What character traits would you expect of a loving God? What about those who follow him? Wouldn’t they be loving also? This is a reasonable expectation for those who claim to be transformed into his image and likeness. Would this love extend only to those who share the same beliefs? Believers who claim to follow a God who loves everyone should demonstrate this same love. What reward would they have if they only loved their friends? Doesn’t everyone do that? But when they love those who hate them it demonstrates a love beyond ordinary love; a love that is transcendent.

Are you a student? Are you a teacher? There is an obvious fit between these two, but some people cease to be students and some never progress to being teachers. Yet you can be both your entire life and this is something to strive for. Do you see every person you meet as someone to learn from? This takes an attitude of humility to realize that even the most dull and ignorant people you meet know something that you don’t know, and that is worthwhile to know. I put this knowledge in them for a reason, and made it available to you through them.

What do you do when you need something that costs more than your available funds? The most common approach is to borrow the money. Where do you go if you need something that is not monetary in nature? What if you need hope or endurance? These are things you cannot get at the bank, but you can get them from me. I have all the resources you need. The bank you borrow money from has criteria that you must meet to qualify for a loan, and they are very specific about repayment terms. I hand out resources to anyone who asks, and do not ask for repayment.

What is the worst insult that can be offered today? Isn’t it that someone is stupid? In a culture that prizes cleverness this is a low blow. But have you found that the lack of cognitive ability is the greatest obstacle people face? You can learn facts more easily than you can change your ability to draw inferences from them. But isn’t it fear and insecurity that hold people back more than their level of intelligence? This isn’t just about earning potential. Fear can dominate your whole perception of reality. But fear is easier to change than intelligence.