Forgiveness for the Sinner ( II Corinthians 2:5-11) NLT

5    I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 

6    Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 

7    Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 

8    So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

9    I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions.
10  When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,
11  so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

God Gives Comfort to All (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) NLT

3  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
4  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
5  For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
6  Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.
7  We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Children of God (I John 2:28--29)NIV

28  And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.
29  If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of Him.

Dealing With False Teachers (2 Timothy 2:14-26) TNIV

14  Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
15  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 
16  Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
17  Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18  who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 
19  Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
20  In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for disposal of refuse. 
21  Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22  Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 
23  Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
24  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 
25  Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 
26  and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1-13)NLT

1    Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 

2    You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

3    Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4    Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
5    And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
6    And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
7    Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
8    Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.
9    And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.
10  So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
11  This is a trustworthy saying:  If we die with him, we will also live with him.

12  If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.  If we deny him, he will deny us.
13  If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

Believers Should Stand Firm (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17) NLT

13  As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 

14  He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15  With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
16  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,
17  comfort(encourage your heart) you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

Warning Against False Doctrines I Timothy 1:4-11 (NLT)

4    Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

5    The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
6    But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.
7    They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
8    We know that the law is good when used correctly.
9    For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders.
10   The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching
11  that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

Put On the Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) NLT

10  A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 

12  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
15  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
16  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19  And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.
20  I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Be Imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1-20)NLT

1    Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 

2    Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3    Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
4    Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
5    You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6    Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
7    Don’t participate in the things these people do.
8    For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
9    For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10  Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
11  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
12  It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.
13  But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,
14  for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

15  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 

16  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 

17  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 

18  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 

19  singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 

20  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Living As Children of Light (Ephesians 4:17-32)NLT

17  With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.

18  Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 

19  They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

20  But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 

21  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 

22  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 

23  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 

24  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

25  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 

26  And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 

27  for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

28  If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 

29  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30  And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 

32  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God (Psalms 34) NKJ

1    I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2    My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3    Oh, magnify the Lord with me,  And let us exalt His name together.

4    I sought the Lord, and He heard me,  And delivered me from all my fears.
5    They looked to Him and were radiant,  And their faces were not ashamed.
6    This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,  And saved him out of all his troubles.
7    The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,  And delivers them.

8    Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;  Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9    Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!  There is no want to those who fear Him.
10  The young lions lack and suffer hunger;  But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

11  Come, you children, listen to me;  I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12  Who is the man who desires life,  And loves many days, that he may see good?
13  Keep your tongue from evil,  And your lips from speaking deceit.
14  Depart from evil and do good;  Seek peace and pursue it.

15  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,  And His ears are open to their cry.
16  The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,  To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,  And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18  The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,  And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous,  But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20  He guards all his bones;  Not one of them is broken.
21  Evil shall slay the wicked,  And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22  The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,  And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

One in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22) NIV

11  Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) —
12  remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14  For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15  by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
16  and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 
18  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19  Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 
20  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 
21  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

Now Is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2) NIV

1  As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 

2  For he says,  “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”  I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Lawsuits Among Believers and Sexual Immorality (I Corinthians 6) NIV

Lawsuits Among Believers

1    If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 

2    Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 

3    Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 

4    Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 

5    I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 

6    But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

7    The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
8    Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 
9    Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 
10  nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.


Sexual Immorality

12  “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
13  You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
14  By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 
15  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
16  Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 
17  But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18  Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 
19  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 
20  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 

The Wisdom of God (I Corinthian 1:18-31) NLT

18  The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 

19  As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

20  So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 

21  Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 

22  It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 

23  So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

24  But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25  This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
26  Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.
27  Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
28  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
29  As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30  God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. ³¹ Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ (Romans 5:12-21) NLT

12  When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 

13  Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 

14  Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 

15  But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 

16  And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 

17  For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

18  Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
19  Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20  God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
21  So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Warnings against False Teaching (I Timothy 1:3-11) GNT

3    When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 

4    Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

5    The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
6    But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.
7    They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
8    We know that the law is good when used correctly.
9    For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders.
10  The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching
11  that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14) NIV

3    Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
4    For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 
5    he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
6    to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 
7    In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
8    that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
9    he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
10  to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment —to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11  In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
12  in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 
13  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 
14  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 

Now Is the Time for God's Favor (II Corinthians 5:16-21 and 6:1-2) NLT

II Corinthians 5:16-21 
16  So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!
17  This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
18  And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
19  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
20  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
21  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
II Corinthians 6:1-2

1    As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 

2    For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you.  On the day of salvation, I helped you.”  Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Footnotes:

1. 2 Corinthians 6:1 Or As we work together.
2. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isa 49:8 (Greek version).

Search Me God and Know My Heart (Prayer))

Taken from:  I am a Woman of God website

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Creator, You created us.. And we are fearfully and wonderfully made.. Your hands bound us together in our mothers womb.. You created these bodies, these minds, and spirits, you know our every thought, our every word, every action.. So who are we to even pretend that you don’t know us.. How dare we try think our sin will be hidden, for you know ALL and see ALL things.. But most of all you Love your creation.. You bring your light into our darkness and allow us the opportunity to come into Your Marvelous light.. Because you love us nothing can separate us from that love, but sin will separate us from you.. When we allow sin in, we become a slave to the devil.. I pray that we draw near to you and remain in you and abide by your ways, Seek after your wisdom and knowledge, Study to show ourselves approved.. Lord I pray that you help us to understand and become more like you.. I pray that we learn to humble ourselves and turn from our wicked way so that when you speak we will have spiritual ears to hear.. Speak to us Lord.. Teach us Father to be sensitive to your Spirit that we may be obedient to the Living Word of God.. Teach us what yielding truly is so that we can give all of ourselves to You.. Letting go of the sinful man, standing in VICTORY as we put on the NEW MAN continuously walking in that victory, and truth… For through You Jesus is the only way to the Father and I want to be in my Father’s presence.. Help us oh God to be what You created us to be,,, amen and amen ♥ ♥

Stand Firm (II Thessalonians 2:12-17) NIV

13  But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
14  He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15  So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16  May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
17  encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Don't Let Anyone Deceive You (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12) NIV

1    Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 

2    not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter —asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 

3    Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 

4    He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

5    Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 
6    And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.
7    For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
8    And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 
9    The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,
10  and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 
11  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 
12  and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 

The Coming of the Lord (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) GWT

13  Brothers and sisters, we don’t want you to be ignorant about those who have died. We don’t want you to grieve like other people who have no hope.
14  We believe that Jesus died and came back to life. We also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring back those who have died. They will come back with Jesus.
15  We are telling you what the Lord taught. We who are still alive when the Lord comes will not go into his kingdom ahead of those who have already died.
16  The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life.
17  Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord.
18  So then, comfort each other with these words!

Always be Joyful (Philippians 4:4-9 (GWT)

4  Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful!
5  Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near.
6  Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
7  Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.
8  Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.
9  Practice what you’ve learned and received from me, what you heard and saw me do. Then the God who gives this peace will be with you.

Pressing on Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:12-21) GWT

12  It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me.
13  Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and
14  I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.
15  Whoever has a mature faith should think this way. And if you think differently, God will show you how to think.
16  However, we should be guided by what we have learned so far. 
17  Brothers and sisters, imitate me, and pay attention to those who live by the example we have given you.
18  I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ.
19  In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things.
20  We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior.
21  Through his power to bring everything under his authority, he will change our humble bodies and make them like his glorified body.

Run Straight Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:1-11) GWT***

1    Now then, brothers and sisters, be joyful in the Lord. It’s no trouble for me to write the same things to you, and it’s for your safety. 

2    Beware of dogs! Beware of those who do evil things. Beware of those who insist on circumcision. 

3    We are the true circumcised people of God because we serve God’s Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don’t place any confidence in physical things, 

4    although I could have confidence in my physical qualifications. If anyone else thinks that he can trust in something physical, I can claim even more. 

5    I was circumcised on the eighth day. I’m a descendant of Israel. I’m from the tribe of Benjamin. I’m a pure-blooded Hebrew. When it comes to living up to standards, I was a Pharisee. 

6    When it comes to being enthusiastic, I was a persecutor of the church. When it comes to winning God’s approval by keeping Jewish laws, I was perfect.

7    These things that I once considered valuable, I now consider worthless for Christ.
8    It’s far more than that! I consider everything else worthless because I’m much better off knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It’s because of him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ
9    and to have a relationship with him. This means that I didn’t receive God’s approval by obeying his laws. The opposite is true! I have God’s approval through faith in Christ. This is the approval that comes from God and is based on faith
10  that knows Christ. Faith knows the power that his coming back to life gives and what it means to share his suffering. In this way I’m becoming like him in his death,
11  with the confidence that I’ll come back to life from the dead.


***God's Word Translation

Do Everything Without Grumbling (Philippians 2:12-18) TNIV****

12  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 
13  for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14  Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15  so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
16  as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 
17  But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 
18  So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.


****Today's New International Version

Imitating Christ's Humility (Philippians 2:1-11) NIV

1    Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 

2    then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 

3    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 

4    not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5    In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6    Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7    rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8    And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death —
even death on a cross!

9    Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11  and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

Faith (Hebrews 11:1-12) NIV

1    Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

2    This is what the ancients were commended for.

3    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.
4    By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5    By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
6    And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7    By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
8    By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
9    By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 
10  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 
11  And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.
12  And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 

Future Glory (Romans 8:18-27) NIV

18  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 
19  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
20  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21  that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22  We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 
24  For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
25  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
27  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God (Romans 6:15-23) NKJV

15  What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 
16  Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 
17  But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 
18  And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 
19  I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
20  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 
21  What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 
22  But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 
23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Bible Daily Reading Blog

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Do Not Judge Others (Romans 14) GNT

1    Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.

2    Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables.

3    The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person.

4    Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed.

5    Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds.

6    Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God.

7    We do not live for ourselves only, and we do not die for ourselves only.

8    If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

9    For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and of the dead.

10  You then, who eat only vegetables—why do you pass judgment on others? And you who eat anything—why do you despise other believers? All of us will stand before God to be judged by him.

11  For the scripture says, "As surely as I am the living God, says the Lord, everyone will kneel before me, 

and everyone will confess that I am God."
12  Every one of us, then, will have to give an account to God.
13  So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin.
14  My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you.
15  If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died!
16  Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name.
17  For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.
18  And when you serve Christ in this way, you please God and are approved by others.
19  So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another.
20  Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin.
21  The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall.
22  Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right!
23  But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.