James 1:2–4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Read the context The basketball team runs wind sprints after an embarrassing loss. It isn't punishment, it's physical and mental training for the next battle. Trials — persecution or temptation — can look like undo hardship. But God...

Deut. 10:12–13 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Read the context There are moments when you hate rules... especially overbearing ones. But you can't deny the fact that rules can be good — they create order and safety. God's law is more...

1 Cor. 1:26–28 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are. Read the context How often do you play the comparison game?...