Excerpts from Ephesians Chapter 2

Made Alive by Christ

“One you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness towards us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by His grace, when you believed. And you can’t take the credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planed for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:1-10, NLT)

Excerpts from Colossians Chapter 2

Freedom from Rules and New Life in Christ

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grown down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth that you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (Colossians 2: 6- 10, NLT)

Excerpts from Colossians Chapter 1

Paul’s Work for the Church

“I am glad when I suffer for You in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for His body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving His church by proclaiming His entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory.

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.” (Colossians 1:24-29, NLT)

Excerpt from Psalm 73

“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and that I was torn up inside. I was so foolish and arrogant- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You.

Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth.

My health my fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.

Those who desert Him will perish, for You destroy those who abandon You. But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.” (Psalm 73: vv. 21-28, NLT)

Excerpts from 1 Peter

Living Stones for God’s House

“”You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but He was chosen by God for great honor.

An you are living stones that God’s is building into His spiritual temple. What’s more, you are His holy priests. Through the meditation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem*(Isaiah 28:16), chosen for great honor, and anyone who trust in Him will never be disgraced.”

Yes, you who trust in Him recognize the honor God has given Him. But for those who reject Him, “The stone that the builder rejected has now become the cornerstone. “

And, “He is the stone that make people stumble, the rock that makes them fall*(Ps 118:22)”.

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, so they meet the faith that was planned for them.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation. God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He call you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.

“Once you had not identity as a people; but you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy: now your have relieved God’s mercy.* (Hosea 1:6,9, 2:23)””(1 Peter 2, vv. 4-10, NLT)

Excerpts from Micah Chapter 7

“As for me, I will look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against Him. But after that, He will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The Lord will bring me into the light and I will see His righteousness.” (vv. 7-9, NLT)

“All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you. They will be embarrassed at their feeble power. They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them.” (v. 16, NLT)

“Where is there another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant overlooking the sins of His special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because You delight in showing unfailing love. Once again You will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under Your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! You will show us Your faithfulness and unfailing love. as You promised our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.” (vv. 28-20, NLT)

Excerpt from Micah Chapter 6

“…the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Michael 6: 8 NLT)

Purpose of the Book of John

“The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” (John 20: 30-31, NLT)

Joshua 1:6-9

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1: 6-9, NLT)