Living the Gospel:

• When you do not feel loved by others, meditate on Romans 5:5-11; 8:35-39.
  When you do not have a sense of any personal value, read Matthew 10:29-31; 1 John 3:1-3.
• When you struggle to find meaning in life, study Ephesians 1:4-14; Romans 11:33-36.
• When you do not feel useful, consider 1 Corinthians 15:58; 12:7-27.
• When you feel unjustly criticized, rest in the truth of Romans 8:33-34.
• When you feel excluded by others, rejoice in Hebrews 13:5-6.
• When you feel you have no good works, let Ephesians 2:8-10 have its effect.
• When you are constantly asking the question: Who am I? take courage in 1 Peter 2:9-10.
• When you live in fear that other people have the power to destroy or undermine who you are, be strengthened by Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:31-34.
• When you do not feel like you belong anywhere, take comfort from Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13.
• When Satan accuses you of being a constant failure, remind him of 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
• When Satan tells you that you are an embarrassment to the church, quote Ephesians 3:10.
• When you find yourself bitter towards the Church and indifferent regarding its ministries, reflect on Acts 20:28.
• When you find yourself shamed into silence when confronted by non-Christians, be encouraged with 2 Timothy 1:8-12.
• When you find yourself experiencing prejudice against those of another race or culture, memorize and act upon the truth of Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-16; Ephesians 2:11; Revelation 5.
• When you struggle with pride and boasting in your own achievements, be humbled by Romans 3:27-28; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 30-31.
• When you feel despair and hopelessness, let Romans 5:1-10 restore your confidence.
• When you feel defeated by sin and hopeless ever to change, delight yourself in Romans 7:24-25.
• When you feel condemned by God for your multiple, repeated failures, speak aloud the words of Romans 8:1.
• When you lack power to resist conforming to the world, consider Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 6:14.
• When you feel weak and powerless, be energized by Romans 16:25.
  When you are tempted sexually, never forget 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

 
When you find yourself saying . . .

• I am not having any impact in life or on others, be uplifted by 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
• I feel guilty and filled with shame all the time for my sins, be reminded of Ephesians 1:7.
• I live in constant fear, be encouraged by Luke 12:32; Revelation 2:9-11.
• I struggle with anxiety and worry about everything, do not neglect the truth of Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians. 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7.
• I am defined and controlled by my past, look to 2 Corinthians 5:17.
• I live in fear that God will abandon me, consider his promise in Romans 8:35-38.
• I cannot break free of my sins and bad habits, linger long with Romans 6:6,14.
• I am afraid to pray and fear that God will mock my petitions, take heart from Hebrews 4:14-16.
• I carry grudges against those who've wronged me and live in bitterness towards them, reflect and meditate on Colossians 3:12-13.
• I cannot find strength to serve others, fearing that I'll be taken advantage of by them, let Philippians 2:5-11; and Mark 10:45 have their way in your life.
• I am a spiritual orphan and belong to no one, rejoice in Galatians 4:4-7.

 
Each of these texts refers to the gospel of what God has done for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ and each text applies that gospel truth to the particular problem noted. These, then, are just a handful of the ways that the gospel affects all of life, all of ministry, and everything we seek to be and do and accomplish as Christians and as the local church.