The LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.

from Jonathan Bagster's Daily Light on the Daily Path (ca. 1875)

BARE you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.--In his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.--As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the LORD alone did lead him.

      Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.--This God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

      Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.--Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.--For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

      Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

DEUT. 1. 31. Ex. 19. 4.--Is. 63. 9.-- De. 32. 11, 12. Is. 46. 4.--Ps. 48. 14. Ps. 55. 22.--Mat. 6. 25, 32. 1 Sa. 7. 12.

Deserter or disciple?

From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. John 6:66.

When God gives a vision by His Spirit through His word of what He wants, and your mind and soul thrill to it, if you do not walk in the light of that vision, you will sink into servitude to a point of view which Our Lord never had. Disobedience in mind to the heavenly vision will make you a slave to points of view that are alien to Jesus Christ. Do not look at someone else and say—‘Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why cannot I?’ You have to walk in the light of the vision that has been given to you and not compare yourself with others or judge them, that is between them and God. When you find that a point of view in which you have been delighting clashes with the heavenly vision and you debate, certain things will begin to develop in you—a sense of property and a sense of personal right, things of which Jesus Christ made nothing. He was always against these things as being the root of everything alien to Himself. “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth.” If we do not recognize this, it is because we are ignoring the undercurrent of Our Lord’s teaching.

We are apt to lie back and bask in the memory of the wonderful experience we have had. If there is one standard in the New Testament revealed by the light of God and you do not come up to it, and do not feel inclined to come up to it, that is the beginning of backsliding, because it means your conscience does not answer to the truth. You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you for going on as a more true disciple of Jesus Christ, or for going back as a deserter.

Chambers, Oswald: My Utmost for His Highest : Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI : Discovery House Publishers, 1993, c1935, S. December

Understanding what the will of the Lord is.

from Jonathan Bagster's Daily Light on the Daily Path (ca. 1875)

THIS is the will of God, even your sanctification.--Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.--This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.--We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

      We...do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.--The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe.

EPH. 5. 17. 1 Th. 4. 3.--Job 22. 21.-- John 17. 3.--1 Jo. 5. 20. Col. 1. 9.-- Ep. 1. 17-19.

Where the battle’s lost and won

If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord. . . . Jeremiah 4:1.

The battle is lost or won in the secret places of the will before God, never first in the external world. The Spirit of God apprehends me and I am obliged to get alone with God and fight the battle out before Him. Until this is done, I lose every time. The battle may take one minute or a year, that will depend on me, not on God; but it must be wrestled out alone before God, and I must resolutely go through the hell of a renunciation before Him. Nothing has any power over the man who has fought out the battle before God and won there. If I say—‘I will wait till I get into the circumstances and then put God to the test,’ I shall find I cannot. I must get the thing settled between myself and God in the secret places of my soul where no stranger intermeddles, and then I can go forth with the certainty that the battle is won. Lose it there, and calamity and disaster and upset are as sure as God’s decree. The reason the battle is not won is because I try to win it in the external world first. Get alone with God, fight it out before Him, settle the matter there once and for all.

In dealing with other people, the line to take is to push them to an issue of will. That is the way abandonment begins. Every now and again, not often, but sometimes, God brings us to a point of climax. That is the Great Divide in the life; from that point we either go towards a more and more dilatory and useless type of Christian life, or we become more and more ablaze for the glory of God—“My Utmost for His Highest.”

Chambers, Oswald: My Utmost for His Highest : Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI : Discovery House Publishers, 1993, c1935, S. December 27

Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

E know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.--As ye have . . . received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.--He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.--That on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

By faith ye stand.

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1 COR. 15. 58. 1 Co. 15. 58.--Col. 2. 6, 7.-- Mat. 24. 13.--Lu. 8. 15. 2 Co. 1. 24. John 9. 4. Ga. 6. 8-10.

The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.

HAVE loved thee with an everlasting love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.--The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.--Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.

As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

TIT. 3. 4. Je. 31. 3. 1 Jo. 4. 9, 10. Ga. 4. 4, 5.--John 1. 14.--1 Ti. 3. 16. He. 2. 14.

The hidden life

Your life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:3.

The Spirit of God witnesses to the simple, almighty security of the life hid with Christ in God, and this is continually brought out in the Epistles. We talk as if it were the most precarious thing to live the sanctified life; it is the most secure thing, because it has Almighty God in and behind it. The precarious thing is to try and live without God. If we are born again it is the easiest thing to live in right relationship to God and the most difficult thing to go wrong, if only we will heed God’s warnings and keep in the light.

When we think of being delivered from sin, of being filled with the Spirit, and of walking in the light, we picture the peak of a great mountain, very high and wonderful, and we say—‘Oh, but I could never live up there!’ But when we do get there by God’s grace, we find it is not a mountain peak, but a plateau where there is ample room to live and to grow. “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me.”

When you really see Jesus, I defy you to doubt Him. When He says—“Let not your heart be troubled,” if you see Him I defy you to trouble your mind, it is a moral impossibility to doubt when He is there. Every time you get into personal contact with Jesus, His words are real. “My peace I give unto you,” it is a peace all over from the crown of the head to the sole of the feet, an irrepressible confidence. “Your life is hid with Christ in God,” and the imperturbable [as in 'perturbed'] peace of Jesus Christ is imparted to you.

Chambers, Oswald: My Utmost for His Highest : Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI : Discovery House Publishers, 1993, c1935, S. December 24

Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me.

KNOW the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.--There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

In Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace.

It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself.--Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past: . . . that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.--If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

ISA. 27. 5. Je. 29. 11.--Is. 48. 22. Ep. 2. 13, 14. Col. 1. 19, 20.--Ro. 3. 24-26.-- 1 Jo. 1. 9. Is. 26. 4.

The drawing of the Father

No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him. John 6:44.

When God draws me, the issue of my will comes in at once—will I react on the revelation which God gives; will I come to Him? Discussion on spiritual matters is an impertinence. Never discuss with anyone when God speaks. Belief is not an intellectual act; belief is a moral act whereby I deliberately commit myself. Will I dump myself down absolutely on God and transact on what He says? If I will, I shall find I am based on Reality that is as sure as God’s throne.

In preaching the gospel, always push an issue of will. Belief must be the will to believe. There must be a surrender of the will, not a surrender to persuasive power; a deliberate launching forth on God and on what He says until I am no longer confident in what I have done, I am confident only in God. The hindrance is that I will not trust God, but only my mental understanding. As far as feelings go, I must stake all blindly: I must will to believe, and this can never be done without a violent effort on my part to dissociate myself from my old ways of looking at things, and by putting myself right over on to Him.

Every man is made to reach out beyond his grasp. It is God Who draws me, and my relationship with Him in the first place is a personal one, not an intellectual one. I am introduced into the relationship by the miracle of God and my own will to believe, then I begin to get an intelligent appreciation and understanding of the wonder of the transaction.

Chambers, Oswald: My Utmost for His Highest : Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI : Discovery House Publishers, 1993, c1935, S. December 22

He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.

HAT we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you, . . . to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.--Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.--Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.--God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

EPH. 1. 4. 2 Th. 2. 13, 14.--Ro. 8. 29, 30.--1 Pe. 1. 2. Eze. 36. 26.--1 Th. 4. 7.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those...

HAVE compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: . . . I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.--We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

They brought young children to him, . . . and he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant.--The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.--Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.--I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.

ISA. 40. 11. Mat. 15. 32.--He. 4. 15. Mar. 10. 13, 16. Ps. 119. 176.--Lu. 19. 10.-- 1 Pe. 2. 25. Lu. 12. 32. Eze. 34. 15.

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

HERE the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.--The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.--If the Son . . . shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.--Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.--Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

JOHN 8. 32. 2 Co. 3. 17.--Ro. 8. 2.--John 8. 36. Ga. 4. 31.--Ga. 2. 16. Ja. 1. 25.--Ga. 5. 1.

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

E not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.--That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

EPH. 5. 11. 1 Co. 15. 33. 1 Co. 5. 6, 7, 9-11.-- Phi. 2. 15. 2 Ti. 2. 20.

The deep things of God.

ENCEFORTH I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.--It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; . . . that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

1 COR. 2. 10. John 15. 15.--Mat. 13. 11. 1 Co. 2. 12. Ep. 3. 14-19.

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

OOK not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who took upon him the form of a servant.--Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.--He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

When Jesus . . . saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. Jesus wept.--Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

GAL. 6. 2. Phi. 2. 4, 5, 7.--Mar. 10. 45.--2 Co. 5. 15. John 11. 33, 35.--Ro. 12. 15.1 Pe. 3. 8, 9.

Thou renderest to every man according to his work.

THER foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.--If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.--We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.--After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.--LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

PSA. 62. 12. 1 Co. 3. 11, 14, 15.--2 Co. 5. 10. Mat. 6. 3, 4.--Mat. 25. 19.2 Co. 3. 5.--Is. 26. 12.

Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.

E of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.--We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.--If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.--Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.--Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.--Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not.

EXOD. 14. 15. 1 Ch. 19. 13.--Ne. 4. 9. Mat. 7. 21.--John 7. 17.--Ho. 6. 3. Mat. 26. 41.--1 Co. 16. 13.--Ro. 12. 11.
Is. 35. 3, 4.

Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

T is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.--Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.--Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord.

EPH. 5. 14. Ro. 13. 11.--1 Th. 5. 6-8. Is. 60. 1, 2. 1 Pe. 1. 13.--Lu. 12. 35, 36.

The perfect law of liberty.

E shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.--Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.--For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.--I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

JAMES 1. 25. John 8. 32-34, 36. Ga. 5. 1, 13, 14.--Ro. 6. 18.--Ro. 7. 2. Ro. 8. 2.--Ps. 119. 45.

The spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

HE LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.--There is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.--The first man Adam was made a living soul.--The spirit of man that goeth upward.

Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. We are confident, . . . and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.--With Christ; which is far better.--I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

ECCLES. 12. 7. Ge. 2. 7.--Job 32. 8.-- 1 Co. 15. 45.--Ec. 3. 21. 2 Co. 5. 6, 8.-- Phi. 1. 23.--1 Th. 4. 13, 14. John 14. 2, 3.

The dust return to the earth as it was.

T is sown in corruption; . . . it is sown in dishonour; . . . it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body.--The first man is of the earth, earthy.

Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.--One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

My flesh . . . shall rest in hope.--Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.--The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.--So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

ECCLES. 12. 7. 1 Co. 15. 42-44.--1Co. 15. 47. Ge. 3. 19.-- Job 21. 23, 25, 26. Ps. 16. 9.--Job 19. 26.-- Phi. 3. 20, 21. Ps. 39. 4.--Ps. 90. 12.

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

N the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early.

I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.--The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.--Our sufficiency is of God.--My grace is sufficient for thee.

MAT. 26. 41. Is. 26. 8, 9. Ro. 7. 18, 22, 23.-- Ga. 5. 17. Phi. 4. 13.--2 Co. 3. 5.-- 2 Co. 12. 9.

By strength shall no man prevail.

HEN said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone.

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.--Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

I . . . glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

1 SAM. 2. 9. 1 Sa. 17. 45, 49, 50. Ps. 33. 16, 18.--1 Ch. 29. 12. 2 Co. 12. 9, 10.

I would not live alway.

ND I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

In this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.--Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

Let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

JOB 7. 16. Ps. 55. 6, 8. 2 Co. 5. 2, 4.-- Phi. 1. 23. He. 12. 1-3. John 14. 27.

Our bodies washed with pure water.

HOU shalt . . . make a laver of brass, . . . and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: when they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; . . . they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not.--Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you.--If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

In my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.--There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth.--Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.--I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

HEB. 10. 22. Ex. 30. 18-21.--1 Co. 6. 19.-- 1 Co. 3. 17. Job 19. 26, 27.--Re. 21. 27.-- Hab. 1. 13. Ro. 12. 1.

Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.

F the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?--The blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

When Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

HEB. 10. 22. He. 9. 13, 14.--He. 12. 24. Ep. 1. 7. He. 9. 19, 21, 22.

Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth.

HE new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, . . . so shall your seed and your name remain.

We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

ISA. 65. 17. Is. 66. 22. 2 Pe. 3. 13. Re. 21. 1-5.

It is the spirit that quickeneth.

HE first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.--That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.--Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.--Reckon ye . . . yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

JOHN 6. 63. 1 Co. 15. 45.--John 3. 6.--Tit. 3. 5. Ro. 8. 9-11. Ga. 2. 20.--Ro. 6. 11.

neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know thesethings, happy are ye if ye do them.The servant is not greater than his lord;

HERE was . . . a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.--Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus . . . riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

JOHN 13. 16, 17. Lu. 22. 24-27.--Mat. 20. 28. John 13. 3-5.

The LORD thy God accept thee.

HEREWITH shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.--There is none righteous, no, not one. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare . . . at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Accepted in the beloved.--Ye are complete in him.

2 SAM. 24. 23. Mic. 6. 6-8. Is. 64. 6.--Ro. 3. 10, 23-26. Ep. 1. 6.--Col. 2. 10.

fellowship of the Spirit. Consolation in Christ...comfort of love

AN that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.--My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

The Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.--The Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name.--Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

PHIL. 2. 1. Job 14. 1, 2.--Ps. 73. 26. John 14. 16, 26.--2 Co. 1. 3, 4. 1 Th. 4. 14, 17, 18.

I delight in the law of God after the inward man

HOW love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.--Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.--I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.--I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.--My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.--Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass.

ROM. 7. 22. Ps. 119. 97.--Je. 15. 16.--Ca. 2. 3. Job 23. 12. Ps. 40. 8.--John 4. 34. Ps. 19. 8, 10.--Ja. 1. 22, 23.

Amen.

MEN: the LORD God . . . say so too.--He who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth [Heb. The Amen]; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth [The Amen].

When God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.--For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.

These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness.--For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever. Amen, and Amen.

MAT. 6. 13. 1 Ki. 1. 36.--Is. 65. 16. He. 6. 13, 16-18. Re. 3. 14.--2 Co. 1. 20. Ps. 72. 18, 19.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

THE LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

The LORD is...great in power.--If God be for us, who can be against us?--Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.--My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.--Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.--Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

MAT. 6. 13. Ps. 93. 1, 2. Na. 1. 3.--Ro. 8. 31.--Da. 3. 17.--John 10. 29.--1 John 4. 4. Ps. 115. 1.--1 Ch. 29. 11, 13, 14.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

HE that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.--Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, . . . even as the garden of the LORD. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; but the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.--The Lord delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.--Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

MAT. 6. 13. Pr. 28. 26. Ja. 1. 13, 14.--2 Co. 6. 17. Ge. 13. 10, 11, 13.--2 Pe. 2. 7, 9.--Ro. 14. 4.

Psalm 106:19-23 idolatry in the life

Psalm 106:19-23
19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molten image. 20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; 22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. 23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

The children of Israel did horrible in the sight of the Lord.
They made a calf and worshipped it. It changed their glory, not His. Interesting!
They forgat God, God as their saviour. God Who did great things for them, bringing them out of bondage in Egypt, Ham and by the Red Sea.

God did not compromise either His holiness nor His justice...He declared He would destroy them.
But Moses.

O how we need an intercessor! for our NT idolatries which Paul said was the generic vice, covetousness.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Colossians 3:5)

what is covetousness?

• an envious eagerness to possess something

• avarice: extreme greed for material wealth

• avarice: reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)

We who live in a capatilist society see every day the avarice and greed for more. The recent economic collapse on Wall Street and around the Euro markets is indicative of the same. But even those who lived in communist countries were and are subject to covetousness.

How do we contradict covetousness/idolatry that both Israel was then and the disobedient are today?

The answer is also found in Colossians 3, and a long answer will ensue over several days of this devotional blog.

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)

This verse, in its context of the entire chapter, is telling us to put off and later to put on certain behaviors and attitudes.

anger: an attitude and a behavior; a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance/offense
wrath: attitude, belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong (personified as one of the deadly sins)
malice: a grudge, attitude; feeling a need to see others suffer
blasphemy: a behavior

• blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)

• profanation: blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character; "desecration of the Holy Sabbath"

filthy communication: behavior, specifically coming from one's mouth

• disgustingly dirty; filled or smeared with offensive matter; "as filthy as a pigsty"; "a foul pond"; "a nasty pigsty of a room"

• dirty: vile; despicable; "a dirty (or lousy) trick"; "a filthy traitor"

• cruddy: characterized by obscenity; "had a filthy mouth"; "foul language"; "smutty jokes"

we contradict the effects of idolatry by recognizing Christ is all and in all [v. 11].
idolatry is making what I want more important than what God wants...it is selfishness and self-importance. whether material things or stubborn desire to have it my way

those who have this greedy desire to possess things violate the loving, sharing self-sacrificing way of the Spirit, displaying attitudes that help them achieve their covetous ends by any aggressive means.

Look to Christ and put off ways of the old, covetous, idolatrous man.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: Phil. 3:12

The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Prov. 4:18

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:12

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD. Hos. 6:3

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matt. 13:43

We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. II Cor. 3:18

When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. I Cor. 13:10

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. I Cor. 13:12

Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. I John 3:2, 3

Walk in newness of life. Rom. 6:4

As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Rom. 6:19

iniquity unto iniquity...this is our track record, and an affront to the strict moralist in our society, who has little idea what an offense to God he has been!

I beseech you.... brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Rom. 12:1, 2

I beseech you...yes, sometimes we beseech, we BEG, Christians to do right! we also admonish them that doing right with their bodies is their reasonable service. The key: renewing their mind. That's a daily task for me!

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Cor. 5:17

new creature...all things become new: this in contrast to Romans 12, where the appeal is made to renew the mind in dedicating one's self to physical consecration

In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy. Gal. 6:15, 16

I need to walk and adopt the attitude that I am a new creature.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Eph. 4:17
vanity of their mind...vanity is a sinful mindset that affects a person's walk. O how we need humble people void of vanity! Humble servants who, against the offense of their unsaved contacts, in turn demonstrate Christian love and forgiveness, in order that they might be saved and Christ seen!

Ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 4:20, 21, 24

Put on...this is a deliberate effort made by one to walk in newness of life...it doesn't just 'happen', it must be volitional and deliberate on my part.

...the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain...Romans 8:22

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:22)

I thought of this verse when I read this article this AM: http://www.space.com/php/video/player.php?video_id=080627-earth-sounds
it's scary but the real deal...oh how sin troubles! how it not only troubles the soul, but the whole creation!
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35)

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Mark 13:31)

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)

how I yearn for my Redeemer to come and reign this earth before its reformation...the end of the millennium will result in a new earth AND a new heaven.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

Psalm 86:17...because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, comforted me.

Psalm 86:17
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, comforted me.

token: mark, evidence
holpen me: to surround, that is, protect or aid: - help, succour
succour = succor: noun: 1. Assistance in time of distress; relief. 2. One that affords assistance or relief
comforted me: to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself): - comfort (self), ease

I sometimes plead for some tangible evidence of God's working, care and Providence in my life. That evidence often comes by his relief in times of distress and comfort/pity/ease.
John the Baptist: Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? (Luke 7:20)
Disciples: Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:8-9)

Thank God for His comfort, pity, relief, help!
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (Philippians 2:1)

Back online...

(Job 1:21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

After the laptop was stolen while in HI in May, I was delayed and somewhat delinquent in getting back to this routine online.
The picture to the right is moments after recognizing I was broke into through the driver's side window, through the use of lock-out tools.
You can see the dimple in the window molding just above the steering wheel, which dimple is where the tool went in just above the door lock, an easy open given the design of the door lock on this Chrysler Town and Country Van. The new laptop came in the first part of June and I have needed to get back to this blessed activity.

(Psa 113:2) Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

I hope to be more consistent and thank you all for your patience.

May God grant me the grace, that energizing power and supernatural desire, to accomplish this task.

TAS

Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Ecc. 1:2

We spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psa. 90:9, 10
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. I Cor. 15:19
Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Heb. 13:14
I am the LORD, I change not. Mal. 3:6
Our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phil. 3:20, 21
The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Rom. 8:20
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb. 13:8
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Rev. 4:8

It is I; be not afraid. John 6:20

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Rev. 1:17, 18
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isa. 43:25
Woe is me! for I am undone; ... mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Isa. 6:5, 7
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Isa. 42:22
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. I John 2:1

[Ye that are the Lord's remembrancers,] keep not silence. Isa. 62:6

[Ye that are the Lord's remembrancers,] keep not silence. Isa. 62:6
Thou ... hast made us unto our God kings and priests. Rev. 5, 9, 10
The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. Num. 10:8, 9
I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. Isa. 45:19
Their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. II Chron. 30:27
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Psa. 34:15
Pray one for another: the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
Come, Lord Jesus. Rev. 22:20
Make no tarrying, O my God. Psa. 40:17
Looking for and hasting unto the Coming of the day of God. II Pet. 3:12

...see that ye be not troubled. Matt. 24:6

Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled. Matt. 24:6
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Psa. 46:1-3
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. Isa. 26:20, 21
In the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psa. 57:1
Your life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:3
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. Psa. 112:7
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Mercy and truth are met together; Psa. 85:10

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psa. 85:10
A just God and a Saviour. Isa. 45:21
The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. Isa. 42:21
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. II Cor. 5:15
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare I say at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Rom. 3:25, 26
He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isa. 53:5
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Rom. 8:33
To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly; his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom. 4:5

...your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matt. 6:31, 32

Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matt. 6:31, 32
O fear the LORD, ye his Saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do jack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Psa. 34:9, 10
No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Psa. 84:11, 12
I would have you without carefulness. I Cor. 7:32
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil. 4:6
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matt. 10:29-31
Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:40
Have faith in God. Mark 11:22

Perfecting holiness in the fear of God. II Cor. 7:1

Dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. II Cor. 7:1
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psa. 51:6
Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Titus 2:12
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect. Phil. 3:12
Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. I John 3:3
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. II Cor. 5:5
For the perfecting of the saints,

for the work of the ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature of

the fulness of Christ. Eph. 4:12, 13

Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. Gen. 28:16

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt. 18:20
Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world. Matt. 28:20
My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Exo. 33:14
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Psa. 139:7, 8
Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. Jer. 23:23, 24
Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? I Kings 8:27
Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isa. 57:15
Ye are the temple of the living God. II Cor. 6:16

Jehovah-shammah. (The Lord is there.) Ezek. 48:35

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Rev. 21:3

I saw no temple: ... for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple. The city had no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine for it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Rev. 21:22, 23

I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psa. 17:15

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Psa. 73:25

Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion. Joel 3:20, 21

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. Zech. 2:10

There shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. Rev. 22:3

Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. I John 2:5

The God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Heb. 13:20, 21
Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. I John 2:3
If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. I John 3:6, 7
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. I John 4:17

Consider how great things He hath done for you. I Sam. 12:24

Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness to humble the, and to prove the, to know what was in thine heart whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that as a man chastenth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Deut. 8:2, 5
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Psa. 119:75, 71, 67
The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Psa. 118:18
He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. He knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust. Psa. 103:10,11,14

Behold the Lamb of God. John 1:29

It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Heb. 10:4-7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isa. 53:7
Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:...manifest in these last times for you who by him do believe in God ...that your faith and hope might be in God. I Pet. 1:18-21
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom; and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Rev. 5:12

The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Rev. 19:7

Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? Song 6:10
The church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28
Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph. 5:25-27
There appeared a great wonder in heaven a woman clothed with the sun. Rev. 12:1
The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Rev. 19:7, 8
The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. Rom. 3:22
The glory which thou gavest me I have given them. John 17:22

Our Lord Jesus Christ, ... though he was rich, yet for your sakes ... became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. II Cor. 8:9

It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. Col. 1:19
The brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Heb. 1:3, 4
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation. Phil. 2:6, 7
The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Matt. 8:20
All things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come all are your's; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. I Cor. 3:21-23

The eyes of all wait upon thee. Psa. 145:15

He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. Acts 17:25
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. Psa. 145:9
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Matt. 6:26
The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom. 10:12
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psa. 121:1
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God. Psa. 123:2
The LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. Isa. 30:18
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isa. 25:9
If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Rom. 8:25

All we like sheep have gone astray. Isa. 53:6

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. I John 1:8
There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable. Rom. 3:10-12
Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. I Pet. 2:25
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. Psa. 119:176
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psa. 23:3
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:27, 28
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:4

Great is thy mercy toward me...Psa. 86:13

Great is thy mercy toward me and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. Psa. 86:13
Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt. 10:28
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isa. 43:1, 11, 25
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: for the redemption of their soul is precious. Psa. 49:6-8
I have found a ransom. Job 33:24
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. Eph. 2:4, 5
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, wherebywe must be saved. Acts 4:12

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. I Pet. 2:11

There shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand. Deut. 13:17
Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing. II Cor. 6:17
Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 23
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure. I John 3:2, 3
The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14

Lord, may I be separate and distinct, not so much by what I DON'T do, but more by what I DO...being zealous of good works towards unsaved neighbors and soccer community...help me to lead my family thus, my greatest challenge...

His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, Jer. 20:9

His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Jer. 20:9
Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. I Cor. 9:16, 18
They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them...We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts 4:18-20
The love of Christ constraineth us. II Cor. 5:14
I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth. Thou wicked and slothful servant...thou oughtest...to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Matt. 25-27
Go...to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. Mark 5:19