Death will be no more

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 1 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 2

The Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 3 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 4

Death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore. 5 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces. 6

And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 7

 

1 1Th 4.13-14 2 1Cor 15.51-52 3 Phil 3.20-21 4 1Cor 15.53-57 5 Rev 21.4 6 Is 25.8 7 1Th 4.17-18

Prayers

Be gracious to me, LORD,

Because I am in distress;

My eyes are worn out from angry sorrow-

My whole being as well. 

Indeed, my life is consumed with grief

And my years with groaning;

My strength has failed

Because of my sinfulness. 1

 

Help me. 2

 

There is no strength in my bones

Because of my sin. 

My wounds are foul and festering 

Because of my foolishness. 

There is no health in my body. 

I am faint and severely crushed. 3

 

Heal me. 4

 

The enemy has pursued me, 

Crushing me to the ground, 

Making me live in darkness

Like those long dead. 

My spirit is weak within me;

My heart is overcome with dismay. 5

 

Rescue me. 6

 

Troubles without number have surrounded me;

My sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see. 

They are more than the hairs of my head,

And my courage leaves me. 

LORD, be pleased to deliver me. 7

 

Save me, God. 8

 

1 Ps 31.9-10 2 Ps 40.13 3 Ps 38.3,5,7-8 4 Ps 41.4 5 Ps 143.3-4 6 Ps 31.2 7 Ps 40.12-13 8 Ps 69.1

Reward

Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do. 1 There will be glory and honour and peace from God for all who do good. 2

The reward of the godly will last. 3 Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. 4

For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. 5

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. 6

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great. 7

Be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. 8 Be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 9 I will reward you, there is hope for your future. 10

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. 11

 

1 Eph 6.8 2 Rom 2.9-10 3 Prov 11.18 4 Hos 10.12 5 Prov 24.12 6 Gal 6.8-10 7 Lk 6.35 8 2Chr 15.7 9 1Cor 15.58 10 Jer 31.16-17 11 Mt 5.12

The Merciful Father

 The Prodigal Son went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 1

There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. 2 For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. 3

He will take great delight in you;

in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing. 4 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 5

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.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 6

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. 7

 

1 Lk 15.20-24 2 Lk 15.10 3 2Chr 30.9 4 Zeph 3.17 5 1Jn 1.9 6 Ps 103.10-13 7 Isa 55.7

I seek You

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 1

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 In the night I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek you. 3

Your unfailing love is better than life itself! 4 Every good thing I have comes from you. 5 I desire you more than anything on earth. 6

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. 7 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. 8

And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” 9 You granting me the joy of your presence. 10

Let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully. 11 Show me your glorious presence. 12 

 

1 Ps 63.1 2 Ps 42.1 3 Is 26.9 4 Ps 63.3 5 Ps 16.2 6 Ps 73.25 7 Ps 139.17 8 Ps 119.103 9 Ps 27.8 10 Ps 16.11 11 Ex 33.13 12 Ex 33.18 

Love

 God is love, 1 love is from God. 2

Love does no wrong to a neighbour, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 3

Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 4

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 5 Love builds up. 6

Love covers a multitude of sins. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. 9 Love never ends. 10

 

1 1Jn 4.16 2 1Jn 4.7 3 Rom 13.10 4 1Cor 13.4-6 5 1Jn 4.18 6 1Cor 8.1 7 1Pet 4.8 8 1Cor 13.7 9 SoS 8.7 10 1Cor 13.8

One Another

Love one another with brotherly affection. 1 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another. 2 Outdo one another in showing honour. 3

Be at peace with one another. 4 Live in harmony with one another. 5

As each has received a gift, use it to serve another. 6 Wash one another’s feet. 7 Bear one another burdens. 8

Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another. 9 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. 10

Welcome one another. 11 Show hospitality to one another. 12 

Encourage one another and build one another up. 13 Exhort one another every day. 14 Instruct one another. 15

Stir up one another to love and good works. 16

 

1  Rom 12.10 2 1Pet 5.5 3 Rom 12.10 4 Mk 9.50 5 Rom 12.16 6 1Pet 4.10 7 Jn 13.14 8 Gal 6.2 9 Jam 5.16 10 Eph 4.32 11 Rom 15.7 12 1Pet 4.9 13 1Thess 5.11 14 Heb 3.13 15 Rom 15.14 16 Heb 10.24 

Who is like you, LORD?

With whom will you compare God? 1

There is no one holy like the LORD, there is no Rock like our God. 2 Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. 3

Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? 4

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.” 5 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? 6

LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth – you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 7

No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not fear you, King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. 8

 

1 Isa 40.18 2 1Sam 2.2 3 Ps 89.8 4 Ex 15.11 5 Ps 35.10 6 Mic 7.18 7 2Chr 6.14 8 Jer 10.6-7

 

My Promises For You

 Jesus says

 

You will be children of the Most High. 1

 You will not be condemned. You will be forgiven. 2

You will be free. 3 You will find rest for your souls. 4 You will remain in my love. 5

The door will be opened to you. 6

You will know the truth. 7

You will laugh. 8 You will rejoice. 9

You will be repaid. 10 You will have treasure in heaven. 11 A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. 12

You will be satisfied. 13 You will be blessed. 14 You will live.” 15

 

1 Lk 6.35 2 Lk 6.37 3 Jn 8.36 4 Mt 11.29 5 Jn 15.10 6 Lk 11.9 7 Jn 8.32 8 Lk 6.21 9 Jn 16.22 10 Lk 14.14 11 Mt 19.21 12 Lk 6.38 13 Lk 6.21 14 Lk 14.14 15 Lk 10.28

Why I have come

Jesus says,

 

I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 1

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. 2 I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God, for I was sent for that purpose. 3

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. 4

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 5 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. 6 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 7 I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 8

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. 9 The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. 10

 

1 Jn 6.38 2 Jn 18.37 3 Lk 4.43 4 Lk 4.18-19 5 Jn 12.46 6 Lk 5.32 7 Jn 10.10 8 Jn 12.47 9 Lk 19.10 10 Mt 20.28

 

Be Strong in the LORD

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 1 I pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead. 2

God gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. 3 

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.4 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. 5

Be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 6 Fight the good fight for the true faith. 7 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. 8

You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 9 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 10

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD! 11

 

1 Eph 6.10 2 Eph 1.19-20 3 Isa 40.29-31 4 Eph 3.16 5 Col 1.11 6 2Tim 2.1 7 1Tim 6.12 8 Phil 1.28 9 1Jn 4.4 10 2Tim 1.7 11 Ps 31.24

Prayer

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. 1 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 2

Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. 3 The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. 4 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. 5

Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. 6 He gives generously to all who call on him. 7

The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. 8 Pour out your heart to him. 9

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 10 Never stop praying. 11

 

1 Eph 6.18 2 Col 4.2 3 1Chr 16.11 4 Ps 145.18 5 Isa 58.9 6 Heb 11.6 7 Rom 10.12 8 Ps 34.15 9 Ps 62.8 10 Phil 4.6-7 11 1Th 5.17 nlt

God Chose You

The Lord set his affection on you and choose you. 1 God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 2

Once you were not a people, once you had not received mercy. 3 Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, without hope and without God in the world. 4 But now you have received mercy. 

Now you are God’s people, 5 God’s elect, 6 chosen by grace, 7 not because of your righteousness or your integrity 8

It was because the Lord loved you. 9 The Lord was pleased to make you his own. 10 

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. 11 As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 12

 

1 Deut 7.7 2 2Th 2.13 3 1Pet 2.10 4 Eph 2.12 5 1Pet 2.10 6 Titus 1.1 7 Rom 11.5 8 Deut 9.5 9 Deut 7.8 10 1Sam 12.22 11 1Pet 2.9 12 Col 3.12

Let Us Persevere

The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 1 We rejoice in our sufferings. 2 For this momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 3

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 4 For we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage. 5

This is the promise that the Lord made to us – eternal life. 6 To this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God. 7 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 8 Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. 9 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.11 He will raise us up,

that we may live before him.

Let us press on to know the LORD.  12

 

1 Rom 8.18 2 Rom 5.3 3 2Cor 4.16-17 4 2Cor 4.8-9 5 2Cor 5.7-8 6 1Jn 2.25 7 1Tim 4.10 8 Heb 10.23 9 Heb 12.1-2 10 Gal 6.9 11 2Cor 4.14 12 Hos 6.2-3

Stand firm

Stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. 1 Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 2 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 3

For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 4

Continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel. 5 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 6 Do not abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 7

Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. 8 Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable. 9

 

1 1Cor 16.13 2 Eph 6.11 3 1Pet 5.9 4 Eph 6.12-13 5 Col 1.23 6 Rom 12.12 7 Heb 10.35-36 8 Ps 37.34 9 1Cor 15.57-58

Keep Me from Sin

LORD, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest;

You are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, LORD.1

LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing. 2 For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 3 Surely You desire integrity in the inner self. 4

Test me, LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind. 5 Keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me.6

Keep me from the way of deceit. 7 Guide me in Your truth and teach me. 8 Make my steps steady through Your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me. 9

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You,

LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. 10 May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame. 11

 

1 Ps 139.1-4 2 Ps 141.3-4 3 Mt 12.34 4 Ps 51.6 5 Ps 26.2 6 Ps 19.13 7 Ps 119.29 8 Ps 25.5 9 Ps 119.133 10 Ps 19.14 11 Ps 119.80

Commands about Relationships

Jesus says

 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. 1 Love your neighbour as yourself. 2 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 3

 He must be last of all and servant of all. 4 Wash one another's feet. 5

Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. 6  Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 7

Be merciful. Judge not, and condemn not. 8 If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 9 Forgive your brother from your heart.” 10 Be reconciled. 11 Be at peace with one another.” 12

 

1 Jn 13.34-35 2 Mk 12.31 3 Lk 6.31 4 Mk 9.35 5 Jn 13.14 6 Lk 6.35 7 Lk 6.27-28 8 Lk 6.36-37 9 Lk 17.3 10 Mt 18.35 11 Mt 5.24 12 Mk 9.50