Moments of Meditation: Recent Episodes
Rev. Doug Minton
These are devotions broadcast on KJOE 106.1 FM in Slayton, MN. This is an outreach ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN and Rev. Doug Minton.
Prophecy:
False witnesses step forward; they ask me strange questions for which I have no answers. (Psalm 35:11 Voice)
Fulfillment:
There were plenty of people willing to get up and accuse Jesus falsely, distorting what Jesus had said or done. (Mark 14:56 Voice)
Thought:
David may not have had the answers to the questions asked by his enemies, but Jesus would choose not to address the false accusations at all. There was nothing to say against the false witness. Many times we make the mistake of saying too much. Distorting the truth for our own thoughts. Take a lesson from Jesus and learn to keep quiet. Quiet and listening for the truth. Amen.
Prophecy:
And in the face of such oppression and suffering--silence. Not a word of protest, not a finger raised to stop it. Like a sheep to a shearing, like a lamb to be slaughtered, he went--oh so quietly, oh so willingly. (Isaiah 53:7 Voice)
Fulfillment:
Then Pilate said to Him, "Do you not hear all this evidence that is brought against you?"; but He still refused to answer one word, to the Governor's great astonishment. (Matthew 27:13-14 NEB)
Thought:
Amazingly Jesus said nothing in His defense; just maybe He did so because He was taking our place of punishment. So in saying nothing, He said everything! Amen.
Prophecy:
Everyone who sees me laughs at me; they whisper to one another I'm a loser; they sneer and mock me, saying, "He relies on the Eternal; let the Eternal rescue him." (Psalm 22:7-8 Voice)
Fulfillment:
The people stood looking on, and their rulers jeered at him: "He saved others: now let him save himself, if this is God's Messiah, his Chosen." The soldiers joined in the mockery and came forward offering Him their sour wine. "If you are the King of the Jews," they said, "save yourself." (Luke 23:35-37 NEB)
Thought:
Reliance on God is no laughing matter. David would find that God would crush his taunting enemies in battle. Jesus overlooked the rude remarks and chose to save His enemies from the same death they were about to inflict upon Him. Amen.
Prophecy:
They make a game out of dividing my clothes among themselves; they cast lots for the clothes on my back. (Psalm 22:18 Voice)
Fulfillment:
[One soldier said to the others:] "Don't tear it. Let's cast lots, and the winner will take the whole thing." (John 19:24 Voice)
Thought:
In David's time, as well as in Jesus', nakedness indicated poverty and servitude. God's greatest king of Israel and His only Son both needed to experience the worst of humanity before they could unite Israel and save humanity, respectively. Amen.
Prophecy:
I am weary of howling; my throat is scratched dry. (Psalm 69:3 Voice)
Fulfillment:
Jesus knew now that His work had been accomplished, and the Hebrew Scriptures were fulfilled. He said, "It is finished." (John 19:28 Voice)
Thought:
The howling from the pain became excruciating. On the cross, Jesus howled and howled as the judgment upon sin was carried out upon Him. Jesus' thirst points towards our own thirst for righteousness. His is the righteousness we seek. The righteousness offered for the sins of the world. Amen.
Prophecy:
Even more, they gave me poison for my food and offered me only sour vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21)
Fulfillment:
A jar of sour wine had been left there, so they took a hyssop branch with a sponge soaked in the vinegar and put it to His mouth. (John 19:29)
Thought:
The thirst got to Jesus. He asked for a drink. At this point, any drink would do. As long as it was liquid, that's all that mattered. Something to quench the dreadful dryness in His mouth. Even the sour wine would be welcomed. A momentary bit of comfort to bring about eternal comfort for those who follow Him. Amen.
Prophecy:
A throng of evil ones has surrounded me like a pack of wild dogs; They pierced my hands and ripped a hole in my feet. (Psalm 22:16 Voice)
Fulfillment:
[Jesus said:] "Reach out and touch Me. See the punctures in My hands; reach out your hand, and put it to My side; leave behind your faithlessness, and believe." (John 20:27)
Thought:
The holy wounds of Jesus' crucifixion remain even after He rose from the dead. Many of the statues we have of Jesus show those glorified scars. These will be the only "imperfections" allowed in Heaven. The only wounds that will never be allowed to heal. Not as a sobering reminder of the price of our admission to Heaven. A glorious reminder of all God was willing to do to bring us into Heaven. Amen.
Prophecy:
Those who hate me without reason are more than the hairs of my head; they outnumber my hairs, those who accuse me falsely. How can I give back what I have not stolen? (Psalm 69:4 NEB)
Fulfillment:
[Jesus said:] "If I had not worked among them and accomplished what no other man has done, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have both seen and hated both Me and My Father. However, this text in their Law had to come true: 'They hated Me without reason.'" (John 15:24-25 NEB)
Thought:
During Jesus' lifetime, those who were supposed to know better hated Him because He fought against their system of beliefs. During the last day of His earthly life, His enemies far outnumbered His friends. He was dishonored without reason. Have you dishonored Him without reason? Turn back and repent. Amen.
Zechariah 9:9 Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout jubilantly, O daughter of Jerusalem! Look—your King is coming; He is righteous and able to save. He comes seated humbly on a donkey, on a colt, a foal of a donkey.
John 12:12-13 The next day a great multitude that had come to the Feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!
Thought: Palm Sunday was the beginning of the greatest week in human history. Jesus entered Jerusalem as the true King of Israel. The King of Israel that would die by the end of the week. But the King of Israel who would rise from the dead as the new week began. Palm Sunday was Day One. Easter is Day Eight. And Day Eight is the day that everything changes. Amen.
Isaiah 41:4 Who has performed these deeds and accomplished this purpose? Who calls each generation into being from the first on down? It is I, the Eternal One your God. I am the first. And to the very last, I am the One.
Revelation 1:11, 17-18 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the very beginning and the very end. … This is not the time for fear; I am the First and the Last, and I am the living One. I entered the realm of the dead; but see, I am alive now.
Thought: Jesus and the Father are inseparable from one another. Both are eternal. Both were there at the very beginning. Both will be there at the very end. They have “performed these deeds and accomplished this purpose.” Amen.
Psalm 41:9 Even my best friend, my confidant, who has eaten my bread will stab me in the back.
John 13:26 Jesus said, “I will dip a piece of bread in My cup and give it to the one who will betray Me.” He dipped one piece in the cup and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After this occurred, Satan entered into Judas.
Thought: “Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.” Those were Caesar's last words in Shakespeare's play. Caesar was absolutely surprised by the betrayal. Jesus knew it was coming. He had given David the prophecy a millennium beforehand. And Jesus didn't make it not happen. Jesus wanted it to happen because the chief priests and scribes had already determined not to arrest Jesus during the Feast. But Jesus was to die as the true Passover Lamb. Amen.
Zechariah 13:7 Sword, begin to stir; be ready to strike My shepherd, to strike the man at My side. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will scatter. I'll turn My hand against the little ones.
Mark 14:50 When they saw the armed crowd take Jesus into custody, the disciples fled.
Thought: God struck Jesus the Shepherd and the disciple sheep were scattered. Everyone fled from Gethsemane because they were afraid of being arrested with Jesus. Even loud-mouthed Simon Peter, who had boasted that he would even die with Jesus rather than forsake Him, ran scared from the soldiers. But Jesus had to be left alone, forsaken by all, in order to pay for our sins alone. Amen.
Zechariah 11:13 “Give My deserved portion of your fee to the potter,” the LORD said. And I did as He told me. I took the thirty shekels of silver—the noble price of my valuable service—and gave them to the potter in the Eternal One's temple.
Matthew 27:4-7 Judas said, “I can't keep this money! I've sinned! I've betrayed an innocent man! His blood will be on my hands.” The chief priests and elders replied, “We're through with you, friend. The state of your soul is really none of our affair.” Judas threw down the money in the Temple, went off, and hanged himself. The chief priests looked at the silver coins and picked them up. “You know, according to the Law, we can't put blood money in the Temple treasury.” After some deliberation, they took the money and bought a plot of land called Potter's Field.
Thought: Judas had a problem with the thirty pieces of silver that were burning a hole in his pocket and in his soul. When he offers to return the money seeking forgiveness, the chief priests and elders want nothing to do with him. Judas, in unforgiven remorse, goes out and hangs himself because he cannot find forgiveness. Had he only waited three more days! He could have been forgiven just like Peter. But Judas cannot wait. He feels that he must take matters into his own hand.
Don't be like Judas. Don't take things into your own hands. Leave them in Jesus' nail-pierced hands. Amen.
Zechariah 11:12 If you think it is right, give me what I have earned. If you don't, then keep it for yourselves. They took thirty pieces of silver, the price set as my wages, the price of a slave.
Matthew 26:14-15 At that, one of the Twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. “What will you give me to turn Him over to you?” They offered him thirty pieces of silver.
Thought: “Every man has his price.” That was the tagline given to Ted DiBiase's “Million Dollar Man” gimmick in the World Wrestling Federation. And how true that statement is.
The love of money can cause us to betray even our best friend. The exiles paid Zechariah the same amount to dissolve their covenant with God as the Jewish leaders paid Judas to abandon his loyalties to Jesus. The love of money is the root of all sorts of evils.
What's your price? Not thirty pieces of silver, but the holy, precious, innocent suffering and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Perfect God and perfect Man given for you. Amen.
Isaiah 50:5-6 The LORD, the Eternal, has helped me to listen, and I do as He says. I have not been rebellious or run away from God's work. But it's been hard. I offered My back to those who whipped me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not turn away from humiliation and spitting.
Matthew 27:26-30 So Pilate released Barabbas, and he had Jesus flogged and handed over to be crucified. … They spat on Him and whipped Him on the head with His scepter of reeds.
Thought: Jesus allowed Himself to be scourged. He followed His own teaching, “When someone slaps your right cheek, turn and let that person slap your other cheek” (Matthew 5:39 CEV). He allowed Himself to be humiliated before the Roman soldiers to take away your humiliation before God. Through Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection, you may enter the pearly gates of Heaven with your head held high because Jesus has invited you into His midst. Amen.
Isaiah 52:14 Just as people used to be shocked by you, even so his appearance was disfigured; His form—once glorious—was marred until it hardly seemed human.
Mark 15:16-19 The rest of the soldiers in the detachment gathered there, hundreds of them. … For a long while they beat Him on the head with the reed.
Thought: Many soldiers beat Jesus on the head and face with what equates to a police officer's nightstick. Such a beating would have inflicted many wounds and would have caused Jesus to be almost unrecognizable and horribly disfigured.
Jesus took on your soul's disfigurement onto Himself in a very physical way. God made Him who knew no sin to become sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus was beaten until He was basically unrecognizable as Himself because He had become your sin. With your sin now crucified in Him, you may rejoice that your Redeemer lives. Amen.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Luke 1:26-31 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Luke 2:4-7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Isaiah 11:2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
Luke 4:18-21 "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 favor." And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Matthew 11:4-6 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
Matthew 17:5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
Isaiah 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
John 10:2-4 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. (1 Timothy 5:17)
Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. (1 Timothy 5:20)
I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. (1 Timothy 5:21)
Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. (1 Timothy 5:23)
The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden. (1 Timothy 5:24-25)
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. (1 Timothy 5:3-5)
Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and become worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)
As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. (1 Timothy 5:11-12)
Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. (1 Timothy 5:13)
If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. (1 Timothy 5:16)
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God. (1 Timothy 4:9-10)
We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:10)
Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13)
Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourselves and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Timothy 4:1)
They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3)
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:2)
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received in thanksgiving. (1 Timothy 4:4)
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. (1 Timothy 4:6)
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4:7)
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)
Deacons likewise must be ... not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (1 Timothy 3:8)
For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household. (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
You will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
He should manage his own family well and have his children obey him as he treats them very seriously. If anyone doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church? (1 Timothy 3:4-5)
He should not be a recent convert, or he may feel proud and so be condemned with the devil. (1 Timothy 3:6)
The people outside the Church must speak well of him, or he may fall into disgrace and the devil's snare. (1 Timothy 3:7)
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone set his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. (1 Timothy 3:1)
But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. (1 Timothy 2:15)
But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. (1 Timothy 2:15)
For Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. (1 Timothy 2:14)
But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. (1 Timothy 2:15)
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5)
[Christ Jesus] gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:6)
For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle-- I am telling the truth; I am not lying-- a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Timothy 2:7)
For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle-- I am telling the truth; I am not lying-- a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Timothy 2:7)
Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire (1 Timothy 2:9)
I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. (1 Timothy 2:8)
Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire (1 Timothy 2:9)
but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works. (1 Timothy 2:10)
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. (1 Timothy 1:16)
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15)
Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life Thou givest--to both great and small-- In all life Thou livest, the true Life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree And wither and perish--but naught changes Thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight; All laud we would render: O help us to see 'Tis only the splendor of light that hides Thee.
Text: "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" by W. Chalmers Smith, 1824-1910 (altered)
By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:19-20)
First of all, therefore, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people. (1 Timothy 2:1)
For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (1 Timothy 2:2)
[Jesus said:] "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:6)
A reading from St. Paul's epistle to Philemon, verses 8-20: Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus-- I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother--especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it--to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
The Tenth Commandment You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor's wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth has cursed both God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned and is dead." As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead." When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth's vineyard. (1 Kings 21:11-16)
Keep your lives from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean. (Matthew 15:19-20)
After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, "From what city are you?" And when he said, "Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel," Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you." Then Absalom would say, "Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice." And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. (2 Samuel 15:1-6)
Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" But Jesus remained silent. (Matthew 26:59-61)
Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Ephesians 4:25)
Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:7)
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. (Matthew 18:15)
Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." (Luke 19:8)
Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." (Joshua 7:20-21)
[Judas] said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. (John 12:6)
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
If anyone has material possession and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1 John 3:17)
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." (Genesis 2:18)
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25)
[Jesus said:] "Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." (Matthew 19:9)
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator. (Romans 1:24-25)
To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain sing as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:8-9)
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. (Hebrews 13:4)
[God said:] "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image." (Genesis 9:6)
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. (Jeremiah 1:5)
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8)
[Jesus said:] "I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." (Matthew 5:22)
Then [Jesus] said to His disciples, "Therefore I tell you do, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ... Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Luke 12:22-25)
Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1)
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. (Proverbs 23:22)
One who is taught the Word must share all good things with the one who teaches. (Galatians 6:6)
[Jesus said:] "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21)
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy! (Psalm 137:5-6)
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work ... For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11)
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47)
While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks. ... And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the LORD commanded Moses. (Numbers 15:32-36)
And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. (Acts 20:9)
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. (Romans 14:5)
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." Then He said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14)
[An angel of the Lord said to Joseph:] "She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)
With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:9-10)
[Jesus said:] "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. (Acts 23:12)
There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a wizard or a necromancer, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is deiving them out before you. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
[Jesus said:] "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (Exodus 20:4)
Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware let you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves. (Deuteronomy 4:15-16)
[Aaron said:] "I said to them, 'Let any who have gold take it off.' So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf." (Exodus 32:24)
Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD. (1 Samuel 5:2-3)
Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, "Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand." (Judges 16:23)
So [Jeroboam] took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, "You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt." (1 Kings 12:28)
To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with Him? An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. (Isaiah 40:18-20)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
[Jesus said:] "And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).
"I am the LORD; that is My name; My glory I give to no other, nor My praise to carved idols" (Isaiah 42:8).
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims His handiwork (Psalm 19:1).
For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God (Hebrews 3:4).
[Jesus said:] "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Matthew 6:24).
[Rehoboam] spoke to [the people of Israel] according to the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions." (1 Kings 12:14)
Nevertheless, for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem, because David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. (1 Kings 15:4-5)
And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as David his father had done. (1 Kings 15:11)
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Inquire first for the word of the LORD." (2 Chronicles 18:4)
[Azariah said to Asa:] "The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." (2 Chronicles 15:2)
[Jehoshaphat] gave [his sons] great gifts of silver, gold and valuable possessions ... but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn. When Jehoram had ascended the throne ... he killed all his brothers with the sword. (2 Chronicles 21:3-4)
Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." (1 Kings 1:5)
[Solomon prayed to God:] "Give Your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?" (1 Kings 3:9)
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD. (1 Kings 6:1)
And the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other." (1 Kings 3:25)
Now when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. (1 Kings 10:1)
[Solomon] had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. (1 Kings 11:3)
The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul? ... I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." (1 Samuel 16:1)
One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him." (1 Samuel 16:18)
[David said:] "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." (1 Samuel 24:6)
And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. (1 Samuel 20:17)
For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. (1 Samuel 17:16)
One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. (2 Samuel 11:2)
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6:16)
A messenger came and told David, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom." (2 Samuel 15:13)
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, "Behold, you are old and your sons don't walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations." (1 Samuel 8:4-5)
[Samuel said:] "But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to Him, 'Set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD." (1 Samuel 10:19)
[Saul] waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. (1 Samuel 13:8)
And Samuel said to [Saul], "I will not return with you. For you have rejected the Word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel." (1 Samuel 15:26)
Then a harmful spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. ... And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear. (1 Samuel 19:9-10)
Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a medium at Endor." (1 Samuel 28:7)
Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me." But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Then Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. (1 Samuel 31:4)
Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: "If You give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." (Judges 11:30-31)
But Gideon told them, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you." (Judges 8:23)
[Gideon said:] "Look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor." (Judges 6:37)
"But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? ... The LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." (Judges 6:13)
Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. (Judges 4:4)
Sisera, however, fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there were friendly relations between Jabin king of Hazor and the clan of Heber the Kenite. (Judges 4:17)
Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. ... But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. (Judges 2:18-19)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O YHWH, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
[Jesus said:] "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (1 John 3:1)
[Jesus said:] "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel." (Mark 1:15)
[Jesus said:] "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the Last Day." (John 6:40)
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16)
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)
[Jesus said:] "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38)
YHWH will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8)
[Jesus said:] "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd." (John 10:16)
Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
[You are] built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20)
[Jesus said:] "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
In [Christ] we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. (Job 19:25-27)
[Jesus said:] "This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." (John 17:3)
It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest Him by stealth and kill Him, for they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people." (Mark 14:1-2)
[Jesus said:] "She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the Gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (Mark 14:8-9)
And [Jesus] said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will." (Mark 14:36)
[Jesus said:] "And wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?'" (Mark 14:14)
And Jesus said to them, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture Me? Day after day I was with you in the Temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled." (Mark 14:48-49)
And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. (Mark 15:33)
And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34)
And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that in this way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39)
For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11)
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:5-6)
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. (Psalm 51:13)
But how are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:14)
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5)
And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. (1 Peter 3:18-20)
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
[Jesus said:] "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." (Matthew 25:31-32)
But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:5-6)
[The angel said:] "She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
[The angel Gabriel said:] "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)
To [the Israelites] belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 9:5)
And those who passed by derided Him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross." (Matthew 27:39-40)
And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. (Matthew 27:59-60)
And [Gabriel] said to [Mary], "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." (Luke 1:35)
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room at the inn. (Luke 2:7)
Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment. (2 Peter 2:4)
They deliberately forget that long ago by God's Word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. (2 Peter 3:5-6)
[Jesus said:] "I am returning to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." (John 20:17)
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3)
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16)
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. (Hebrews 1:3)
"For I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:5-6)
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. (Proverbs 19:5)
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. (Hebrews 13:4)
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. (Psalm 37:21)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." (Ephesians 6:1-3)
"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." (Genesis 9:6)
"Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwelling places. (Leviticus 23:3)
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." (Exodus 20:7)
"I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols." (Isaiah 42:8)
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God ... thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
[Jesus] did not count equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:6-7)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, (Romans 12:2)
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life ... and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)
The earth is YHWH's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1)
We were buried therefore with Him by Baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of God the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. (Matthew 4:1)
The Devil went down to Georgia. He was lookin’ for a soul to steal. He was in a bind ‘cause he was way behind, and he was willin’ to make a deal.
[Jesus said:] "For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20)
We’re a team ... me and God.
[Jesus said:] "No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." (Matthew 11:27)
[The serpent] said to the woman, "Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?" (Genesis 3:1)
The engineer’s said to be "makin’ you wonder if the ride is worth the pain ... waiting on your heart to say, ‘Let me ride on that Long Black Train.’"
But who can endure the day of His coming, And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap. (Malachi 3:2)
Life is not tried, it is merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire.
And [the thief] said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And He said, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:42-43)
You better let somebody love you before it's too late.
He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days or end of life. (Hebrews 7:3)
Nobody seemed to know where John called home. He just drifted into town and stayed all alone.
And when they had mocked Him ... They led Him away to crucify Him. ... Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. (Matthew 27:31-38)
There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway, Why there’s not four of them, Heaven only knows. I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you, It’s what you leave behind you when you go.
Now [Elkanah] used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh.
(1 Samuel 1:3)
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. (Genesis 21:33)
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless..." (Genesis 17:1)
But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue." (Exodus 4:10)
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) (Genesis 14:18)
God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations." (Exodus 3:15)
The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands (Revelation 9:20)
"We're on our own now. No more Aslan, no more Kings, no more silly stories about other worlds. The Dwarfs are for the Dwarfs" (The Last Battle 83).
But [Thomas] said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails ... I will never believe." (John 20:25)
"The thorn was a foot long and sharp as a rapier" (The Silver Chair 238).
I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. (1 Corinthians 3:2)
Aslan reveals to Lucy and Edmund that he is known in our world: "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there" (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 247).
Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." (John 20:27)
"Now, Bree," [Aslan] said, "you poor, proud, frightened Horse draw near. Nearest still, my son. Do not dare not to dare. Touch me. Smell me. Here are my paws, here is my tail, these are my whiskers. I am true Beast" (The Horse and His Boy 201).
[Jesus said:] "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
"Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good" (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 80).
For I wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. (Romans 9:3)
Aslan asked, "Why have your followers all drawn their swords may I ask?" (Prince Caspian 209).
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. (Romans 8:7)
Aslan replies, "He thinks great folly, child ... he has made himself unable to hear my voice. ... Oh Adam's sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good" (The Magician's Nephew 185).
But they urged Him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. (Luke 24:29)
"Hold Thou Thy Cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies. Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me."
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
"O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed; Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art!"
Amazing grace--how sweet the sound-- that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see! (LSB #744.1)
"Fear not, for I am with you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but [Jesus] was asleep. (Matthew 8:24)
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, in whom I take refuge, (Psalm 18:2)
And the four living creatures ... never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8)
And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)
"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into Heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into Heaven." (Acts 1:11)
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. (1 Corinthians 11:54-56)
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. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.... What you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel ... But God gives it a body as He has chosen. (1 Corinthians 15:36-38)
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. (1 Corinthians 15:25)
[Jesus] appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all ... he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:17-19)
But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:5-6)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. (1 Peter 3:18-20)
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. (Matthew 28:1)
The chief priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while He was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples go and steal Him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead'..." (Matthew 27:62-64)
And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. (Matthew 27:59-60)
And those who passed by derided Him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross." (Matthew 27:39-40)
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51a)
And [the soldiers] stripped [Jesus] and put a scarlet robe on Him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (Matthew 27:28-29)
The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" And they said, "Barabbas." (Matthew 27:21)
And throwing down the pieces of silver into the Temple, [Judas] departed, and he went out and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:5)
When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. And they bound Him and led Him away and delivered Him over to Pilate the governor. (Matthew 27:1-2)
And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75)
And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do you answer nothing? What is it these men testify against you?" (Matthew 26:62)
Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." (Matthew 26:48)
[Jesus said:] "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:13)
"Seeing the crowds, [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him." (Matthew 5:1)
"The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned" (Matthew 4:16; Isaiah 9:2)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:1-2)
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, (1 Timothy 1:8-9)
I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord. (1 Timothy 1:12) DEVOTION TEXT
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (1 Timothy 1:1-2)
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3)
Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote specualtions rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. (1 Timothy 1:4)
Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote specualtions rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. (1 Timothy 1:4)
I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service. (1 Timothy 1:12)
And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:14)
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9)
In that same hour [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will." (Luke 10:21)
[Jesus said:] "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26)
But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. (Micah 3:8)
We know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. (1 Corinthians 8:1-2)
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. (Isaiah 11:2)
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:6-7)