July 16, 2026

Just For Today Day 16 Putting Off by SGLY Ministry

Just for Today I will put off all…QUARRELING
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
2 Timothy 2:24 (NLT)

Today’s Thought:
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:23-26 NKJV

Our purpose as servants of the Lord is to be able to teach people about Him. We are to be patient, humble, gentle, not quarreling with them but teaching the truth.
Think about it…did quarreling ever accomplish anything?
Usually it just ends up in strife, causing bad feelings, disrupting the peace and bringing division.

Just for Today, let’s put off all quarreling in our lives.
Let’s focus on what scripture is telling us to do and determine not to quarrel with anyone.
Let’s do it so that we can to live in peace with everyone as it says in Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,

Just for Today, help me to keep from quarreling with those who oppose You and Your word.
Just for Today, Dear Lord, may I be gentle with them so that I may have the opportunity to teach them about You.
Just for Today may I be patient when people don’t want to listen.

Just for Today may I show love when I correct a brother or sister in the Lord, and pray for them and with them instead of quarreling.
Just For Today, help me to be humble when confronting those who may need to repent so that they see You and Your Light instead of me.

Thank You Lord. Amen.

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The better way by Alive to God

God is offering us a better way of living. This better way of living is a life of trusting God. It starts as we begin to understand just how great God is and as we begin to understand that nothing is beyond His control or out of His reach.

Psalm 24:1 The earth belongs to God! Everything in all the world is His!

We can go the better way the moment we place our confidence and trust in God.

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men.

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Go with the Flow

Brethren, for this reason, in [spite of all] our stress and crushing difficulties we have been filled with comfort and cheer about you [because of] your faith (the leaning of your whole personality on God in complete trust and confidence). - 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Go with the flow, and stop being anxious about things that may never happen. If you really trust God, you don't need a backup plan. Faith means that you have peace even when you don't have all the answers.

Life will always be stressful if you constantly try to rearrange it. For example, getting upset in a traffic jam doesn't get you out of it any sooner. But planning for obstacles will inspire you to leave a little earlier for your appointments and keep you from hurrying. Grow in wisdom, and place high priority on keeping your peace in spite of any jams you get into today.

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer.

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Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress – 1 Timothy 4:15 (NLT)

God has given you a purpose. You are vital to God’s plan on the earth. However, often it’s easy to let the opinions of others stop you from believing your value to God. For example, the harsh words of others can sink in and make you doubt your importance.

One good way to overcome the doubts is to begin to throw yourself into God. When you become focused on what God says about you, it becomes more important than the opinions of others. So when possible, throw yourself into things that God has for you. Focus on making yourself better and getting to know God more.

The greatest progress happens when you focus on making yourself better and knowing God more.

You’ll be surprised at how much you grow when you do this. It might not feel like you’re making big strides, but over time, you’ll see good results. So today, choose to spend time focusing on God. Focus on what He says about you and what He’s called you to do. As you do that and develop your gifts, you’ll be amazed at the progress you make!

http://studentdevos.com/

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Count Your Blessings by Jim Burns

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his: we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.—Psalm 100:3-5

Sometimes we get so preoccupied with our problems and struggles that we forget to count our blessings. Sometimes we have to get outside ourselves and remember to ask questions such as, "What would a blind person give to see the pleasant rivers, meadows, and flowers that I enjoy daily?" Today look at the world through the eyes of a person who has received great blessings from God. As you look upon your blessings, pause to give God praise for His mighty works. When I'm feeling low I often take a few minutes to Jot down in my journal or on a piece of paper at least 20 blessings from God. My attitude always changes when I remember to count my blessings!

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Bible Verses

Psalm 37:16-17 – Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.

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Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1

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Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:27

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James 1:12 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

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Prayers

Prayer for Personal Conduct (from 1 Timothy)

Lord God, I pray that this day my conduct will be like that you have set for your clergy: Above reproach. May I be this day temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, and not violent, but gentle. May I never be quarrelsome, always seeking peace even in disagreement, and may my love be for you and my fellow man, not for money. I pray that I manage my own household well. If I have any children in my charge, I pray to that I may take the time to see that they are in control and behaving with proper respect. Grant me a good reputation with outsiders, so that I will not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil. This I pray through my Lord Christ, whose love and attention ever gave us an example of conduct, Amen.

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Confession and Repentance

Almighty and most merciful Father, I have erred and strayed from Your ways like a lost sheep. I have followed too much the devices and desires of my own heart. I have offended against Your holy laws. I have left undone those things which I ought to have done; and I have done those things which I ought not to have done; and there is nothing good in me. O Lord, have mercy upon me, miserable offender. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto men in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant that I may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His name. Amen. ~ adapted from the 1789 Book of Common Prayer

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Prayer to Inspire Others

Lord, I ask you to inspire me to encourage others by what I say and do today. God and Father of all people, never let me look down on others or make anyone feel inferior.

Lord, show me how to live today with genuine concern for others. In expressing my care, may I show people that they are valued, loved and appreciated for who they are. Amen.

Meditation

[Inspiring others by my acts.]

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Lord, in utter humility I thank you and glorify you, that you might hear the prayer of one so small as myself, amidst the billions of souls among billions of stars in one of billions of galaxies in your universe. Let me go forth in your peace, keeping your Spirit always in my mind; and bless me, I pray, that I might always follow your will and live in the radiance of your blessing. Amen.

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Father, I believe Your Word, and ask You to remove any unbelief or doubt concerning the integrity of Your promises. In the name of Jesus, I renounce the world’s allurements that attempt to pull me into sin—they are ineffective in my life. Your Word is my standard and because I am a doer of Your Word, I will not be deceived. The fresh Manna of Your Word keeps me on target with Your plans, Lord. My steadfast confidence is in You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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My Father, help me to learn through kindness and tenderness the value of self-control. Help me in the moods of jealousy and impatience, that I may not cause others unhappiness by words or deeds. Teach me how to overcome the ways that keep me discontented, that I may have a brighter speech. Amen.

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Dear Father in heaven, as your children we stand before you and lift our eyes to you. We are poor, needy people, often wretched and tormented. Let your eyes rest upon us. Grant us the help we need. Bless us when we gather in the name of Jesus Christ, that we may be a people who learn to serve you on all the paths we follow, even if it proves bitterly hard. Give us true faith for every moment. May we have joy and confidence that you are with your children, that you remain with them forever, until the great time of redemption when we will rejoice with all past generations and with all who are living today. Amen.