Turn to the Lord

Zephaniah 2:1-3 

1 Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation,

2 before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you.

3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

Your God is here!

Isaiah 40:9-11 

9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Laws of Prosperity

Meditation:

Joshua 1:8 

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalms 1:2-3 

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Faith

2 Chronicles 20:20 

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”

Nehemiah 2:20 

I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

Bible Verses about Being an Encourager - 2

1 Peter 5:6-7 

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 4:12 

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

1 Peter 4:5 

But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 2:11 

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

1 Peter 1:13 

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Hebrews 13:7 

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.

Hebrews 11:32-40 

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 

33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 

34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 

35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 

36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 

37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 

38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 

40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Jesus and Fasting

He was not legalistic in regard to fasts but probably kept the main Jewish fasts.

Matthew 4:2 

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

He fasted forty and forty nights just prior to the great temptations:

Matthew 4:2 

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

He warned against the abuse of fasting:

Matthew 6:16 

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full.

He taught that His disciples would fast after His departure:

Mark 2:20 

But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

He gave some instructions regarding proper fasting:

Matthew 6:17-18 

17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 

18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

He associated prayer with fasting:

Mark 9:29 

He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Psalm 19:1-2

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

God's voice is always speaking. His witnesses give testimony to his glory, majesty, and creative grace. The universe shouts with joy that behind its intricate beauty and paralyzing powers is the One who gave it life, purpose, and intention.

Let the Beauty of Jesus be seen in me

Ephesians 5:1-2 

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 

2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Matthew 5:16 

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Philippians 3:20 

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Philippians 2:15 

so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

1 Corinthians 10:31 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Fear 

Deuteronomy 20:3  

He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them.

 Deuteronomy 21:21  

Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.

Deuteronomy 28:58  

If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God—

Quotes

~ ‘Ego’ is the only requirement to destroy any relationship. Be a bigger person, skip the ‘E’ & let it ‘Go’.

~ As long as we do not forgive people who have hurt us, they occupy a ‘rent-free space’ in our mind.

~ God always likes to know again & again what u want. It is not that He forgets your dreams & prayers, but He loves to check your passion towards ur desire.

~ I asked God: if everything is already written in destiny, then why should I pray? God smiled & said: I have also written ‘Conditions apply’

Small Prayers - 9

Repeat these Prayers.

Holy Father, you are wonderful and generous beyond description. You have shown your love by sending your Son to be my Shepherd. Help me hear his voice through your Word. Help me hear his voice through the wise counsel of spiritual friends. Help me hear his voice through the words sung to be by my brothers and sisters when we are assembled. Help me hear his voice in the Holy Spirit's work on my conscience. Father, I want to follow your Son as my Shepherd and Lord because I know he, like you, is good! In the name of my Shepherd and Lord I pray. Amen.

Almighty God, I confess that sometimes I play life too carefully, not risking failure and loss and not reaching for your opportunities and your concerns. Give me a heart that yearns to live life in all its fullness by seeking after your will, Jesus' example and the Holy Spirit's leading in my decisions today, and always. Through the name of Jesus I ask this to your glory. Amen.

Holy God who lives in glorious and irrepressible light, I praise you for sending Jesus to cast away the dark fears that so easily envelop me. I pray for strength and courage to not only live in the light, but show others their way to the light. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The LORD’s Promise to His People

From the Book of Zephaniah

The LORD’s Promise to His People:

Zephaniah 2:1-3 

1 Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation,

2 before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you.

3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

From the Book of Ezekiel

The Words of the LORD Will Come True

Ezekiel 12:21-27 

21 The word of the LORD came to me: 

22 “Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’? 

23 Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. 

24 For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel. 

25 But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious house, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”

26 The word of the LORD came to me: 

27 “Son of man, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’

From the Book of Galatians

A Prayer of Thanks

Colossians 1:3-8

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 

4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 

5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 

6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. 

7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Faithful God in accomplishing His purposes

Psalms 138:7-8 

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Romans 8:18 

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:28 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Job 23:10 

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

1 Peter 1:6-7 

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 

7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Psalms 112:4 

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man

God the Son - 4

The desire of all nations 

Haggai 2:7 

I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.

The man that is My fellow

Zechariah 13:7 

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the LORD Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Refiner and purifier

Malachi 3:3 

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,

Sun of righteousness

Malachi 4:2 

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

Jesus Christ

The Son of Abraham

Matthew 1:1 

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

The Son of David

Matthew 1:1 

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Matthew 9:27 

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Christ

Matthew 1:1 

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Matthew 2:4 

When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.

The Power of Prayer - 7

Acts 12:12 

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Genesis 18:27 

Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes,

Psalms 41:1-4 

1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.

2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.

4 I said, “O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

James 1:5-7 

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 

6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 

7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

Acts 17:11 

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

1 John 5:15 

And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 Corinthians 1:4 

I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:19-22 

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 

20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Fasting in Scripture - 1

Biblical references to fasting in Scripture, whether full or partial are given in order:

Gen 24:33

Abraham’s servant seeking a bride for Isaac

Ex 34:28

Moses’ first period of forty days on Sinai

Lev 16:29,31

On the Day of Atonement

Lev 23:14

Until the sheaf of the wave offering was offered

Lev 23:27,32

Num 6:3-4

The law of the Nazarite

Num 29:7

On the Day of Atonement

Deut 9:9, 18

Moses’ two periods of forty days on Sinai

Judg 20:26

By Israel after their defeat by Benjamin

1 Sam 1:7-8

Hannah’s prayer for a child

1 Sam 7:6

At Mizaph under Samuel

1 Sam 14:24-30

Saul’s curse uttered in battle

1 Sam 20:34

Jonathan grieved at Saul’s hatred of David

1 Sam 30:11-12

Egyptian servant David found in the field

The Poor in Spirit

The Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Those who are poor in spirit know that they have not achieved moral excellence

Those who are poor in spirit recognize their need for salvation

Those who are poor in spirit cast themselves upon God’s compassion.

Triumph through Songs in the Night

Job 35:10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

Songs serve as a release from sorrow

Songs help us to visualize things as they ought to be

Songs help us to endure until the morning comes

The Confessions of Job

Job 42:1 Then Job replied to the LORD:

I know that God can do all things

I have talked too much for my own good

I abhor myself for my lack of faith

Eternal Security with God

Matthew 6:28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Eternal security is based on:

The acceptance of Christ as our Savior

The belief that good will triumph over evil

The assurance that God will keep his word

Psalm 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

God is the God of all comfort (see 2 Cor. 1). Even when he deals harshly with our sin and rebellion, it is for our good. It will last only a short while and then it gives way to rejoicing. If you are in a time of discipline or facing the cruel consequences of sin, please don't give up. Morning will come, and on that dawn will come God's grace. It's more than worth the wait!

Small Prayers - 8

Repeat these Prayers.

El Shaddai, who thundered from Mount Sinai and gave your Law to your servant Moses, I believe you are still speaking today through Jesus. Help me not only hear his voice, but listen to his message and life and put it into practice today. Gently correct and lead me in the way of obedience so that I may more perfectly glorify you with the worship of my daily life. Through the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Precious Lord, I want to obey your word, your will, and your example. I want to obey you to honor you, to love you, and to know you. So please, help me better come to know you as I more closely walk in your steps. Help me to know what it means to live your life in my world. Because of Jesus' mighty name I pray and thank him as my Lord. Amen.

Holy God and Righteous Father, give me a passion for Jesus and a heart that knows him in word, deed, and concern. In the name of Jesus, your mighty Word, I pray. Amen.

Almighty and Everlasting Father, I believe that because you have adopted me into your family, that death will never claim me. Help me live with new vigor and confidence knowing that Satan cannot have me and death cannot claim me because I am yours through Jesus, your Son and my Lord, risen from the dead. In the name of my precious Redeemer I pray. Amen.

“Old” Things in Scripture - 6

Commandment

1 John 2:7  

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.

Serpent

Revelation 12:9  

The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 20:2  

He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

The old man - Satan

Ephesians 4:22  

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Colossians 3:9  

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

2 Corinthians 5:17  

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Humility is not our culture's most valued asset or most desired character quality. But, humility is what is demanded — not so much because it's commanded (though that would be enough), but because we've "earned" our need of it. Every year brings another wave of major failures in morality, character, and spirituality. 

Even on our best days, we all fall short of God's holiness. Rather than progressing culturally, we find ourselves slipping. Our need to approach God with humility is "earned"! So let's be humble and call upon the Lord, throwing off our sin and seeking after him!

Facts about Holy Spirit - 5

He will impart power to men:

Luke 24:49 

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Acts 1:4-8

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 

5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Dwells only in believers:

Romans 8:9  

He will reprove the world:

John 16:7-11

7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 

8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 

9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 

10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 

11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Dwells only in believers:

Romans 8:9 

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
He will teach all things:

John 14:26 

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.

I said a Prayer for you

I said a Prayer for you

I said a prayer for you today

And know God must have heard;

I felt the answer in my heart

Although He spoke no Word.

I didn’t ask for wealth or fame,

I knew you wouldn’t mind,

I asked Him to send treasures

Of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He’d be near you

At the start of each new day

To grant you health and blessings

And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you

In all things great and small 

But it was for His loving care

I prayed for most of all.

Daily Thoughts

- To be round, you must admit you are lost.

- Following Christ has two requirements: Believing, and acting like you do.

- Spending time with God puts everything else in perspective.

- Leave final justice in the hands of just God.

- To become whole, yield to the Holy Spirit.

- Open your Bible prayerfully, read it carefully, and obey it joyfully.

- When Satan strikes, strike back with the Word of God.

- Keep your eyes on the Lord and you won’t lose sight of life’s purpose.

Every servant of God

Every servant of God is called to serve:

Luke 10:36 

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Matthew 20:27-28 

27 nd whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:14 

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

Galatians 6:2 

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:10 

therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Psalm 119:30

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Jesus reminded us to "pick up your cross daily and follow" him. The way of truth is a daily choice. To not seek to intentionally put him at the center of our life, the top priority in all of our decisions, is to slip a little bit further away from the life he calls us to lead. Any decision made without consciously seeking to please him is a decision to place him at the periphery of our lives. So let's set our heart on him. Let's choose his way, the way of truth, the way of life, and set our hearts on doing his will.

Ingratitude to God - 4

Exemplified

Israel 

Deuteronomy 32:18 

You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.
Saul

1 Samuel 15:17-19 

17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 

18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.’ 

19 Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?”

David 

2 Samuel 12:7-9 

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 

8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 

9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

Nebuchadnezzar 

Daniel 5:18-21 

18 “O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 

19 Because of the high position he gave him, all the peoples and nations and men of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. 

20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 

21 He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like cattle; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes.

Lepers

Luke 17:17-18 

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 

18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Good Things - 1

Psalms 100:5 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Creation 

Genesis 1:4 

God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:10 

God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:12 

The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Gen 1:18-31

Genesis 1:18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 

19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” 

21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 

22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 

23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 

25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Old and New Covenant Contrasts

Fulfilled

Matthew 5:17-18

17 “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. 

18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Now in force

Hebrews 8:6 

But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.

Hebrews 10:9 

Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second.

Demands righteousness

Luke 10:28 

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

Give righteousness

John 1:17 

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Makes imperfect

Hebrews 7:19  

(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Thought on this verse:

It is easy for us to live victoriously for the Lord when we soar on the wings of eagles. It can be exciting when we run and don't grow weary in the work of the Lord, buoyed by his power and presence. But it often takes heroes to keep walking and not faint when trying times come. Keep on walking brother and sister. The Lord is there when you most fear he has forgotten you!

Facts about Holy Spirit - 4

Strengthens inner man:

Ephesians 3:16 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Gives life:

2 Corinthians 3:6 

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

He is received by faith, and not by works:

Galatians 2:1-5 

1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 

2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. 

3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 

4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 

5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

Galatians 2:14 

When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

Is the source of hope:

Galatians 5:5 

But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
Imparts character of God:

Galatians 5:22 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
He will reprove the world:

John 16:7-11 

7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 

8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 

9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 

10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 

11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

The book of PROVERBS

What we can learn from the book of Proverbs in its 31 chapters?

1

How Proverbs can be used and Wisdom speaks

2

Wisdom and bad friends and wisdom and sexual purity

3

Trust God and the value of wisdom

4

Advice to young people and the right way the wrong way

5

Be faithful to your wife

6

Don’t be foolish

7

The foolishness of unfaithfulness

8

In praise of wisdom and wisdom speaks

9

Wisdom gives a feast and a foolish invitation

10

Solomon’s wise sayings

11

Watch what you say and do

12

You can‘t hide behind evil

13

Wise friends make you wise

14

Wisdom makes good sense

15

The LORD sees everything

16

The LORD has the final Word

17

Our thoughts are tested by the LORD

18

Wrong to favor the guilty

19

It’s wise to be patient

20

Words of wisdom are better than gold

21

The LORD is in charge

22

The value of a good reputation

Thirty wise sayings

23

Thirty wise sayings continues from - chapter 22

24

Thirty wise sayings continues from chapters 22 and 23

More sayings that make good sense

25

More of Solomon’s wise sayings

26

Don’t be fool

27

Don’t brag about tomorrow

28

The law of God makes sense

29

Use good sense

30

The sayings of Agur

31

What king Lemuel’s mother taught him
In praise of a good wife