more obvious to you. Stay connected with God. Keep reaching out to Him and getting His thoughts on the next steps to take. As you get close to God, He will help you walk out the plan He has for your life.

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephesians 4:24 (NIV)

Most of us start our day each day by getting ready. We might chow down a bowl of cereal, or eat a nice hot breakfast. Then, more than likely, we’ll get ready for the day. A big part of getting ready is putting on your clothes.

We do this so that when we go outside, people see us clothed. We wouldn’t want others to see our pink fuzzy bunny slippers, or that bathrobe that’s two sizes too small. When we go out for the day, people see our clothes.

That’s a lot like what today’s Bible verse is talking about. It’s saying that as you’re living your life each day, put on your new self. The self that was created to be like God. This means that our new self should be visible to others. Other people should be able to see a difference in our attitudes and actions.

We should be letting that new self dominate what we do and it should be visible to others. That new man was created righteous and holy. So let that new man dominate your actions and attitudes today.