Romans 8:31-39 (NLT)
Ro 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Ro 8:32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Ro 8:33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.
Ro 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Ro 8:35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
Ro 8:36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.")
Ro 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
Ro 8:38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Ro 8:39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
SOAP: Friday, March 14, 2008
Romans 1:1-7, 16-17 (NLT)
Ro 1:1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.
Ro 1:2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.
Ro 1:3 The Good News is about his Son, Jesus. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line,
Ro 1:4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ro 1:5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
Ro 1:6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Ro 1:7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
............................................................................................................................................................
Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
Ro 1:17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."
Ro 1:1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.
Ro 1:2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.
Ro 1:3 The Good News is about his Son, Jesus. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line,
Ro 1:4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ro 1:5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
Ro 1:6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Ro 1:7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
............................................................................................................................................................
Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
Ro 1:17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."
SOAP: Thursday, March 13, 2008
Colossians 3:1-17 (NLT)
Col 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Col 3:2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Col 3:3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Col 3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Col 3:6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.
Col 3:7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
Col 3:8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
Col 3:9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
Col 3:10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Col 3:11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Col 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Col 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Col 3:14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Col 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Col 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Col 3:2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Col 3:3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Col 3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Col 3:6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.
Col 3:7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
Col 3:8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
Col 3:9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
Col 3:10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Col 3:11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Col 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Col 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Col 3:14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Col 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
SOAP: Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Isaiah 25:1-9 (NLT)
Isa 25:1 O LORD, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.
Isa 25:2 You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear and will never be rebuilt.
Isa 25:3 Therefore, strong nations will declare your glory; ruthless nations will fear you.
Isa 25:4 But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,
Isa 25:5 or like the relentless heat of the desert. But you silence the roar of foreign nations. As the shade of a cloud cools relentless heat, so the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled.
Isa 25:6 In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
Isa 25:7 There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.
Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The LORD has spoken!
Isa 25:9 In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!"
Isa 25:1 O LORD, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.
Isa 25:2 You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear and will never be rebuilt.
Isa 25:3 Therefore, strong nations will declare your glory; ruthless nations will fear you.
Isa 25:4 But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,
Isa 25:5 or like the relentless heat of the desert. But you silence the roar of foreign nations. As the shade of a cloud cools relentless heat, so the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled.
Isa 25:6 In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
Isa 25:7 There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.
Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The LORD has spoken!
Isa 25:9 In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!"
SOAP: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
1 Corinthians 15:1-28 (NLT)
1Co 15:1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.
1Co 15:2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.
1Co 15:3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
1Co 15:4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
1Co 15:5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.
1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.
1Co 15:7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.
1Co 15:8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.
1Co 15:9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
1Co 15:10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.
1Co 15:11 So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.
1Co 15:12 But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either.
1Co 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.
1Co 15:15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.
1Co 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.
1Co 15:18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost!
1Co 15:19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
1Co 15:20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
1Co 15:21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.
1Co 15:22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.
1Co 15:23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.
1Co 15:24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.
1Co 15:26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For the Scriptures say, "God has put all things under his authority." (Of course, when it says "all things are under his authority," that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.)
1Co 15:28 Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.
1Co 15:1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.
1Co 15:2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.
1Co 15:3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
1Co 15:4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
1Co 15:5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.
1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.
1Co 15:7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.
1Co 15:8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.
1Co 15:9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
1Co 15:10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.
1Co 15:11 So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.
1Co 15:12 But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either.
1Co 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.
1Co 15:15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.
1Co 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.
1Co 15:18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost!
1Co 15:19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
1Co 15:20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
1Co 15:21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.
1Co 15:22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.
1Co 15:23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.
1Co 15:24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.
1Co 15:26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For the Scriptures say, "God has put all things under his authority." (Of course, when it says "all things are under his authority," that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.)
1Co 15:28 Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.
SOAP: Monday, March 10, 2008
Matthew 11:12-19 (NLT)
Mt 11:12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.
Mt 11:13 For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time.
Mt 11:14 And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.
Mt 11:15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Mt 11:16 "To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
Mt 11:17 ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’
Mt 11:18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’
Mt 11:19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results."
Mt 11:12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.
Mt 11:13 For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time.
Mt 11:14 And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.
Mt 11:15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Mt 11:16 "To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
Mt 11:17 ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’
Mt 11:18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’
Mt 11:19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results."
Monday, March 3, 2008
Mexican Fiesta Saturday, 8-March (6-8 p.m.)
Mexican Fiesta
When: Saturday, March 8, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Church of the Nazarene
16640 Moonlight Road, Gardner, KS 66030
Why: To raise funds for Trinity Family Youth Summer Mission Trip to Juarez, MX
Donations accepted.
Come enjoy food and fun!
Door prizes!
Let the kids try their luck with the pinata!
To RSVP call Michelle at 913-856-5789 or e-mail: michelle_corbin@embarqmail.com
When: Saturday, March 8, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Church of the Nazarene
16640 Moonlight Road, Gardner, KS 66030
Why: To raise funds for Trinity Family Youth Summer Mission Trip to Juarez, MX
Donations accepted.
Come enjoy food and fun!
Door prizes!
Let the kids try their luck with the pinata!
To RSVP call Michelle at 913-856-5789 or e-mail: michelle_corbin@embarqmail.com
Sunday, March 2, 2008
SOAP: Sunday, March 9, 2008
Matthew 9:14-17 (NLT)
Mt 14:1 When Herod Antipas heard about Jesus,
Mt 14:2 he said to his advisers, "This must be John the Baptist come back to life again! That is why he can do such miracles."
Mt 14:3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip).
Mt 14:4 John kept telling Herod, "It is illegal for you to marry her."
Mt 14:5 Herod would have executed John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.
Mt 14:6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him,
Mt 14:7 so he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted.
Mt 14:8 At her mother’s urging, the girl asked, "I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!"
Mt 14:9 The king was sorry, but because of his oath and because he didn’t want to back down in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.
Mt 14:10 So John was beheaded in the prison,
Mt 14:11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.
Mt 14:12 John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
Mt 14:13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he went off by himself in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed by land from many villages.
Mt 14:14 A vast crowd was there as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Mt 14:15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and it is getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves."
Mt 14:16 But Jesus replied, "That isn’t necessary—you feed them."
Mt 14:17 "Impossible!" they exclaimed. "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish!"
Mt 14:1 When Herod Antipas heard about Jesus,
Mt 14:2 he said to his advisers, "This must be John the Baptist come back to life again! That is why he can do such miracles."
Mt 14:3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip).
Mt 14:4 John kept telling Herod, "It is illegal for you to marry her."
Mt 14:5 Herod would have executed John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.
Mt 14:6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him,
Mt 14:7 so he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted.
Mt 14:8 At her mother’s urging, the girl asked, "I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!"
Mt 14:9 The king was sorry, but because of his oath and because he didn’t want to back down in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.
Mt 14:10 So John was beheaded in the prison,
Mt 14:11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.
Mt 14:12 John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
Mt 14:13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he went off by himself in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed by land from many villages.
Mt 14:14 A vast crowd was there as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Mt 14:15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and it is getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves."
Mt 14:16 But Jesus replied, "That isn’t necessary—you feed them."
Mt 14:17 "Impossible!" they exclaimed. "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish!"
SOAP: Saturday, March 8, 2008
Romans 12 (NLT)
Ro 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Ro 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
Ro 12:3 As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.
Ro 12:4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,
Ro 12:5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
Ro 12:6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you.
Ro 12:7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching.
Ro 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Ro 12:9 Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.
Ro 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Ro 12:11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Ro 12:12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.
Ro 12:13 When God’s children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.
Ro 12:14 If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
Ro 12:15 When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.
Ro 12:16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Ro 12:17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
Ro 12:18 Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Ro 12:19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written,
"I will take vengeance;
I will repay those who deserve it,"
says the Lord.
Ro 12:20 Instead, do what the Scriptures say:
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink,
and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."
Ro 12:21 Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Ro 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Ro 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
Ro 12:3 As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.
Ro 12:4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,
Ro 12:5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
Ro 12:6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you.
Ro 12:7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching.
Ro 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Ro 12:9 Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.
Ro 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Ro 12:11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Ro 12:12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.
Ro 12:13 When God’s children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.
Ro 12:14 If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
Ro 12:15 When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.
Ro 12:16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Ro 12:17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
Ro 12:18 Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Ro 12:19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written,
"I will take vengeance;
I will repay those who deserve it,"
says the Lord.
Ro 12:20 Instead, do what the Scriptures say:
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink,
and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."
Ro 12:21 Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
SOAP: Friday, March 7, 2008
Colossians 3:1-17 (NLT)
Col 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.
Col 3:2 Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.
Col 3:3 For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Col 3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry.
Col 3:6 God’s terrible anger will come upon those who do such things.
Col 3:7 You used to do them when your life was still part of this world.
Col 3:8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
Col 3:9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds.
Col 3:10 In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you.
Col 3:11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Col 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Col 3:13 You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Col 3:14 And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Col 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Col 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.
Col 3:2 Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.
Col 3:3 For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Col 3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry.
Col 3:6 God’s terrible anger will come upon those who do such things.
Col 3:7 You used to do them when your life was still part of this world.
Col 3:8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
Col 3:9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds.
Col 3:10 In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you.
Col 3:11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Col 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Col 3:13 You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Col 3:14 And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Col 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.
SOAP: Thursday, March 6, 2008
Philemon 8-21 (NLT)
Phm 1:8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do,
Phm 1:9 but because of our love, I prefer just to ask you. So take this as a request from your friend Paul, an old man, now in prison for the sake of Christ Jesus.
Phm 1:10 My plea is that you show kindness to Onesimus. I think of him as my own son because he became a believer as a result of my ministry here in prison.
Phm 1:11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
Phm 1:12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
Phm 1:13 I really wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.
Phm 1:14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. And I didn’t want you to help because you were forced to do it but because you wanted to.
Phm 1:15 Perhaps you could think of it this way: Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever.
Phm 1:16 He is no longer just a slave; he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord.
Phm 1:17 So if you consider me your partner, give him the same welcome you would give me if I were coming.
Phm 1:18 If he has harmed you in any way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it.
Phm 1:19 I, Paul, write this in my own handwriting: "I will repay it." And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!
Phm 1:20 Yes, dear brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
Phm 1:21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!
Phm 1:8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do,
Phm 1:9 but because of our love, I prefer just to ask you. So take this as a request from your friend Paul, an old man, now in prison for the sake of Christ Jesus.
Phm 1:10 My plea is that you show kindness to Onesimus. I think of him as my own son because he became a believer as a result of my ministry here in prison.
Phm 1:11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
Phm 1:12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
Phm 1:13 I really wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.
Phm 1:14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. And I didn’t want you to help because you were forced to do it but because you wanted to.
Phm 1:15 Perhaps you could think of it this way: Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever.
Phm 1:16 He is no longer just a slave; he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord.
Phm 1:17 So if you consider me your partner, give him the same welcome you would give me if I were coming.
Phm 1:18 If he has harmed you in any way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it.
Phm 1:19 I, Paul, write this in my own handwriting: "I will repay it." And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!
Phm 1:20 Yes, dear brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
Phm 1:21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!
SOAP: Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Hebrews 2:1-18 (NLT)
Heb 2:1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
Heb 2:2 The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience.
Heb 2:3 What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak,
Heb 2:4 and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so.
Jesus, the Man
Heb 2:5 And furthermore, the future world we are talking about will not be controlled by angels.
Heb 2:6 For somewhere in the Scriptures it says,
"What is man that you should think of him,
and the son of man that you should care for him?
Heb 2:7 For a little while you made him lower than the angels,
and you crowned him with glory and honor.
Heb 2:8 You gave him authority over all things."
Now when it says "all things," it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all of this happen.
Heb 2:9 What we do see is Jesus, who "for a little while was made lower than the angels" and now is "crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered death for us. Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world.
Heb 2:10 And it was only right that God—who made everything and for whom everything was made—should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation.
Heb 2:11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
Heb 2:12 For he said to God,
"I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you among all your people."
Heb 2:13 He also said, "I will put my trust in him." And in the same context he said, "Here I am—together with the children God has given me."
Heb 2:14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death.
Heb 2:15 Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
Heb 2:16 We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels.
Heb 2:17 Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.
Heb 2:18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.
Heb 2:1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
Heb 2:2 The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience.
Heb 2:3 What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak,
Heb 2:4 and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so.
Jesus, the Man
Heb 2:5 And furthermore, the future world we are talking about will not be controlled by angels.
Heb 2:6 For somewhere in the Scriptures it says,
"What is man that you should think of him,
and the son of man that you should care for him?
Heb 2:7 For a little while you made him lower than the angels,
and you crowned him with glory and honor.
Heb 2:8 You gave him authority over all things."
Now when it says "all things," it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all of this happen.
Heb 2:9 What we do see is Jesus, who "for a little while was made lower than the angels" and now is "crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered death for us. Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world.
Heb 2:10 And it was only right that God—who made everything and for whom everything was made—should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation.
Heb 2:11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
Heb 2:12 For he said to God,
"I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you among all your people."
Heb 2:13 He also said, "I will put my trust in him." And in the same context he said, "Here I am—together with the children God has given me."
Heb 2:14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death.
Heb 2:15 Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
Heb 2:16 We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels.
Heb 2:17 Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.
Heb 2:18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.
SOAP: Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Joshua 24:14-28 (NLT)
Jos 24:14 "So honor the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone.
Jos 24:15 But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
Jos 24:16 The people replied, "We would never forsake the LORD and worship other gods.
Jos 24:17 For the LORD our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us.
Jos 24:18 It was the LORD who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the LORD, for he alone is our God."
Jos 24:19 Then Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy and jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and sins.
Jos 24:20 If you forsake the LORD and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you."
Jos 24:21 But the people answered Joshua, saying, "No, we are determined to serve the LORD!"
Jos 24:22 "You are accountable for this decision," Joshua said. "You have chosen to serve the LORD."
"Yes," they replied, "we are accountable."
Jos 24:23 "All right then," Joshua said, "destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."
Jos 24:24 The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone."
Jos 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to a permanent and binding contract between themselves and the LORD.
Jos 24:26 Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the oak tree beside the Tabernacle of the LORD.
Jos 24:27 Joshua said to all the people, "This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God."
Jos 24:28 Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
Jos 24:14 "So honor the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone.
Jos 24:15 But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
Jos 24:16 The people replied, "We would never forsake the LORD and worship other gods.
Jos 24:17 For the LORD our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us.
Jos 24:18 It was the LORD who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the LORD, for he alone is our God."
Jos 24:19 Then Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy and jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and sins.
Jos 24:20 If you forsake the LORD and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you."
Jos 24:21 But the people answered Joshua, saying, "No, we are determined to serve the LORD!"
Jos 24:22 "You are accountable for this decision," Joshua said. "You have chosen to serve the LORD."
"Yes," they replied, "we are accountable."
Jos 24:23 "All right then," Joshua said, "destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."
Jos 24:24 The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone."
Jos 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to a permanent and binding contract between themselves and the LORD.
Jos 24:26 Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the oak tree beside the Tabernacle of the LORD.
Jos 24:27 Joshua said to all the people, "This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God."
Jos 24:28 Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
SOAP: Monday, March 3, 2008
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NLT)
Dt 30:15 "Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death.
Dt 30:16 I have commanded you today to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, laws, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.
Dt 30:17 But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods,
Dt 30:18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
Dt 30:19 "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live!
Dt 30:20 Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Dt 30:15 "Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death.
Dt 30:16 I have commanded you today to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, laws, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.
Dt 30:17 But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods,
Dt 30:18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
Dt 30:19 "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live!
Dt 30:20 Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)