Settled

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

He climbed a mountain and invited those he wanted with him. They climbed together. He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word and give them authority to banish demons.

For I tell you that this Scripture must yet be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted and classed among the wicked (the outlaws, the criminals); for what is written about Me has its fulfillment [has reached its end and is finally settled].

Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

Psalm 119:89 Mark 3:13 Luke 22:37 2 Corinthians 5:16

We are not to conform our live to our culture, but our culture to His word.

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Counting

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him.I have put my hope in his word.

Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Who are you counting on, that you have rebelled against me?

Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain!

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

But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God.

Psalm 130:5 Isaiah 36:5 Habakkuk 3:17 2 Corinthians 5:19 Micah 7:7

Better than counting your years is making all your years count.

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Restore

Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity (idols and idolatry); and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways

Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.

Salt is good (beneficial), but if salt has lost its saltiness, how will you restore [the saltiness to] it? Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace and live in harmony with one another.

And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you

He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets

Psalm 80:3 Psalm 119:37 Psalm 126:4 Mark 9:50 Romans 8:11 Acts 3:21

God will guide you through the rapids of change.

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Together

"Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures— either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working.

But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it.

But seek ( aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ( His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."

For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and lodged Me.

Matthew 5:17 Matthew 3:15 Matthew 6:33 Matthew 18:18 Matthew 25:35

Living together for Christ brings true freedom.

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Handiwork

Fox Run - Colorado Springs

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It is a prime example of God’s handiwork.

I will teach you regarding the hand and handiwork of God;

THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork.

"Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him? Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, 'You did that all wrong!'? Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it

You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork.

For we are God's handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Job 40:19 Job 27:11 Psalm 19:1 Job 36:22 Job 14:15 Ephesians 2:10

Nothing is more awesome than to know God.

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Ordinary

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees.

By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. … what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best

I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don't complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple —in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it …God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Psalm 4:6 Hebrews 11:23 2 Corinthians 4:7 1 Corinthians 7:29 Romans 12:1

Those who lay up treasures in heaven are the richest people on earth.

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Arise! (NT)

Gripping her [firmly] by the hand, He said to her, Talitha cumi--which translated is, Little girl, I say to you, arise [ from the sleep of death]!

Which is easier: to say, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Arise and walk?

And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!"

But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, " Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up

And He said to them, Why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts?

For this reason it says," Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

Mark 5:41 Luke 5:23 Luke 7:14 Acts 9:40 Luke 24:38 Ephesians 5:14

Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:7-9 (NLT)

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Arise!

Granada, Spain

"Arise! For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you; be courageous and act."

I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." So they put their hands to the good work

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For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise fro the Jews (people of God) from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?

The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build.

"Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you."

But unto you who revere and worshipfully fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and you shall go forth and gambol like calves [released] from the stall and leap for joy.

Ezra 10:4 Nehemiah 2:18 Esther 4:14 Nehemiah 2:20 Jonah 3:2 Malachi 4:2

Christians who bury their gifts make a grave mistake.

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Pass

(God) made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His loving-kindness is everlasting.

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish

I will once again astound these hypocrites with amazing wonders. The wisdom of the wise will pass away, and the intelligence of the intelligent will disappear.”

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be [firmly] established as the highest of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it.

For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster." But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.

Psalm 136:14 Isaiah 46:10 Isaiah 29:14 Isaiah 2:2 John 3:17 1 Corinthians 10:23

Following Jesus is always right – but not always easy.

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Test

Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?

Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.

"But he knows where I am and what I've done. He can cross-examine me all he wants, and I'll pass the test with honors. I've followed him closely, my feet in his footprints, not once swerving from his way. I've obeyed every word he's spoken, and not just obeyed his advice—I've treasured it.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered and spit on him at his death. Is that the kind of "remembrance" you want to be part of? Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.

Job 12:11 Psalm 26:2 Job 23:10 Romans 12:2 1 Corinthians 10:13 1 Corinthians 11:27

If we have God’s Word in our mind, He can put the right words in our mouth.

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Witnesses

But you also will testify and be My witnesses, because you have been with Me

On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them

"Not only that—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. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble

Jesus replied, "You're right that you only have my word. But you can depend on it being true. I know where I've come from and where I go next. You don't know where I'm from or where I'm headed. You decide according to what you can see and touch. I don't make judgments like that. But even if I did, my judgment would be true because I wouldn't make it out of the narrowness of my experience but in the largeness of the One who sent me, the Father. That fulfills the conditions set down in God's Law: that you can count on the testimony of two witnesses. And that is what you have: You have my word and you have the word of the Father who sent me."

Peter and the apostles answered, "It's necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail."

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

John 15:27 Matthew 10:18 Matthew 5:11 John 8:14 Acts 5:29 Acts 1:8

Jesus doesn’t need lawyers, He needs witnesses.

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Value

A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars

When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight. She's worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary. Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her. With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition. Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete. She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight—and be blessed!

So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,

Acts 19:19 Matthew 13:46 Proverbs 3:13 Philippians 1:10 Philippians 3:8

To show that you value eternity, make good use of your time.

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Health

The good people taste your goodness, The whole people taste your health, The true people taste your truth, The bad ones can't figure you out.

Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they're bursting with health

It is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.

Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.

Psalm 18:25 Proverbs 4:20 Ecclesiastes 5:19 Proverbs 3:5 Colossians 2:18

If you fill your heart with God’s Word, He’ll bring spiritual health to your soul.

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Lift Up

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul

Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul

You are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests

Psalm 25:1 Psalm 86:4 Psalm 143:8 Psalm 3:3 1 Timothy 2:8 Psalm 20:5

Only Jesus can transform the hearts of mankind.

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At Last

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.

Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel

Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”

at last the Spirit is poured out on us from heaven. Then the wilderness will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

Job 19:25 Isaiah 17:7 Psalm 58:11 Isaiah 32:15 Psalm 63:2

A true friend stays true to the end.

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Respect

Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.

[ He Put Our Lives Together ] Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous

When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 2:17 Titus 3:1 1 Peter 3:2 1 Peter 3:7 1 Peter 3:15

If you’re living for Christ you may lose some friends, but you won’t lose their respect.

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Rejoice

"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God

Delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him.

Rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Luke 15:6 Luke 10:20 Romans 5:11 Philippians 3:1 2 Corinthians 13:11 Philippians 4:4

Rejoice! We are ‘friends of God!’

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Spring Forth

'In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.

For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word].

In that day will I cause a horn to spring forth to the house of Israel and I will open your lips among them, and they shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service].

Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Jeremiah 33:15 Isaiah 61:11 Ezekiel 29:21 Isaiah 58:8

Remember: In Christ we are decedents of Abraham – sons and daughters of the promises!

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Sure

"Ha! What do you think you're doing? Do you think you can cross the king?" I shot back, "The God-of-Heaven will make sure we succeed. We're his servants and we're going to work, rebuilding.


"But principled people hold tight, keep a firm grip on life, sure that their clean, pure hands will get stronger and stronger!

Listen to it! Listen to his thunder, the rolling, rumbling thunder of his voice. … His word thundering so wondrously, his mighty acts staggering our understanding. …no one can escape from God. …Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love, he makes sure they make their mark.

"God alone knows the way to Wisdom, he knows the exact place to find it. He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven … He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready. Then he addressed the human race: 'Here it is! Fear-of-the-Lord—that's Wisdom, and Insight means shunning evil.'”

You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.

Nehemiah 2:20 Job 17:9 Job 37:1 Job 28:23 Psalm 4:3

Safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of God.

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Anxious

My desire is to have you free from all anxiety and distressing care. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord.

But the married man is anxious about worldly matters--how he may please his wife-- and he is drawn in diverging directions [his interests are divided and he is distracted from his devotion to God].

And the unmarried woman or girl is concerned and anxious about the matters of the Lord, how to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit; but the married woman has her cares [centered] in earthly affairs--how she may please her husband.

For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Corinthians 7:32 1 Corinthians 7:33 1 Corinthians 7:34 Romans 8:19 Philippians 4:6

To uproot the weeds of anxious care, get down on your knees.

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Together

That famous promise God gave Abraham—that he and his children would possess the earth—was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was based on God's decision to put everything together for him, which Abraham then entered when he believed.

All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.

But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way!

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise

Romans 4:13 Romans 5:20 Romans 6:22 Romans 5:1

Our heavenly Father delights in bringing us delight.

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