Year: 2024

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)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and

lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways submit to him and

He will make your paths straight.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while,

perfect,

establish,

strengthen, and

settle you. 

To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent (steady, earnest, and energetic) to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 2 Peter 1:10 NKJV

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, NIV

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove (to show (oneself) to be worthy or capable) that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. NLT

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Living

⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be ALERT (watchful, ready, cautious)and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another WITHOUT GRUMBLING. (complaining, whining, fussing- exercising patience) ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. NIV

⁷ But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have FERVENT (enthusiastic, passionate) love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the ^[a]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the ^[b]dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV

⁷ The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be ERNEST (serious) and DISCIPLINED(diligent, purposeful, serious)  in your prayers. ⁸ Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  We love Him because He first loved us.