Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (NKJV)
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV)
If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. (LB)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
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. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
How important is light? (Created to Soar Podcast Notes)
Its an element that stimulates growth (food growth)
It sustains life- essential for human, plant, and animal life ( am the bread of life)
It helps with mood, It warms, calms, promotes emotional steadiness Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16
Sanitizes, sterilizes (He washes white as snow)
Dries the earth
There’s energy in light
We are blind without light ( I was blind, but now I see)
Light is responsible for colors
*Story of the barn maze
Darkness is confining.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see any light. It’s the most darkness I have ever been in.
You can’t find your way in darkness.
You can’t find your way without light.
Without light, you are blind
Light: something that makes vision possible – truth Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
To take fire, to ignite something – radiance, sunshine, glow, illumination.
Automatic absence of darkness, light makes you feel comfortable, warm, secure. Light is calming.
When you have light, you know where you are, otherwise, you’d be lost.
Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
But as for you,
continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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. 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, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and
1. fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and
2. the work of faith with power,
3. that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Rejoice always,
2. pray without ceasing,
3. in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
4. Do not quench the Spirit.
5. Do not despise prophecies.
6. Test all things;
7. hold fast what is good.
8. Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let (to allow or permit) the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let (allow or permit)the word of Christ dwell in you richly (lavishly, fully) in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. NKJV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive (pardon, excuse, cancel debt, let off the hook) one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV)
Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don’t worry about making a good impression on them, but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.
Remember what Christ taught, and let his words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, and come with him into the presence of God the Father to give him your thanks. (Living)