_in_no_particular_order_
James 1:3 "for when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."
matthew 5:11-12 "count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. what it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. you can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! and all heaven applauds."
Matthew 7:13-14 "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress."
living as children of light:
"so i tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. they are darkend in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to induldge in every kind of impurity, with continual lust for more.
you, however, did not come to know Christ that way. surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. you were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put of your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. in your anger do not sin. do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. he who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. get rid of all betterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 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.
but among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. for of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. therefore do not be partners with them.
for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. for it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. this is why it is said:
'wake up, o sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'
be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. instead, be filled with the Spirit. speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 4:17-32, 5:1-21
+++
and yes this is her special day. she is indeed special. if god told me of that angel who wished to meet me-the one who prayed and watched and observed me all along-who wanted to come and finally meet me, not for her enjoyment, but rather, my rescue -i'd beleive it, oh how i would (...)
matthew 5:11-12 "count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. what it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. you can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! and all heaven applauds."
Matthew 7:13-14 "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress."
living as children of light:
"so i tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. they are darkend in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to induldge in every kind of impurity, with continual lust for more.
you, however, did not come to know Christ that way. surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. you were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put of your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. in your anger do not sin. do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. he who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. get rid of all betterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 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.
but among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. for of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. therefore do not be partners with them.
for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. for it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. this is why it is said:
'wake up, o sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'
be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. instead, be filled with the Spirit. speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 4:17-32, 5:1-21
+++
and yes this is her special day. she is indeed special. if god told me of that angel who wished to meet me-the one who prayed and watched and observed me all along-who wanted to come and finally meet me, not for her enjoyment, but rather, my rescue -i'd beleive it, oh how i would (...)