Morality, Integrity and Influence

Here is an important inspirational I found on the importance that we keep our integrity and character in check so as to not taint our moral authority!!!


Establishing Moral Authority
Glynnis Whitwer

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:14-15 (NIV)

Devotion:
Talking with my son one day, I mentioned I thought I might have made a good lawyer. I love discovering facts, proving my point and standing for justice. It wasn't a real longing, just a passing comment in an afternoon filled with incidental but pleasurable conversation.

At my observation, my son adamantly replied, "You would make a horrible lawyer!"

I looked at him with curiosity and surprise dressing my face. He continued, "You would never lie. In fact, you could boast the fastest conviction rates in your ads. I can see you standing before the judge saying, 'Your honor, my client is guilty!'"

We both laughed at that comment. And I completely agreed with his assessment of my lawyering potential. I guess it's a good thing I stuck with writing.

My son made an exaggerated comment that day to make an observation about my character. We both know there are lawyers with the highest integrity. That wasn't his point. His point was his mother doesn't lie.

His comment snuggled its way into my heart and has stayed there ever since. I make a lot of mistakes in my parenting, but apparently I've done something right. My son knows the real me - the good, bad and ugly. And in this one area of my life, my son has made a crucial observation of my character: it's consistent with what I say.

I've discovered that I'm influenced most by people whose lives match their words. Interestingly, for these people, doing what's right is a natural way to honor God. Their influence over me is a by-product of that devotion, and I'm changed by watching the unspoken alignment of their talk and walk.

Jesus had both authority and influence because His character and actions completely matched His words. Twelve disciples watched His every move. Because they found no inconsistencies, they grew to trust Jesus. This gave Jesus a moral authority that superseded the authority of any other religious leader of the time.

That's the type of mother, wife and friend I want to be. I want to be pursuing God with all my heart, and in so doing, establish moral authority in my life with those closest to me. You see, I understand that even though I have authority with my children, I don't have influence unless there is consistency in my life.


Having my life match my words is one of my highest desires in life. People will eventually notice inconsistencies in my life and when they do, it erodes my influence. Sometimes, I only get one chance to influence the people around me. Sadly, once lost, moral authority is very difficult to regain.

I don't always get it right. There are plenty of times when my actions don't match my words. But my son's comment inspired me to examine my life, and see where there are inconsistencies. As I find them, I am being honest about my weakness, and seeking God's help to deal with them. That's the only way I'll ever develop into the woman I know God wants me to be: one who doesn't have to shout to make her point, but whose quiet actions speak louder than words.

Dear Heavenly Father, I need Your help. I want to be a woman whose life completely matches up to her words. You know there are areas where I fall short, like patience. I submit those areas to You, and ask for Your strength to be the women You want me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Application Steps:
Identify one area of your life that doesn't match what you say you believe. (Examples might be honesty, patience, kindness, forgiveness)

Using a Bible concordance, search for scriptures that inspire you in this area. Write them down and review them regularly. ( Bible Gateway offers a free keywords search.)

Reflections:
Why is moral authority so much more powerful that traditional authority?

What are some of the reasons we say one thing but do another?

Power Verses:
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)

Titus 2:11-12, "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God." (NLT)

Unwritten Life

Unwritten Life by C’wick

What is love… is your love unwritten?
An unexpected baby from Lust’s little kitten?
What is lust, but Love that’s been cheated;
Written out of God’s book of life… depleted!

What is a heart that is empty and frail?
Lost with no certainty; a life without a tale.
Feeding your desires and pleasing the flesh…
Until your heart has hardened and
there’s simply nothing left.

What is a song without meaning or words;
A carelessly written carol… just food for the birds;
It is an unwritten tune about one’s selfish life…
Given unto entities that create loneliness and strife.

What is hope without an empty tomb?
it’s an empty womb…
a heart impaled…
With a sword of discontent;
Heroes without soul and hands without nails;
An unwritten life… hopelessly spent.

What is a cross without innocent blood?
It is a Savior… unwritten.

Postscript:
Let me tell you what Hope looks like:

It is Life written by a loving Creator…
And a Son… His greatest story;
It is salvation born of innocent blood:
Forgiveness… mercy… and glory!

It is trust during the darkest times,
And during life’s most heinous decisions;
To know that God is the master of story-
He can rewrite yours with great precision!

To know that the emptiness you feel within
Is but a cleansing for what is to come;
That goodness of life is written in His book,
The Holy Bible-
…come now, and get you some!

Your life is written. Read it.
Live it.
Touch love… Touch Yeshua, the Christ…
Touch God!

Amen.

Put God Back Into Perspective

Psalm 104

1 Praise the Lord, O my soul.

O Lord my God, you are very great;

you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

2 He wraps himself in light as with a garment;

he stretches out the heavens like a tent

3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

He makes the clouds his chariot

and rides on the wings of the wind.

4 He makes winds his messengers,a

flames of fire his servants.

5 He set the earth on its foundations;

it can never be moved.

6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;

the waters stood above the mountains.

7 But at your rebuke the waters fled,

at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

8 they flowed over the mountains,

they went down into the valleys,

to the place you assigned for them.

9 You set a boundary they cannot cross;

never again will they cover the earth.

10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines;

it flows between the mountains.

11They give water to all the beasts of the field;

the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12 The birds of the air nest by the waters;

they sing among the branches.

13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;

the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

14 He makes grass grow for the cattle,

and plants for man to cultivate—

bringing forth food from the earth:

15 wine that gladdens the heart of man,

oil to make his face shine,

and bread that sustains his heart.

16 The trees of the Lord are well watered,

the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

17 There the birds make their nests;

the stork has its home in the pine trees.

18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats;

the crags are a refuge for the coneys.b

19 The moon marks off the seasons,

and the sun knows when to go down.

20 You bring darkness, it becomes night,

and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

21 The lions roar for their prey

and seek their food from God.

22 The sun rises, and they steal away;

they return and lie down in their dens.

23 Then man goes out to his work,

to his labor until evening.

24 How many are your works, O Lord!

In wisdom you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,

teeming with creatures beyond number—

living things both large and small.

26 There the ships go to and fro,

and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

27 These all look to you

to give them their food at the proper time.

28 When you give it to them,

they gather it up;

when you open your hand,

they are satisfied with good things.

29 When you hide your face,

they are terrified;

when you take away their breath,

they die and return to the dust.

30 When you send your Spirit,

they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

may the Lord rejoice in his works—

32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,

who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,

as I rejoice in the Lord.

35 But may sinners vanish from the earth

and the wicked be no more.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Praise the Lord.

God... Jesus, the Christ.

They use your name as a curse word...
So eager to belittle your Holiness.
They strive to disprove your reality...
Desperate for the Truth to be silenced.
They blaspheme your very deity...
Trying to lose you amidst their dead gods.
They flood the trendy markets
with your cross...
Longing to numb its message.
They spend lifetimes trying to discredit your ministry;
Funny how it just won't die.
After ages of being free from the cross...
They keep trying to put you back on it...
wishing you back into the grave;
Sorry, silly sinners- He has risen,
And it's a permanent stain, Praise God!

Funny, Father, how the more they try,
The stronger my faith and your truth become,
in light of their failures.
If you are truly no threat...
If they really believed you are imagined...
They would not try so hard to erase your presence
Within society...
Among those seeking truth,
And we as your followers would be of
no consequence what-so-ever...
Mindless zombies to be left alone in our own delusion.
No... they cannot leave us be,
For the power of Truth will always long to be free...
seeking release, and
Keeping them busy as they seek to suppress it.
Funny... that!

gods whom don't exist have no power
and this is why no other gods get the respect,
and disrespect,
That You do, My Lord!


No other gods get the attention you do,
For no other gods have the power of Existence
Like you do...
My Beloved Living God.

Touch God!

Is your god "I AM"... the one and only uncreated deity... maker of heaven and earth and all whom occupy within?

Is your god Jesus... Yeshua the Christ... did your god come down to his creation to become his creation, to die in personal sacrifice for his creation to save his creation from themselves so as to have a personal relationship with his creation forever and ever and ever?

Is your god Spirit within and without... living within you to help guide you into all truth and grow you into the ideal version of whom you were always envisioned to be per your god's design?

Is your god all three one and the same... all working together to create a perfect relationship with YOU?

No? Shame.
Your god is simply too small.

Do yourself a favor and try on my God for size. You won't miss your pocket-sized god one bit, I assure you.

...TOUCH GOD!

Not Of This World... Be In Not Of!

Let me begin with scripture...

I Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV) "6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled."

1st John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."
Romans 12:9

... and I can even sum it all up with scripture:

"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7

... so are you making EVERY Effort? Beloved Christians... is there anything in your life that is incompatible with a Holy and Righteous God? ..........Why?

Everyone is trying to entertain... or compromise... or justify. Who's voice are you listening to... Man's, or God's?

The words being preached are "Hush!" Let 'em be. Show by example. And yes there is scripture to back all these thoughts up... problem is- they're only half-truths and scripture is being manipulated to shut-up a nation of would-be disciples... or worse, giving way to a nation of numb, "live how I interpret the Bible", "faith according to someone else's ideals", cosmetic Christianity. The result is the true mission of a Christian is being drowned in the wake! Discipleship. Sharing the gospel and the gift of Jesus Christ. Showing by example is only PART of the walk of a true Christian. "Worrying about yourself" was that part of the Bible that was speaking of busy-bodies stirring trouble, not people preaching truth from the Bible and sharing the Gospel of Christ... and not judging is for those trying to take the place of God... the judge and executioner.

We are to SPEAK UP when wrongs need right. THAT'S BIBLICAL! We are to SPEAK UP when a brother or sister is wayward. THAT'S BIBLICAL! We are to go into all the world and make disciples of them. You cannot do that if you are to follow the way of the rest of religion which is to "Hush!" and let them follow you by your example. I have got news for you. If you never speak up- they don't know any better to follow you. They may like what they see... but they'll reject it because the world rejects it.

If we decide to just go off of certain scriptures, it's really easy to be led astray into thinking that it's okay to sit on our hands and do nothing. It's okay to join in the world's entertainment, culture, ideals, habits because we're saved by grace.

BULL. It's a lie. Don't fall for it. APPLY ALL OF THE BIBLE TO YOUR WALK CHILDREN! God said I am Holy, so you too be Holy!

I Peter 1:13-21 (NIV) "13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God."

Be a man or woman of conviction. Give reason for why you believe what you believe. Test yourself and consider ALL YOUR WAYS. Put it to the "God" test. If you have something in your house like a Buddah statue... consider what it represents and ask yourself, "Is God happy I have this in my home. Does it give Him glory." Consider what it is then read your Bible to find out what God thinks about these things. For a non-Christian who don't know any better... who do not worship the statue, yeah- it's okay. They don't "get it" yet. But for a Christian... the child of MIGHTY GOD... do you think Daddy is looking down and saying, "OH! You have someone else's god in your house. Well done good and faithful servant." Seriously?

You or your children are filling your mind with the world's filth. Certain movies, music, books... things that taint your flesh and quench the Spirit. Does God approve of your entertainment choices? YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN. Is your God proud of you. Did Jesus suffer and die on the cross so that you can have the freedom to fulfill your flesh's every desire. Really? What you watch and listen to goes into your heart whether you realize it or not...

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23 NIV

1st John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

"Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness." Luke 10: 34-35

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9

Proverbs 20:6 "Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? 7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! 9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”? 10 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. 12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both."

How are you living your life Christian. Are you in the world... NOT OF THE WORLD. Or do you satisfy your hunger for worldly things and try to justify your actions and manipulate the Word to fulfill your own selfish desires?

The Holy Word IS NOT A BUFFET TABLE... something you can pick and choose what fits... what satisfies, then leave the rest for those late to the table. NO. You read the whole Word then apply it properly to your life with proper guidance from the Holy Trinity through prayer. THEN and only THEN, if you want to get more clarity... seek some clarity cautiously from proper Bible-teaching men... always being sure to put everything they might say up against the Word to make sure it fits! Become what the Bible calls us to be... HOLY. Followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. DO YOU BELIEVE OR DON'T YOU. Did you go through hell to get to heaven just to continue to dapple in the things of hell? THEN STOP IT! Live your convictions baby. Don't fall for the hype. You are a child of the Almighty God and Creator. Live like you mean it or YOU DON'T MEAN IT! Period.

Do you love someone if you stand idley by while they continue in their sin and unrighteous living? The Bible says no...

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Hebrews 10:24

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:7

1st John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Proverbs 20:6 "Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 13:24 "Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him, but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on."

"But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is
how we know we are in him:" 1 John 2:5

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the world; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have
sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."
1 Peter 1:22

Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

James 5:19-20 "My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

... and before you go correcting someone else, consider this...
Matthew 7:3-5
"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

(Note that the passage does not tell us not to take the log out of our brother’s eye, but to first deal with our own sin. This process restores both the confronter and the confronted to Christ, pulling all back into unity in Him.)

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows."

... and look at all these:
-John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
-John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me
-1 John 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments
-1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
-2 John 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
-Rev 12:17 who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
-Rev 14:12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger.

As you can see there is much to consider in scripture when it comes to your walk. Do not be deceived by "scripture manipulation". Read the whole Bible so you can fully execute your walk with precision and protect yourself from deceit which is deeply rooted in the world today. Silence is not an option. We are to speak with conviction and love the truth of our beliefs... to the world and YES, to one another!

Ephesians 4... "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are not longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; But SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ..."


One thing to never forget however, as we do go about preaching the gospel and correcting wrongs and YES, judging one another in Christ (Biblical- HELLO!), is...

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

I AM a work in progress. I love fully... genuinely... and with bold compassion that often comes across abrupt and harsh. Forgive me... I do so with a pure and loving heart in Jesus' name. I have come back from a harsh reality and it makes my walk more urgent and thus I come across urgent because it IS urgent. I see it. It's coming and it's not slowing down... it's a flippin' freight train. WAKE UP!

Beloved brethren...

"May the Lord direct your hearts into
God's love and Christ's perseverance."
2 Thessalonians 3:5

Amen. Love Chadwick.


Good reads... 3 links for further study:

Click here: Be Holy

Click here: Confronting Sin and Falsehood

Click here: Encouragement, Edification and Discipline

from a blog I found:

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Just like a computer, what you allow into your heart programs your thinking and words, which ultimately determines the direction of your life. Your eyes, ears, and mouth are all gateways to your heart. What you watch and listen to goes into your heart whether you realize it or not. You can guard your heart by filtering what you watch and listen to. If you don’t want to be like the people you see on TV, you shouldn’t watch that program. If you don’t want to act like the people in the songs you hear, you shouldn’t listen to them. But beyond that, you have to guard your heart against bitterness and bad attitudes. When those negative emotions sink into your heart, they will keep you from moving forward. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means your words show where your heart is. Take inventory today of what you are saying, watching, and listening to. Make sure that you are glorifying the Lord with your every action. As you guard your heart and mind, the wellspring of life within in you will flow freely, and you will live in the abundance the Lord has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, today I submit my mind and heart to You. I choose to guard my heart and ask that You guide and direct my everyday choices. Purify me by Your spirit so that life will flow from me in every area. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Beloved Father

Beloved Father... Mighty Creator...
Hear me.
Fear brings us to foolishness
As life puts us on our knees...
Since I'm already down there Daddy,
Let me take advantage,
And give me wisdom
to pause...
to praise...
to please.
Shed my skin.
Reveal Thyself to me;
Let me don your blanket of divinity
and set my mind at ease-
Touch me Yahweh
With your mercy's breeze...
Fill my finite shell
with Spirit's grace;
Let us honor you on our face!
-put me in my place
And set my weary life in motion;
O' mighty mender of my past...
O' passionate penicillin of my present...
O' faithful architect of my future...
Oh how I can never truly touch the foundation
of my appreciation
For You... Beloved Savior.

April 2010 by Cwick Yates

Good Stuff From The Net...

from... My Daily Verse
Here is your Verse of the Day:

Romans 6:11-12 (NIV). "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires..."

.... Thoughts on This Verse... If we have been cleansed from perversity; if we have died with Christ in baptism and have been cleansed thoroughly and completely by the Holy Spirit, then let's live for God! Let's resist sin, and our inclination to sin, with all our might, knowing that as we do, the Holy Spirit will empower us to a much greater righteousness than we could ever live on our own. Let's begin each day with a conscious decision to be dead to our sinful past and alive to the goal of the holy character of God!

Shared by my beloved brother Michael...

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," Philippians 2:12

The Holy Word and God's Love is all you truly need to make it in this world!

PRAISE YAHWEH! Glory Jehovah. thank you Jesus.
Amen.

Can You Not See. Do You Not Know... What Time It Is... Luke 12

When's the last time you read Luke 12? Too long, I assure you. Take time to read the following... do not neglect the final verses, for they are THE MOST IMPORTANT!! Thinking of you with rich rich love... have a blessed Sunday evening. -Chad


LUKE 12 ESV

Have No Fear
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?b And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Acknowledge Christ Before Men
8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”


The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Be Anxious
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?c 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,d yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek hise kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(...do not be deceived by the prosperity message. "Rich" has been sorely misinterpreted in the Bible. Jesus chose a life of humbleness and hung out with the downtrodden, the poor... the meek... only a select few can truly handle being a "physically wealthy" Christian, and God chooses those select for specific purposes. Trust not in the wealth of man and the wealth of the world... trust God for all your provisions! He alone knows what you need... what you can handle!)

You Must Be Ready
35 “Stay dressed for actionf and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servantsg whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, heh would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Not Peace, but Division
49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Time
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Don't you feel that tug on your heart... can you not see the signs all around you? Do you not know that time is so preciously short. What is most important in your life right now? What will you say to God when He asks what you did with the gift He gave you... His Son... the gift of Salvation. Tell somebody. Tell somebody right now! GO... and make disciples of the WORLD! "Too Late" is happening right now! Today is the day. Your Salvation awaits you. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior... then share it with somebody. Amen.

Bonus...

Psalms 78 >>
English Standard Version

Tell the Coming Generation

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
7 so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
whose spirit was not faithful to God.

9 The Ephraimites, armed withb the bow,
turned back on the day of battle.
10 They did not keep God’s covenant,
but refused to walk according to his law.
11 They forgot his works
and the wonders that he had shown them.
12 In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders
in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it,
and made the waters stand like a heap.
14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud,
and all the night with a fiery light.
15 He split rocks in the wilderness
and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
16 He made streams come out of the rock
and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

17 Yet they sinned still more against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
18 They tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God, saying,
“Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out
and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread
or provide meat for his people?”

21 Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath;
a fire was kindled against Jacob;
his anger rose against Israel,
22 because they did not believe in God
and did not trust his saving power.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven,
24 and he rained down on them manna to eat
and gave them the grain of heaven.
25 Man ate of the bread of the angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
27 he rained meat on them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp,
all around their dwellings.
29 And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
30 But before they had satisfied their craving,
while the food was still in their mouths,
31 the anger of God rose against them,
and he killed the strongest of them
and laid low the young men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they still sinned;
despite his wonders, they did not believe.
33 So he made their days vanish likec a breath,d
and their years in terror.
34 When he killed them, they sought him;
they repented and sought God earnestly.
35 They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God their redeemer.
36 But they flattered him with their mouths;
they lied to him with their tongues.
37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him;
they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he, being compassionate,
atoned for their iniquity
and did not destroy them;
he restrained his anger often
and did not stir up all his wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and comes not again.
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the desert!
41 They tested God again and again
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his powere
or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,
43 when he performed his signs in Egypt
and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.
44 He turned their rivers to blood,
so that they could not drink of their streams.
45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them,
and frogs, which destroyed them.
46 He gave their crops to the destroying locust
and the fruit of their labor to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hail
and their sycamores with frost.
48 He gave over their cattle to the hail
and their flocks to thunderbolts.
49 He let loose on them his burning anger,
wrath, indignation, and distress,
a company of destroying angels.
50 He made a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death,
but gave their lives over to the plague.
51 He struck down every firstborn in Egypt,
the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52 Then he led out his people like sheep
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid,
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 And he brought them to his holy land,
to the mountain which his right hand had won.
55 He drove out nations before them;
he apportioned them for a possession
and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

56 Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God
and did not keep his testimonies,
57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers;
they twisted like a deceitful bow.
58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places;
they moved him to jealousy with their idols.
59 When God heard, he was full of wrath,
and he utterly rejected Israel.
60 He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh,
the tent where he dwelt among mankind,
61 and delivered his power to captivity,
his glory to the hand of the foe.
62 He gave his people over to the sword
and vented his wrath on his heritage.
63 Fire devoured their young men,
and their young women had no marriage song.
64 Their priests fell by the sword,
and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.
66 And he put his adversaries to rout;
he put them to everlasting shame.

67 He rejected the tent of Joseph;
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loves.
69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,
like the earth, which he has founded forever.
70 He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him
to shepherd Jacob his people,
Israel his inheritance.
72 With upright heart he shepherded them
and guided them with his skillful hand.

Sustenance For A Prominent and Wonderous lifestyle

Joshua 1: 6...I will never leave you nor forsake you... 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Scrips... Insights For Living a Good and Righteous Life

...Read your Bible. Find out what God expects of you then do your best to follow through. God is Creator... He knows what's best for us and this is why His commands bring LIFE to our lives. real life. Good life.

-Deuteronomy 6:25 For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the LORD our God has given us.' (6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children... 16 You must not test the Lord your God... 17 You must diligently obey the commands of the Lord your God—all the laws and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so all will go well with you... 24 And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day. 25 For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us.’)

-Matt. 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

-Deut. 5: 32...You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail. 33 Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives...

-Deut. 6: 1 “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 3 Listen closely and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you...

-Hebrews 13:8 God is the same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow...
--------------------------------

...Do NOT believe that you are "getting away with it"! God will NOT BE MOCKED!

-Deuteronomy 5: 7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me. 8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: 9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity (sin) of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, 10 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

-John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."

-Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

(Remember those times you asked "Why?" Consider your sins... your lifestyle... your choices... your rejection of God- His ways- His Son Jesus... God will not be mocked!)

-Exodus 34:7 ...He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished...

-Numbers 14:18 The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.'

------------------------------------

True wealth is not measured by money, power or prestige! Your actions and decisions reveal who you truly are (fruits). Choose your path in life wisely.

-Luke 7:35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it."

-Luke 7:24 After John’s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 25 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. 26 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written:“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

-Proverbs 11: 30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins souls.

Thread Of My Salvation

Thread of My Salvation
By Cwick Yates 3-21-10

Thank you, Brother Jesus,
For changing my life’s long night
Into daylight;
Transforming darkness into day;
For illuminating the murky waters,
Discerning Truth amidst the fray!
When emptiness filled every waking hour,
And silence came to subdue…
One thing stayed true;
The loyal and faithful power
Of my redeeming acceptance of You!

My needle in a haystack…
My determined thread in a fraying sweater;
Thank you for eternal salvation,
And this life’s now so much better!

May the very words I speak now
Contain the very essence of Your heart;
May my actions be set apart,
And my life be a witness unto you,
Beloved Savior,
For you were with me from the very start!

I pray my gratefulness never cease to show…
For you grant me peace
And make me white as snow!

Allow my spirit to soar
Beyond the boundaries of my
Conscious choices…
Silence the voices that seek to stir me away.
I give my life to you today;
…and tomorrow, and the next day, and then…
Thank you Lord…
Show me the way!
So blessed in you,
My beloved Savior…
My precious friend.

Holding Out For Grace by Tait

I believe, I believe in who You are
And when You speak, I hear You deep inside my heart
It's more of You I want, so take me back
To the start show me the bigger part
I know there's so much more to life
So won't You open up my eyes, I want to see

And I, I'm falling on my face
I'm holding out for Grace, send Your Spirit down
Illuminate this place
My Lord

My Love, my peace, without You, I'm incomplete
And in my time of need, I know You're watching over me
And I can't wait to lose myself in Your embrace,
You're my hiding place (my hiding place)
I know there's so much more to life
So won't You meet me here tonight
I want to see


Ooooho, In my mind
There's a battle going on and on for my life
But this time I'm gonna give You everything I have inside
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

And I, I'm falling on my face
I'm holding out for Grace, send Your Spirit down
Illuminate this place
Let Your kingdom come
Heal the broken ones
O Father shine Your light on Your daughters and Your sons

oh my Lord,

O God our God how beautiful You are
O God our God how beautiful You are
God our God You're beautiful so beautiful...

I Love My Attorney

I love my attorney
After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'

He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.

He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.

As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'

The prosecutor rose and said, 'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.'

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.

I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.'

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty.

I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'HI, DAD,' and then He turned to address the court.

'Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.'

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.'

My Lord continued with, 'His name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch him from Me.
'Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.'

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all.'

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips.....

'This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed.'
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.'
I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'

Christ lovingly smiled and said, 'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, ~Paid In Full.'

If you do not pass this along to 15 people immediately, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WILL HAPPEN!

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend,
(as I have done here), will bless you both.

'Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!'

I Squisha My Head!

 

Why are you so comfortable? We're not home yet!

Brothers and sisters, hear me... don't get comfortable and complacent. We're not home yet! Read 1st Peter 2: 1-25, and make this a daily affirmation of whom we are in Christ. Have a great day

CEV: 1st Peter 2...

1Pe 2:1 Stop being hateful! Quit trying to fool people, and start being sincere. Don't be jealous or say cruel things about others.
1Pe 2:2 Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved.
1Pe 2:3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.
1Pe 2:4 Come to Jesus Christ. He is the living stone that people have rejected, but which God has chosen and highly honored.
1Pe 2:5 And now you are living stones that are being used to build a spiritual house. You are also a group of holy priests, and with the help of Jesus Christ you will offer sacrifices that please God.
1Pe 2:6 It is just as God says in the Scriptures, "Look! I am placing in Zion a choice and precious cornerstone. No one who has faith in that one will be disappointed."
1Pe 2:7 You are followers of the Lord, and that stone is precious to you. But it isn't precious to those who refuse to follow him. They are the builders who tossed aside the stone that turned out to be the most important one of all.
1Pe 2:8 They disobeyed the message and stumbled and fell over that stone, because they were doomed.
1Pe 2:9 But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say,
1Pe 2:10 "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness.
1Pe 2:11 Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you.
1Pe 2:12 Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do.
1Pe 2:13 The Lord wants you to obey all human authorities, especially the Emperor, who rules over everyone.
1Pe 2:14 You must also obey governors, because they are sent by the Emperor to punish criminals and to praise good citizens.
1Pe 2:15 God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right.
1Pe 2:16 You are free, but still you are God's servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong.
1Pe 2:17 Respect everyone and show special love for God's people. Honor God and respect the Emperor.
1Pe 2:18 Servants, you must obey your masters and always show respect to them. Do this, not only to those who are kind and thoughtful, but also to those who are cruel.
1Pe 2:19 God will bless you, even if others treat you unfairly for being loyal to him.
1Pe 2:20 You don't gain anything by being punished for some wrong you have done. But God will bless you, if you have to suffer for doing something good.
1Pe 2:21 After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you.
1Pe 2:22 Christ did not sin or ever tell a lie.
1Pe 2:23 Although he was abused, he never tried to get even. And when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he had faith in God, who judges fairly.
1Pe 2:24 Christ carried the burden of our sins. He was nailed to the cross, so that we would stop sinning and start living right. By his cuts and bruises you are healed.
1Pe 2:25 You had wandered away like sheep. Now you have returned to the one who is your shepherd and protector.

KJV: 1st Peter 2...

1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
1Pe 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.