#1 Corinthians 1:22-31

[kmac4him1st]

Regifted

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[katakaluptastrophy]

@greatandquestionablecontent noted that my discussion of Paul and St Paul didn't touch on the latter's awful views on women and sexuality.

And while I very much hope those aren't relevant for our new Lyctor-ish buddy Paul, they very much do haunt the narrative of The Locked Tomb.

We get one in-world bit of theology in Gideon the Ninth: the Sermon on Necromancers and Cavaliers, which talks about how the Houses understand the relationship between necromancer and cavalier and god. And it's pretty much St Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, ctrl + F'd for necromancy, with a few other infamous Pauline verses thrown in for good measure, especially from 1 Corinthians:

A necromancer who must leave her House and fight requires a swordswoman./For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. - Ephesians 5:31

Our necromantic characteristics make us more like the Emperor...the necromancer and the cavalier are no different./[A man] is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of the man. - 1 Cor 11:7

As [the Emperor] was once man, and became God...so were we dead and became alive./And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. - 1 Cor 15:22

Their love is the love that fears only for the other: the love of service on both sides. Some have tried to characterise this relationship as the cavalier’s obedience to the necromancer, but the necromancer must be in turn obedient to the needs of the cavalier without being asked or prompted: theirs is arguably the heavier burden./Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood, with honour preventing [anticipating] one another. - Romans 12:10 (I suspect this one is also meant to call to mind Ephesians 5's instructions for wives to submit to their husbands, while husbands are asked to love their wives like Christ loves the church - an instruction proponents of so-called Biblical gender roles will often describe in language similar to the Sermon as being the bigger ask.)

The love of the cavalier for the necromancer, and the necromancer for the cavalier...cannot be libidinous./But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity...because these are improper for God’s holy people. - Ephesians 5:3

So cavaliership very much reproduces the gendered asymmetries of power found in many traditional Pauline-flavoured interpretations of Christian marriage.

But when you look at some of the invective around a romantic or sexual necromancer/cavalier relationship, it's coded rather more as homophobia.

The Sermon on Necromancers and Cavaliers hedges around explicitly condemning necro/cav relationships as specifically against the will of god, but makes it clear that's very much a view held within the Houses:

"after a myriad of thought about the matter, marrying your cavalier remains taboo at best. There have been those who have argued eloquently that it is traitorous to the ideals of the Necrolord Prime."

While St Paul isn't the only source of egregiously homophobic Bible verses, he's responsible for a good chunk of them, and the idea of this specifically defying the designs of God is a recurring theme...

It's worth noting that not all of what's generally described as St Paul's writing likely actually is. And Ephesians, which features so strongly here, is one of those "pseudo-Pauline" letters - a sort of Pauline fanfiction written to fill in perceived gaps or deal with issues as they arose.

But it feels oddly appropriate that the Houses' theology of gender cavaliership, itself an imitation of St Paul, is so strongly inspired by an imitation of St Paul...

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

1 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt; he took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father; only, he sacrificed and burnt incense at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings upon that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to thy servant David my father, because he walked before thee in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward thee; and thou hast kept for him this great and steadfast love, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. — 1 Kings 3:1-15 | Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 28:16; Genesis 41:7; Leviticus 17:3; Numbers 27:17; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 12:2; Deuteronomy 31:2; Joshua 18:21; 1 Samuel 13:9; 2 Samuel 7:8; 1 Kings 1:48; 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 4:31; 1 Kings 7:1; 2 Chronicles 1:11; Psalm 91:16; Proverbs 3:2; Daniel 2:21; Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:13; Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 8:3; Ephesians 3:20; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:5; James 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15

Read full chapter

Hymns for 1 Kings 3

[kushblazer666]

I know I will probably experience some hate on this post, but it’s okay. I don’t live to please man 🙌🏼

If you can look at this photo and NOT see the demonic agenda of Halloween, you are blinded. 😵

I was walking through Michaels yesterday and saw all of this as I was checking out.

Witches, ouija boards, demons, the dead, fear, supernatural, ghosts, monsters, magic, spells, curses, mediums, palm reading, witchcraft, potions, all seeing eye…

These are things that NO follower of Christ should compromise with. Period

It’s a sad thing when you have churches doing “trunk or treats” while the members are even dressing as witches and passing out candy with monsters and demons on the wrappers… where have we gone? The church needs help. God help us.

“Chelsea, I saw you celebrating Halloween before!! Don’t be a hypocrite!” 🙄

Oh I know I used to! I used to be all about it. I used to dress up, go to the parties, and haunted houses…. But then the Lord opened my eyes and now I can’t compromise with the world. I just can’t.

“But Chelsea you’re ridiculous. It’s for fun and kids go out and get candy. Come on now..”🙄

Listen, go look up the history of how passing out candy on Halloween came about. Go look up how the costumes came about. While you’re researching, look up the Celtic history of Oct 31.

Then ask yourself, “does this glorify God?”

 I understand that so many like to celebrate and try to “sprinkle Jesus on top“, I used to do the same, but the unfortunate fact is that you can’t.

This holiday is demonic. Just because you dress up your child as a Bible character does not make it of the Lord.

We have to be set apart. We are called to be set apart. How are we set apart if we look exactly like the world?

“Where are your scriptures Chelsea?? You can’t just talk all this talk and leave with nothing!!” 🙄

I’m glad you asked, here are just a FEW. 👇🏼

1 Corinthians 10:21 📖

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

1 John 1:5

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all

3 John 1:11

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from every form of evil.

Ephesians 4:27

Neither give place to the devil.

2 Corinthians 6:14

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

-Don’t be upset with me. This is Gods Word. Speak to Him. We can’t twist it. We have to be fully committed to Him and without compromise. I know this can be hard when we are so used to it, but it’s time to say “enough” to Satan and not even allow him one day.

I tell you all of this because I love you.

Shared from Chelsea Covell.

[hiswordsarekisses]

This really blew me away this morning…

“…To ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" ~ Here are a few obvious aspects:

You seek fellowship with him and long to gaze upon his beauty (Psalm 27:4). You rejoice in meditating on his Word and rise early to pray (Psalm 119:97; Mark 1:35). You always delight to do his will (Psalm 40:8). A regard for his glory governs and motivates everything you do (1 Corinthians 10:31)—eating and drinking, working and playing, buying and selling, reading and speaking, even driving. You’re never discouraged or frustrated by adverse circumstances because you’re confident God is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). You’re always content because you know he’ll never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Or look at what Jesus called the "second" commandment: "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39, NIV). Among other things, this would mean that you never show selfishness, irritability, peevishness, or indifference in your dealings with others. You take a genuine interest in their welfare and seek to promote their interests, honor, and well-being. You never regard them with prideful superiority or talk about their failings. You never resent any wrongs they do to you, but instead are always ready to forgive. You always treat them as you would have them treat you.

Do you begin to grasp some of the implications of what it means to obey these two commandments?”

“On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt22:40)

Most of us don’t even think about the 2 commandments the Lord said are most important in the course of a day, let alone aspire to obey them. ~ Instead we content ourselves with avoiding major outward sins and performing accepted Christian duties.”

(Jerry Bridges)

[scribeforchrist-blog]

A Pure Mind for Christ

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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+ Psalm 65:3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.

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VERSE OF THE DAY 

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+ Titus 1:15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving because their minds and consciences are corrupted.

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** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM FREE 

I AM HEARING HIS VOICE 

I AM BELIEVING IN HIM 

I AM NOT ALONE 

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READ TIME: 7 Minutes & 54 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

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     A lot of times when we are in the world, our mind is always thinking about the worst, or we are always thinking the most negative things, or the most corrupt things because our mind isn’t used to thinking about the pure, joyous, uplifting things of Christ , but as we give ourselves to God are minds become pure our minds don’t think like other people. Many people will think you're strange or different, but that’s okay because when we walk in God, we want our minds to be pure so He can use us in His way.

  Matthew 15:18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, defiling a person.

 We must be careful the way we speak and what we talk about because what comes out the mouth is what defiles a person, not what goes in; that’s why we must be careful of what we watch on TV and listen to because some of the music today isn’t a good influence on our lives, people can say they love something but doesn’t mean it’s good for us don’t get me wrong it’s a lot of artist out there that can make music without all the inappropriate things in it. 

    Still, it's some artists we, as believers, shouldn’t partake in. We should avoid anything that is going to place thoughts of lust, anger, rage, bitterness, or violence because our mind should always be about what brings peace and what pleases God; our mind shouldn’t be filled with things of this world and violence. 

  1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

  Everything we do should be for the glory of God, not for us; a lot of us do things for the looks of others or the applauds of others, but every day, we should live our life for the glory of God because if we say  God is the head of our life, we should do everything we can to live in that way, sometimes it might seem we got so much going on in our life, but our main focus should be on God we have to keep him in our mind every day, the word of God says to meditate on his word meditate on him and his presence, acknowledge that his presence is there, don’t allow your daily activity and the things you're doing to pull you away from God, because if we keep doing things that will pull us away, we will be further from him then what we think 

  Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

   We must draw near him with the mindset that we are clean because of Him and that what we have in our conscience is clean because of Him; everything is because of him! And if we are not clean, that’s when we must ask him, lord, clean me of all unrighteousness, help me to stay devoted to you and only you because the flesh is weak and the spirit is strong; we can have the mindset that we don’t want to be filled with filthy and wickedness, but our flesh wants something else.

    Just like prayer, sometimes our bodies don’t want to pray, but those are the times we must seriously make our bodies pray because those are the times the enemy is near watching us; we must be careful with our lives, friends, doing what we want can cause us to have problems connecting with God on a deeper level. What is essential in your life? Is it connecting with God, or is it connecting with everything else in life? We will make time for what we desire to connect with more, but we don't make time for things we don’t care for at all.

 Psalm 73:28 But it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

   It is good to be near God and to be in his presence. After a long day of work, I know some of us love our warm bed or a hot shower, and we need it to feel peace or feel cleansed, but the most essential thing in our day should be when we draw near to God. God is waiting for us to draw near him; how many of you get excited when you hear the voice of God or when you get a new revelation from reading your word? Every day, we should have this excitement when we connect with him. 

  Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

  Nothing we can ever do will save us; we are saved because of his mercy and grace. Some of us think I can be so good. I won't go to hell, or if I act this way, I won't go to hell, but what we do ,won't ever save us; what will save us when we do things in his strength when we are leaning on him, we can't lean on our sleeves because we are made of the flesh when we take into account of the things we do that will send us to hell we would be amazed, we can't say God is sending us because he isn't ,we are sending ourselves when we don’t obey him!

  *** Today, we discussed how what we listen to can change our dynamic with God or even what we watch sometimes. We allow this world and what it's about to change us because we constantly allow what we listen to, and watch be poured into us instead of God; we must be cautious about what we listen to because the enemy will take any angle to pull us away ,the simplest thing can cause us to have a detour on our road to God.

  James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Clean your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

  It tells us here to draw near to God, and he will draw near to us; it's a two-way street, and we can't expect God to follow us down a road we do not want him on. We must make the choice that we need him there, and he will meet us where we are; if you're filled with hatred and lust, have no fear, and don’t worry about who you are now; give yourself to God, and he will clean you and heal all your wounds if you feel this is you, go to him today, and he will heal you. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

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PRAYER

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Heavenly Father, thank you so much for everything. Lord, we need you in our lives; lord, help us to draw near to you even if it has been a busy day; help us to include you in all our choices and everything we do; lord bless and keep us lord; we always want to be a chosen vessel of yours, use us this day father show us the way, and we will walk in it, lord forgive us of the sins we have done in Jesus Name Amen 

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REFERENCES 

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+ Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but he coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

 

+ Ezekiel 16:9 Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil

 

+ Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart

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FURTHER READINGS 

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 Proverbs 10

Nehemiah 7

Joshua 19

2 Peter 3

2 Corinthians 8

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[freebiblestudies]

Line Upon Line Lesson 072: Protecting the Weak and Vulnerable

Exodus 22:21-22 - You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.

What does the Bible mean by the term “stranger”? Let’s find out in today’s lesson.

Let’s read together Genesis 15:13; Genesis 23:4; Exodus 2:22; Exodus 12:49; and 1 Kings 8:41-43.

A stranger was a foreigner who lived among the people of Israel. Note that in the Bible a “stranger” was not the same as a “foreigner.” A foreigner was still a citizen from another country and only visited Israel as a traveler.

What does a stranger have in common with a widow or a fatherless child?

Let’s read together Genesis 31:15; Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Matthew 25:34-40; and Ephesians 2:11-13.

Strangers are economically vulnerable, like widows and orphans. They have no resources of their own to rely on as they try to survive in a foreign land.

Who are the modern-day strangers today? Ethnically displaced people, refugees, and even illegal immigrants could be considered strangers. 

Let’s read together Psalm 34:8; Psalm 100:5; and 1 Corinthians 11:1.

Why should we help and care for such people? Remember that God loved and cared for us when we were spiritual strangers.  He did not do this because there was anything inherently good in us. Rather, God did this because He is good.

In the same way we need to care for the weak and vulnerable in society. In doing so, we will demonstrate Jesus’ love to them through us.

Friend, will you care for and love the stranger, the widow, and the fatherless child?

[aressida]

Feminists, I want to express how I feel when I see all of you (as someone who once held feminist views and disliked men a decade ago, but now that I have gained understanding): Enough with the sabotage!

Be the duty of a woman. -> Genesis 2:18

-> Galatians 3:28 -> 1 Timothy 2:9-15 -> 1 Corinthians 11:3 -> Titus 2:3-5 -> 1 Timothy 2:11-12 -> Ephesians 5:22-24 -> Proverbs 31:11–12 -> Genesis 3:16

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

18th September >> Mass Readings (USA)

Wednesday, Twenty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Brothers and sisters: Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33:2-3, 4-5, 12 and 22

R/ Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.

R/ Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

For upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R/ Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.

R/ Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Gospel Acclamation cf. John 6:63c, 68c

Alleluia, alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, you have the words of everlasting life. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 7:31-35 We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[holystormfire]

What should have our attention?

Ecclesiastes 7:13

Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?

John 5:19

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”

We should pay attention to what God is doing and the way he is working in our lives and in the world around us.

Hebrews 2:3-4

So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Luke 8:18

So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

We should pay attention to the message Jesus has for us. What Jesus says is reinforced by who he is—God’s Son. If Jesus was not God’s Son, he would be incapable of raising us from the dead. He would have no power to save us and take us to heaven. Think of the most important person on earth. If that person wanted to talk with you, would you listen? Would you give him or her your full attention? How much more important is the Son of God!

Psalm 119:78

I will concentrate on your commandments.

2 Peter 1:19

Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

God’s Word deserves our attention. Through his Word, God speaks to us and brings us life that last forever.

Proverbs 16:20

Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

Proverbs 19:27

If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge.

Proverbs 22:17

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

Proverbs 5:13

Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?

Proverbs 5:1

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.

It’s essential to pay attention to the instruction we receive from God’s Word and from wise counselors or teachers. If we don’t, we may be turning our backs on God himself.

Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.

Matthew 16:11-12

Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

We must be alert to the deception of false prophets and false teachers, those who twist God’s Word to make it say whatever they want. Pay attention to their wiles, but not their words. If a person is not speaking for God, we should not accept that person’s teaching as from God.

Mark 13:32-33

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

Luke 21:31, 34-36

In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near . . . Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

Be prepared for the day when Jesus promised he would return again by paying attention to the way you live. Live as if he is coming back today.

Ephesians 6:18

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Matthew 26:41

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!

Your prayer life deserves your focused attention. That’s how you best connect to God himself.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

1 Timothy 4:16

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

1 Timothy 4:8

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

The growth and strengthening of our spiritual lives deserves our attention. If it pays to exercise our bodies so we keep them healthy, how much more it pays to build our souls so they are healthy.

[orthodoxydaily]

SAINTS&READING: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024

october 6_october 19

HOLY AND GLORIOUS APOSTLE THOMAS (1st.c.)

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior.

According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).

On the eighth day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. “My Lord and my God,” the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.”

Some icons depicting this event are inscribed “The Doubting Thomas.” This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, “The Touching of Thomas.” In Slavonic, it says, “The Belief of Thomas.” When Saint Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts.

According to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. Preaching the Gospel earned him a martyr’s death. For having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur [Melipur], the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. Part of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in India, in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. The name of the Apostle Thomas is associated with the Arabian (or Arapet) Icon of the Mother of God (September 6).

MARYTS CAPITOLINA AND EROTEIS OF CAPPADOCIA

Saints Capitolina (Καπιτωλίνη) and Eroteis (Ερωτηίς) lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, when Zilikinthios (Ζιλικίνθιος) was the magistrate of Cappadocia (ca. 304).

Capitolina was a noble and wealthy lady, but she had no regard for riches. Therefore, she divided all of her property among the poor, and freed her slaves. When she was arrested as a Christian and appeared before Zilikinthios, she confessed her faith in Christ. He ordered her to be thrown into a nearby prison, and she was beheaded the next day.

Eroteis who was Capitolina’s servant, picked up some stones and threw them at the magistrate. Outraged, he commanded his guards to beat her mercilessly with sticks. By the grace of Christ, however, the Saint remained unharmed. Then he ordered them to behead her with a sword. In this manner, both of these Saints, the lady and her servant, died by the sword, thereby winning imperishable crowns of glory from Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:20-25

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. 21 In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord. 22 Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; prophesying is not for unbelievers but those who believe. 23 Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all and convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

John 20:19-31

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. 24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

[theprayerfulword]

August 14

Psalm 139:7 The psalmist wrote, “Where can I go from Your spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”

Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Psalm 31:19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!

May you not grieve or weep when you hear the Word of the Lord and understand the meaning of it, but let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Nehemiah 8

May the Lord find your heart faithful to Him Who keeps His promises to you because He is righteous. Nehemiah 9

May you know that all who sow spiritual seed have a right to receive a material harvest, for if even the ox who treads the grain is not to be muzzled, how much more the servant of God should have the hope of receiving liberally from all who hear and benefit from their ministry? 1 Corinthians 9

Be glad in Me, My child, and rejoice in My work today. Acknowledge Me in all your ways, My love, and let My Word be in your mouth, and My praise upon your lips, wherever you go. What greater testimony can you carry with you to others than that of a present and visible joyous hope in Me, for which you can give an account at any time when someone I bring to you questions you on it? Do you recall when I comforted you in your sorrow and affliction, bearing the weight and lightening the load, speaking words of love and encouragement to your heart? Walk in that joy, My loving one, remaining ready and willing to share the reality of it with one who needs to hear what I can bring to their life, sharing My truth in gentleness and respect. Do you remember how you have been reconciled in your relationships, first with the Father above, through My love and sacrifice and then, as you walked with Me, with one after another of the people from your past? Exult in the knowledge that you have been given right-standing with God above, the faithful Judge, and rejoice in His acceptance of you in Me, for you no longer walk in the fear of retribution and punishment, and are free of the burden of guilt. Your face will be radiant and your step will be light as you dwell on this fact; others, still bound, will notice, and some will ask. Do not be reticent, My filled one, but let My love overflow and spill out, in meekness and tenderness. Rejoice in Me, My special one, as I enwrap you in the garments of salvation that I have prepared for you. Do not be bashful, My darling, but boast in what I have done for you, and proclaim My love with trust in your heart and a song in your mouth. There is no witness more effective than this.

May you put your hope in the Lord even as His unfailing love rests upon you. Psalm 33

May you wait in hope for the Lord, Who is your help and your shield, for you trust in His holy name as your heart rejoices in Him. Psalm 33

May you fear the Lord and hope in His unfailing love, for the eyes of the Lord are on you to deliver you from death and keep you alive in famine. Psalm 33

[nerdygaymormon]

How can you, as a gay man, still be a Mormon, or even a Christian, with all the anti-gay things they teach?

I believe the overarching message God tries to teach is that we are all valued and loved, none are more important or more special. And we are to treat each other as equally prized and worthy.

Anything that veers from this message deserves to be questioned and called out.

Humans like to separate and rank, believing that we are favored and loved and others are lacking.

I may be a Mormon but I also believe the church has much room for improvement, especially when it comes to queer people

————————————————————

Leviticus 19:18 : You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:33-34 : “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Proverbs 22:2 : The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 : If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Malachi 2:10 : Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Matthew 5:43-44 : “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 7:12 : “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:37-39 : And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 25:34-40 : Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Mark 12:30-31 : And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Luke 6:27 : “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luke 10:27 : And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

John 13:34-35 : A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 15:12 : “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Acts 10:28 : And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

Acts 10:34-35 : So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Romans 10:12 : For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

Romans 12:10 : Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 13:8 : Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

1 Corinthians 13:13 : So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 16:14 : Let all that you do be done in love.

Galatians 3:28 : There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:2 : with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Philippians 2:3-4 : Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Colossians 3:14 : And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 : and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

Hebrews 12:14 : Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

James 2:1-4 : My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

1 Peter 4:8 : Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 John 3:11 : For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 4:11-12 : Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:20-21 : If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

2 Nephi 26:33 : ...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

Mosiah 2:17 : And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27 : And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself. For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just? Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.

D&C 78: 5-6 - That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;

Articles of Faith 13 - We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Water from a Rock

1 The entire Israelite community set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin as the Lord had commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”

Moses said to them, “Why are you quarreling with me? Why are you testing the Lord?”

3 But the people were thirsty for water there, so they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you ever bring us up out of Egypt to let us, our children, and our livestock die of thirst?”

4 Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me!”

5 The Lord said to Moses, “Go in front of the people, and take the elders of Israel with you. Also take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Watch me. I will stand there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. You are to strike the rock. Water will come out of it, and the people will drink.” Moses did that in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He named the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Battle With the Amalekites

8 Then the Amalekites came and fought against the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Select some men for us, and go out and fight against the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop, and God’s staff will be in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did just as Moses told him.

While Joshua was fighting against the Amalekites, Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the hilltop. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, the Israelites would start winning, but whenever he lowered his hand, the Amalekites would start winning. 12 When Moses’ arms became tired, they took a stone and placed it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands—one on one side, and one on the other side. In this way his hands were steady until sunset. 13 So Joshua defeated the Amalekite army with the sword.

14 The Lord then said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a memorial, and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely erase the memory of the Amalekites from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord Is My Banner,” 16 because he had said, “Since a hand was raised against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war with the Amalekites from generation to generation.” — Exodus 17 | Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV) The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 22:14; Genesis 36:12; Exodus 3:1; Exodus 3:16; Exodus 3:18; Exodus 4:17; Exodus 4:20; Exodus 12:38; Exodus 16:1; Exodus 19:2; Exodus 24:4; Exodus 24:14; Exodus 31:2; Exodus 32:33; Numbers 14;10; Numbers 14:22; Numbers 20:13; Numbers 20:24; Numbers 24:20; Joshua 8:26; Judges 6:24; 1 Samuel 30:6; Isaiah 35:3; Matthew 4:7; Luke 21:24; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 10:9

Exodus 17 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (concise)

Key Passages in Exodus 17

1. The people murmur for water to Rephidim 6. God send them for water to the rock in Horeb 7. The place is called Massah and Meribah 8. Amalek is overcome by Joshua, while Moses holds up his hand 14. Amalek is doomed to destruction; and Moses builds the altar Jehovah-nissi

[creativewaygrace]

Bible Verses for Putting God First

Matthew 6:33- But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Matthew 15:8- This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Romans 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also the Greek.

Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Luke 12:31- But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you.

Matthew 10:38-39- And whoever doesn't take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.

Revelation 2:4- But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.

Matthew 6:31-33- So don't worry, saying, "What will we eat?' or "What will we drink?' or "What will we wear?" For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

1 Corinthians 15:27- For God has put everything under his feet. Now when it says "everything" is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception.

Matthew 10:44-46- The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy, he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.

1 Corinthians 10:31- So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

Matthew 22:37- He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Proverbs 16:3- Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Matthew 6:2- No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Colossians 3:17- And whatever you do in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Matthew 22:37-40- He said to him. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the laws and prophets depend on these two commands.

Mark 12:30- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

Galatians 2:20- I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Matthew 6:19-21- Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Corinthians 3:23- And you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God.

Proverbs 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding, in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

Romans 11:36- For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Colossians 3:1-4- So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Peter 2:15- For it is God's will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

Exodus 20:3- Do not have other gods besides me.

Colossians 1:16- For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rules or authorities all things have been created through him and for him.

1 Corinthians 10:13- Don't you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple and those who serve the altar share in the offering of the altar?