EVERLASTING…

Ps 100:5
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
NKJV

Isa 9:6
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
NKJV

Isa 26:3-4
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.
NKJV

Deut 33:27
27 The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He will thrust out the enemy from before you,
And will say, 'Destroy!'
NKJV

Isa 35:10
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
NKJV

Isa 40:28-31
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
NKJV

Isa 54:8-10
8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,"
Says the Lord, your Redeemer.

9 "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me;
For as I have sworn
That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth,
So have I sworn
That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.
10 For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,"
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
NKJV

Isa 60:19-22
19 "The sun shall no longer be your light by day,
Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;
But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light,
And your God your glory.
20 Your sun shall no longer go down,
Nor shall your moon withdraw itself;
For the Lord will be your everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning shall be ended.
21 Also your people shall all be righteous;
They shall inherit the land forever,
The branch of My planting,
The work of My hands,
That I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand,
And a small one a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time."
NKJV

Isa 61:7-9
7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

8 "For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
And their offspring among the people.
All who see them shall acknowledge them,
That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed."
NKJV

Jer 10:10
10 But the Lord is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.
NKJV

Dan 4:3
3 How great are His signs,
And how mighty His wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
NKJV

Dan 12:2-3
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.
NKJV

John 3:16
6 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
NKJV

John 3:36
36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
NKJV

John 4:14
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
NKJV

John 5:24-25
24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
NKJV

John 6:27
27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."
NKJV

John 6:37-40
7 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
NKJV

John 6:47-51
47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
NKJV

Gal 6:8
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
NKJV

2 Thess 1:6-10
6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
NKJV

2 Thess 2:16-17
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
NKJV

1 Tim 6:12-16
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
NKJV

Rev 14:6
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people —
NKJV

Jer 31:3
3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
NKJV

Rise and Shine

Take heart! You shall yet see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Greater than all evil, oppression, fear or failure is the goodness of our Great God. Good triumphs over evil and saints always win in the end. If you look into the darkness then that’s what you’ll see but if you walk in the light then you’ll be free. In the last days the darkness will get worse but it won’t overtake us because we’re blessed not cursed. Don’t lose sight of the Light or focus on woes and whine because it’s time for the body of Christ to rise and shine. And as we do the world shall see the salt and light that He’s called us to be. God will manifest His goodness for goodness sake, His Word not alter nor promise break. So take heart I say and don’t be dim, your future’s bright when you trust in Him!

Isa 60:1-3
Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
NKJV

Matt 5:13-16
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
NKJV

Ps 65:4-5
4 Blessed is the man You choose,
And cause to approach You,
That he may dwell in Your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Of Your holy temple.

5 By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us,
O God of our salvation,
You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth,
And of the far-off seas;
NKJV

Ps 107:8-9
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
NKJV

Ps 107:13-15
13 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces.
15 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
NKJV

Ps 107:19-21
19 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
20 He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
NKJV

Jer 31:10-14
10 "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,
'He who scattered Israel will gather him,
And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.'
11 For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
And ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he.
12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,
Streaming to the goodness of the Lord —
For wheat and new wine and oil,
For the young of the flock and the herd;
Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden,
And they shall sorrow no more at all.

13 "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance,
And the young men and the old, together;
For I will turn their mourning to joy,
Will comfort them,
And make them rejoice rather than sorrow.
14 I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance,
And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord."
NKJV

Rom 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
NKJV

Rom 16:19-20
…..I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
NKJV

Morning Star

The battle has found me I’m still alive,
The Almighty is with me I’ll surely survive.
Darkness surrounds me the Lord is my Light,
Shining forth victorious through songs in the night.

The evil’s revealed by no means I’ll yield,
God’s joy is my strength, His Word is my shield.
A new course He’ll chart, the waters will part,
As the Morning Star rises with faith in my heart.

Ps 32:7
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.
NKJV

2 Peter 1:18-19
18 We [actually] heard this voice borne out of heaven, for we were together with Him on the holy mountain.

19 And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through [the gloom] and the Morning Star rises ( comes into being) in your hearts.
AMP

1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. NKJV

Gnats and Camels

We need to make sure we don’t get our gnats and camels mixed up otherwise we will be hypocrites. What’s the big stuff that we make a little deal of and the little stuff that we make a big deal of? The great commandment and the royal law is love and yet how many times to we neglect to walk in love and still pretend to be a follower of Christ? “Mercy triumphs over judgment” and we’re so glad that the Lord is merciful to us but are we merciful to others? - Because “judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” We say that we want justice and yet we don’t want to be held accountable for what we do. Mercy for us, judgment for others seems to be a popular “Christian” mentality these days. And what’s the expression of our faith? Can we say that we believe and trust in God and then squall like a mashed cat every time a new crisis comes down the pike? God is greater than all that and if we truly trust Him then why don’t we just go on preaching the gospel not criticizing and complaining about the circumstances? I’m not saying that we shouldn’t do something about it. But act like God and not like the world is what we’re supposed to do. (Eph 5:1) And how’s our heart? We may look alright on the outside but the temptation is to hold anger, strife, bitterness and unforgiveness in our heart. There’s always some group of “Christians” who are mad about what someone is doing or not doing but doesn’t the Bible still say, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” We’re called to be glad not mad and to keep our eyes on our Dad and not what’s bad. I’m just saying that if we want to call ourselves disciples then we shouldn’t look like a bunch of anacondas with camels stuck in our throats. And I’m praying that we will be the way God intended for us to be so that the world can see the light of those who continue to carry and preach the good news of the gospel!

Matt 23:23-26
23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
NKJV

James 2:8-13
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
NKJV

James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
NKJV

James 3:16
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
KJV

Matt 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
NKJV

Eternal Bliss!

God is great, awesome and almighty! He is wonderful, compassionate and kind. It’s excellent to experience the expression His amazing love. He loves us so much! - He and proved and demonstrated just how much when He gave His one and only Son to be our Savior. Not only did He die for us but also rose again and now He’s alive forever and committed to take care of us! What a great Gift! He has and is everything we will ever need. He is multifaceted, glorious and spectacular and we will forever be discovering new aspects of His reality. It’s eternal bliss! When your heart is truly open to Him you will never get bored because He said, “I Am your exceeding Great Reward!”

Isa 9:6-7
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
NKJV

John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
NKJV

Rom 5:7-9
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
NKJV

Rom 8:31-32
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
NKJV

Eph 2:4-8
4 But God — so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,

5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).

6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

7 He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
AMP

Gen 15:1
15 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
KJV

Heb 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
KJV

Choose Peace!

Cowards complain and cry for fear but those with a spirit of faith proclaim peace. If our lives are controlled by what we feel and see then we’re living by the flesh not faith and not free. But “where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty” and if we abide in His Word we will know the truth and the truth will make us free. It’s tempting to get all agitated and upset by everything that’s happening in the world but the better choice is to trust in what God said in His Word. So I pray Lord, “do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” God said that He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him because He trusts in Him. (Isa 26:3) So a good way to show and let everyone know that we’re not really trusting God is to cry and complain. But instead I say it’s time to pray and not put your anger and dismay on display. Whiners will live in woe and wander in the wilderness while those with a spirit of faith will continue to proclaim the gospel of peace and be perpetually free! God has not changed and He promised that even if the mountains are shaken and taken away that His covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart or ever be removed from thee. The truth is that you have the everlasting peace of God abiding within you. You can walk in it continually if you will choose peace by focusing on God and His faithful Word. And refuse to recite world’s fear and fighting because God’s promise of peace we have in writing.

Ps 91:1-2
91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."
NKJV

John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
AMP

2 Cor 4:13-18
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
NKJV

Acts 10:36
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all —
NKJV

Rom 10:14-15
14 But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? 15 And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That's why Scripture exclaims, MES …

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
Rom 10:15
NKJV

Rom 8:5-6
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
NKJV

Rom 15:13
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
NKJV

Rom 15:13
13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
NLT

Phil 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
NKJV

Col 3:15
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
NKJV

Isa 54:10
10 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.
NIV

Isa 54:10
10 For even if the mountains walk away
and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won't walk away from you,
my covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart."
The God who has compassion on you says so.
MES

In God Abide He Shall Provide!

In God’s presence is fullness of joy He is great, glorious and abundant in everything good and full of wonderful love and everlasting kindness toward you. There is no deficiency in Him for He is the Creator who is ever increasing and “Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think...” We are not alone, God is with us, He is for us and He abides within us and us in Him! There is no true reason to be afraid or dismayed when we realize that the Almighty is on our side, literally living inside. So we can and shall be strong and of good courage because the Greater One abides in us and we in Him. We won’t chagrin or focus on impossibilities of men because God had a plan before it all begin. When others are saying, “it can not be” it may be true for them, but not for you and me, because have we have an Ally that they can not see. And "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." And we’re with God! There is absolutely no lack of any kind in Him! And in Him we abide so GOD WILL PROVIDE!

Ps 91:1-2
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."
NKJV

John 8:31-32
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
NKJV

John 15:3-8
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
NKJV

1 John 2:24-27
24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us — eternal life.

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
NKJV

1 John 4:12-16
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
NKJV

Call 33:3 for Deity

God is faithful and trustworthy even in the face of death so surely you can trust Him when facing the challenges of life! It can be overwhelming but you need to realize that God is always greater than anything you’re going through. He said that He will help you and that when you call upon Him He will answer. So go ahead now and call on Him. And remember His number’s not 911 but 33:3.

Jer 33:3
3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
NKJV

Rom 10:13
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
NKJV

Rom 10:11-13
11 Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts God like this — heart and soul — will ever regret it." 12 It's exactly the same no matter what a person's religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. 13 "Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help." MES

YAY! "Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help.” Now that’s just simple and true. So call upon God! It’s what you need to do. His promises are greater than any problems and He’ll ever be the Deity over every dilemma. So don’t focus on fears or magnify mayhem but keep your eyes fixed on God. Because He's the Almighty, Righteous and True and Ever Faithful to take care of you!

1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. NKJV

There Will Be Pain

As long as we’re here we will have to deal with it. Not until we see heaven or the new heavens and earth will there be “no more pain.”

Rev 21:3-4
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
NKJV

That’s something to look forward to but for now we don’t get a pain exclusion but to an extent we can choose the kind of pain we that we will have. There’s pain that comes for a purpose and the pain from abusing the purpose of something. It’s a pain to exercise and eat right but it’s a good pain with a purpose not like the pain that comes with many self inflicted diseases which result from the abuse of the body. There’s the pain caused by the loss of a loved one which can be bitter-sweet or just bitter-bitter. It’s a lot easier to cope when you have a hope of heaven but horrible if you still have “no hope and (are) without God in the world.” Sometimes we must suffer to obey but it’s not comparable to the suffering that results from disobedience. It’s a pain to keep the laws but it’s better than being kept by the law. It’s hard to keep a schedule but not as bad as the problems procured by procrastination. It can hurt to do what’s right but not as bad as the wound of wrong. When were proactive we choose the good and constructive pain with purpose and when we’re reactive then we choose the pain caused by neglect. Jesus chose to bear our evil affliction in the crucifixion and now it’s our turn to enforce His decision. The curse was and remains the result of bad choices. Jesus redeemed us from the curse and bore our sickness and carried or pains but now we must “live for righteousness.” If we want life to be good then we must choose the right kind of pain otherwise we will have to deal with the results and woes of the wrong. So I’m sorry to say that there will be pain, pay now or pay later. We can bear it now but may not be able to later because everyday we avoid it it’s increased with interest. Thank God for helping us and giving us power and authority and the grace and guidance to reap the rewards of discipline and the ability to walk in it.

Isa 53:4-5
4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. [Matt 8:17.]

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
AMP

1 Peter 2:24-25
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
NKJV


1 Cor 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
NKJV

2 Cor 12:9
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
NKJV

Phil 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
NKJV

Are You Desired?

“What is desired in a man is kindness.” (Prov 19:22) Kindness is the opposite of selfishness. The kind are motivated by love while but the selfish are motivated by various lusts. If you want to be a desirable person to be in relationship with you will need to exhibit kindness. When relationships fail it usually has a lot to do with selfishness. Someone is trying to use someone else to get what they want or putting someone else down to lift themselves up. It’s just the way of the world, you can’t stand a selfish person and eventually you will end up being put off but it’s okay because you don’t desire companionship with someone who is selfish. But on the other hand someone who is kind will be good and wiling to give. They are more concerned with helping others than themselves but the great thing is that you can’t help someone else without reaping some measure of happiness. Selfishness causes madness and sadness but the kind will have a continual and complementary feast.

Prov 19:22
What is desired in a man is kindness,
NKJV

Phil 2:1-4
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
NKJV

Prov 19:22
What is desired in a man is kindness,
NKJV

Phil 2:1-4
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
NKJV

Titus 3:1-8
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
NKJV

Gal 6:7-10
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
NKJV

Gal 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
NKJV

“When I am Weak, then I am Strong!”

What do you do when you feel weak? You want to give in and go back to bed but the Bible says,“Let the weak say, 'I am strong.” (Joel 3:10) But why would you say that you are strong when you’re feeling flimsy? It’s a battle and you will end up on one side or the other depending on what you chose to think and say. If you entertain pity it will take over your house, have a party and leave you feeling puny. But if you decide to be strong then the power of God within will rise up and refresh you. Good food is fuel for your body and good faith fuel for your soul. Hebrews chapter eleven talks about ordinary people who by faith did extraordinary things. “Who through faith…out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle.” (Heb 11:33-34)

Heb 11:11-12
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude — innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
NKJV

Abraham was, “as good as dead” now that’s bad! But God the Great Creator is greater then any human weakness, enemy or foe, obstacle or woe! He is “God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (Rom 4:17) So Abraham…

“…not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Rom 4:19-22 NKJV

He believed! Not in his own ability but in the Almighty. So ee was “strengthened in faith” and he became what he believed according to what was spoken. (Rom 4:18) Likewise you will either be weak or strong according to what you choose to believe. You can always be strong because God’s grace is sufficient and His power’s perfected in weakness.

2 Cor 12:9-10
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
NKJV

The key is to focus on God’s strength and not your weakness. The question is not if you’re weak alone, sorry but that’s apparent. But you’re not alone and your plight is insignificant when compared to the magnitude of God’s might! It’s going to be alright because Jesus is your bright and shining Knight who shows up in the middle of your fight, puts the enemy to flight and makes your fright seem trite. So…

“ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!”
Eph 6:10NKJV

Because it’s Uncool!

Has anyone ever seen a child having a tantrum at the store and thought, “Hey that’s just great!” Well why not? -Probably because it’s uncool. When most people see that they think that the child needs to learn some discipline and respect and wonder why that the parents don’t teach it to them. What do you think when you see a teenager arguing with their parents in public or doing something obviously bad? Or how about an adult who’s supposed to be a role model acting like an idiot? When I was a kid my big brother used to say something when I would do something like crash on my motorcycle or do something uncouth. He would laugh and declare, “Smooth move cool fool!” So what’s the point of trying to be cool if you’re really just acting like a fool? How about hurting yourself or others, does anyone think hurting yourself is cool? I think it’s stupid and God does too and that’s why He told us not to sin. SIN, oh no not the three letter word that the religious freaks use to try to control humanity. Who knows what the heck sin is anyway? Sin is simple it’s just doing anything that would hurt yourself or others. If we have any kind of parental spine we don’t allow our little children to cause harm but then we turn around and expect God to let us. Now there comes a point in your lives when you can no longer control your kids and God has also given us the freedom to make our own choices. So does that mean that we should go out and cause destruction to ourselves and others? You can sin if you want and act like a fool but if you want to know why not it’s because it’s uncool!

Prov 11:29
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
NKJV

Prov 14:16
6 A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
NKJV

Prov 15:5
5 A fool despises his father's instruction,
But he who receives correction is prudent.
NKJV

Prov 18:2
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.
NKJV

Eccl 10:3
3 Even when a fool walks along the way,
He lacks wisdom,
And he shows everyone that he is a fool.
NKJV

Living by Lust, Luck or Loyalty?

Living by lust is being driven by your desires. It’s when you do what you do just to get what you want. Morals aren’t the main concern but what matters to you is if it makes you happy. The problem with lust is that it causes corruption. And corruption kills or at the very least alienates you form the good people in your life and kills you later after its done it’s maximum damage. Lust is not just lust for flesh but the lust of the flesh. The lust could be for sex but it could also be for food, money, recognition, position, success, possessions, drugs… etc. Lust tries to fill the place of love but no matter how much you try you still feel empty so you go on overindulging until you make yourself sick and in more ways than one. Lust is the lifestyle of the weak and spineless scoundrel.

Living by luck is setting your hope on chance. The problem is statistics say that the deck is stacked against you. This is how casinos and also the enemy of your soul stay in business. When you’re living by luck you will make stupid decisions hoping for a “miracle” with no basis for belief. But when you win it’s really no miracle at all just one of your wins that goes with the stack of your losses. You will lose way more often than you will win and wonder why God doesn’t change your luck. You’ll end up deluded and disappointed because your hope set in chance and circumstance is fragile that it will end up being shattered. God’s not God of luck like a leprechaun or something and there’s still no pot-o-gold at the end of the rainbow.

Living by loyalty is when you base your beliefs on the character of someone who is true. God is faithful, ever true and loyal to you. What He said He will do and that’s strong enough to build your life on. He has a plan and it’s for eternal endurance and not just obtaining a few plastic trophies. There is no get rich quick scheme, no rolling the dice and getting your dream. The closest thing there is, is the day that you receive salvation. The day you got God you got rich. You became an heir of the Almighty! Now you have access to His life, light and love and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding! Joy unspeakable and full of glory fills your soul and all the fruit of the Spirit is available to you. The blessings of God far surpass all the riches of the world. If you could obtain “everything” it would still not be enough to satisfy your soul and what would you do with it when you got it? “Well I would use all that ‘stuff’ to make people happy!” Well if they are not happy with what they already have ‘more stuff’ is just going to make them ‘more unhappy’. Not that stuff in and of itself is bad, it just can’t satisfy your soul. But God is faithful and He will satisfy your soul with His goodness. I’ve noticed that often Christians get discouraged when living by lust or luck and are disappointed because it still seems that they don’t have “enough” to make them happy. The truth is they just aren’t aware of Who they have. The problem is not one of provision but of focus. If you’re “looking for love in all the wrong places” and drawing more cards hoping for aces then you’re bound to wind up in the enemy’s embraces. But God is loyal to love you with everlasting, awesome, intense and eternal love. Because He’s loyal to you He will take care of you no matter what happens in the world. He will constantly fill your heart and overflow it with His love, joy and peace when your heart is open and you’re aware to receive it. He is a God of abundance and you are abundantly His. He will satisfy you insatiable desire to have more than enough because He’s giving you Himself and He’s the ever increasing Creator.

2 Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
NKJV

1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
NKJV

Mark 8:36
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
NKJV

Eccl 6:3-7

3 If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he — 4 for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. 5 Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice — but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place?

7 All the labor of man is for his mouth,
And yet the soul is not satisfied.
NKJV

Jer 31:14
and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord."
NKJV

Eph 3:14-21
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV

Eph 3:20
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV

Eph 3:20
20 God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. MES

Eph 3:20-21
20 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,
NIV

Eph 3:20
20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] —
AMP

Gen 15:1b
I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
NKJV

Why Not Die?

If you don’t think you have any reason to live how about a reason not to die. God loves you but He doesn’t need you in heaven right now so don’t be trying to go there early. He could however use you on the earth to continue to help others and spread His love. “Help others!” you may scoff, “I can hardly help myself!” That’s because you weren’t made to be your own self savior. When you’re down it’s hard to try to pick yourself up but God is always there for you and has sent His own Spirit to be your Helper. If you’re being tempted to check out early then you need to see the bait for what it is. It’s a personal attack and an attempt to spread your pain to as many people as possible. Not being willing to torture and torment those you love is a good reason to live. Rebel against hell and its pity propaganda persuading you to be a pawn because you were created to be a king! Stand up and fight for what’s right because that’s honorable but if put yourself down all you will do is become a bridge for the enemy right to roll right into the midst of your family. There will be time to die later but right now love the reason to live. Because you love and are loved and especially by God and your family. Jesus died so that you could live not died so that you could die. So quit considering the cop-out because you weren’t created to quit. I’m convinced that you can do whatever you put your mind to with the help of Him who’s there for you. Refuse the evil and choose the good because what you do now is not only affecting this life but also your eternity. Talk about missing something if you resist God and go you your own way you won’t just miss something you’ll miss everything. Whatever you’ve lost God has something better for you in the future, are you willing to give it up on a whim? But the only way to see it is to go forward and get it! Nobody said it would be easy but God has promised that it’ll be worth it. You can’t be a champion without challenges and when your losses are bitter it just makes your gains much that much sweeter. So you can do it, you’re able to deal with it. Hope is on the horizon, God is your Guide and I’m also here to help you. So let me know if there’s anything I can do and in the meantime beware because I’ll be praying for you.

2 Cor 5:14-15
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. NKJV

A scripture a day helps keep worry away!

Today is a new day, many thoughts will come your way which ones will you choose? Will you direct your mind to meditate on God’s faithfulness or just let it wander aimlessly? Thinking about a scripture a day is a good way to stay steady. Outside everything is always changing but inside you can have perfect peace. This promise is available but it’s not without effort. The price you must pay is the discipline it takes to stay focused on the good and resist the bad. Worry and fear will come and try to kidnap your mind and take you to torment. Will you just go along with them or will you fight back. You can either worry about what’s wrong or trust in the in the truth. So what will you be a victim random thoughts or the master of your own mind?

2 Cor 10:2-6
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
NKJV

2 Cor 10:5
5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
AMP

Rom 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
NKJV

Col 3:2
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
NKJV

Rom 8:5-6
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
NKJV

Isa 26:3
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
NKJV

Zoejo or Grub Club?

Zoejo is better than mojo. Mojo is just luck but Zoe is life. Zoe is the Greek word that describes the absolute abundant God quality of life given to us in salvation. Jesus said, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10AMP) So we’ve got an abundance of Zoe and that gives us Zoejo. That means that we don’t have to live our lives by chance longing for luck but that God has a plan. His vital virtue is in us and His power upon us so that we may live supernaturally and possess all His promises! When we endeavor to walk with Him He orders our steps and anoints and enables us to fulfill His will. We can’t do it on our own because it’s beyond mere human ability but “with God all things are possible.” And that becomes our reality when He fills our hearts with His hope and our lives with His love!

It’s clear that God wants us to enjoy this Zoe life so what could happen that would cause us not to? If we don’t seek God first then we’ll be out of order and it’s hard to enjoy life if we’re “out of order.” If we seek other things first like to please people or be pleased by them. Or think that things can make us happy or places can give us peace. If we seek riches, recognition and rewards from the world we’ll end up weary, wavering, deluded and disappointed. There is only One that can satisfy our soul and it’s the Almighty. He said, “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." (Gen 15:1) “And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord." (Jer 31:14) He is our reward, exceedingly great and our riches are in Him. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we have or have not we can always be happy because our hope is in Him.

Phil 4:12-14
12 I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. 13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
MES

Now it’s one thing to have a recipe and another thing to cook a cake. If you’ve tried it out lately and it seems like your feelings have fallen then welcome to the grub club. There seems to be a severe sense of discouragement looming large lately. It’s like a dark cloud covering and the weight is just in the air. The whole point of the thing is to keep us obscured from God’s light, life and love. So many people are having a hard time and apparently the world is getting darker. God has not changed! So why does the pain of problems seem to be increasing? If we focus on our fears and failures, unfifilled hopes and dreams and man made schemes then we’ll end up wanting. When we’re obsessed with bringing our own plan to pass and it won’t the way we want then we end up depressed. It’s woe to us when we’re walking in our own ways. So how long can this go on and when your heart hurts like hell then what’s the answer? It’s time to, “Get the Hell out!” and the heaven back in!

Matt 6:22-23
22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
NKJV

Matt 6:22-23
22 "Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. 23 If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
MES

We need to pay attention to Him Who is good and not that which is evil. There may be clouds above but God’s above the clouds and He has, “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus!” (Eph 2:6) In His presence “is fullness of joy” so if we’re not full of joy then we have not been spending enough time in His presence. If this message of joy is making us mad then welcome again to the grub club, because worms just dig in the dirt instead of look to the Lord. But if we really want to live life and enjoy it then we need to pay attention to the light. God’s Word is the source of light, life and love so we have to think about what He said and think about it again and again. It’s the opposite of worrying and whining in woe. Instead we choose to trust in the Truth!

John 8:31-32
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
NKJV

Col 3:1-4
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
NKJV

Col 3:1-2
3 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. 2 Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ — that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.
MES

So practically if we want to have peace then we need to “see things from His perspective.” When we pray it helps us see things His way and when we think about what He said it helps us to think like Him. When we see like He sees and think like He thinks then we begin to live like He lives. Abundant life is already flowing all we need to do is get in the current. If we’ve been standing on the shore looking under rocks all we’ve got is grubs but now it’s time to get back in the water of the Word and go with the flow! His Words are “life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” (Prov 4:22) If we will really pay attention to Him and do our best to do what He said and live in His love then our days will be “as the days of heaven upon the earth.” (Deut 11:21 KJV) Because we have the One who makes heaven heavenly living in our hearts! When we get our eyes off the darkness and refuse to dwell on it then we will “Get the Hell Out!” and everyday we open our hearts to Him we experience heaven within!

Eph 3:14-21
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV

Col 1:27
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
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Rom 5:1-5
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
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Rom 8:18-19
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
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Hope is greater than Hell!

Jesus died and went to hell in hope of the resurrection. When the punishment was complete and He had paid the price to purchase our pardon He arose victorious and alive forevermore! “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Rev 1:18) Jesus the Almighty has the keys because He disarmed and defeated the devil in His death on the cross and resurrection in righteousness. He was able to not only go to Hell but also through Hell because He had hope to help. “Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades” (Ac 2:26-27). The hope of life based on belief in God’s promises is greater than the fear of death. Jesus had no natural guarantee of life after death only faith and hope in God’s promise. And He went to Hell in hope and His hope was not disappointed. So “if you’re goin through Hell then keep on going” because God is greater than any adversity and your hope is in Him!

1 Peter 1:20-21
20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
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Ps 16:9-11
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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Acts 2:22-28
22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know — 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him:

'I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'
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Acts 2:29-36
29 "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

34 "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

'The Lord said to my Lord,
'Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'


36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
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Col 2:14-15
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
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1 Cor 15:53-58
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

55 "O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
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Rom 15:13
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Are you a like Tree or a Shrubbery?

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.” (Jer 17:7) Just having hope is a blessing to begin with and then there’s all the benefits of the blessing. God’s Words are the source of the blessing. They are alive, active and flowing, a river of everlasting life. When we pay attention to what he said and meditate on His promises we plant our roots by this river and drink of its virtue.


Jer 17:5-8

5 Thus says the Lord:

"Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
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Ps 1:1-3
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
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Hope. Believe. Become.

Speaking of Abraham the Bible says,

“who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." Rom 4:18 NKJV

He had no natural reason to have hope and it looked like a lost cause considering his circumstances but that’s not what he chose to consider. Instead of thinking about what he couldn’t because he hadn’t He thought about what he could because God said he would. He had God’s Word and that was enough. So He HOPED and BELIEVED so that he BECAME, the father of many nations ACCORDING to what was SPOKEN. He considered the Word until he became what he believed. As long as he kept his eyes on the promise he had hope and when he got his eyes off the promise and tried to bring it to pass himself he had problems. So we see that there are two kinds of hope. Hope in what one sees, in situations and circumstances - natural hope and hope in Him who is invisible and in what He said – supernatural hope. One is false and the other true so the question is what do you KNOW that God said specifically to you? When false hope fails discouragement prevails but hope that’s true will help you get through. God’s word is true what He said He will do! So I choose to believe, what about you?

Rom 4:19-22
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
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Take Courage and Enjoy!

“I would had lost heart unless I had believed…” Faith gives us the courage to continue. As long as we’re thinking about what God said it gives us hope so we can have heart for the future. But when we get our thoughts and eyes on everything else we can get dis-couraged. In the mist of challenging and difficult situations the Lord often instructs us to, “Take Courage!” and His Word is the place we take it from. In order to be en-couraged we have to have a source of encouragement. God is our Source! We can be bold and strong when we know that the Almighty is with us. But we will only know when we choose to be aware and continue in prayer. So we need to resist the temptation to forget or ever think that the Lord has not given all or done enough for us

Ps 106:8-15
8 Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake,
That He might make His mighty power known.
9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up;
So He led them through the depths,
As through the wilderness.
10 He saved them from the hand of him who hated them,
And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11 The waters covered their enemies;
There was not one of them left.
12 Then they believed His words;
They sang His praise.

13 They soon forgot His works;
They did not wait for His counsel,
14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness,
And tested God in the desert.
15 And He gave them their request,
But sent leanness into their soul.
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We’re Saved! Jesus suffered and died for us and gave us His very life and open access to God our Father so what more could we ask? But if we’re not careful one day we’ll be singin His praises and the next forgetting the Father and fainting in the wilderness. So when we’re feeling faint we need to refocus on the Father. Because in His presence “is fullness of joy” and “with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” so “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Ps 16:11, Isa 12:3, Neh 8:10) And He also “gives us richly all things to enjoy.” (1 Tim 6:17) Jesus said, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). “ John 10:10AMP No matter how our situation may look on the outside we always have an abundance of everlasting life on the inside! And that my friend is always something to be encouraged about and enjoy!

Ps 27:13-14
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
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Matt 14:22-27
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
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Acts 23:10-11
0 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
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Deut 31:6-8
6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."
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Deut 31:23
23 Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said,"Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you."
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Josh 1:5-9
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
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Josh 10:24-26
So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. 25 Then Joshua said to them,"Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight."
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1 Chron 28:20-21
20 And David said to his son Solomon,"Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God — my God — will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
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Ps 16:11
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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Ps 31:24
4 Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
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True or False?

True hope just like real faith is based on the Word of God. If we hope for or believe in other things we’re likely to end up disappointed because the power to bring it to pass is comparable to the one who made the promise.

“Thus says the Lord:

"Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Jer 17:5-8 NKJV

False hope comes from trusting in the ability, desires and dreams of man including ourselves. It’s fragile and bound to fail. No matter how bad we want something to be true it won’t come true just because we want it to. It’s either true or false and way to discern which is to consider the source. Who said it? Why do we believe what we believe and hope for what we hope for? Is it because God said it or something that we’ve contrived and derived in your own mind? If it’s our plan then we’re responsible to provide the power to bring it to pass and if it’s God’s plan then it’s by His power. Deciding our own dreams is like building a nice sand castle on the beach, we can shape it however you want, it’s beautiful and makes us happy but only until its put to the test. It can’t last or survive the storm because it’s too fragile. It’s not built from or established on the Truth of God’s Word. And when our own creation is swept away we look to God and say, “Hey! Why didn’t you wash away my castle?” And it’s because we can’t live in that false hope.

Matt 7:24-27
24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
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So our faith and hope and therefore our lives are to be founded on and established by the very Truth of God Himself. If we’ve been disappointed it probably because we’ve been making our own appointments. So it’s time to get back to what we know that God said for sure and especially the words of Jesus Himself. What do you know directly from His Word? Not from traditions and expositions but what specifically has He quickened to you? Because that’s what’s True and what He said He will do. And it doesn’t matter how long it takes. And we don’t like waiting but God always brings His Word to pass. Joshua and Caleb spent forty years in the wilderness at the funerals of all their friends, can you imagine? But at the end of it all they possessed the promise because kept their faith and hope in the God’s Word and overcame the many years of adversity. So even though the enemy would like to sift you like sand I’m praying that you will stand and that your faith will not fail. Hold onto the Truth because the longer you do the stronger you get and we haven’t seen anything yet!

Josh 14:7-12
7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying,'Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children's forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.' 10 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said."
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Josh 21:45
5 Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
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Josh 23:14
"Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.
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Josh 24:13-15
13 I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.'

14 "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
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Hold Fast and Stand!

Without faith hope is helpless, without hope faith is futile and without love the lot is lost. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13:13) It seems that the enemy is always attacking in one or more of these areas. At the end of the age, “because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (Matt 24:12) and “when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) So we need to vigilantly guard our faith and walk in love but hold fast to our hope. Jesus said, “hold fast what you have till I come.” (Rev 2:25) So we need to press on and lay hold of that for which Jesus has laid hold of us and hold fast stand firm in faith until the end!

1 Cor 15:1-2
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain.
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Heb 3:6
6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
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Heb 4:14-15
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
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Heb 10:23
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
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Rev 3:11-13
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'
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Phil 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
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Heb 6:11-12
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
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1 Cor 16:13-14
13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.
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Gal 5:1-2
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
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Phil 1:27-28
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
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Phil 4:1
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
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1 Thess 3:8
8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
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Rom 5:1-3
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
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Eph 6:10-13
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
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