The Mystery of Life - Colossians 2:2-4
My purpose is that I may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that I may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that I may know the MYSTERY OF GOD - namely Christ, in whom is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowlede. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by find-sounding arguments.
Psalms 121: 7,8
The Lord will keep me from all harm - he will watch over my life; the Lord will watch over my coming and going both now and forevermore.
Isaiah 30:21
Whether I turn to the right or to the left, my ears will hear a voice (the Holy Spirit) behind me saying, "This is the way, walk in it."
The Lord will keep me from all harm - he will watch over my life; the Lord will watch over my coming and going both now and forevermore.
Isaiah 30:21
Whether I turn to the right or to the left, my ears will hear a voice (the Holy Spirit) behind me saying, "This is the way, walk in it."
Called by God
2 Peter 1: 3,4
His divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness through my knowledge of him who called me by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given me his very great and precious promises, so that through them I may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
His divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness through my knowledge of him who called me by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given me his very great and precious promises, so that through them I may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Colossians 1:21-23, Reconciled
Once I was alienated from God and was an enemy because of my evil behavior. But now he has reconciled me by Christ's physical body through death to present me holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. If I continue in my faith, established and firm, I will not be moved from the hope that is held out in the gospel. V 2:2 * I am encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I have complete confidence and understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself, wherein lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. V3:2 * For I died to this life and my real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Once I was alienated from God and was an enemy because of my evil behavior. But now he has reconciled me by Christ's physical body through death to present me holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. If I continue in my faith, established and firm, I will not be moved from the hope that is held out in the gospel. V 2:2 * I am encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I have complete confidence and understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself, wherein lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. V3:2 * For I died to this life and my real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Romans 4:1-4,5 Faith Alone
What applies to Abraham (the founder of the Jewish nation, humanly speaking) applies to me. What I discovered about being made right with God is that if my good deeds make me acceptable to God, I would have something to boast about. BUT that is not God's way, for the Scriptures tell me that when I believe God, he counts me as righteous because of my faith. V5- I am counted as righteous not because of my work but because of my faith in God who forgives my sins.
V3:24 He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed me from the penalty for my sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for my sin. I am made right with God when I believe that Jesus sacrificed his life for me.
Philippians 2:1-3 HUMILITY Paraphased in 1st person
If I have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then my joy is complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. I try to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humillity consider others better than myself.
Colossians 2: 16-18 & 20-23 False Humility
Therefore do no let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things to come, the reality, however is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. ...his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
20-23 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations have an appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
If I have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then my joy is complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. I try to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humillity consider others better than myself.
Colossians 2: 16-18 & 20-23 False Humility
Therefore do no let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things to come, the reality, however is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. ...his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
20-23 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations have an appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Ephesians 1:13-14 Paraphased in 1st person for your comfort. God's purpose - - We have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves us. And when I believed in Christ, God identigfied me as his own by giving me the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give me the inheritance (eternal life) he promised and that he has purchased me to be his own. He did this so I would praise and glorify Him.
Psalm 91 - Paraphased in 1st person for your comfort.
If I live in God's shelter, I will have rest in his shadow. He alone is my refuge and place of safety. He is my God and I trust Him. He will rescue me from every trap and protect me from deadly pestilence. He will shelter me with His wings.
His promises are my armor and protection. I won't be afraid of terrors of the night or disaster that strikes at mid-day. When 1000 fall at my side and 10,000 are dying around me, the evil will not touch me.
If I make the Lord my refuge and shelter no evil will conquer me and no plague will come near my home. He will order His angels to protect me wherever I go. They will hold me up with their hand and I won't even hurt my foot on a stone. He will rescue us who love Him and protect us who trust in His name - (the Name of Jesus)
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again-rejoice in the Lord. Let my gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near, and I will not be anxious about anything, but in everythig by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , I will present my requests to God. And His peace, which transcends all understand will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.