Bible Verse of the Day
Revisit daily Scripture, search by a word or passage, and read the short takeaways that accompanied each verse.
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Scripture
As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Takeaway
This one scripture is something I think both new believers and seasoned Christians struggle with at times, and that is sharing our faith with others. Let this scripture be a reminder that you never have to be ashamed to share your faith. It might be the very thing they need to change their life.
Scripture
'Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.'
Takeaway
The part of these two verses that stood out to me the most was “my gospel.” Paul was saying, this is my good news, about Jesus Christ. Even though he was suffering, he continued to spread the word to others. Because Paul was not focused on his current situation, he was able to see beyond right now. He shared the gospel with Timothy, and today we are still able to read it and believe in it. As you have the opportunity, share your gospel, your good news about who Christ is to you, with someone to strengthen and encourage them.
Scripture
'Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. '
Takeaway
This quote is from Paul’s letter to Timothy, and it is a reflection of Paul’s transformed heart. It shows his gratitude, repentance, and willingness to acknowledge his flaws without continuing to live in them. Paul recognized that it was through Christ Jesus that he was shown mercy. I am here to remind you that Christ Jesus is still showing us that same mercy today. Do not let your past define you, but let the present presence of Jesus in your heart transform you.
Scripture
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Takeaway
Be careful what you speak. Of all the parts of our body, I believe our tongue can cause us the most happiness and the most harm. Always be careful with your words, because the Lord is listening.
Scripture
Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”
Takeaway
This was the moment when Jesus called Nathanael. Just before this, Nathanael had asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael had doubts, and he did not understand how Jesus knew him.
But Jesus did not allow Nathanael’s doubt to stop Him from calling him into purpose. Jesus went on to tell him to keep watching, because he would see even greater things. The same remains true for us. Keep watching for the great things Jesus will do in us, for us, and through us.
Scripture
Stand firm, and you will win life.
Takeaway
Some scriptures are their own takeaway. I think this scripture is the perfect example of practical advice. Jesus is our firm foundation. Stand on His word and reap the benefits of winning at life.
Scripture
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Takeaway
One day at work, my manager made this statement as a recap of a discussion several of us had, “Travis increased his knowledge,” and it reminded me of this scripture. So I decided to make it the daily takeaway.
When you do not know something, do not be afraid to admit it. That is the first step in learning, which is wisdom, and wisdom is of great value.
Scripture
But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Takeaway
It was not until I read this scripture today that I thought about how I get to choose whether or not I worry. In the context of this scripture, Jesus is talking about when we need to defend ourselves or our beliefs. The same holds true for anything we worry about. We can choose to worry, or we can choose to trust.
Jesus makes it very clear in verse 14 that worrying is a choice we get to make. So, what are you going to choose, to worry, or to take comfort in Him speaking through you?
Scripture
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Takeaway
In this Psalm, David tell us that God will be present throughout our lives. He will start by teaching us what He desires from us. Then He will give us the knowledge to accomplish it. He will watch over us to protect us and ensure our success.
Scripture
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,
Takeaway
When reading this scripture, it is easy to miss what is happening here. Jesus went to His own hometown synagogue, was given the scroll containing the words of the prophet Isaiah, and read the very words Isaiah had written and prophesied about Him. Yet the very people who knew Him and His family still had their doubts.
The takeaway is that there may be times in your life when people do not believe in you. But just as Isaiah wrote about Jesus, and Jesus fulfilled what was written, God has a plan written for your life. So trust Him, walk in it, and go fulfill it.
Scripture
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Takeaway
Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. We are not made holy by good deeds, kindness, or our own morals alone. Those things are important, but the most important thing is knowing, trusting, and living like Jesus sacrificed Himself for us, because He did.
Scripture
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Kim Burrell - "I come to you more than I give"
Lyric: "Instead of giving thanks for what God has already done, we’re asking for more"
1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Lyric: "But with a grateful heart, we oughta pray"
Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Lyric: "Lord, let Your will be done"
Matthew 6:10, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Lyric: "If You never give me another thing, I’ll just thank You for forgiving me"
Psalm 103:2-3, "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,"
Lyric: "Always with my hands out instead of lifting them up"
Psalm 63:4, "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands."
Lyric: "Lord, will You give me another chance?"
Lamentations 3:22-23, "The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Lyric: "Lord, I know that I’m in Your perfect will"
Romans 12:2, "...Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Lyric: "I wanna be in Your will"
Psalm 143:10, "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God..."
Lyric: "The giving You has removed all sin"
Hebrews 9:26, "...But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."
Lyric: "I give You my heart"
Proverbs 23:26, "My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,"
Lyric: "I give You my money"
Proverbs 3:9, "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;"
Lyric: "To give him everything, every part of you"
Mark 12:30, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
Lyric: "Not my will, not my way"
Luke 22:42, "...Yet not my will, but yours be done."
Scripture
And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Kim Burrell - "Everlasting Life"
Lyric: "Wouldn't you like to sing forever"
Psalm 89:1, "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever, with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations."
Lyric: "For God so loved the world, That whosoever believes in him shall never perish"
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Lyric: "Believe on me as the Scripture has said"
John 7:38, "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Lyric: "All who have confessed me as their Lord"
Romans 10:9, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Lyric: "Will receive their just reward"
Revelation 22:12, "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."
Lyric: "This is the promise that God has given to us"
1 John 2:25, "And this is what he promised us—eternal life."
Lyric: "Everlasting life"
John 6:47, "Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life."
Lyric: "Everyday'll be sunshine"
Revelation 22:5, "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light..."
Lyric: "No more crying, no more dying"
Revelation 21:4, 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Lyric: "Sun never going down"
Revelation 21:23, "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."
Lyric: "Forever and ever"
Revelation 22:5, "...And they will reign for ever and ever."
Lyric: "I gotta walk the streets of gold"
Revelation 21:21, "...The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass."
Lyric: "I want my mansion"
John 14:2, "My Father's house has many rooms, if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?"
Lyric: "Won't you come and go with me to a better place"
Hebrews 11:16, "Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. ..."
Lyric: "Prepared for all of us"
Matthew 25:34, "...Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."
Lyric: "I want everlasting life"
John 10:28, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Scripture
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
The Clark Sisters - "You Brought the sunshine"
Lyric: "You gave me peace"
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…"
Lyric: "You gave me grace"
2 Corinthians 12:9, "…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..."
Lyric: "You put a smile upon my face"
Psalm 126:2, "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy..."
Lyric: "Since that I have found Christ, there has been such a change in my life"
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Lyric: "Nothing too hard for my God to work out"
Jeremiah 32:27, "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
Lyric: "Cast your cares upon him"
1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Lyric: "Try Him today, He’ll brighten up your day"
Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
Lyric: "He’ll come your way"
James 4:8, "Come near to God and he will come near to you..."
Lyric: "Since that I have found Christ, there has been such a change in my life"
Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…"
Scripture
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20
Shekinah Glory Ministry - "Yes"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYurqlr1E7g&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=22
Lyric: "There is more that I require of thee"
Luke 12:48, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded."
Lyric: "I’ll say what you want me to say"
Jeremiah 1:7, "But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you."
Lyric: "I won’t be afraid"
Isaiah 41:10, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Lyric: "I’ll declare your glory"
Psalm 96:3, "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples."
Lyric: "Don’t be afraid of men and their faces"
Jeremiah 1:8, "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord."
Lyric: "I predestined you before the world began to do my will"
Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..."
Lyric: "There is work to do while it is day"
Lyric: "For when night cometh no man can work"
John 9:4, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me."
Lyric: "Seek my face"
Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek."
Lyric: "Hear my voice"
John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
Lyric: "The day you hear my voice, harden not your heart"
Hebrews 3:15, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..."
Scripture
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Cece Winans - "Goodness of God"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sE5kEnitqE&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=21
Lyric: "I love You, Lord"
Psalm 18:1, I love you, Lord, my strength.
Lyric: "For Your mercy never fails me"
Lamentations 3:22, Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Lyric: "All my days, I've been held in Your hands"
Isaiah 41:10, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Lyric: "From the moment that I wake up until I lay my head"
Psalm 92:2, Proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.
Lyric: "Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God"
Psalm 89:1, I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
Lyric: "You have led me through the fire"
Isaiah 43:2, "…When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Lyric: "In darkest night You are close like no other"
Psalm 23:4, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…"
Lyric: "I've known You as a Father"
2 Corinthians 6:18, "…I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Lyric: "I've known You as a Friend"
John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends..."
Lyric: "Your goodness is running after me"
Psalm 23:6, "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life…"
Scripture
They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Firm Foundation – Maverick City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOP4s8fOEm0&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=20
Lyric: "Christ is my firm foundation"
Matthew 7:24, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
Lyric: "The Rock on which I stand"
Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Lyric: "That I put my faith in Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith..."
Lyric: "I've got peace that makes no sense"
Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Lyric: "He's faithful in every season"
Psalms 145:17, "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does."
Lyric: "Rain came and wind blew"
Matthew 7:25, "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
Lyric: "I'm safe with You"
Psalm 91:2, "I will say of the Lord , 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
Lyric: "He won't fail"
Deuteronomy 31:6, "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Scripture
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Manifestation – Enrique Holmes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQSzbJi4UOo&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=19
As we touch you with our faith, we receive manifestation
Lyric: "What was invisible shall be visible"
Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Romans 4:17, "As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not."
2 Corinthians 4:18, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Lyric: "What was impossible shall be possible"
Luke 18:27, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
Scripture
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Hand of God – Todd Galbert/Chandler Moore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9beH2pkhzsY&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=18
Lyric: "You calmed the sea by a word"
Mark 4:39, "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."
Lyric: "And my life was changed by what I heard"
Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."
Lyric: "The weapons that form, no, they won't bring me harm"
Isaiah 54:17, "no weapon forged against you will prevail..."
Lyric: "I'm safe, sustained, always, in the hand of God"
John 10:28-29, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Lyric: "My Savior"
Luke 2:11, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
Lyric: "You are the only way"
John 14:6, "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Lyric: "Provider, You always make a way"
Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Scripture
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Press in your Presence – Shana Wilson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djR-mBQ3pFg&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=17
Lyric: "Behold the beauty of Your face"
Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask from the Lord , this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Lyric: "And leave all my cares behind me"
1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Lyric: "I will just lay, lay at Your feet"
Luke 10:39, "She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said."
Luke 7:38, "As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them."
Lyric: "You call me Your own"
John 1:11-12, "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"
Lyric: "So Lord, I give You me"
Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Lyric: "Take my heart, take my mind, take my soul, never let me go"
Psalm 51:10-11, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."
Lyric: "I will be whole, I still believe"
Matthew 9:22, "Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you."
Lyric: "Take my heart, take my mind, take my soul"
Mark 12:30, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
Scripture
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
My Worship – Phil Thompson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYGxg2uUOJg&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=16
Lyric: "You Lord, You are worthy"
Revelation 4:11, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power..."
Lyric: "Here's my worship, all of my worship"
Romans 12:1, Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Lyric: "And I will not be silent"
Psalm 30:12, "that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever."
Isaiah 62:1, "For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent..."
Lyric: "I will always worship You"
Psalm 34:1, "I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips."
Lyric: "As long as I am breathing, I will always worship You"
Psalm 146:2, "I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."
Lyric: "Father, here's my sacrifice"
Hebrews 13:15, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise."
Scripture
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
All Hail King Jesus – Bethel Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRugOZ7Iyao&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=15
Lyric: "There was a moment when the lights went out, when death had claimed its victory"
Matthew 27:45, "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land."
Lyric: "The King of Love had given up His life"
John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Lyric: "There on a cross they made for sinners"
1 Peter 2:24, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross..."
Lyric: "For every curse His blood atoned"
Galatians 3:13, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us..."
Lyric: "One final breath and it was finished"
John 19:30, "It is finished..."
Lyric: "For the earth began to shake"
Matthew 27:51, "...The earth shook, the rocks split."
Lyric: "And the veil was torn"
Matthew 27:51, "The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom..."
Lyric: "What sacrifice was made as the heavens roared"
Hebrews 10:12, "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins..."
Lyric: "All hail King Jesus"
Revelation 19:16, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
Lyric: "All hail the Savior of the world"
John 4:42, "...This man really is the Savior of the world."
Lyric: "For in a dark, cold tomb where our Lord was laid"
Matthew 27:59-60, Jesus being laid in the tomb.
Lyric: "So let every knee come bow before the King of Kings, let every tongue confess that He is Lord"
Philippians 2:10-11, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord."
Lyric: "Let us join with all of Heaven singing Holy"
Isaiah 6:3, And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Revelation 4:8, "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come."
Scripture
Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Israel Houghton - Promise Keeper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3esU86m3zU&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=14
Lyric: "Promise Keeper, You will never fail"
Joshua 21:45, "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."
Lyric: "Promise Keeper, You deliver on Your word"
Lyric: "You never lie, You never lie"
Numbers 23:19, "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"
Lyric: "You see my need, You hear my cry"
Psalms 34:17, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles."
Lyric: "Your word remains forever"
Psalms 119:89, "Your word, Lord , is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."
Lyric: "You never sleep, You never sleep"
Psalms 121:4, "Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."
Lyric: "What lies behind me, I will forget. I'm pressing into what lies ahead"
Philippians 3:13-14, "…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Lyrics: "Never let go Your promises. You will deliver just like You said"
2 Corinthians 1:20, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God."
Scripture
Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Gmwa Women Of Worship - "Order My Steps Lyrics"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMfo1G9ouGU&list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR&index=13
Lyrics: "Order my Steps"
Psalms 119:133, "Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me."
Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."
Lyrics: "Wash my heart in Your word"
Psalms 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me."
Scripture
'You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. '
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Lamar Campbell - "More Than Anything"
https://youtu.be/mOEqLTN0xOA?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
Lyric: "You reign on the throne for you are God and God alone"
Nehemiah 9:6, 'You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. '
Lyric: "I lift my hands in total adoration unto You"
Psalms 63:4, "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands."
Lyric: "Lord, I love You more than anything"
Matthew 22:37, "Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
Scripture
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Rev. James Cleveland - "God Is"
https://youtu.be/ayeq3coSUaY?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
What I like most about this song is that it reminds us and reinforces who God is. We change, people change, and the world around us changes, but one thing remains constant: God is our "all in all."
Lyric: "God is My light in darkness"
Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Lyric: "God is My joy in the time of sorrow"
John 16:22, "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."
Scripture
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Israel & New Breed - "Alpha and Omega"
https://youtu.be/5JbeZeTgig0?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
God has always been, and will always be, everything you and I could ever need. Therefore, our worship is justified as we give praise, honor, and glory to our Almighty God.
Lyric: "You are Alpha and Omega"
Revelation 22:13, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Lyric: "We worship You our Lord"
Psalm 95:6, "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Lyric: "You are worthy to be praised"
Psalm 18:3, "I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies."
Lyric: "We give You all the glory"
Psalm 115:1, "Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."
Scripture
"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him, and he was a Samaritan."
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Tye Tribbett & Tim Bush - "Saviour"
https://youtu.be/50vNToH5WkY?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
When I heard this song, what immediately came into my spirit was the passage in Luke 17 where the ten men with leprosy were healed, and one returned to praise God and thank Jesus. I also thought of John 9, where the blind man who was healed worshiped Jesus.
Luke 17:15-16 "One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him, and he was a Samaritan."
John 9:38-39, "Then the man said, 'Lord, I believe,' and he worshiped him. Jesus said, 'For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.'"
Scripture
"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Todd Delaney - "Pulling Me Through"
https://youtu.be/M6WRbD7LMyg?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
Lyric: "When my friends turned and they walked away, You were right here, right here to stay"
Psalm 27:10: "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me."
Hebrews 13:5: "...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Lyric: "It was You, Lord, it was You pulling me through"
Psalm 40:1-2: "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
Lyric: "When I stumbled, when I cried, when it felt like I wanted to die"
Psalm 34:17-18: "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Lyric: "He'll never walk out on you. No never, no never"
Lamentations 3:22: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."
Scripture
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Rich Tolbert Jr. - "Never Be Defeated"
Lyric: "Because God is the greatest power, we shall never be defeated"
1 John 4:4, "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Lyric: "I shall rise I shall be"
Micah 7:8, "Though I have fallen, I will rise,"
Lyric: "No weapon formed against me will ever overtake me"
Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon forged against you will prevail..."
Lyric: the devil is a liar"
John 8:44, where Satan is described as "a liar and the father of lies."
Lyric: "God is exalted"
Reflects Psalm 97:9 and Philippians 2:9-11, where God and Jesus are lifted high above all.
Scripture
He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Jubilee Worship - "No Bondage"
https://youtu.be/3H_NwhsAqwM?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
Lyric: "Every chain is broken"
Psalm 107:14, "He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains."
Lyric: "No guilt, no shame"
Romans 8:1-2, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Lyric: "All my stains erased"
Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord . "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Lyric: In Your presence, there is freedom"
2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Scripture
Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Georgia Mass Choir - "He's A Battle Axe"
https://youtu.be/upXymjZay4Y?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
The song title and chorus both repeat the words of Jeremiah 51:20.
Later in the verse we hear the story of Lazarus, found in John 11:43-44.
'When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." 'John 11:43-44 (NIV)
The artist also sings, "Shelter in the time of a storm", from Isaiah 4:6.
Scripture
And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers - "Jesus"
https://youtu.be/6moNPhCnqE8?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
Lyric: "Who started you on your way, Jesus. Rock in a weary land, call Him Jesus. Shelter in the time of storm, call Him Jesus,"
Isaiah 32:2: "And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a shelter from the storm, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."
Lyric: "Who woke you up this morning, call Him Jesus,"
Psalm 3:5 (NIV): "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."
Lyric: "My lily of the valley,"
Song of Solomon 2:1: "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."
Lyric: "My bright Morning Star,"
Revelation 22:16: "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
Scripture
'"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side," Let Israel now say— "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us; Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul; Then the swollen waters Would have gone over our soul."'
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Dorinda Clark Cole - "I'm Still Here"
https://youtu.be/Fmwz1l-kAt0?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
Dorinda Clark Cole acknowledges the Lord, and Him only, is the reason she is still alive. All the things He brought us through, and we still made it, because of the Lord.
Lyric: "When I look back over my life And I see all the things God's done for me"Psalm 103:2, "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits"
Lyric: "Now I can say, that I'm still here And it's by the grace of God"1 Corinthians 15:10, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect…"
Scripture
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Anointing Fall On Me - Ron Kenoly
https://youtu.be/2Ki_sIQSHd4?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
In this song, Ron Kenoly is seeking the full anointing of the Lord on his life. He is welcoming the anointing into his life and desires for his life to be filled with the power of the Holy Ghost.
Lyric: "Anointing fall on me"
1 John 2:20, "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth."
Lyric: "Let the power Of the Holy Ghost Fall on me"
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you"
Scripture
'For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.'
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
CeCe Winans - "Worthy Of It All"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzZSrOPeolc
God is our everything because He created us, knows us, and orchestrates everything for our good. That is why we give Him our praise, honor, and worship.
Lyric: "For from You are all things, and to You are all things"
'For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.'
Romans 11:36 (NIV)
Scripture
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Elevation Worship - "Trust in God"
https://youtu.be/QS04WbSnxok?list=PLTKUb5fDqiRWlZmPaEVbVJjLy3r605gzR
"He's been my fourth man in the fire time after time" comes directly from Daniel 3:24-25. If you have been to a youth group, Vacation Bible School, or Sunday School, then you have likely heard the story of the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow down to an idol set up by the king.
Also, the lyrics,
Lyric: "I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered"
Psalm 34:4, "I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered…"
Scripture
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Takeaway
Scripture Inspired Lyrics
Over the next few weeks, the Daily Verse will be inspired by lyrics from worship songs. I hope you enjoy them and perhaps discover a few new favorites.
Richard Smallwood - "Total Praise"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVmwuCaUplU&list=RDwVmwuCaUplU&start_radio=1
Let me go on record saying this is my favorite song. The choir sings about lifting their hands in praise.
Lyric: "Lord, I will lift my eyes to the hills"
Psalm 121:1, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help."
Lyric: "You are the source of my strength, You are the strength of my life, I lift my hands in total praise to You, Amen"
Revelation 7:12, "saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
Scripture
'We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. '
Takeaway
One of the easiest things to do is drift away because drifting away requires minimal effort. However, staying firmly rooted requires work, discipline, and paying attention to the world around us without following its ways. We must stay grounded in God's Word so that we do not slowly drift away.
Scripture
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Takeaway
To think about how many miracles Jesus performed while physically living here on earth is already amazing. Then to consider how many prayers He has answered, lives He has changed, and miracles He has continued to perform from Heaven makes it even more incredible. Jesus is still doing miracles.
Scripture
'Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." '
Takeaway
Throughout the Gospels, (Luke 18:42, Luke 7:50, Luke 8:48, Matthew 9:29, Mark 5:34, Mark 10:52, Matthew 9:22), you will find these words that Jesus spoke when He healed. Remember the path to our healing is faith, and that is directly from the words of Jesus.
Scripture
'Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. '
Takeaway
Since the last few days have focused on the many healing miracles of Jesus, this verse is a fitting conclusion to the theme. It reminds us that true healing, restoration, and salvation ultimately come from God.
Scripture
'The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. '
Takeaway
Healing - Casting out Demons
Sending demons fleeing is also one of Jesus' many specialties. Throughout scripture, we see Jesus healing sickness, restoring lives, and also casting out demons. His authority is not limited to the physical world, but extends over the spiritual world as well. Nothing has power over Jesus.
Scripture
People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Takeaway
Healing the Deaf and Mute
This is a personal note on how I see Jesus. We go to specialists who practice medicine, cardiologists for the heart, pulmonologists for the lungs, speech therapists for speech, and audiologists for hearing. Jesus does not practice medicine, He performs miracles across all aspects of our mind, body, and soul. Nothing is beyond His power to heal.
Scripture
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you";
Takeaway
Healed - Two Blind Men
Going from blind to seeing is certainly a miracle. I'm sure these men had accepted their situation in life. Then Jesus showed up, and they were moved to believe that He could and would heal them. Their faith led them to seek Jesus, and Jesus responded.
Scripture
'Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. '
Takeaway
Healing
Healing is one of the many miracles Jesus performed throughout scripture. Time after time we see Jesus restore the blind, heal the sick, cleanse lepers, and make the broken whole again. Over the next few days, I will be sharing specific healings recorded in the Bible.
Scripture
'This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases." '
Takeaway
Healing
Long before Jesus was born in human flesh, Isaiah prophesied that someone would come to heal us and take away our infirmities. That someone is Jesus. Through Him we find healing.
Scripture
'He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" ). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. '
Takeaway
Dead and now Alive
When Jesus revived the little girl from the dead, could you imagine the joy of her parents? The astonishment of those who had laughed moments before this happened. We have the benefit of seeing the long list miracles that Jesus performed throughout the Bible, and the miracle of His own resurrection. With that in mind, we have no reason to doubt.
Scripture
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed at that moment.
Takeaway
Healing - The Woman with the Issue of Blood
Imagine being sick, having exhausted everything you had, only to remain in the same condition. Then, after intentionally seeking out Jesus, you are instantly healed. That is the kind of power and compassion we see throughout the Gospel accounts of Jesus healing people who came to Him in faith.
The Chosen (Season 3, Episode 5) - has a powerful depiction of this moment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYEmdFyWBq8
Scripture
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Takeaway
Miracle of Walking on Water
Let me be honest for a moment, I would have been the guy still in the boat. To witness Jesus walking on water, and then see Peter step out of the boat and do the same, even if only for a moment, would have completely blown my mind. Even though Peter became afraid and began to sink, I still commend his level of trust and obedience to step out in faith.
These verses remind me that when I keep my eyes on Jesus instead of my fear and doubt, all things are possible through Him.
Scripture
'Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment. '
Takeaway
Healing
One thing you will start to notice about Jesus and the people He healed is that He often recognized their faith and told them their faith had made them whole. So if you are in need of healing, pray, seek Him, and have faith that He can and will heal you.
Scripture
"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to me," he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Takeaway
Miracle of 5 Loaves and 2 Fish
Jesus once again showed His ability to do a lot with a little. With only five loaves of bread and two fish, He fed thousands of people until they were satisfied, and there were still leftovers remaining. The exponential power behind this miracle must have made it the greatest fish dinners ever known to man. This miracle reminds us that when we place what little we have into the hands of Jesus, He is able to multiply it beyond what we could ever imagine.
Scripture
'He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. '
Takeaway
I can only imagine what it would be like to command the forces of nature. Jesus simply speaks the word, and it happens. The wind, waves, storms, and seas obey Him. That kind of power reminds us that nothing is beyond His authority or control.
Scripture
'She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). '
Takeaway
Introduction:
This month, I start it by sharing miracles that Jesus performed, along with a short takeaway for each one.
These miracles show His power, compassion, authority, and love. As we read through them together, I pray that we see not only what Jesus did then, but also how He is still working in our lives today.
Miracle Birth
The first miracle connected to Jesus was His conception and birth through a virgin. Anyone who understands biology knows that, humanly speaking, this would be impossible. That is what makes it a miracle. Jesus' birth was not ordinary, it was the fulfillment of God's promise and the beginning of salvation entering the world through Christ.
Scripture
"Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.' "But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. 'This is the heir,' they said. 'Let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
Takeaway
Parable of the Land Owner - Luke 20:9-19
This parable is found in three of the Gospels, Luke 20, Mark 12, and Matthew 21. The previous takeaway for Mark 12 on March 16, 2026 focused on the story and the meaning of each character and who it represents. This time, the focus is on how the Pharisees responded.
Jesus spoke this parable directly about what they were going to do to Him. Yet instead of listening, turning away, repenting, and trusting His words as true, they chose not to let their hearts be changed.
I can think of a few times when I was warned about something and still chose to do it anyway. Looking back, it seems foolish. In the same way, we should take time to pray before making decisions, listen to what God is telling us, and act accordingly.
Scripture
"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Takeaway
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31
In this passage, Jesus tells us about a rich man who had earthly wealth and Lazarus, who was a beggar. They both died, and Lazarus went to heaven while the rich man went to a place of suffering and torment. Their destiny was not simply a result of being rich or poor, but of their response to God.
The rich man lived without compassion or regard for God, while Lazarus is shown as one who trusted in Him. Verse 31 brings it all together. Jesus says that if people do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, "they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."
The rich man wanted Lazarus to go back and warn others, but Jesus does some foreshadowing for our benefit. Even with all the evidence given through scripture, prophecy that points to Him, and even through the resurrection, some will still choose not to believe. This serves as both a warning and a reminder to respond to God while we have the opportunity.
Scripture
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.'"
Takeaway
The Cost of Being a Disciple - Luke 14:28-33
When we choose to follow Jesus, we have decisions to make because it will cost us something, whether that is relationships, habits, forgiveness, or many other things. Are we willing to trust and believe in Him? Are we willing to give up the very things we may hold on to in this world?
No matter what you have to give up to follow Jesus, it is worth it. The cost may be great, but the value of eternal life is far greater.
Scripture
"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
Takeaway
The Wedding Feast - Matthew 22:1-14
This is another parable centered around a banquet. This time, Jesus teaches about the invitation God extends to us to be part of His kingdom. Many are invited, but not all accept or respond in the right way. It is not just about showing up, but also about being properly prepared. The parable points to the need for righteousness that comes from God. We are called to respond to His invitation with a heart that is ready and aligned with Him.
Scripture
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Takeaway
The Parable of the Great Banquet - Luke 14:7-11
In this teaching, Jesus shows how people place themselves based on social status. He challenges that way of thinking and living. Instead of seeking the place of honor, He teaches us to take the lowest seat and be humble. Jesus reverses our natural mindset by showing that true honor comes from humility. When we humble ourselves, we leave room for God to lift us up. This reminds us of Matthew 20:16, where the last will be first and the first will be last.
Scripture
" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
Takeaway
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree - Luke 13:6-9
This parable teaches us about the patience and judgment of God. God gives us opportunities to be fruitful, meaning He gives us opportunities to draw close to Him and lead others into a relationship with Him. He is patient with us, and He gives us grace, but if we still fail to produce fruit, He is also just and will not allow us to remain unfruitful.
Scripture
"This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Takeaway
Parable of Seed to Harvest - Mark 4:26-29
Several parables refer to seeds, harvest, reaping, and sowing. The reason for this is that these ideas would have been easily understood in that culture at the time.
When you begin a task the Lord has given you, He may not make it completely clear up front how the harvest will look, how much you will harvest, or even when you will reap the harvest. Once you plant the seed and start tending to it, the Lord will do His part and make the seed grow. That growth happens by God’s power, often in ways we do not fully understand, while we remain faithful in the process. You may have an idea of what to expect, but until it comes to full fruition, it is about preparation, tending, and waiting. At the point when it reaches its full potential, you get to enjoy the fruit of your labor, God's blessing.
Scripture
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Takeaway
The Lamp Under a Basket - Matthew 5:14-16
Light overcomes darkness. When we are called to represent Christ and He dwells in our hearts, we are called to be the light. When His Spirit lives in us, our lives should reflect that light in our speech, actions, and intentions. Don't hide what God has put inside of you, let it shine. In doing so, others will see and give glory to our Father in Heaven.
Scripture
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, "Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.
Takeaway
The Parable of the Two Sons - Matthew 21:28-31
Both sons in this parable show signs of disrespect and disobedience. One said he would do the work his father asked, yet he did not follow through. The other initially refused, but later had a change of heart and obeyed. I can see myself as both sons at different points in life, and if we are honest, most of us can. The son who went out represents those who have done wrong, but then had a change of heart, repented, and chose to do the Father’s will.
Scripture
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
Takeaway
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builder - Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49
Jesus teaches that we should build on a firm foundation so that when storms come and the winds blow, we remain secure. He is that foundation we are called to build on. When we call on the Lord and follow what He says, our foundation is secure. It is not just about hearing His words, but about putting them into practice.
Scripture
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Takeaway
The Friend at Midnight - Luke 11:5-10
In this parable, Jesus teaches us that we should be confident and bold enough to ask for our needs. In the story, the man had a need at midnight and woke his friend to ask for help. Unlike that situation, our Father is always aware and always listening to our needs.
We should be bold enough to ask, trusting that He hears us. Persistence in seeking Him may be the very thing that leads to the door being opened and our needs being met.
Scripture
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Takeaway
The Parable of the Watchful Servants - Luke 12:35-40
We do not know when Jesus will return. Because of that, we are called to live our lives in a way that honors Him at all times. At any moment He could return, so we should always be ready. Our human nature can make us think we always have more time or can wait until tomorrow, but this parable reminds us to remain watchful and prepared for His return. Be prepared by accepting Him into your heart, and having a relationship with Him.
Scripture
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God."
Takeaway
The Parable of the Rich Fool - Luke 12:16–21
There is nothing wrong with having savings or abundance, unless it is stored up only for yourself. This parable teaches that no matter how much we have, we should always be willing to give with a cheerful heart. Trying to hoard what we have has no lasting benefit, because it only serves us for this life. When you give generously, our Father sees your giving, and it reflects your faithfulness for the life to come.
Scripture
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.'"
Takeaway
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats - Matthew 25:31-46
In this parable we learn about helping those who are in need and how a shepherd separates sheep from goats. On a personal level, it shows how Jesus will separate those who show compassion from those who do not. What we are willing to do for others in this life is seen and known by God.
When we care for those in need, we are reflecting a heart that belongs to Him.
Scripture
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'"
Takeaway
The Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30
This parable can seem like an investment strategy at first, but it goes deeper than money. It is about being a good steward over what has been entrusted to you.
At a basic level, it does show the value of using what you have wisely rather than letting it sit unused. But more importantly, it speaks to how we handle our time, abilities, and influence. If you are a parent, manager, or someone who has influence in the lives of others, you should invest in them so that growth multiplies beyond what you could do alone.
One lesson often taught in finance is the power of compounding. That same principle applies here. When you faithfully use what God has given you, whether resources, opportunities, or influence, it can grow and produce a greater impact over time.
Scripture
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Takeaway
The Parable of the Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13
In this parable we learn the importance of always being ready. The story is about five wise and five foolish virgins. Half of them were prepared and ready, while the other half were caught off guard when the time came for the banquet. Let us live like the wise virgins, always prepared and waiting for Jesus' return.
Scripture
Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'
Takeaway
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager - Luke 16:1-15
Here is another parable that on the surface can seem misaligned with how we should live as children of God. Read the full parable in Luke 16:1-15, and you will see exactly what I mean. Dishonesty is certainly not approved in God’s Kingdom.
Verses 1 and 2 give us a starting point for a much deeper message. We are reminded that we will have to give an account for everything we have said and done. One day, we will stand before God and answer for how we managed what He has entrusted to us.
While we are here on earth, we should live in a way that fulfills God’s will for our lives. We should use our wealth and resources to spread the Gospel and to build up others. The shrewd manager used his position for his own gain, we are called to use our position and what we have been given for a greater purpose. We should invest in things that have eternal value, helping to strengthen and equip other believers.
Scripture
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Takeaway
The Parable of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10:29-37
The parable has several layers to unpack about how we view others in our society. It shows how those you would expect to help may go out of their way to ignore you in your time of need. The one you might expect to avoid you is the very one who chooses to go out of their way to help.
The man that asked Jesus who is his neighbor, after Jesus told this story He then asked the man who is his neighbor. The man concluded that the one who had mercy. It was very intentional that Jesus gave this example of mercy because He was talking to a person that was an expert in the law. Someone who should show mercy.
Scripture
"'But he answered one of them, 'I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?'
Takeaway
The Workers in the Vineyard — Matthew 20:1–16
This parable, in the natural, can be hard to grasp as being fair. The full text tells of a landowner who hired workers for a denarius. Some were hired early in the morning, others at mid day, and still others in the evening. They all received the same pay. On the surface, this seems unfair, but they all agreed to work for that rate.
Spiritually, this reminds us that although some may serve and trust God from their youth, and others may come to know Him later in life, we all receive the same gift of salvation. God’s grace is not based on how long we have known Him, but on His goodness and mercy.
This verse challenges us to examine our hearts. It is easy to compare our journey with others and feel like something is not fair. But God is just, and He is also generous. Instead of focusing on what others receive, we should be grateful for what has been freely given to us.
Scripture
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Takeaway
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant - Matthew 18:22-35
The parable describes a man who owes someone money, and that same man is also owed money. His debt was forgiven by the person he owed, yet he was unwilling to forgive the debt owed to him. This man owed a debt he could not repay, but he was unwilling to forgive a lesser debt owed to him. In this life, we owe a debt to Jesus that we can never repay, so let us not be like this unmerciful servant, but be willing to forgive the debts of others. No matter the debt, whether it is money or the debt to love someone, we should choose forgiveness.
Scripture
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
Takeaway
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18:9-14
Luke 18:14 is the perfect takeaway, directly from the words of Jesus. "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Scripture
"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
Takeaway
The Parable of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32
This story has a few themes: forgiveness, humility, pride, compassion, and restoration. In the parable, the father represents God, the younger son represents those who are lost, and the older brother represents those who are already part of God’s family.
Forgiveness is clearly shown through the father’s response to the younger son who has been humbled by the life he was living. His father welcomed him back with joy, love, and compassion. Forgiveness needs to take place not only with the father and youngest son, but also between the brothers. At the same time, we see the struggle of the older brother, whose pride keeps him from sharing in that joy the father experienced when the younger brother returned. The father encourages him to celebrate, showing that we should rejoice when someone who was lost returns with a repentant heart.
Scripture
"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Takeaway
The Parable of the Lost Coin - Luke 15:8-10
Here we see another parable similar to the previous where something is lost, and now found. The imagery of the lamp can remind us that God brings things into the light, revealing what was hidden, but the central message is His pursuit and the celebration of what was found, a soul that was once lost.
Scripture
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Takeaway
The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Matthew 18:12-14
At different phases of life, I can honestly say I was the one Jesus had to come after. We can probably all admit that is true. What matters is that we return to the flock. Jesus wants us near, and when one of us wanders off, He comes after us and welcomes us back. What is important is having a willing heart to return to Him.
Scripture
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Takeaway
The Parable of the Net - Matthew 13:47-52
This parable is another that mentions how we have to live in a world with those that are righteous and unrighteous. We have to remember not to adopt those ways of the world around us, so that we can be set apart. Being set apart now looks like living differently, while being set apart at the end of the age means truly living for eternity with our Father.
Scripture
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Takeaway
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price - Matthew 13:44-46
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, verses 45 and 46, further expands on verse 44. This time, Jesus gives an example of what kind of treasure He is talking about by mentioning the fine pearl. The pearl represents something so valuable that the man was willing to give up everything to obtain it. The pearl represents our relationship and faith in Jesus.
An added layer in this parable is that the merchant is actively searching. This reflects how we should approach our relationship with God. We should actively seek what truly has value, and that is a relationship with Him and His kingdom.
Scripture
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Takeaway
Parable of the Field - Matthew 13:44-46
Likewise, when we discover the treasure of God’s kingdom, we should be willing to give up anything that keeps us from fully embracing a life with Him. The value of the Kingdom of Heaven is far greater than anything we have in this world. The joy that comes from it surpasses what earthly possessions can provide, and it lasts for eternity.
Scripture
He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough."
Takeaway
Parable of the Yeast - Matthew 13:33
Meaning A) This parable shows how yeast works through the entire dough. In the same way, the kingdom of heaven starts small but spreads and influences everything it touches. Just a small amount of yeast can affect the whole batch.
Meaning B) In other parts of scripture, yeast is used as a symbol of sin or pride, like the Pharisees and their self righteous attitude. That kind of unholiness can spread through a person’s heart if left unchecked. Because of that, we should be careful to guard against pride and arrogance in our lives.
What is your interpretation?
Scripture
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches."
Takeaway
Parable of the Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:31-33
In the previous two parables we learn about seeds and how where they are planted matters. Then we learned about seeds growing among weeds, so who you are surrounded by also matters. This parable takes a different approach. The mustard seed is small compared to other seeds, yet it grows into something large. The size of the seed does not dictate the size of the result. In the same way, though you may feel small, God has the ability to use you in a mighty way.
Scripture
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
Takeaway
Parable of the Weeds - Matthew 13:24-29; Matthew 13:36-43
This parable about weeds being sown in a field among good seeds is similar to the Parable of the Sower. Jesus represents the one who sows the good seeds. The enemy, the devil, sows the weeds. The weeds represent people who follow evil and influence others to turn away from God, while the good seed represents those who belong to the kingdom. Both the wheat and the weeds grow together until the harvest. At the time of harvest, which represents the return of Jesus, the angels will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, just as the weeds are separated from the wheat. The weeds will be burned, and the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.
Scripture
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Takeaway
Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:1-9; Matthew 13:18-23
Jesus tells a parable about a farmer who scattered seeds. Some of the seeds fell on the path, some on rocky ground, and some among thorns. The last of the seeds fell on good ground. Each type of soil points to different categories of people hearing and responding to the Word of God. Only the seed on good ground represents those who hear the word, understand it, and apply it. They are the ones who produce a harvest.
Scripture
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Takeaway
Our praise to God should always be in our heart and coming out of our mouth for what He has done for us. Through Christ we are spiritually blessed, in every way.
Scripture
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Takeaway
These three verses drive home the point that we serve one God. We do not serve a limited God, but the One who created the entire universe for us to live, move, and have our being as we praise Him.
Scripture
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Takeaway
This verse, along with the verses that follow, is very comforting. It teaches us not to worry, but to rest in the confidence that God protects those who walk in wisdom. The Lord is on your side, so do not fear or be afraid. Trust Him, and watch Him work everything out for you.
Scripture
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Takeaway
I quote this verse to my son almost every night at bedtime. He has a picture on his wall with this very scripture on it. I want him to know he is covered by God in full armor. I also want everyone reading this to daily put on the full armor of God and stand firm against the devil’s schemes.
Scripture
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Takeaway
We know that God is mighty and powerful. We also see in this verse that He equips us to stand against every attack of the enemy.
Scripture
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Takeaway
If we spent as much time trying to do what God has asked us to do, and less time trying to please people, imagine how blessed we would be. Because we would be pleasing the One who will hopefully tell us one day, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” and not settling for the imitation version of human approval.
Scripture
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Takeaway
This is what the Lord does on our behalf. He defends us and speaks up for us. So as you have the opportunity to do it, do it for others.
Scripture
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
Takeaway
Recently I was talking to a family member about being baptized, and I vaguely remembered being baptized when I was a very small child. Later I was baptized again in my 30s because I wanted to do it with the full understanding as I make my public confession that Jesus is Lord. You are never too old and it is never too late. I encourage anyone reading this to believe in your heart, confess your sins, be baptized, and share Jesus with others.
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Scripture
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Takeaway
Being around other believers is powerful. When we gather together and pray in Jesus’ name, He tells us that He is with us. What greater comfort could there be than knowing the Lord is with us, going before us, walking beside us, carrying us, and standing in our corner? For me, there is no one else I would rather have than our Lord.
Scripture
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Takeaway
This verse speaks to unity and let there be no division among us. When all is said and done we belong to Christ.
Scripture
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Takeaway
Are you willing to put yourself last and serve? Serving has greater value than being called the greatest. People who serve are not less than others, they are greater, because their pride does not get in the way of what they are called to do.
Scripture
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Takeaway
As believers, we should set our hearts and minds on things above because they are eternal. The things of this earth are perishing and will ultimately become nothing, so they have no lasting value. That is why our focus should be on living for God, loving others, and leaning on Him for a peace that will last forever.
Scripture
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Takeaway
If you are reading this, you woke up today. Every meal we eat today is from God supplying our needs. Your needs are being supplied because God knows what you need even before you ask, and even if you do not ask Him. We should be a thankful group of people who always give God glory forever.
Scripture
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Takeaway
Continue to let the love of Christ dwell in your heart on a daily basis. Do not let worldly desires pull you away. Let your joy, peace, and even your pain and struggles draw you closer to Christ. Do all of this with a heart of thanksgiving.
Scripture
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Takeaway
The verses for the past few days (Psalms 25:8-9, Psalms 149:4, and Proverbs 22:4) have been centered around being humble or humility. This verse tells us the results of praying and being humble.
Scripture
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
Takeaway
Today's verse uses another form of the word humble, humility. In this verse, we are taught to be humble by having a fear of the Lord. How do we do that? First, acknowledge that He is all powerful, and all knowing. Then by acknowledging our need for Him in our life. By not being arrogant, because the Lord is the provider of our blessings. Finally, by not being overly critical of ourselves, because the Lord created us in His image.
Scripture
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
Takeaway
Humble is one of those words often mentioned throughout the Bible in various forms. One thing we can take from its frequency is that it is important to God. Let us go out and be humble, so that the Lord will delight in us.
Scripture
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Takeaway
God is so much more than good. He is God. He is so much more than upright, He is just and does no wrong. As humble servants, He teaches us when we listen.
Scripture
How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Takeaway
When Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that God is mighty and endures forever, this is significant because he is the same Nebuchadnezzar who made a gold idol that he demanded people worship. When someone that self centered acknowledges the Almighty God, it should remind us that we should acknowledge God as well.
Scripture
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Takeaway
We are not promised an easy life when we accept Christ into our hearts. Doing the right thing is often difficult, but we can know that with each trial our Heavenly Father is with us. When we face hardships, we are called to remain faithful and continue to do good. Trust that God sees your struggles and that your faithfulness honors Him.
May God give you strength in the good season and in the hard times. In Jesus name. Amen.
Scripture
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Takeaway
Here is a prayer to go with this verse.
God our Father in Heaven, may You enlighten us each day so that we may know and fulfill what You have called us to do. Help us to feel rich in spirit, and in the inheritance that we receive as believers in Your Son Jesus. May the name of Jesus always be on our hearts to give us strength that can only come from You, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us. May Your blessing be with us now and forevermore. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Scripture
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Takeaway
This scripture is worth memorizing because of all that it encourages us to focus on, truth, nobility, what is right, purity, love, admiration of God, and excellence. Whenever our minds begin to drift toward negativity, let this verse remind us to shift our thinking and focus on what is good.
Scripture
Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
Takeaway
Epaphroditus was one of Paul's fellow workers and a messenger. Paul tells us that Epaphroditus was ill to the point of death, but he remained faithful. This faithfulness is what God recognized and had mercy on him. If you are sick, or you think you cannot make it, continue believing and trusting God.
Scripture
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Takeaway
Focus on the words "work out" in verse 12. Just like a "workout" builds your muscles, working out your salvation strengthens your soul for eternity.
Scripture
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Takeaway
Do you know why Jesus' name is above every other name? Because of His sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. I would call that a name worthy of being above every other name.
Scripture
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Takeaway
As we celebrate our risen Savior today, this verse is a perfect reminder of the sacrifice that was made for our lives. Share His life and sacrifice with someone. If you do not yet know Jesus, I pray that God uses this message to open your heart and help you begin a relationship with Him. If you have previously turned away, I pray that you return to a life that honors God. Wherever you are in your journey, I pray that you will believe in God, have faith in His Son Jesus, and live with the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead in your heart.
I want to encourage you to read and trust in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Verses to help you get started in your relationship with Christ.
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Scripture
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
Takeaway
This verse, as well as Acts 5:39, reminds us where our obedience belongs. We can obey God, or we can fight against Him. Spoiler, we don't win that battle.
Scripture
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Takeaway
This is where Jesus tells His disciples what is to come in relation to His crucifixion. Even though He will be leaving them, He tells them to have peace because they have known Him and believed in Him. We get a glimpse of the foreshadowing taking place here as Jesus says that He has overcome the world. In this same chapter, He also tells them that they will see Him again. In the same way, we can live with peace today, knowing that Jesus is coming back.
Scripture
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Takeaway
Imagine having everything, yet not having love. The Scripture says, “I am nothing,” because without the most basic and essential human element, love, everything else loses its value.
Scripture
The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Takeaway
In this passage of Scripture, Paul is writing to the believers in Rome, asking them to pray for him. Likewise, he encourages them with these words, that God will be with them all. The takeaway here is to ask others to pray for you, and in the same way, pray for blessings of peace over them.
Scripture
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Takeaway
Today, instead of a takeaway, here is a song for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RVaiZlQIog “Yes & Amen” by Maverick City Music
- “Yes & Amen” by Maverick City Music.
Scripture
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Takeaway
God’s Word is meant to strengthen us, correct us, and draw us closer to Him. When we handle it carelessly, or shape it to fit our own desires, we risk missing the very truth that could transform us. But when we read with an open heart, asking the Holy Spirit for understanding, even the harder passages become part of our growth.
My prayer is that every word shared points back to Scripture faithfully, builds up faith, and reflects the truth God has already spoken.
Scripture
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
Takeaway
Each day the sunrise, the clouds, and the blue sky above us all testify to His power over all creation. As the darkness of the night sky settles in and our eyes are no longer distracted by all the things we see during the day, we should allow God to reveal knowledge to us.
Scripture
Give us today our daily bread.
Takeaway
Each day God provides exactly what we need to get through our day. When we pray, this should be our prayer. There is something simple and powerful about this verse. Jesus teaches us to pray for today, not for next week, not for next year, but for daily bread. That means trusting God one day at a time, just as the Israelites had to in Exodus 16:4, where the Lord provided each person enough bread for that day.
Scripture
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Takeaway
Each day God provides. Therefore, trust God for today and do not let your mind become anxious about tomorrow. This does not mean you should not plan and prepare for the days ahead. It simply means do not let tomorrow stress you out while you are still living in today.
Scripture
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
Takeaway
In this current life we live with time constantly ticking. Seconds turn to minutes, minutes to hours, and hours to days. We have things to accomplish, deadlines to meet, and tasks to check off our to do list. Everything feels urgent. Yet this verse reminds us that God does not operate on our clock. What feels long and exhausting to us is but a moment in eternity.
Scripture
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Takeaway
Time will have its effect on everything in creation. All believers in Christ will age, wrinkle, and one day rest in our eternal home. In the meantime, be encouraged by this Scripture, knowing that your spirit experiences a daily renewal. It is easy to focus on what we see in the mirror or feel in our bodies. As the years move forward, and none of us are exempt from their effects. Yet Paul reminds us that what is happening on the outside does not define what God is doing on the inside.
Scripture
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Takeaway
We are not all the same, and neither should we be when it comes to how we serve here on earth. We are all custom designed by God to accomplish what He has sent us to do.
Scripture
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Takeaway
This verse, taken out of context, might sound like a prosperity verse. However, if you read the entire chapter, you will see what the verse is really leading us to do. This verse is part of a larger message about giving generously and cheerfully.
Scripture
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Takeaway
Today's takeaway is from the devotional Obedience, January 2025:
https://taiwie.com/Devotionals/Obedience
Scripture
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Takeaway
Here in this chapter, Jesus is speaking against the practices of the religious leaders of the time. The full chapter is very much worth reading. This verse addresses how we focus on the smallest and most insignificant details, yet neglect to practice what God truly wants us to do.
Scripture
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
Takeaway
Yesterday’s verse mentioned Christ as our foundation, in 1 Corinthians 3:11. Keeping with the building theme, you are the temple where God dwells within us. Therefore, protect your temple, strengthen your temple, and respect your temple.
Scripture
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
Takeaway
I do not know why I like these verses so much that compare Christ to a cornerstone, or in this case, a foundation. This verse goes on to say that our work will be tested with fire to show its quality. If Christ is your strong rock and foundation, make sure the work you do for the kingdom is suitable for that foundation. What good is a firm foundation with a weak structure?
Scripture
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
Takeaway
In this case, the people were quarreling about who they heard the Word from and who they followed. In today’s context, that would be like people quarreling about which pastor they follow. Paul instead encouraged them to see the bigger picture. We all follow God.
Scripture
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Takeaway
No one else on earth is worthy of our constant watching and waiting. Even the people closest to us will disappoint us at times, and those we expect to help may end up causing hurt. This is not so with the Lord. He listens to us, shelters us, and delivers us both in the natural and in the spiritual. When we choose to wait on Him, we are not waiting in vain, because our God hears us.
Scripture
Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.
Takeaway
This verse is an excerpt from a larger parable. Jesus tells a story that clearly points to the chief priests and teachers of the law, which is why they were angry. The owner of the vineyard represents God. The tenants represent the religious leaders. The servants are the prophets, and the son who is sent last represents Jesus.
The owner kept sending messengers to collect what was rightfully his, but they were rejected and killed. In the same way, God sent prophets, and finally His Son, yet they were rejected.
This reminds us that everything we have belongs to God. We are simply caretakers. We are called to care for what God has entrusted to us, our own lives, our children, and our possessions. The faithful live for God, and the unfaithful live for themselves.
Scripture
Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
Takeaway
In Corinthians, Paul starts by teaching the believers in Corinth to be united. He urges them not to get caught up in traditions and rituals, but to follow the example Christ gave us. We should be humble and not boastful regarding the things the world values. If we are going to boast, let it be in telling the world how great our Lord is.
Scripture
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Takeaway
When we are speaking about Jesus, or even praying to God, we do not have to use impressive words or language that would impress a biblical scholar. We should definitely read the Word of God, learn it, and apply it in our lives. But ultimately, we simply need to share the good news of Jesus and what He means in our lives. Speaking about God to people on their level is far more important than trying to impress others with our words.
Scripture
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Takeaway
We are all the same and yet different at the same time. What? As believers in Christ, we are the same because we serve and believe in God. However, how we serve Him may look different for each of us. What is important is that no matter what your calling is, you do it with diligence, by showing mercy, and with a cheerful heart.
Scripture
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Takeaway
This excerpt is part of a longer devotional called “Decathlon” https://taiwie.com/Devotionals/Decathlon
"When I read this scripture, I cannot help but visualize the analogy that the writer creates in this verse. The phrase “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” brings a very personal image to mind. I think of the people in my life who ran their race faithfully and are now with the Lord. For me, that includes my dad. I am sure you can think of someone you have lost who played a meaningful role in your life. I imagine them now watching, cheering us on as we continue to run our race here on earth."
Scripture
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Takeaway
There is only one we should fear, and it is not man. The message here is not to act out of fear of disappointing people, or to do things simply to gain favor from others. That kind of fear is a trap that will always lead to disappointment and keep you stuck. Instead, do what honors the Lord. When you trust Him, He will guide your path and keep you in His care.
Scripture
Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
Takeaway
When great things happen in your life, it is not a matter of happenstance. It takes faithfulness and wisdom that comes from trusting in God.
Scripture
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
Takeaway
In a world where everyone is trying to get ahead, you are bound to find people who will do anything to gain an advantage. However, the best and truest path forward is to trust God and His timing. As this scripture reminds us, when we choose to promote peace, rather than deceit, we can walk with joy even while we wait.
Scripture
From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
Takeaway
Kind words and hard work bring reward. We should use our words carefully, knowing they have the power to build up and encourage. In the same way, the work we put our hands to should be done with integrity and excellence, in a way that honors God.
Scripture
Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Takeaway
Who are you listening to? Who are you waiting on? Hopefully, all of us would answer, the Lord. If not, it may be time to reevaluate our priorities and spend intentional time in prayer, talking to God and listening for His guidance.
Scripture
For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
Takeaway
Nothing is secret. Simply put, God sees and knows everything.
Scripture
Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
Takeaway
The smartest person in the room is not necessarily the one who has wisdom. The one who has wisdom is humble enough to know they are fully dependent on God and trust that God knows all. He will give us discernment to understand what is good or bad, wise or foolish, as we walk with Him.
Scripture
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
Takeaway
While we do not practice burnt offerings today, this scripture is still very relevant. God desires mercy over ritual and relationship over sacrifice. God wants us to truly know Him, understand His character, and for us to worship Him.
Scripture
I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.
Takeaway
When you feel too far separated from God because of sin, think about Daniel. He approached God with humility, confession, and reverence, and God heard him. No matter how far we think we have wandered, God still listens when we turn back to Him sincerely.
Scripture
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Takeaway
Part of being holy requires being a peaceful person. This is one of many Scriptures that clearly tell us what is expected of us as believers. To be holy, or set apart to be used by God for His purpose, means choosing to live for the Lord and not for ourselves.
Scripture
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me."
Takeaway
An advocate is someone who speaks on behalf of another, or in this case, testifies about a person. In this passage, Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit. He, the Advocate, testifies that Jesus is the Messiah and confirms that all we read and know about Him is true. The Advocate, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, still lives in us today so that we can share and spread the Gospel.
Scripture
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Takeaway
To round out this verse on love, I want to let my wife know that I love her just as this verse teaches, to love her as I love myself. Husbands and wives, tell your significant other you love them, not only with words, but through intentional acts of love that encourage, support, and strengthen one another.
Scripture
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Takeaway
Honor and love go hand in hand. When you honor your father and mother, you are not only showing love, you are also pleasing God. This command comes with a promise, God blesses your days. I believe that when we honor our father and mother, we help establish a generational blessing. Our example teaches the next generation how to show honor, respect, and love in return.
Scripture
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Takeaway
The Lord's commands give us life, while the world's commands are burdensome and heavy. Jesus said, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The yoke of the world is meant to weigh you down and wear you out. The yoke of Jesus is different; it is about a relationship. When we walk with Him in faith and obedience, we are not carrying the load alone. Jesus invites us to walk alongside Him, and alongside other believers, sharing the weight together.
Scripture
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Takeaway
The Lord is always faithful, in all His ways, and to all who love Him and keep His commands.
Scripture
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Takeaway
God has spoken in the past, He speaks in the present, and He will continue to speak His words of love to us forevermore. His love is not limited by time or circumstance. The same God who declared His love long ago is still drawing us close today with unfailing kindness.
Scripture
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
Takeaway
Love has to extend beyond only loving God. It must extend to loving the children of God, and that includes one another and our own children. When we truly love God, that love is reflected in how we treat His children. When we properly love God, His children, and ourselves, we carry out the first two commands.
Scripture
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.
Takeaway
Yesterday's takeaway mentioned that we are all God's children, and because of that, we are all brothers and sisters. Throughout the Bible we hear this message about loving our brothers and sisters. I want to encourage you to reach out to your actual brother or sister and tell them you love them. If you do not have a sibling you can reach out to, then do so with whoever God places on your heart as you read this.
Scripture
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Takeaway
To get to the point of loving our enemy, we need to change our perspective, especially when that enemy is an actual person. Remember that God is our Heavenly Father, and He loves us deeply. God is also the Heavenly Father of your enemy. That makes all of us brothers and sisters. Jesus reminds us that we cannot love God if we do not love our brothers and sisters (1 John 4:20). Loving our enemies does not mean approving of their actions, but it does mean choosing love, prayer, and compassion over hatred, just as our Father in heaven does.
Scripture
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Takeaway
I want to know what this verse means to you. To me, it means God loves us so deeply that He gave His Son, Jesus, to pay for our sins. Because of that, we should not be afraid to bring everything to God, even the bad. Talking to God, walking with God, trusting God, and loving God will build a relationship of love and remove fear. God forgives when we repent, and He wants our hearts to love Him. Do not let fear block you from seeking God. I fear not seeking God.
Scripture
Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
Takeaway
I know this verse says "plan," but the first time I read it, I somehow saw the word "plant." When I thought about it, that idea fits here as well. Scripture talks about planting seeds in good soil (Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:23), and what you plant, and where you plant it, truly matters. The intentions of your heart shape the direction of your life. Do not let evil cause you to go astray. Instead, let love and faithfulness dwell within you, keeping you rooted, steady, and planted in what is good. That will keep you in God’s plan.
Scripture
When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Takeaway
This verse mentions Egypt, but no matter where you are reading this from, insert your own country name as you read it. I have a neighbor who speaks very little English, but one thing I know is that every time I see him, he waves enthusiastically to show his kindness. Because of the language barrier, we cannot carry on lengthy conversations, but this simple gesture tells me, "hey, I see you and acknowledge you," and my wave back says the same to him. His wave reminds me of this very scripture.
Scripture
Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
Takeaway
If you hit rock bottom, there is no pit too deep for the Lord’s love and compassion to lift you out. We see in the previous verse that forgiveness and healing are in His hands. That alone is more than enough reason for us to praise Him.
Scripture
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Takeaway
It would be impossible to outdo God. Love is one of those ways where we simply cannot one up Him, especially when it comes to love. "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). I do not think I know a single person who would willingly sacrifice their child for the sake of the world. To put this in perspective, He did not sacrifice His Son just for those who loved, love, or will love Him, but even for those who do not yet know or acknowledge Him. God did this in spite of our sins, and He did it to show us Godly love.
Scripture
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Takeaway
One impossible principle is believing that you can love God without loving one another. You cannot selectively choose who you love and still say you truly know God. We should want to love God and love others because He has sacrificed so much to show His love to each one of us. The end of this verse wraps it up perfectly, because God is love.
Scripture
We love because he first loved us.
Takeaway
How many of us have said to our significant other, "I said I love you first"? We like to keep score sometimes. Want to know who truly holds the record for first love? God does. Before we ever knew how to love, before we ever thought to love, He loved us first. Our love is a response to the love that began with Him.
Scripture
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Takeaway
This verse is not giving us a free pass to sin, assuming that God will love us regardless of our choices. God does offer us grace, but we should not abuse that grace. We should love God by striving to keep His commands and turn away from sin. Just as yesterday’s verse spoke about love and obedience working together, this verse reinforces that truth once again. This is love in its purest form, because God is pure, and God is love. Human love has limits and boundaries, but Godly love goes far beyond them. God did not wait for us to be worthy, improved, or deserving. He loved us first, right where we were. That kind of love is genuine, compassionate, and everlasting, and it invites us to trust Him completely and show that same love to others.
Scripture
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Takeaway
This verse reinforces keeping God’s commands, and love. The two most important things that we can do in our Christian walk. We are commanded to walk in obedience, and that obedience is lived out through love. We cannot truly love without obedience, and we will struggle to obey God if we do not love Him. Love and obedience are inseparable in the life of believers.
Scripture
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.
Takeaway
What I see in this verse: love is strong, determined, and priceless.
Scripture
How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!
Takeaway
Nothing can compare to love, not wine, not perfume, or any other tangible thing. Love, as this verse describes, is delightful!
Scripture
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Takeaway
Do you love others the same way Jesus loves each one of us? That is the cost of following Him. Jesus did not place conditions on His love, He gave it freely. He also reminds us in scripture that love is the greatest command.
Scripture
The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Takeaway
This month I have shared a few takeaways regarding loving our neighbor. I set my WiFi SSID to "Mark 12:31." Anyone who lives within a hundred feet or so of my house, or has ever visited us and connected to our WiFi, can confirm this is true. I did this to remind myself to love our neighbors, and also as a simple way to ask my neighbors to love us as well.
Scripture
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Takeaway
These three things will stand the test of time. Faith is trusting God, believing that He is who He says He is, and that He will do what He said He would do. Hope is the ability to look ahead, to dream, and to trust that greater things are still to come. Love is the relationship between each one of us and God, and with each other, and it is the greatest of all.
Scripture
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Takeaway
The takeaway from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 on 2-4-2026 shared how love asks for a lot, and how it pushes us to be better. Leviticus 19 continues that same message by calling us to release revenge, let go of grudges, and choose love instead. Loving your neighbor as yourself has to be intentional. It requires humility, forgiveness, and obedience to God. This verse reminds us that loving well is not optional, it is a reflection of who the Lord is and who we are called to be.
Scripture
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Takeaway
God loves when we take delight in Him, and He does not stand in agreement with sin. God plants us where we can be continually refreshed by Him, so that we can produce good fruit. He does not allow us to shrivel, He allows us to thrive.
Scripture
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Takeaway
Love is asking a lot. If it did not ask much of you, it would not be love, it would be convenience. Do not let your relationship just be convenient. Why can’t love be easy and allow me to put myself first? Because those things are not love. Love pushes you to be better, challenges you to try new things, and encourages you. Loving others well opens the door for you to be loved well.
Scripture
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Takeaway
The Lord wants you to know that He loves you and fights for you every day, every hour, every minute, and every second of your life. Call on the Lord, listen for His answer, and follow His guidance. The promises are in the Scripture, your part is to trust Him.
Scripture
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Takeaway
Let’s break this down to a more personal level. God so loved [insert your name here] that he gave his one and only Son. God created you, so He does not want to see you perish, but to flourish. That is why the very next verse says, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Scripture
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Takeaway
After reading this scripture, I thought about the passage where Jesus said the greatest command is to love God, and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Why? Because God is love, and when we truly know Him, love like Him. If anything is holding you back from loving, choose to forgive, then pray, and then love. In doing so, we reflect the nature of God to the world around us.
Scripture
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Takeaway
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Psalms 119:89 (NIV)
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
Psalms 119:93 (NIV)
These two verses combined make for a powerful message to us. We know in our hearts that God’s Word reigns eternal, and we must always remember that truth. In doing so, God will preserve our lives both now and forevermore.
Scripture
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Takeaway
The great thing about the Bible is that it does not give half commands. Words like “every” leave no room for us to negotiate our way out of doing good. Living at peace and pursuing holiness are not optional traits for a believer, they are intentional choices.
Scripture
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Takeaway
God can handle all of your anxious thoughts, cares, desires, burdens, and anything else that weighs heavy on your mind. Humbly submit to God and let this verse work in your life. He invites you to bring it all to Him. Let go and let God.
Scripture
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Takeaway
Yes you can! Yes He will!
Scripture
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Takeaway
In this scripture we hear about a judge and a persistent woman who would not rest until she received justice. The judge did not grant her request because it was the right thing to do. He did it because of her persistence. That persistence reflects faith, faith that justice would come if she did not give up.
If persistence can move an unjust judge, how much more will God respond to His chosen ones who cry out to Him. Jesus then asks a question, “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Jesus wants to know if we have that type of faith. Let us live our lives with that kind of faith, trusting God even when answers seem delayed, so that our answer to His question is yes.
Scripture
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."
Takeaway
Here is Day 9 of common phrases found in the Bible.
“Rise and shine.”
Scripture
Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
Takeaway
Here is Day 8 of common phrases found in the Bible.
“A little bird told me.”
Scripture
or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Takeaway
Here is Day 7 of common phrases found in the Bible.
“A thorn in the flesh” or "A thorn in my side"
Scripture
Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.
Takeaway
Here is Day 6 of common phrases found in the Bible.
“The writing on the wall”
Scripture
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
Takeaway
Here is Day 5 of common phrases found in the Bible.
“Go the extra mile.”
Scripture
I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.
Takeaway
Here is Day 4 of common phrases found in the Bible.
"Nothing but skin and bones"
“By the skin of my teeth.”
Scripture
"Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Takeaway
Here is Day 3 of common phrases found in the Bible.
“The blind leading the blind.”
Scripture
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
Takeaway
Here is Day 2 of common phrases found in the Bible.
“A wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Scripture
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Takeaway
I’m starting a new series over the next week highlighting everyday phrases that trace all the way back to the Bible. You might be surprised how many you already use.
“The truth will set you free.”
Scripture
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
Takeaway
What if Jesus said this about where we live today. Imagine Him looking at our neighborhood, our town, our city, our state, even our country, and saying He found great faith there. Faith moves Jesus to action on our behalf. Faith shows Him honor. Let this verse encourage you to live out a faith that not only strengthens your own walk but inspires the people around you.
Scripture
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
Takeaway
This verse is the perfect bridge that ties together the two previous days' verses. In this moment Jesus is about to heal a man’s hand, and it happens to be on the Sabbath. He looks around and asks the Pharisees and the teachers of the law this question in today's verse. Guess what, they did not answer. Why? Because they did not want to look like hypocrites. So Jesus heals the man anyway.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law not only refused to show grace to Jesus for healing this man, they also wanted to find a way to punish Him. This reminds us of Romans 14:16, and the call to not allow your good to be spoken of as evil. Jesus did good regardless of how it would be perceived, and He invites us to do the same.
Scripture
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Takeaway
This verse is very humbling. How often do we notice and point out the flaws we see in others, yet fail to recognize our own struggles because of the plank in our own eye? Jesus reminds us not to judge or be overly critical. We all have our own sins, habits, and problems we are working through. When we allow God to correct us first, our vision becomes clearer. Only then can we approach others with grace, compassion, and the right heart.
Scripture
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Takeaway
Jesus wants us to live, move, and have our being rooted in Him. He knows some have already been through the cycle of being spiritually sick to spiritually healthy. If sin has you spiritually sick, His blood will heal and cleanse you. Come to Jesus, and just as He healed throughout scripture He still heals now.
Scripture
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Takeaway
The Bible provides some of the most comforting words of encouragement to us. I might be a bit partial to these words because I love seeing the mountains. Another well known verse about the mountains can be found in Matthew 17:20, which speaks about having faith to move mountains. Whether you look towards the mountains while praying for the Lord’s help, or look to the Lord to move mountains, trust in Him.
Scripture
Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Takeaway
Temptation may come when we are most vulnerable or when something is at stake that we want or need. The beginning of this chapter is about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. The devil knew Jesus was fasting, so he tempted him with food. The devil knew Jesus was divine, so he wanted him to steal worship that was for God. Last, the devil wanted to tempt Jesus with doing something dangerous and asking for God to rescue Him. The trend here is that temptation leads us toward sin. We should follow Jesus’ example by not giving in, which will make the devil flee. The last portion of the verse is also important. The temptation will leave until there is another opportune time. Keep God’s word on your heart so the devil cannot gain a foothold at any time.
Scripture
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
Takeaway
This is just me thinking out loud, but I wonder what my own parents would have said if I responded like Jesus did in this moment. I am pretty sure it would not have gone the same way. It also makes me think there may be a little nuance or tone that gets lost when we move from the original languages to English. What we do learn in this verse is that we should be about our Father’s business.
Scripture
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Takeaway
Anger is an interesting beast that often leads us to doing things we may regret. This verse reminds us that the emotion itself is not condemned, but how we handle it matters. God gives us two instructions: do not sin, and do not stay angry. When we hold on to anger, it settles into our hearts and opens the door to sin. Before the day ends, let that anger go. Release it to God, seek peace where you can, and guard your heart so the enemy has no foothold.
Scripture
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
Takeaway
Who should praise the Lord? Everyone, everywhere, for every reason because God is great. Jesus said it best, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” We should not let a lifeless object give God more praise than us. Take a moment as you read this scripture to thank God for who He is and all He has done.
Scripture
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Takeaway
Don’t keep the goodness of the Lord to yourself. So share Him, post Him, tell someone what God has done for you. Let His praise show up in your conversations, on your social media, and in the way you live your life. You never know who might be encouraged, reminded, or even drawn back to God because you chose to speak up.
Scripture
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
Takeaway
I love the praise from the people in the Bible such as Mary, “my soul glorifies the Lord.” From David, “Praise the Lord, praise God in his sanctuary, praise him in his mighty heavens, praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him according to his excellent greatness... Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, praise the Lord,” and “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name, bring an offering and come before him.” The scriptures are full of examples of praise, therefore we should offer God the same level of enthusiastic praise today.
Scripture
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Takeaway
We all have our own cross to carry as we follow Christ. There will be moments when you have to let go of certain things in order to walk with Him more fully. Whatever you choose to deny, God will replace it with something far more fulfilling and meaningful than anything you released. And whatever cross you must carry, He will not leave you to handle it alone. He will send someone alongside you to strengthen, support, and encourage you. Just as Simon of Cyrene helped to carry Jesus’ cross, God is faithful, and He will give you what you need for the journey ahead.
Scripture
In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Takeaway
This verse gives us a simple and powerful way to begin each day. When we rise, we can pray and talk to the Lord. He already knows what we need, so we should not hesitate to come to Him.
Scripture
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
Takeaway
This chapter gives us twenty six examples of how God’s love endures forever. This verse concludes the chapter, but this is where we can start our own chain of how God's love endures forever. Take a moment to read the full chapter and you will begin to see how His love has endured forever and will continue to endure forever. What would your “His love endures forever” say?
Scripture
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
Takeaway
Just as the Lord spoke in Isaiah about no weapon formed against us prospering, David confessed that he trusted God for victory over Goliath. David was not worried about Goliath’s credentials, his size, or his threats, he only concerned himself with knowing that God would deliver him, just as God had done many times before.
Scripture
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Takeaway
We all have moments when we think too highly of ourselves, and moments when we feel weighed down by our own mistakes. Jesus reminds us that God honors humility. Come to him honestly today. He gave his life for every one of us.
Scripture
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Takeaway
As we start a new year and look ahead to what we want to accomplish, let these scriptures guide you. Rejoicing, being kind, praying, and presenting your requests to God is the path to peace. Let the peace of God blow your mind in this new year.
Scripture
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Takeaway
As we wrap up one year and look ahead to the next, I pray that we all leave behind the things that are not helping us pursue our calling, so that in the new year we can truly live the will of God. My hope is that anyone reading these words has accepted Christ. If not, now is the time. Start the new year as a new creation.
Path to Christ
https://taiwie.com/#path
Scripture
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Takeaway
The beginning of this chapter is a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. John then shifts our attention to one of the most quoted and well known verses in scripture, John 3:16, and he shares all of this to guide us toward living in the light of Jesus. These verses go deeper than the public exposure of sin. They speak to our hearts being exposed to Jesus through confession, which leads us out of darkness and into light. When we come to Him, He transforms us and makes His work in us plain for all to see, not for shame, but for His glory.
Scripture
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
Takeaway
How many times have I lived these verses? I do things I do not want to do, and the things I want to do, I fail to do. Sometimes it is not even sin, it is distraction or procrastination. Whether it is sin or simply going off course, the good news is found as you keep reading this chapter. Verse 25 gives us hope, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Scripture
“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Takeaway
This is both a prophecy and a history lesson. Elijah was known as a prophet chosen by God who had not bowed down to worthless idols or other gods. The prophecy here reminds us that God will continue to send people into our lives to turn our hearts toward what matters, not only toward our parents, but toward God our Father. This change of heart replaces total destruction with God's grace.
Scripture
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
Takeaway
Malachi 4:1 tells us that the evil and arrogant will stumble, while today's verse gives us confidence to know that those who revere the name of God will rise, be healed, and be blessed through the sun of righteousness, Jesus, the Son of Righteousness. As we go throughout the day may we continue to honor the Lord so that we may, as verse 3 says, trample on the wicked.
Scripture
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Takeaway
Thank God Jesus is the light in a world that can seem dark. When Jesus lives in your heart, His light shines through you. Just as the scripture says, “and the darkness has not overcome it.” As you let your light shine today, remember this verse.
Scripture
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Takeaway
Heavenly Father, may You bless everyone celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus today. May they find peace and joy wherever they are. May You allow them to be a blessing to others. May Your love be in our hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Scripture
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Takeaway
Jesus is described as the Word. The entire Bible is the story that leads us to Him. The prophecies and words written in the pages of Scripture are all fulfilled by Jesus, who had a miraculous birth and a miraculous resurrection.
Scripture
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Takeaway
This is total faith on Mary's part. A virgin pregnant with the Savior of the world. For a longer read on this, see the Christmas story from the perspective of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. https://taiwie.com/Devotionals/Christmas_Story
Scripture
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Takeaway
I have experienced great news throughout my life, but none can compare to the news shared in this scripture. The birth of our Savior is the greatest news the world has ever received. God came in human form to save, forgive, and redeem mankind. This message was not just for a few but for all people.
Scripture
He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
Takeaway
Oftentimes, people will try to discredit your blessing or find a reason to criticize. Just as in this passage when Jesus healed a blind man, the Pharisees went so far as to call Jesus a sinner because He healed on the Sabbath. If people would accuse Jesus of sinning, we can expect to face false accusations too. Romans 14:16 gives us a word of encouragement, “Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.”
Scripture
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.
Takeaway
There is no other name more trustworthy than the name of the Lord. He is the source of our protection and strength. When trouble comes, or even in the calm of daily life, call on Him first. Make the name of the Lord your default contact, the one you reach out to before anyone else, He will answer and deliver you.
Scripture
We love because he first loved us.
Takeaway
He, being God, loves us. Before we knew Him or were ever created, He loved mankind. He has shown love to us from the beginning of time. He is the author of life and love. We are made in His image, which includes the desire to be loved and to love. So as you go through life, love God, love yourself, and love others.
Scripture
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
Takeaway
The Lord tells us through Isaiah that He will not allow any word or weapon that rises against His servants to succeed. When you choose to serve God wholeheartedly, trust Him, and walk faithfully in the work He has given you, He will be your defender. You may face attacks, but they will not overcome you. You may experience hurt, but He will bring healing. God’s promise is that His protection and vindication belong to those who serve Him.
Scripture
God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
Takeaway
Have you ever felt like you were all alone on your journey, as if no one else understands what you’re facing or the challenges you endure? God reminds us through Scripture that He never leaves us to face the world by ourselves. Even when we can’t see others who share our story, God has people reserved for the same work. And most importantly, He is always with us, He knows our story and comforters us with strength.
Scripture
I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.
Takeaway
This scripture and two verses below it, speak to what our desire should be, to do God’s will. Likewise, in verse 10, we are reminded that we should not just store up the goodness and faithfulness of God, but share it with others.
I encourage you to read this entire chapter for the encouragement it offers.
Scripture
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Takeaway
This is another reminder that we are never alone in our walk with the Lord. He leads and guides us, counsels us, and when this life is over, takes us into glory to be with Him. That is what I call the good life.
Scripture
Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
Takeaway
David, in this psalm, reminds us to always trust God. False gods can come in many forms, including people or things we place our trust in instead of Him. When we rely fully on the Lord, He blesses and strengthens us, keeping our hearts focused on what is true.
Scripture
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Takeaway
The chapter talks about how God shows His love and mercy toward us. Earlier in the chapter, Paul uses the metaphor of a tree with some branches being broken off and others being grafted in. Ultimately, when we fall, we can be grafted back in as branches and receive nourishment from the root, which represents God. Just after writing that, Paul begins this doxology, a prayer or song of praise to God, as he addresses the believers in Rome. Paul has that moment we all experience when we marvel at the knowledge, wisdom, and love of God.
Scripture
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Takeaway
A promise of love from God is a certainty. What He says will happen, it will happen. Likewise, His love toward each one of us is for eternity. Both of these are born out of His compassion for us.
Scripture
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Takeaway
When sadness and anxiety hit you and you find yourself asking these questions, know that this is the time to praise God, our Savior. He hears you and knows your struggles. Take a moment to praise Him and trust in God.
Scripture
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Takeaway
This is where we dig our heels in and trust that God will provide. Do not let the circumstances around you steal your joy. Instead, let them remind you to rejoice.
Scripture
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Takeaway
God is described or referred to throughout the Bible as a refuge, a fortress, and a strong tower. This is because He provides protection from all the attacks surrounding us. Many of these attacks we never even see because He shields us from them before they can ever reach us.
Scripture
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
Takeaway
That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil, this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NIV)
Scripture
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Takeaway
This chapter begins by reminding us that there is a time and season for everything under the sun. As we go through different times and seasons, God continues to create beauty all around us and bless us with the gift of eternal life, something far beyond our full understanding.
Scripture
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
Takeaway
When I think about this parable, I can’t help but reflect on my own spiritual journey. I haven’t always been the seed that fell on good soil. If we’re honest, most of us have been through these same stages, sometimes rocky ground, sometimes among thorns, and hopefully, sometimes good soil. The beauty of God’s grace is that growth is always possible. What’s important is that we work each day to be better than we were yesterday so we can become the seed planted in good soil that produces a harvest.
Scripture
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Takeaway
Anyone who knows me well can tell you I’m not an outdoors person. However, there are times when I look out at the horizon, see clouds in the sky, or a mountain with the autumn leaves, or where the waves of the ocean meet the shore, and I marvel at God’s beautiful creation. Take a moment today to find something beautiful in nature and thank God for it.
I have another challenge for you! Reply with a photo from nature that represents the beauty of what God has created for you. Whether it’s a sunrise, a mountain view, the ocean, or even your own backyard, let’s fill this post with reminders of how amazing God’s creation truly is.
Scripture
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
Takeaway
In this chapter of John, we see the beginning of Jesus calling His disciples. When Nathanael approaches, Jesus greets him with one of the most sincere compliments. It shows that Jesus sees not only who we are but our hearts. Nathanael was genuine, without deceit. It makes me wonder, if Jesus were to introduce each of us as His disciples, what would He say about each one of us?
Scripture
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Takeaway
This verse is a prophecy about Jesus Christ. It gives me confidence in His power to heal and restore. We know that He went to the cross for us, taking on the punishment that we deserved. He suffered so that we could have peace and eternal life. Because of His sacrifice, we can put our faith, hope, and trust in Him to heal our hearts, renew our spirits, and save our souls.
Scripture
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Takeaway
I can’t read this verse without also thinking about Romans 5:7-8, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus is so amazing because He willingly laid down His life not only for His friends but for everyone, sinners included. That kind of love is beyond what we can fully understand. He showed us the greatest example of love.
Scripture
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Takeaway
If you just read this verse by itself, it might sound like God will grant us anything we ask for. But when we look at the surrounding verses, we see the true message. John 15:1-2, talked about God pruning away what is unproductive in our lives. The next verse, John 15:8, explains the purpose: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” When we remain connected to God and let His words take root in us, our desires begin to align with His will. Our prayers become guided by His purpose, not just our wants. Jesus reminds us in verse 16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” When we pray from that place of connection, what we ask for will have a lasting impact, not just fulfill a temporary desire, bringing glory to God through the fruit it produces.
Scripture
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
Takeaway
Jesus was preparing His disciples for a time when He would no longer be with them in the flesh. He promised the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to live within them and guide them into truth. This same Spirit dwells in us today, reminding us of Jesus’ words, His love, and His power. We need this testimony so that our faith does not waver and so that we remember that Jesus still lives and works through us. As the Spirit testifies about Him, we too are called to share that testimony, showing the world that Christ is alive in us.
Scripture
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
Takeaway
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. Proverbs 10:8 (NIV)
Scripture
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Takeaway
A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. Proverbs 10:23 (NIV)
Scripture
Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Takeaway
How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22 (NIV)
Scripture
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Takeaway
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
Scripture
The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.
Takeaway
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. Proverbs 26:1 (NIV)
Scripture
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Takeaway
Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
Proverbs 14:7 (NIV)
Scripture
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.
Takeaway
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
Proverbs 12:15 (ASV)
Scripture
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
Takeaway
Throughout the Bible, we see the word fullness used to describe, as best as human language can, our holy God. He is so vast that no words can truly capture who He is or all that He has created and done for us. One of the many blessings we receive from God is His grace, and through Jesus, whom He sent to save us, we receive even more grace.
Scripture
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Takeaway
Paul says in the verses before this that he kneels before the Father, even in suffering. He understands the power of God’s Holy Spirit living in us, giving us strength and endurance. Through this, we can experience the fullness of God’s love and remain whole, even in times of hardship. This prayer reminds us to take heart and trust God’s power working within us.
Scripture
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.
Takeaway
The verse from yesterday, 1 Corinthians 8:1-2, spoke about pride and how we use knowledge. Today’s passage reminds us that all wisdom and understanding come from God. True wisdom is not about showing off what we know, but about allowing God’s Word to guide our decisions. When we seek His wisdom, it blesses our lives and shields us from harm. God’s wisdom helps us walk in what is right, just, and fair, ensuring that every path we take honors Him.
Scripture
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.
Takeaway
The verse from yesterday is related to this one, addressing another aspect of pride. This time addresses how we show pride through knowledge. Even if something doesn’t harm your faith, it might harm someone else’s. True maturity in Christ means being considerate of others’ spiritual journeys. What we know is important, but how we treat others with that knowledge matters more. Love should guide our actions, not pride.
Scripture
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Takeaway
There have been times when pride has consumed our thoughts. Who we are, what we have accomplished, or how we live can make us feel superior in some way. Those thoughts come from a place of pride. We are all strong in some areas and lacking in others. This verse serves as a reminder to remain humble.
Scripture
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Takeaway
Usually, I provide the scripture in the NIV version of the Bible, but this time I’m pulling from the ESV version because I like the phrase “Count it all joy.” How often do we beat ourselves up when we go through a trial in life or fall short of expectations? Consider the counterbalance, be joyful when you succeed and count those times. I bet you’ll see how far you’ve come in your faith.
Scripture
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Takeaway
Some prayers are not about asking for things, but for understanding. There are moments when we just need God to show us what to do or how to respond. But maybe the answer is found in knowing Him more deeply.His character, abilities, and wisdom are found in the pages of the Bible. In the next verse it says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.” When your heart is open and your eyes see clearly, you begin to understand your purpose. Step into that calling and trust that God will continue to reveal everything you need in His perfect timing.
Scripture
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Takeaway
This verse should serve as a prescription. Sometimes, the best medicine isn’t found in a pill bottle but in a smile or a laugh. I wonder how much of our health and peace are tied to simply not finding joy in the small moments God gives us. So your dose of medicine today is simple: laugh, smile, and find joy. It will lift your spirit and bring healing to your heart.
Scripture
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Takeaway
I love the symbolism used throughout the Bible that describes our Christian life in relatable ways. I’m not the greatest gardener, but I do understand the concept here, how a gardener trims away what is dead to make room for new blossoms. God does the same for us. He removes the things in our lives that are not beneficial and clears away what takes up space and resources. That makes room for new spiritual or personal growth.
Scripture
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
Takeaway
Job’s life is truly one of an overcomer. He overcame the loss of his family, health, and possessions. His friends even accused him of sinning, yet he still believed that God would redeem him. Although he didn’t know if it would happen in this life or the life to come, he was confident it would. Spoiler alert, Job was right, and his trust in God was rewarded. I encourage you to read the full book of Job and be inspired by his faith.
Scripture
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
Takeaway
What God brought to my mind for this verse is how deep the ocean is and how vast the plans are in our hearts. We often have grand ideas and lofty goals, but it takes wisdom and insight to bring them to the surface. Insightful people know how to discern which plans should be pursued and have the discipline to carry them out.
Scripture
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Takeaway
Just as yesterday’s verse, Luke 20:25, talked about giving to Caesar in taxes or to God in tithes and offerings, Romans 13:7 goes a little deeper. This is about more than money; it is about giving in a relationship. So think about what you need to give today, and give it.
Scripture
He said to them, "Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God’s."
Takeaway
The reason I love this verse and its backstory is because it shows Jesus’ brilliance. The teachers of the law wanted to trap Jesus into picking a side between Rome and His followers. The Romans imposed taxes that negatively impacted the Jews, so the religious leaders posed what they thought was an impossible question, asking if they should pay taxes to the Romans. Jesus simply replied with this verse and let them draw their own conclusion.
Scripture
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Takeaway
Think about governing authorities as everything from politics, to work, to school, or any other governing body. We are all under authority. Therefore, we should be careful to respect the authorities that God has established.
This verse is a reminder that God is ultimately in control and He places authority where He wills. Even when we may not agree with the people or systems in charge, showing respect for authority is a way of showing our trust in God’s sovereignty. When we honor the order God has set in place, we are living in obedience not only to man but also to Him.
Scripture
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.
Takeaway
This is so important to keep because it speaks to your character. When you make God a promise, but you fail to make good on the promise this scripture tells us it is better not to make a promise at all. God does not want your empty promises, he wants you to be honest and faithful. This extends to our relationships with others as well. You would be better off not making a promise if you do not intend to keep it.
Scripture
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Takeaway
We should thank God each day for the grace He has given to us. Grace is not something we can earn, it is a gift freely given by God. We could never do enough good works to deserve it, which is why we can only receive it through faith. Since we have been given this gift, we should also extend grace to others, even when we feel they may not deserve it. God does not withhold grace from anyone, and neither should we.
Scripture
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Takeaway
In the garden, just before His arrest, Jesus asked Simon Peter to keep watch and pray. Instead, Peter fell asleep. Jesus understood the weakness of the human body and the pull of temptation, but He also knew the power of prayer. Prayer strengthens us where our flesh fails. The same command He gave to Peter applies to us today. Stay alert, stay prayerful, and rely on God to give you the strength to overcome temptation. When you pray, God hears you, and He will always provide a way out.
Scripture
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Takeaway
In this verse we learn that love is the greatest of all time. If you want to know the attributes of love you can read the full chapter. Just in case you want the cliff notes, here they are:
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not boast
Love it is not proud
Love does not dishonor others
Love is not self-seeking
Love is not easily angered
Love keeps no record of wrongs
Love doesn’t not delight in evil
Love rejoices in truth
Love always protects
Love always trusts
Love always hopes
Love always perseveres
Love never fails
Scripture
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Takeaway
Wisdom is such a valuable trait. It guides you along this journey of life and keeps your light shining. People are drawn to wisdom because people are drawn to light. Let your wisdom shine today and every day.
Scripture
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Takeaway
When I think about the word handiwork my mind goes straight to woodworking or some handmade custom piece of art. That makes sense because Jesus Himself was known as a carpenter. When we create something with our own hands it is just a piece of work. However, when the hand of God is the Creator we become living and active works, designed with purpose and prepared for the good He planned in advance for us to do.
Scripture
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Takeaway
Think about a path lit with the light of the sun. It is much easier to see everything around you. You can look back to see how far you’ve come. From your current position you can hope for what is ahead. This is in stark contrast to walking in darkness where you can’t see how far you’ve come, and you can’t see the obstacles you are walking into. Let your righteousness shine today and always so that your path will be well lit.
Scripture
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Takeaway
God is so much more than our refuge, strength, and an ever-present help. Therefore, this should give you the courage to push forward. Lean on God for these three things and watch what He will do for you.
Scripture
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
Takeaway
Not everyone has your best intentions at heart. That is why we should pray to be delivered from evil and wicked people. The Lord is faithful, and because He is not a God of confusion, He will protect and strengthen us along our journey.
Scripture
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
Takeaway
With both wisdom and money it comes down to how you use both. What good it is to have wisdom if you don’t use it in every area of your life? Likewise, what good is it to have money if you are stingy? How you use each is crucial. The advantage to wisdom is it gives you the ability to make money and use it properly. Having money on the other hand doesn’t guarantee you will know how to be a good steward over what you have. Those who are truly wise will ask God how to use their wisdom and money.
Scripture
For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
Takeaway
This is an unfair fight, because God will always reign victorious. The plans of your enemy will not succeed because you have God almighty on your side.
Scripture
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
Takeaway
There is nothing to fear when the Lord is on your side. He is stronger than anything that may come against you, and there is no greater defender than Him. Salvation is found in no other name but Jesus, and when you rest in that truth you can walk in confidence and peace knowing He is your strength and your shield.
Scripture
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.
Takeaway
The takeaway from this scripture is how David instructed his son Solomon to do the work of the Lord. This can be seen as the physical work of building the temple, but also as the spiritual work of trusting in the Lord’s strength rather than his own. David provided Solomon with everything he needed for the task, but more importantly, he gave him instructions and an example to follow. In the same way, Christ has given us both His Word and His life as an example. We are called to be strong, courageous, and faithful, knowing that the Lord will never fail us as we do the work He created us to do.
Scripture
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Takeaway
The Lord Jesus wants us to be thankful for the miracles, blessings, and wonderful things He has done. Likewise, He wants us to be thankful for the daily routines. That email I sent, “Thank you Jesus.” Dropping my kid off at school, “Thank you Jesus.” Posting this takeaway online, “Thank you Jesus.” It doesn’t have to be grand to let the Lord know we are thankful, it just needs to be authentic.
Scripture
“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Takeaway
This scripture tells us that laws are not what make us righteous according to the Lord. They are important to keep you in right standing with local, state, federal court systems and should be obeyed. Righteousness is gained through letting Christ dwell in your heart and living daily for His purpose not your own. The takeaway is your good deeds alone are not enough, they are great, but not enough. Your good deed needs to be paired with faith. That is what bring you in right standings with the Lord.
Scripture
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Takeaway
Jesus said He came to bring us life. In this world there is a real enemy whose goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus has overcome the world and all its evil so that we may have life in Him. Do not let the distractions around you pull your focus away from the life that Jesus offers. Through Him, you can live a full and abundant life.
Scripture
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Takeaway
The takeaway from this verse is a good progression from yesterday’s. In society we often see a social structure that places people in a hierarchy, deciding who should serve and who should be served. Jesus, however, took a completely different approach. He said we should serve others, and then He went further by actually living it out. He gave us the perfect example of service, even to the point of laying down His life. Now it is our turn to follow His lead by humbly serving others in love.
Scripture
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
Takeaway
The takeaway here is that Christ performed the ultimate sacrifice for us by laying down His life for us. Laying down your life in the literal sense would be exactly what it says. If you read on the next verse gives us a practical example of what this could look like on a day-to-day basis. A practical example of what this could look like is to lay down your life by sacrificing something to help others. Seeing a brother or sister that has a need and being willing to fulfill that need.
Scripture
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Takeaway
God wants us to give two sacrifices. First, a sacrifice of praise to Him, not just once a week during service, but continually. Second, a sacrifice of doing good by sharing and loving others. If you want to know how to please God, there it is.
Scripture
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Takeaway
The thought of Jesus laying down His life for us is overwhelming. How can a perfect God in the form of a perfect man give His life for people who could never earn it? We are not worthy, yet He chose to love us so deeply that He sacrificed Himself for all of us. That is the kind of God we serve.
Scripture
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Takeaway
We have all lived imperfect lives. We have done or said things that we wish we could take back. However, what is done can be forgiven. This verse reminds us that love covers our sins. Christ sacrificed Himself in an act of love for our sins.
Scripture
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Takeaway
The phrase about being transformed by the renewing of your mind is exactly what we need. Our thoughts are constantly pulled in many directions, filled with distractions, pressures, and worries. If we are not careful, our minds begin to reflect the world around us rather than the Word of God within us. That is why slowing down to meditate on God and His truth is so important. It is in those quiet moments that our hearts and minds are refreshed and aligned with His will. When we allow God to shape our thinking, we begin to recognize His good and perfect plan for our lives more clearly.
Scripture
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Takeaway
Tithing is one of those principles that teaches both trust and obedience. My mom instilled this in me from a young age, and it has become a practice that I deeply value. Not once has God failed to provide when I put Him first in my giving. But the purpose of giving is not simply so we can get something back, it is so that God’s work can be done through the church, and more people can come to know Jesus. When you give, know that God sees it, He honors it, and He blesses it in ways that go beyond what we can imagine.
Scripture
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly f I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Takeaway
Faith is more than just believing, it is trusting fully in God’s power and promises. Jesus reminds us that our faith is the key that unlocks the door to miracles and blessings. You may not need a physical mountain to move, but your faith can move the heavy obstacles, fears, and challenges in your life. When you pray, believe that God hears you and that He is able to do what seems impossible. Faith in Him allows us to see beyond the mountain to the victory He has already prepared.
Scripture
“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’
Takeaway
I want all three of these blessing from the Lord on my life, and the life of all believers. May everyone reading these verses have these blessing pronounced over their lives:
“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’
Scripture
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Takeaway
Every gift from God is perfectly matched to the season and purpose of our lives. He knows what we need and provides it at just the right time. You can take this in two ways: as an actual gift or tangible blessing, or as a unique ability or talent He has placed within us. No matter how the gift is given, it is good, when it is from Him, and it is meant to be used not only for our own benefit but to bless others as well. God does not change, so we can always trust His gifts to be good.
Scripture
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
Takeaway
This description of the Lord should give us comfort. We know that the Lord is good, good in character and good to those who put their trust in Him. A refuge, a place of safety and protection, is what the Lord is for those who trust in Him. No matter what troubles arise around you, the Lord is good, and He will care for you.
Scripture
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Takeaway
What I see in these verses is that the protection from the Lord covers me from all harm and always will.
Scripture
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Takeaway
I love knowing that the Lord is concerned with my life, protecting and watching over me. Stress and worry may try to steal my peace, but remembering that the Lord has kept me safe in the past gives me confidence for today and for the future. His faithful promise to protect forevermore is all the assurance I need to rest in Him, because I know I am covered by Him.
Scripture
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Takeaway
It is interesting that one of the first words babies learn to say is no. Why? They pick it up because they hear it often, as parents we use it to guide them and keep them safe. In the same way, God teaches us how to say no. Not to limit us or hold us back, but to protect us. Saying no to the things that draw us away from Him is actually saying yes to freedom, peace, and the joy of walking in His will.
Scripture
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Takeaway
These verses hold a special place in my heart because it is what I believe is the first scripture my youngest son learned in children’s church several years ago. I say it to him every night before I put him to bed. I do it because I want him to always embrace these qualities. The takeaway is if you have kids or not find a scripture to speak over the next generation of believers.
Scripture
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Takeaway
The Christian life requires discipline. To love, to be kind, to show compassion, to remain faithful, these are all part of our training. We are not running for applause, fame, or earthly crowns. Our prize is an eternity with Christ.
But this race is not a sprint and it is not meant to be run alone. It is more like a relay. Each of us runs our portion with endurance and faithfulness, then passes the baton of faith to the next generation. The way we live and the way we love testifies to those who come after us, encouraging them to run their leg of the race with strength.
Remember, your faithful race today may be the reason someone else chooses to pick up the baton tomorrow.
Scripture
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Takeaway
Sometimes we need a reminder to be obedient. If you have ever worked for a bad leader you know that not slandering them is tough. However, we are told in this scripture to remember to be not only obedient, but also peaceable, considerate, and gentle.
This instruction challenges us to rise above frustration and disappointment. Instead of letting our words tear down those who lead us, we are called to live in a way that honors God through our actions and speech. Obedience does not mean we must agree with every decision, but it does mean reflecting Christ in how we respond. When we practice peace, consideration, and gentleness, we shine a light that points back to Him.
Scripture
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Takeaway
Someone who does not yet believe may ask about your faith out of curiosity or to challenge your reason for hope. This is a chance to tell your faith story. The storm or trial that you faced and the Lord brought you through could have been for this very moment. How they receive it isn’t within your control, but you can pray that the Lord works in their heart. What they do with the information is up to them, but at that point you have shared your faith and invited them into a relationship with the Lord.
A companion scripture to this is Romans 8:31-37, reminding us, “If God is for me, who can be against me.”
Scripture
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Takeaway
These absolute words such as “all” are where most people, including myself, struggle. Being gentle to all is not an easy task. When you interact with someone, if you knew the Lord was standing near you within earshot would you have the same response? Think about it like this, the Lord lives in our heart so He hears and knows everything. Therefore, yes we should be gentle to all.
Scripture
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Takeaway
How you talk to people and interact determines how they will receive or dismiss your words. Using kindness will always be welcomed and well received. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and likewise say to others what you would have them say to you.
Scripture
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Takeaway
As people of sound mind and judgment we often struggle to trust after we have been disappointed or let down by others. The counterbalance is that we have a God who has always been faithful. His love has stretched across generations, proven through His covenant and through His sacrifice. By giving His only Son, Jesus Christ, to save us, God gave the ultimate proof of His faithfulness and love. That is more than enough reason to put our trust fully in Him.
Scripture
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
Takeaway
Basically stated, whatever we are called to do we should put our full effort into doing it. Worrying about what people will say or think may weigh on our mind, but what is more important is that we care more about what God puts into our heart. He is our judge, and He is our only judge that matters.
Scripture
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Takeaway
Video:
Proverbs 3 | Todd Dulaney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUhg-w_7Sak
Scripture
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Takeaway
When life presents challenges it is easy to throw up our hands and give up. Holding on to unswervingly is next level hope and faith. As this verse states if He promised it, whatever that it may be for you, He will faithfully fulfill it. Just keep trusting and keep being the best version of yourself.
Scripture
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Takeaway
No matter how hard we fall, or how hard we think we have fallen, the Lord’s great love and compassion is with us every day. His mercy is fresh, not recycled or repurposed, but new for us each morning. His love is continuous and personal, covering our failures and reminding us that He is faithful.
Scripture
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Takeaway
This verse reminds me of walking through Costco and seeing the free samples. You get to try something first to see if you like it before buying the full product. In the same way, this verse invites us to try the LORD and experience His goodness. A sample gives you just a taste, not the whole thing. God offers us more than just a preview, He offers the fullness of His love, protection, and blessing. The verse tells us to take refuge in Him, which means not stopping at the sample but going all in. Trusting Him fully is where the true blessing is found.
Scripture
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
Takeaway
Nothing more needs to be said than what is already written in these verses. It gives us a clear step-by-step guide on how to live out our faith. We start with faith, then we add goodness, then knowledge, and we continue building with self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection, and ultimately love. Each step builds on the other, leading us closer to the life God intends for us.
Like the Nike slogan says, “just do it.”
Scripture
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Takeaway
Every opportunity we have to do good, we should take it. This verse reminds us that our kindness and love should reach everyone, but especially those who belong to the family of believers. Often, we can be quick to help strangers while unintentionally neglecting those closest to us. God calls us to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ, making sure they are encouraged, supported, and loved. When we do good to the family of believers, we not only strengthen our relationships but also build up the body of Christ as a whole.
Scripture
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Takeaway
I often wonder how much better the world would be if we embraced this scripture and applied it to our lives. This will serve two purposes if you overcome evil with good you are actively and intentionally taking the high road. Also this will become contagious, others will see how we respond to evil, and it will encourage them to overcome evil with good as well.
Scripture
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Takeaway
This chapter begins by declaring, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing,” showing how God provides everything we need. It concludes with the assurance that His goodness and love will follow us throughout our lives, and then gives us the eternal hope of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.
Scripture
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Takeaway
There is a beautiful transformation that takes place when we are cleansed through our faith and love for Jesus, and His faithfulness in loving us in spite of our past mistakes. This is a love that could only come from God, who loves us so much that He sacrificed His Son to save us.
The rebirth Paul speaks of here in his letter to Titus is not something we could ever earn by our own effort, it is a gift of mercy poured out through Christ. His Spirit renews us daily, reminding us that our worth is not in what we have done, but in what He has done for us. Today, let us live in gratitude for that mercy and allow His Spirit to renew our hearts.
Scripture
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Takeaway
I love how this verse says to clothe ourselves in these virtues. It is basically saying to put them on to cover ourselves. Just as clothes cover the physical parts of our body, we should cover our spiritual self in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. When we do this, others do not just see us, they see Christ reflected through us.
Scripture
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
Takeaway
What does it mean to lend to the Lord? How can we lend anything to the Creator of the universe? Jesus explained in Luke 6:38 that when we give, it will be returned to us in abundance. God sees every act of kindness and measures it back to us according to how we give.
This verse goes deeper than money. It is about kindness, compassion, and service. As 1 Peter 4:9 tells us, we are to offer hospitality and use our gifts to serve others. And just as Ephesians 4:32 reminded us yesterday, we are called to "be kind and compassionate to one another."
Scripture
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Takeaway
This verse is not always easy to live out, but it is always necessary. Forgiveness is a two-way street, if we want to be forgiven we must also be willing to forgive. In the same way, if we desire kindness and compassion to be shown to us, we should make it a practice to show them to others. When we remember how freely Christ forgave us, it becomes easier to extend that same grace to those around us.
Scripture
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Takeaway
Every moment of everyday day we are one moment and one day closer to the Lord’s coming. Keep living a life pleasing to the Lord, and patiently wait for His return. All that he has promised will come to pass in His timing.
Scripture
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Takeaway
This verse reminds us of the importance of patience and endurance. You will fail 100% of the time if you give up, but endurance leads to success. A farmer would never plant a crop and then walk away without tending to it, just as we should never start something and fail to maintain it. God sees your good works and blesses them in His timing. So while you are working, keep at it and do not give up, because the harvest is coming.
Scripture
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Takeaway
In this hope and waiting patiently, we can take the time to prepare for what we are hoping and waiting for until it comes into existence in our lives. Therefore, keep hoping, waiting, and exercising patience. As verse 26 says, pray in the Spirit in our weakness and the Spirit will intercede for us.
Scripture
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Takeaway
We have always heard that patience is a virtue, and it is true because patience is not easy. Our lives and culture often push us toward instant gratification, but spiritually all good things require time and effort to grow. How we carry ourselves while we wait says a lot about our character and faith. If we keep our temper in check and choose patience, we will be in a better position to receive the best of what God has for us.
Scripture
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Takeaway
We are constantly waiting for the end of one phase such as graduation or retirement, because we hope for what is at the end. But the close of one season always ushers in the next great season of life. God teaches us that patience is greater than pride, because waiting with patience allows us to see His timing unfold. Patiently wait for the end and look with hope to new beginnings.
Scripture
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Takeaway
Paul ends his letter to the Thessalonians with a blessing of peace, knowing they would encounter trials and hardships. He reminds them that true peace comes from the Lord, regardless of their circumstances. In the same way, we should speak blessings of peace over our brothers and sisters in Christ, encouraging them that the Lord is with them in every situation.
Scripture
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
Takeaway
The link between peace and being intentional about keeping our minds set on the Lord is strong. If we focus on the Lord, His goodness, and His power, His peace will outweigh any other thoughts that aim to take our peace. When we trust Him fully, our foundation is unshakable because He is the Rock eternal.
Scripture
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Takeaway
How do we let the peace of Christ dwell in our hearts? We must look at the verses preceding this one. We are told to put on love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and as this verse reminds us, to be thankful. When we clothe ourselves with these qualities, we create the space where Christ’s peace can truly reign. Gratitude then keeps our hearts centered on God, and together these things unlock the door to peace.
Scripture
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Takeaway
One thing in life we all strive for is peace. Jesus tells us that He freely gives it to us. The peace the world offers is temporary and comes with a cost we must pay. The peace Jesus offers is lasting because He already paid the price on our behalf.
Scripture
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Takeaway
Throughout the letters that Paul wrote to the various churches, one theme he repeated was to rejoice and give thanks. I think this was to remind us all to take the time to give God praise and let Him know we are grateful for the many things He has done for us.
Scripture
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Takeaway
The Lord sends us out with His joy and His peace so that we can walk confidently in His will. Just as creation responds to His presence with songs and praise, our lives should reflect that same joy. When God leads, He provides peace for the journey and ensures that His purposes are accomplished through us.
Scripture
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
Takeaway
Jesus, the stone that many rejected, became the cornerstone of our faith. What the world cast aside, God lifted up as the very foundation of salvation. This is a reminder to us that God’s plans are greater than human rejection and His work is marvelous. Today is a gift from the Lord, so let us rejoice and be glad.
Scripture
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Takeaway
There is no greater hope than the hope that comes from God through the Holy Spirit. When we place our trust in Him, He fills us with joy and peace that can only come from Him. That joy and peace overflow into a lasting hope, not just for today but for the days to come, giving us strength and assurance in every season of life.
Scripture
Do everything in love.
Takeaway
What does it mean to do everything in love? It looks like doing things with excellence, with patience, without complaining, and with the intent of helping others even when no one notices. It also means being willing to recognize and appreciate when others act in love toward you. Love is not just a feeling, it is a choice to let God’s love guide your actions in every situation.
Scripture
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Takeaway
To be clear, love does not harm anyone. A neighbor is not just the people that live on your street or the coworker in the next cubicle, but anyone you encounter in life. The person in front of you in line, the slow driver in traffic, or even the one who posts something that upsets you on social media, these are all our neighbors. God’s law is fulfilled when we choose to love others in every situation.
Scripture
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Takeaway
Love is easy when it is directed toward a spouse, family, or friends, but we can’t just pick and choose who to love, just as God doesn’t pick and choose who He loves. To be God’s child we must also love all of God’s children.
Scripture
Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
Takeaway
These 7 words should be our daily ask of the Lord. To save us from ourselves. To save us from the harm of others. To save us through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The second part of the verse is asking for the Lord to give us success in whatever His will is for us. True success comes when we align our goals with His purpose, trusting that He knows what is best for us.
Scripture
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Takeaway
The legacy that we build through honesty and integrity is what this verse points us toward. A good name that reflects trust and respect will outlast possessions, wealth, or status. People may forget what we owned, but they will remember the kind of person we were and how we treated others. Our reputation rooted in godly character is far more valuable than silver or gold.
Scripture
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
Takeaway
This verse is another example of God’s selfless acts toward mankind. He deserves everything we have to offer, yet it would never be enough for the Creator of the universe. The beautiful truth is He does not require it. Instead, He simply wants us to seek Him and have a relationship with Him. Unlike the objects of worship Paul mentioned in this same chapter, our God is not made by human hands but is the One who made the heavens, the earth, and everything in them.
Scripture
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Takeaway
This is a continuation of the verse from yesterday telling us what to pursue; this time Timothy addresses those who are rich. How having money is only valuable when you have a willingness to do good deeds with your wealth. That is how you can have treasure in this life and the life to come.
Scripture
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Takeaway
1 Timothy 6 warns against the dangers of greed, false teaching, and discontentment, urging believers to be content with what God provides. It encourages pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness while keeping a firm hold on eternal life.
Scripture
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Takeaway
I love the simple verses that are short but have clear instructions.The verse tells us that when we are knowingly defiant, that is sin. This verse reminds us that God cares about the good we choose to do. To withhold good when we clearly see the opportunity is just as much sin as doing wrong.
Scripture
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Takeaway
Who else would you want to live inside of you besides God? I submit that there is no one else who can keep your heart and mind clear from the issues of the world. When we recognize that God’s Spirit lives in us, we gain confidence to face whatever comes our way. No matter what opposition rises against us, the truth remains, He who is in us is greater than anything that could ever come against us.
Scripture
The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.
Takeaway
At every phase of our life the Lord is with us. That is what we can take away from this scripture. Just a few verses before this one the Lord was speaking to Samuel. Now the Lord has appointed Samuel to speak to the people.
God does the same with us. He not only speaks into our lives but also allows us to be a vessel to speak into the lives of others. When the Lord is with us our words carry His truth and purpose, and they do not fall to the ground.
Scripture
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Takeaway
We can take a page out of Samuel’s playbook. When we hear the Lord, we need to let Him know we are listening. By opening our hearts and responding with humility, God can reveal to us what He wants us to know. Like Samuel, our willingness to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” prepares us to hear His voice and walk in His guidance.
Scripture
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Takeaway
No matter what season of life we are in, we can look back and see how God has always provided. His promises remain the same through every stage of life. We can trust that just as He has provided before, He will continue to provide again and again.
Scripture
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Takeaway
Can you imagine the magnitude of how many miracles Jesus performed, how many conversations He had with those considered outcasts, and how many lives He touched before, during, and after His death, burial, and resurrection? Now think about how many miracles He is still performing today in us and through us!
Scripture
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Takeaway
In our day and time, many people live by the saying seeing is believing. I wonder if that phrase may have been inspired by this verse. Jesus spoke these words to Thomas, who needed to see proof before believing. Yet Jesus extends a blessing to future generations, including us, who would have to believe not by sight but by faith. Our belief rests not on what we see with our eyes, but on what we hold in our hearts.
Scripture
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Takeaway
This verse is part of Jesus’ prayer for His followers. In this prayer, Jesus desires for us to be with Him. He longs for us to share in His presence and to see the glory that the Father gave Him from the very beginning. This prayer shows His deep love and desire for us to remain close to Him, both now and for eternity.
Scripture
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Takeaway
This verse is part of Jesus’ prayer for His followers. In this prayer, Jesus desires for us to be with Him. He longs for us to share in His presence and to see the glory that the Father gave Him from the very beginning. This prayer shows His deep love and desire for us to remain close to Him, both now and for eternity.
Scripture
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
Takeaway
It is comforting to know that Jesus prays for us. He does not ask the Father to remove us from the challenges of this world, but instead prays for our protection in the middle of them. Jesus understands the struggles and temptations we face, and He knows how much we need God’s strength to endure. On our own, we cannot stand against the evil one, but through the covering of Jesus’ prayer and the Father’s protection, we are kept safe. What a blessing it is to know that Christ Himself is interceding for us.
Scripture
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
Takeaway
It is comforting to know that Jesus prays for us. He does not ask the Father to remove us from the challenges of this world, but instead prays for our protection in the middle of them. Jesus understands the struggles and temptations we face, and He knows how much we need God’s strength to endure. On our own, we cannot stand against the evil one, but through the covering of Jesus’ prayer and the Father’s protection, we are kept safe. What a blessing it is to know that Christ Himself is interceding for us.
Scripture
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Takeaway
The world is like a leech or mosquito, draining you and holding on as long as you have something to give. Once you are empty or no longer useful, it moves on to someone else because it has already taken what it needs. God, however, is the complete opposite. Instead of draining you, He fills you. Instead of using you, He gives you purpose. Instead of discarding you when you are weak, He draws even closer. While the world takes and abandons, God continually pours out His love and strength, even when you feel you have nothing left to give.
Scripture
This is my command: Love each other.
Takeaway
Jesus knows the sting of rejection and the pain of being hated by the world. He experienced it firsthand, even to the point of being crucified. Yet His instruction to us is not to respond with bitterness or revenge but with love. This love is not based on how others treat us but on His example and His command. When we choose to love, especially in the face of hostility, we reflect His heart and show the world that we belong to Him.
Scripture
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
Takeaway
The first part of this scripture makes me feel wanted and accepted. I do not have to win Christ’s approval, I simply have to be available to do the work He has sent me to do. So whenever I ask for something in Jesus’ name that will allow me to bear fruit, it will be given to me from the Father.
Scripture
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
Takeaway
Imagine being in a loving relationship that is truly unconditional and undeserved. That is not something you have to imagine, it is what we have received from God through His Son Jesus.
Scripture
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Takeaway
No other way, no other truth, and no other life can compare to what is found in Jesus. The path to the Father is not through good works, status, or religious traditions, but only through Him. Have you tried Jesus? He offers a life filled with peace, hope, and purpose, both now and for eternity. Your past does not have to define you or keep you from knowing Him. Through Jesus, a beautiful and lasting relationship with God is possible, one that changes everything.
Scripture
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Takeaway
One of the many things about being a Christian is that our belief system is not built on religious traditions, but on the command to love. Jesus teaches us to first love God, then our neighbor, ourselves, and even our enemies. He repeatedly speaks about love in Scripture and demonstrates it through His actions and His sacrifice for us.
Scripture
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Takeaway
Being righteous has its perks, like knowing that when you fall, you will rise again. However, the next two verses immediately warn the righteous not to gloat when their enemy falls.
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn His wrath away from them.
Proverbs 24:17-18 (NIV)
Scripture
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Takeaway
The whole purpose for us to eat is to get strength from the food, nourish our body with vitamins and minerals, and stop us from being hungry. I encourage you to read the full chapter to see why Jesus makes this comment to His disciples. TL;DR, Jesus is at the well with a woman, explaining her life choices and introducing Himself to her. The disciples come to Him and urge Him to eat something. Jesus replies by telling them His food and strength come from doing God’s will and finishing His work.
Scripture
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Takeaway
Worship is about acknowledging God in your heart. It is striving to be like Him, honoring Him, and adoring your relationship with our eternal and all-knowing God, then expressing that love to Him. This reminds me of the saying, “Thanks not spoken is no thanks at all.” God wants to hear our true and sincere words of thanks, praise, and adoration for who He is in our lives. That is what true worship looks and sounds like.
Scripture
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Takeaway
John 3:36 gives us one of the clearest presentations of the Gospel. It lays out two choices, believe in Jesus and receive eternal life, or reject Him and remain under God’s wrath. There is no middle ground. This truth forces us to confront where we stand with Christ.
Scripture
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Takeaway
When deciding to change lives often as a result we have to leave various things behind. That fact may make this verse a little hard to swallow. When you think about what you may need to give up in your life to follow Jesus it is well worth it. If the people you are surrounded by are not supporting your relationship or actively trying to stop you for having a relationship with Jesus that is what I believe this scripture is referencing. If I'm wrong feel free to leave in the comments your thoughts
Scripture
Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.
Takeaway
I love when verses start with a command to do something. In this case it wants our attention to those who are wise. Following a wise person leads to wisdom.
Scripture
Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Takeaway
These two women came to Jesus with different stories but the same need, to be restored. And in both cases, Jesus didn’t just heal their bodies, He gave them peace. In both accounts of these two women, Jesus gave instructions on how to move forward. He told her to go in peace. To me, this signifies not to continue to worry about the past but to move forward with peace.
Scripture
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Takeaway
If we're honest with ourselves, how often do we think that our good deeds, success, or even finding the right spouse will make us whole? The truth is, none of those things can truly fix what’s broken inside. They might bring temporary comfort, but they can’t bring lasting peace. Wholeness, as Jesus tells this woman, comes through faith. Once we start to learn what faith really means and begin to live it out, then we can experience the kind of healing that makes us whole from the inside out.
Scripture
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Takeaway
I am thankful for verses like Ephesians 2:4-7 and Romans 5:6-8. They speak of the depth of God’s love for us, how He gave us Jesus to be sacrificed for our sins, even while we were still sinning, all to draw us closer to Him. These verses remind us that this gift of salvation is free to us, yet it came at an immeasurable cost. God did it all because of His grace and mercy. Because of this, we should never take His grace for granted, but instead choose to live our lives for His purpose.
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God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Scripture
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Scripture
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Scripture
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Scripture
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
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I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Scripture
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Scripture
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Scripture
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Scripture
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Scripture
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Scripture
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
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For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Scripture
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
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Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Scripture
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Scripture
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Scripture
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.
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My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Scripture
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Scripture
If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.
Scripture
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Scripture
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Scripture
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
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Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.
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If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
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For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
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Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
Scripture
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
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Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Scripture
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
Scripture
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.
Scripture
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Scripture
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
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Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.
Scripture
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
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I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
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Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Scripture
Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Scripture
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
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But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
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Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
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Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Scripture
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
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And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
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So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
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The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
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I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
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Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
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It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
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So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
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This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
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Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
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Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
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Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
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We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
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The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
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In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
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Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
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Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
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You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
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You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
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So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
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Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
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Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
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Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
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A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
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I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely,” declares the Lord.
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They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
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Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.
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Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.
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You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
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Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
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Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
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Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
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I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
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“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
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With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
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So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
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Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
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Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
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Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
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He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.
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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
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Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
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For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
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The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
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Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
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Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.
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The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
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As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
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Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few."
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He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
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See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
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Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
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For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
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I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
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The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
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The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
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It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."
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Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
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"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
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"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
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And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
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Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
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They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!"
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If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
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So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
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You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
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For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood-to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
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We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
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Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
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"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
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Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
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By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
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The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household."
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God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
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With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
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If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.
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The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
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Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
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If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
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When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
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Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
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It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
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Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.
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Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
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Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
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Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
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Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
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May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
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Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.
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“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
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Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
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I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
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Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
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Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.
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The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
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The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
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Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.
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“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
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Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
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But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
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Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
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Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
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For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
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And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
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I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
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How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
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May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
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Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
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If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
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”Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
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So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
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I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
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Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
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You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
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Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
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All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
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Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
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"Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness." "Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God."
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Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
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Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
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For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
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But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
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Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
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We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
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And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
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We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
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Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
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For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
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The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!
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You make your saving help my shield; your help has made me great.
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But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
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But Samuel replied: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."
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Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
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"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
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One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
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The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
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"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
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Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
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Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
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When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
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You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great.
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As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
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For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
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Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
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"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."
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Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
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Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
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Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
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One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
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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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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
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In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."
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Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
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Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
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Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
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Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
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For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
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Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever— he issued a decree that will never pass away.
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Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
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I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
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My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
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Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.
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Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name's sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
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Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
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Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
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I say to the Lord, "You are my God." Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.
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Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
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Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.
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If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
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Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
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Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.
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May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.
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How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!
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I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.
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My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
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If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
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But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.
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Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
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Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
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Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
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Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
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Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
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For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.
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I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.
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Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
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Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
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Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
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May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.
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Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
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Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
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He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
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The Lord says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
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But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
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Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.
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Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
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Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.
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Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
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I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
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Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
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But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.
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I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.
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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.
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Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
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Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn— shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
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For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
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Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.
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Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
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The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile. Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law;
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Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty.
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The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
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"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
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Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
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Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
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May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.
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He has founded his city on the holy mountain. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
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Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
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Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.
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Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
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Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord— that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
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Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
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If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
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Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
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Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.
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And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
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I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds." Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
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Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.
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We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity.
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The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
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Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
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Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
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Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
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But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The Lord is great!"
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Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.
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You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
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May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.
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Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
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You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.
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The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!
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Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
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Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
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From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
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Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.
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But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.
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Then people will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth."
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For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
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When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
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Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
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You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
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God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
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But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
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Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
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Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.
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Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.
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Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.
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God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
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He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
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I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
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Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
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By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
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I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
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Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
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But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
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I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
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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. The blameless spend their days under the Lord's care, and their inheritance will endure forever.
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How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
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Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
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Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
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Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.
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You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
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Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.
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Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
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Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
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The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
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The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
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Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.
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Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
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Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
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The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
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All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
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The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give!
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Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
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May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
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In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
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Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
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I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
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Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;
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The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
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But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
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And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.
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For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.
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You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
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But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
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Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
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I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
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The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
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In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
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Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
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I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
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I will proclaim the Lord's decree: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
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Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
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When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
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The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
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These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
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Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
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And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
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Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.
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Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.
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I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
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I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
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If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love.
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If you love me, keep my commands.
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In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
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You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
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You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
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You shall not steal.
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You shall not commit adultery.
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You shall not murder.
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Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
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Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
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You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
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You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
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You shall have no other gods before me.
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These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
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We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
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Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
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If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.
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For this is what the Lord says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."
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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
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The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
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This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
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The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
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The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
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The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
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See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
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The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
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He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
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The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
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And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
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I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
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Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
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For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
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When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
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No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
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Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
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But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
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His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
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Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
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For we live by faith, not by sight.
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This is what the Lord says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the Lord. "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
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Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
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Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
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Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
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He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
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The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
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"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
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Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel.
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Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
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Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
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For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
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Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
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You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?
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Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
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Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
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You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
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I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.
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I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.
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But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
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I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.
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Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
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The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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In that day you will say: "Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
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But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
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And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
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Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
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Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
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You must always be careful to keep the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.
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Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
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While they curse, may you bless; may those who attack me be put to shame, but may your servant rejoice.
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Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
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Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
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"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
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My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
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Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
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Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
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You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
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"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.
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You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.
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But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
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You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
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Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
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The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
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I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
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Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
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But whoever loves God is known by God.
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And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
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Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
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A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
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God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
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For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
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This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
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Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
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Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.
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"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."
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The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.
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This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
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Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
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Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
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Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
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For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
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I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'
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For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
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The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
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The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
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Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
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Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
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The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.
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I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
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Great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.
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There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
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For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
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Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
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David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope,
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But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
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The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
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It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
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Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
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I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
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And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
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Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.
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If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
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Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
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But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me.
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Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
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And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
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Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
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I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
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Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
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So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
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Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
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The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
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'"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."'
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God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
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The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
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Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
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Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
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The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
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From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
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In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
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Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
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And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
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A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.
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"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
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In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
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Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
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Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.
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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
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"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
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Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
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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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For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
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To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
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Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."
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Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
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Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
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The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
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The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
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I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
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For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
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Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
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Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
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The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.
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But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
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When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
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I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
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Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
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Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
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Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
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John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same."
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If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it."
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The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
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Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
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Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
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The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
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Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
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The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
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I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
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Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
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For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
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Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
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My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
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Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
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If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
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Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
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But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
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I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
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Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
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My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.
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The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
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He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
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But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
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Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
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Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
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Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
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Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
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Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
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With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
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For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
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For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
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Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.
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Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest."
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See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
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You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great.
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For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
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But godliness with contentment is great gain.
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The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
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Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
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And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
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So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.
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For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
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"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
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Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
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Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
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Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
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We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
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The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
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He said: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me.
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And he said to the human race, "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."
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From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
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May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
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"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
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Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
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Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
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If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
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This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
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Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
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But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
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And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
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And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
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Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
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You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
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He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
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Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
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"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
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Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
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There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
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For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
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The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
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There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
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As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.
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So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.
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The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
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Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
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By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
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Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
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Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
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But Samuel replied: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
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If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
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Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
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Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings!
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From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
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You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
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Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
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Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.
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May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.
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The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
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No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
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Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the Lord Almighty.
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But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.
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Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
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Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
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For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
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"Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my Lord, since you have given me strength."
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Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
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Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
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He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
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If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
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But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
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"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
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The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: 'When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.'
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I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
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Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
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Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
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The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
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By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
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He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
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Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
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In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
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But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
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He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions." And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
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Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
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God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
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I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
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You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
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But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The Lord is great!"
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My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.
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In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
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Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
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The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
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If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
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May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
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If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.
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Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.
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I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
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Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
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Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
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However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
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So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
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Do people make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods!" "Therefore I will teach them— this time I will teach them my power and might. Then they will know that my name is the Lord.
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Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
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Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
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Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
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For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
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Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
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We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
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There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
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Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
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Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
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Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
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It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.
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You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
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But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
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Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
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In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
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Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
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Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
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Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
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A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
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Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
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Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
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Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
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The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
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Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
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With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
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The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
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Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
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Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
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Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
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The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.
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I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
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Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
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Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
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And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
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Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
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Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
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Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
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Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
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The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
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Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
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Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
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Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
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Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
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For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
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Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
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But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
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Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
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The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
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Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
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Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
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Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
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It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
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RICH AND POOR HAVE THIS IN COMMON: THE LORD IS THE MAKER OF THEM ALL.
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There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
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The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
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Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
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Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
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To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
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"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
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Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
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Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
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A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
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For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
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For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
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Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
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My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
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Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
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My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
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When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
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Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
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Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
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Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
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May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
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And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
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"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
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If you say, "The Lord is my refuge," and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
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And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
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In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
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The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
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I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
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Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
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So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
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Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
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You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
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Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
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Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the Lord.
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The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.
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You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
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Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord,
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Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
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Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
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So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.
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I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
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Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
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In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
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My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
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But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
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I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
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Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
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Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
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Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
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Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
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Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
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Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
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Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
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Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
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In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
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Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
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"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
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Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
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On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
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He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
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Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
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"Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm."
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Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
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If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work.
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There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
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Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
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But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
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Today's Devotional is titled "Scripting" Part 2: https://taiwie.com/Devotionals/Scripting#part2
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
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TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL IS TITLED "SCRIPTING" PART 1:
https://taiwie.com/Devotionals/Scripting#part1
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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Today's devotional is titled "Scripting"; Part 0:
https://taiwie.com/Devotionals/Scripting
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
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Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.
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Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
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But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
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In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
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But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
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For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
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He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
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Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
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Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
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As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
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What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
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Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
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Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
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And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
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Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
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Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person's wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.
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Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
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But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.
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Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
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In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
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So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
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But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
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By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
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But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
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Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
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Pray continually.
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There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
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By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
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For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
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When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
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A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
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When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
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If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
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You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
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Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
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"Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire," says the Lord Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
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"Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire," says the Lord Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
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Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. "On the day when I act," says the Lord Almighty, "they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
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A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
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And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
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Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
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Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
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In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
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Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
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Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
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If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:
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The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
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Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
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Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
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The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
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Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
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Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
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You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:
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If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
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He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
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The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.
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Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
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The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
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What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
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Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
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The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
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"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.
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Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
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But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
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Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
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Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
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But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
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Pray continually,
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It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
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Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.
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So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
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If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
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May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us.
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But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
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Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
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My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
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I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
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When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
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Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
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Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
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For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
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But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
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Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
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Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
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Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
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How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!
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Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
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The Lord Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen."
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For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
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"There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
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Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?
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In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
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He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
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For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
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Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
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But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him.
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In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
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He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
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You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
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I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
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Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
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Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.
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For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
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All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
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Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
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Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
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Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
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Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
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Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
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"There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
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To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
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My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
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Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
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Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
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Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
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And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
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What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
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We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
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And you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
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For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
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Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
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Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
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And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
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We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
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Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
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Stand firm, and you will win life.
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But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
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When I said, "My foot is slipping," your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
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Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.
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In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
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As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
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Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
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"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you."
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"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
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Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
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"'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'"
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Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
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However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.
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In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
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Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
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But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
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Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
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All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
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This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
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Who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
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"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
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"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'"
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Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
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Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
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For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
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I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
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For I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
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If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
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My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.
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But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
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You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
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You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
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Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
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While our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
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As you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
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Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
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Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
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If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
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What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
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I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
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For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
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Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
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Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
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For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
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Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
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Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
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Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
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Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
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Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners
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Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
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I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.
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But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
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I say to the Lord, "You are my God." Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy. Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.
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Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
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Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.
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Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
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Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations.
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Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.
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How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!
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Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool, saying, 'Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.'
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Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.
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If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
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But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.
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Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
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Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
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Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
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Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.
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Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.
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For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.
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The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
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Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
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Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
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Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
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Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
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Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.
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May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
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The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
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Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
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The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
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The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
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With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them.
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Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.
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Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
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Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the Lord.
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Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
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I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord.
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Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
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The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
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I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.
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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.
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Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
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The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
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Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
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Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.
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For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
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When I said, "My foot is slipping," your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
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Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.
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For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!
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"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
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Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
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Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
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But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
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Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
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Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
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Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
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Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord— that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
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God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the "gods":
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If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
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Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
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How long, Lord God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
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Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.
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My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
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I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds." Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
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Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.
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It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
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The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
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Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
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May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.
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Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
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From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.
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But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The Lord is great!"
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The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.
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I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
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A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
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May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
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Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.
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Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
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The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!
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You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
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Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
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Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
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With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.
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You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.
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Then people will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth."
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For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
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When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
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Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
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Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
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God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
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But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.
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For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
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And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.
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Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.
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For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
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Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
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Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
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He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
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Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.
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Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
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By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
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Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
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Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
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Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
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"Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
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Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.
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The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
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But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
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Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
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How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
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Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them."
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Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.
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May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
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Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
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How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.
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To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: "What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help."
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The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
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The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
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I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
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Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
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All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
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Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.
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He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
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All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
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Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might.
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Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
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The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
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The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!
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You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
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I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
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Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
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You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
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Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;
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The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
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But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
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You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.
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You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
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For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.
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You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
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Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
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Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.
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I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
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Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
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But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
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In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
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Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
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For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
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Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."
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"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
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As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's salvation.'"
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Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
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Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
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Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
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Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
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Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
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Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
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Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
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By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
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God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
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Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
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Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
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Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
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In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
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I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
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Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your unfailing love.
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And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
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Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
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But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
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Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.
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Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
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If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
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Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
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But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
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Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
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So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
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And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
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In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
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But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
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The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's; on them he has set the world.
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"Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
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"There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
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If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
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So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
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In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
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'So you will be my people, and I will be your God.'
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You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
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"I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
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Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
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"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
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The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
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Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
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For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
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Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
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Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
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"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. "About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. "He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' " 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.' "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' "The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' "But he answered one of them, 'I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
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Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
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"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.' "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
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And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
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Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
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He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
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He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches."
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Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' " 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' " 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
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Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
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Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
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So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
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Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
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You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
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But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
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Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
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Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
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For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
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A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
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"I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both." The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
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We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
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"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
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Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:
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Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
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For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
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In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
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Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
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However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.
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But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
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Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
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This is what the Lord says: "Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil."
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Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
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But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
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"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
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"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
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Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!"
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"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.
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Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
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As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
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Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
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Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
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Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
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Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
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Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
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But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
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"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
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"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
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In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
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Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
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I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
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Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
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Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
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For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
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For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
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And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
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Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
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Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
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If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
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When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
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Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
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But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
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"Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
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Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
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These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
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Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
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This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept human testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
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Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
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Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.
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I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
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To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
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I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
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Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
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So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
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Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
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What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
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After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man, summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: "I am very old. You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you.
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The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
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For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
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Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.
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Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
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The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
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A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
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If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
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All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
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Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
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In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
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Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
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But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
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And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him."
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Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
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And, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name."
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So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
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I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
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Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
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I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
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I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
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When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
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Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
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For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
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Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
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Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
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Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
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"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
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But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
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For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
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Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
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But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
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Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
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Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.
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Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
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It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
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The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
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For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.
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Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
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And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
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Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become "fools" so that you may become wise.
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These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
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Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
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Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
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You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
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"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
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A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
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He went on: "What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person."
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Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
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Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
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Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
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The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.
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All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
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I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.
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But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
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And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
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But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
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But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
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If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
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In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
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In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
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Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
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I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
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My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
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This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
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But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
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One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
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"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
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My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
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To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
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But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
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But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
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But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
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Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
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Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
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The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
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Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
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Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.
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Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.
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Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
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Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
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What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
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I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
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Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
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Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
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There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
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Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
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I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
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"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
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Then the Lord replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
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Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
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But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
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So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
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But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
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For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
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In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
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Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
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You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
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Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
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Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
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I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
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Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness.
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"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
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Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
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