Gift

"You've been given insight into God's kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn't been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That's why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight.”

For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.

. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. ”

For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God's own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!

"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.

Matthew 13:11 John 1:16 Romans 3:21 Luke 6:38 John 3:34 John 14:25

A true friend is a gift from God

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Expect

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon…

Wait for and expect the Lord and keep and heed His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land;

My rightness and justice are near, My salvation is going forth, and My arms shall rule the peoples; the islands shall wait for and expect Me, and on My arm shall they trust and wait with hope.

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. “After all,” they said, “would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?”

Psalm 27:14 Psalm 31:24 Psalm 37:34 Isaiah 51:5 Isaiah 40:31 John 7:31

God’s whisper of comfort quiets the noise of our trials.

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Light

Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.

Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.

Psalm 4:6 Psalm 13:3 Psalm 36:9 Psalm 43:3 Psalm 19:8 Psalm 44:3

God’s Spirit knows no defeat.

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Discover

a dinosaur's toe!

“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?

Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it?

I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.

“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.

And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!

Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.

Job 11:7 Ecclesiastes 7:24 Ecclesiastes 8:17 Job 28:21 Psalm 84:5 Proverbs 2:5

The closer we walk with God, the clearer we see His guidance.

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Shine

For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; the Lord my God illumines my darkness.

Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.

The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine.

The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth.

Psalm 18:28 Psalm 4:6 Proverbs 4:18 Isaiah 9:2 Isaiah 60:1 Psalm 57:5

God’s glory shines through His creation.

LIFEgroups – together experiencing God