Jeremiah 10:23-24
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself,
that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
Correct me, O Lord, but in justice;
not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
Jeremiah 6:13-14
For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.
They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.
Luke 8:54-56
And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping."
But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise."
And her spirit returned, and she got up at once.
And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Isaiah 51:1-2
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.
John 15:4-5
As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
1 Peter 5:6-9
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Philippians 4:12-13
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Proverbs 3:3
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Hebrews 9:11-12
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Romans 8:38-39
Neither death nor life,
nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come,
nor powers,
nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Isaiah 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;
that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isn't this what our modern culture does all the time? Calls good evil, and evil good. Celebrates darkness and despises the truth? What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Psalm 25:6-7
Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Christmas 2022
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Ruth 4:11-12.
From famine, loss and the death of Naomi's husband and sons, comes life. Matthew 1:5 tells us of the line from Ruth and Boaz to David and on to Christ - He who would be renowned in Bethlehem. Truly was Ruth to 'build up the house of Israel'.
The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2
The Law regiven to a new generation.
Do not add to the word, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God...
Luke 15:32
But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.
Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son.
Christ is the firstfruit of the risen (1 Corinthians 15:20).
In Leviticus 23:10 God tells Israel that they are to bring the firstfruits of their first Harvest of the promised land to Him. No grain was sown in the desert and the manna stopped with the firstfruits.
Christ rose from the dead on the day of the Festival of Firstfruits. By His death and resurrection, by His substitutionary sacrifice, He took away our reproach.
